|
Curtiss A-8 Shrike
Czech Model
S
u m m a r y
|
| Catalogue Number: |
CM4811 |
| Scale: |
1/48 |
| Contents and Media: |
31 parts in short-run injected grey
styrene; 44 parts in cream-coloured resin; 2 clear parts on a vacform sheet (canopy
and spare); decals for two aircraft. |
| Price: |
USD$34.97
from Squadron.com |
| Review Type: |
FirstLook |
| Advantages: |
Previously unavailable subject;
high-quality plastic; good detail; crisply engraved surface features;
well-cast resin parts; effective use of multi-media. |
| Disadvantages: |
No locating pins or tabs - "butt
joins" for large parts |
| Recommendation: |
Recommended to modellers with some
experience working with short run kits. |
Reviewed by
Brett Green
Czech Model's 1/48
scale Curtiss A-8 Shrike is available online from Squadron.com
Czech Models continues to release subjects that will likely
never see the light of day from mainstream model companies.
The latest 1/48 scale kit from Czech Models is the Curtiss A-8
Shrike. The A-8 Shrike was an advanced, all-metal attack monoplane that
entered Squadron service in 1931. The A-8 was powered by a 600 hp in-line
engine. The A-12 Shrike with a radial engine was probably more recognisable
than this variant, and saw wider service than the 13 A-8s produced.
Czech Models' A-8 is presented on three sprues of
satin-textured, injection moulded styrene; 44 parts in cream-coloured resin
and a small sheet of clear vacform plastic with two sets of canopies.
Click the thumbnails below to
view larger images:
The 31 plastic parts look to be the best yet from Czech
Models. The parts are crisply moulded with very little flash, panel lines are
sharply engraved, and several panels are accurately depicted as raised from
the surface. There are some raised ejector pins on the inner surfaces, but
these can quickly be despatched with a hobby knife or sprue cutter.
Trailing edges are quite thin, and fabric surfaces on the
elevators and rudder are nicely restrained.
The resin parts are in the familiar style of True Details,
with good detail, high quality casting and a simple parts breakdown. These
resin parts will mostly be destined for the forward and rear cockpits, but a
delicately detailed radiator and .30 cal machine gun are also included. The
exhaust, with its multitude of hollow stacks, is also extremely well done. A
set of bulged resin wheels supplement the plastic versions on the sprues.
Engineering is typical of limited run kits. There are no
locating positions or tabs, so extra care and time will be required to ensure
correct alignment and a secure bond, especially for the horizontal tail
surfaces. The full-span lower wing will help firmly fix this important join.
Two marking options are included. Both are in Olive Drab with
yellow wings.
This is another interesting and attractive offering from Czech
Models. The relatively small number of parts and sensible engineering makes this
kit a candidate for a modeller who wants to try their hand at limited run
models.
With suitable preparation and care in alignment and assembly,
Czech Models' 1/48 scale A-8 Shrike should deliver a great looking replica of
this "Golden Era" attack aircraft.
I do hope that Czech Models continues the theme - I quite like
the idea of a Nationalist Chinese-marked A-12 Shrike at some time in the future!
Recommended.
Thanks to Squadron.com for the review sample.
Review and Images Copyright © 2003 by Brett
Green
Page Created 16 December, 2003
Last updated 17 December, 2003
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