Grumman JRF Goose

Czech Model

Reviewed by Brett Green

Czech Model's 1/48 scale Grumman Goose is available online from Squadron.com

Considering that the Grumman Goose was a widely-used military and civilian flying boat from the late 1930s, through the Second World War and well into the post-war period, it is perhaps surprising that we have not seen this type offered as a 1/48 scale injection-moulded kit before now.

Czech Models' 1/48 scale Grumman JRF Goose fills this important gap.

Czech Models' Grumman Goose 63 injection moulded parts are presented on three sprues of glossy plastic; with another 12 injection moulded parts in clear styrene and 28 parts in cream-coloured resin.

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The grey plastic is well up to Czech Model's recent high standards. The parts are crisply moulded with very little flash. Panel lines are sharply engraved. Fabric texture is very subtly rendered. There are some raised ejector pins on the inner surfaces, but these can quickly be despatched with a hobby knife or sprue cutter. The wing trailing edges are fairly thick and will benefit from sanding prior to mating the upper and lower halves.

Clear parts are presented in thin, distortion-free injection-moulded plastic. This will greatly simplify the installation of the big windscreen and the small cabin windows.

Resin parts are in the familiar style of True Details, with good detail, high quality casting and a simple parts breakdown. These resin parts are mostly destined for the cockpit and cabin, including four comfortable-looking passenger seats. A set of very delicately detailed engines and bulged resin wheels will replace the plastic versions on the sprues. Two resin bombs are also included.

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 upper wing half will help this critical join.

Four marking options are included - two in US Navy tri-colour scheme, one in overall Gloss Sea Blue and an RAF Coastal Command Goose during 1943, surprisingly still sporting early-war roundels and gigantic fin flash. The decal film is thin and markings are all in register, but the blue of the various national markings looks a little too green to my eye.