Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV/V
Italeri, 1/72 scale
S u m m a r y
|
Catalogue Number: |
Italeri No. 1253 Hudson Mk.
IV/V |
Scale: |
1/72 |
Contents and
Media: |
151
parts in grey plastic; 24 clear plastic parts; markings for
five aircraft. |
Price: |
GBP£10.99 available online from Hannants website and
retailers worldwide |
Review Type: |
FirstLook |
Advantages: |
Long awaited subject,
crisply engraved panel lines,
good level of interior detail; useful options; excellent
quality clear parts; great selection of markings. |
Disadvantages: |
Some flash to clean
up; no locating pins, so more time test-fitting will be
required. |
Recommendation: |
Highly Recommended |
Reviewed by Brett Green
Italeri's 1/72 scale Hudson Mk.IV/V will
be available online from Squadron.com
While touring the USA looking for aircraft for the RAF, the British
Purchasing Commission were offered the Hudson, a modification of the
civilian Lockheed Model 14, by the US Lockheed Company. The aircraft was
used with success in maritime patrol, anti-submarine and bomber roles.
The earliest variants were powered by Wright Cyclone engines, but the
Mark Iv and V variants as depicted in this kit were fitted with Pratt
and Whitney Twin Wasp engines. The cowls for the Twin Wasp powerplants
were of a different, less bulged design.
Following close on the heels of MPM's Hudson Mk.I/II kit, Italeri has
now released their Hudson Mk.IV/V. In fact, this kit shares almost all
of the parts of the MPM kit with the exception of the engine cowlings.
Italeri supplies the straighter engine cowls associated with the Mk.IV/V.
The kit comprises 151 parts in grey plastic, 24 parts in clear ad
markings for five aircraft.
Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:
The plastic parts are smooth and crisply moulded. with small sprue
attachment points. Surface detail is by way of very fine recessed panel
lines with a few raised reinforcement strips where appropriate. There is
a little bit of fine flash around some of the parts that will need to be
cleaned up, but otherwise the presentation of the plastic is very good
indeed
The interior of the fuselage is nicely detailed, with a comprehensive
cockpit plus bulkheads and floor detail in the main cabin. The
instructions suggest that you can cut out the moulded-shut door as an
option, and a separate door is supplied if you decide to do so.
The clear parts are very thin and crystal clear.
Decals by Cartograf include markings for five varied aircraft in RAF,
RCAF and RAAF markings. with schemes in Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate
Grey, Dark Earth and Dark Green, and Dark Green and Ocean Grey. The
decals are in perfect register although the red in the roundels looks a
bit bright. Raiding the spares box will fix this problem.
Spare parts include the Wright Cyclone engines, but please
note that the early cowls are not included.
This is the first co-operative venture between MPM and Italeri, and it
opens some fascinating opportunties. The high quality and level of
detail of MPM's latest mouldings now at least meets the standard of
mainstream manufacturer Italeri. The strategy of each company releasing
a distinctly different and individually desirable variant is clever, and
will ensure the maximum use of these excellent moulds.
Do keep in mind, though, that there are no
locating pins so a little more time than usual will be required for
test-fitting and aligning the kit parts before committing to glue.
As far as I am aware, there has
never been a 1/72 scale Hudson Mk.IV/V kit available (the old and
immensely inferior Airfix kit was a Mk.I), so the Italeri boxing is
especially welcome.
Italeri's 1/72 scale Hudson is
crisply moulded, well detailed and includes a great selection of
markings.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Italeri for the review sample.
Review Text and
Images Copyright © 2006 by Brett Green
Page Created 14 July, 2006
Last updated 14 July, 2006
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