|
Lockheed Model
14
Hudson Mk. I
Classic
Airframes
S
u m m a r y
|
| Catalogue
Number: |
448 |
| Scale: |
1/48 |
| Contents and Media: |
66 parts in grey styrene; 28
in clear styrene; 4 clear vacform parts on a small sheet. Around
35 parts in pale cream-coloured resin. Decal sheet with two
marking options. 8 pages of instructions and letter-sized colour
marking guide. |
| Price: |
US$59.95 RRP ($50.96 from
Squadron.com) |
| Review Type: |
In-box |
| Advantages: |
Important subject not
previously available as an injection kit in this scale; nice
surface detail (restrained fabric and crisp engraved lines where
appropriate); thoughtful engineering; crystal clear
transparencies; excellent resin parts; improved (narrow) sprue
connections; good quality decals; clear instructions |
| Disadvantages: |
Empty passenger cabin;
test-fitting and patience will still be required due to lack of
locating pins; |
| Recommendation: |
Recommended for modellers
wanting to take the next step from mainstream injection moulded
kits |
Classic Airframes'
Hudson Mk. I is available online from Squadron.com
Reviewed
by Brett Green
Classic Airframes' quality continue to improve with each
new release. Their Lockheed Hudson Mk. I is further evidence. This is
the first in a family of Hudsons that will be released in the coming
months.
Considering the importance of the Hudson to the early
efforts in the Second World War, it is somewhat surprising that we have
not seen the type produced in 1/48 scale kit form before now.
Classic Airframes' 1/48 scale Hudson Mk. I is delivered
in their familiar packaging with an attractive painting by Don Greer on
the boxtop. The model comprises 66 parts in pale grey injection moulded
styrene, 28 parts in clear injection moulded plastic, 4 small vacform
parts on a single sheet and around 35 resin parts.
The kit is broken down to permit the future release of
the Mk. II, Mk. III and Mk. IV Hudson. The major parts will be common to
all aircraft, with "mix-and-match" engine nacelles, engines, exhausts,
intakes and other minor details to distinguish the variants. Options in
this kit include solid or glazed nose, turret or blanking plate,
alternate position nacelle intakes and various antennae. These options
cover the variations between the Hudson Mk. I and Lockheed Model 14.
Click the thumbnails below
to view larger images:
The quality of the plastic parts sets a new standard for
Classic Airframes. The surface texture is satin, and panel lines are
finely engraved. Sprue attachment points are very narrow, and there is
very little flash in evidence. A new finesse is evident. For example,
the edges of appropriate parts are beveled to ensure authentic thinness
of the opening to the gear well and the wing slots. Trailing edges of
flying surfaces are also quite thin. I will be thinking twice about
whether I bother to sand these further.
Engineering is thoughtful too. The main gear has stout
locating lugs. I was especially pleased to see the "slot and tab"
approach to the tail surfaces to assist accurate alignment and ensure a
stout bond. Surprisingly, the big wings are simply "butt-joined" to the
fuselage. I recommend the installation of a wing spar to achieve a solid
join.
 The
Hudson requires extensive glazing, and Classic Airframes' clear parts
are another highlight (click thumbnail to
the left to view larger image). The clear plastic is very
transparent and free of distortion. The designers have taken care to
ensure that clear parts join only on panel lines. Mercifully, the clear
tip of the nose is a single part. Each cabin window is also a separate
part. These will be somewhat tricky to install securely.
The resin parts are delicately detailed and as nice as
we have come to expect from Classic Airframes in recent years.
Click the thumbnails below
to view larger images:
Instructions are logically laid out in eight pages over
18 steps. Brief notes supplement the exploded view diagrams. Decals are
provided for two aircraft.
The only shortcoming of the kit is the absence of any
cabin interior - not even a floor. Having said that, the windows are
quite small, so interior visibility will be limited. Even so, the
determined detailer may want to add some rudimentary elements such as a
floor and some seating.
Classic Airframes has once again answered the call for new aircraft
types in 1/48 scale. They have done so with their best effort to date.
The quality of plastic is a definite improvement over earlier releases,
the clear parts are a joy and resin details are the icing on the cake.
The lack of locating pins will demand constant dry-fitting and extra
care when assembling this kit, but I do not see anything especially
alarming in the box. This kit looks like a good candidate for a modeller
who feels ready to tackle something slightly more challenging
than a standard Tamiya or Hasegawa offering.
Congratulations, Classic Airframes, for the impressive execution of
yet another neglected subject!
Recommended.
Thanks to Jules Bringuier of Classic
Airframes for the review sample.
Classic Airframes kits are available
worldwide through hobby retailers and at
Squadron.com.
Review and Images Copyright © 2001 by Brett
Green
Page Created 24 July, 2001
Last updated
09 November, 2003
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