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Buffalo Model 339-23
 "in RAAF and USAAF colours"

 

Special Hobby, 1/48

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: SH48057 - Buffalo Model 339-23 "in RAAF and USAAF colours"
Scale: 1/48
Contents and Media: 82 parts in grey styrene, 4 parts in clear injection molded for canopy, 4 parts in cream colored resin 36 etched metal piece and printed film for the instrument panel. Instructions and decal sheet for four aircraft.
Price: USD$39.96 on line from Squadron.com
Review Type: FirstLook - In Box
Advantages: Conforms to published plans; fine panel lines, extensive detail; busy wheel wells and clever engine mounting; high quality markings
Disadvantages:  
Recommendation: Highly Recommended

 

Reviewed by Brett Green


Special Hobby's 1/48 scale Model 339-23 Buffalo  is available online from Squadron 

 

FirstLook

 

Although early versions of the Brewster Model 339 featured the short forward fuselage of the F2A-2, the Model 339-23 was fitted with the long nose and was the USAAF version analogous to the Navy's F2A-3.

Special Hobby has released a new 1/48 scale Buffalo Model 339-23 with markings for Australian and US aircraft.

This kit has much in common with Special Hobby's F2A-3 kit released earlier in 2005, including high quality surface details, flash-free mouldings with fine sprue attachment points, crystal clear injection moulded canopy parts, framing inside the forward fuselage, guns in the gun bay, fuel tank and an intricate and accurate system of engine support framing.

 

 

Detail is superior to the old Tamiya Buffalos in almost every respect.

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Resin parts are cleanly cast and beautifully detailed.

For more detail on the specifics of Special Hobby's F2A-3 Buffalo, see Steven Eisenman's review elsewhere on HyperScale.


 Markings:

The Special Hobby Model 339-23 Buffalo includes markings for two RAAF machines, and two USAAF Buffalos based in Australia.

Three options wear camouflage of Medium Green and Olive Drab upper surfaces with RAAF Sky Blue underneath (including one of the USAAF options so, strictly speaking, all three of these subjects are "in RAAF and USAAF colours" as claimed on the box top!), while the final US option is overall silver.

 

 

Decals are well printed, thin and in perfect register.

 

Conclusion
 
 

Special Hobby's Brewster Buffalo family are fine, well detailed, well moulded kits that should not present any real challenges to modellers even with only a moderate amount of experience.

If you like Buffalos, there is nothing stopping you from building one now!

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to MPM / Special Hobby for the review sample.

MPM kits are available worldwide through hobby retailers worldwide and at Squadron.com

Review and Images Copyright © 2005 by Brett Greeb
Page Created 13 December, 2005
Last updated 12 December, 2005

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