Revell 1:72 Boeing P 26A (approx' 1966 vintage)

[colin m]

The diminutive 1:72 Boeing P-26A. This kit is so old I'm not sure I should build this. It's something like 49 / 50 years old ! This, I'm quite sure is the oldest kit I've ever built. Including first time building as well.
So, what is it. This colourful little thing. Although, I think I'll substitute the green for blue as most seem to be that way. Also, the decals are very yellow. I'm trying the sunlight trick, but I don't hold much hope for them so I'll have to try something else. Masking will be tricky due to the rivets - 1960's remember.
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About 17 pence I believe.
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1966, a couple of years before I made an appearance.
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At least the colours seem simple enough.
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But wait, where am I going to find these very special paints ?
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And this is it for the instructions.
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Some good news. Even back in 1966, Revell put the holes in ready for the rigging. So no excuse here.
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A typical sprue. Top left is the cockpit. Top right engine shroud, look at the size of the sprue gates. Nice engine.
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Well, let battle commence.

[Guest]

Interesting looking plane, look forward to seeing your progress.

[PaulTRose]

oh boy, that brings back memories, i can remember building that when i was a nipper

look forward to seeing this progress

[flyjoe180]

You've got your work cut out for you on this one Colin. It can still make into a nice model like so many older kits.

[papa 695]

Nice one Colin in a sick and twisted way I'm going to watch this one mate.

[Dave W]

I remember building this in my youth. I started model making around the time this came out in 1966.

[colin m]

Nice to have you all along for this journey into the past. Yes, it's certainly old, but it fits quite well. Then again, with so few parts, it would be difficult not to fit.

Just 6 parts required to get to here.
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The propeller was a bit out of shape and needed heating up before bending it straight.
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So, it wasn't long before primer was applied. A bit of paint certainly makes all those rivets and raised panel lines stand out.
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And then an undercoat of white.
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Most of the wings and the stabilisers will be painted yellow, hence the white undercoat. I'll probably go with a blue fuselage, just like everybody else does, even though the instructions say green. But, any masking is going to be a right pain with all these rivets.

[papa 695]

Nice start Colin. Nearly completed.

[tanktrack]

Lovin the work so far

[Guest]

This brings back memories! I made this sometime in the 1980s, when modelling standards (mine in particular) may not have been quite so high. I seem to remember it made an eye-catching model, mostly due to the unusual shape, and the colours. I hope you read all the advice in the instructions, and didn't let any excess cement run and damage the details.

[Snowman]

Dead cool!

[flyjoe180]

Nice work so far Colin

[colin m]

This brings back memories! I made this sometime in the 1980s, when modelling standards (mine in particular) may not have been quite so high. I seem to remember it made an eye-catching model, mostly due to the unusual shape, and the colours. I hope you read all the advice in the instructions, and didn't let any excess cement run and damage the details.

It certainly is a blast from the past for many. Not for me though, it escaped me first time around. I do remember building a P12 as a kid, but not his one.
So, work has been delayed as summer hit us rather suddenly. But as summer is now over, work continues.
After an undercoat of white, yellow went on, and what a pain it was. But, it will do. Now masked up for the green. Yes, I've decided to go with the instructions and avoid the blue that everyone seems to do.
The little bags ? Just a simple way to quickly mask the wings off.
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Dark green is what Revell asked for.
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And that is what it got.
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A quick gloss coat and onto the 50 year old decals. They have been sitting on a window sill for the whole of summer and the yellowing has reversed itself nicely. But that is no guarantee they won't fall apart in the water. But guess what, they have behaved themselves quite nicely. Even going on over all these rivets.
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The ones on the tail don't fit too well, but a small touch up with a bit of black should fix that. The decals are very thick, but then again, the surface detail is 'big' as well, so it all works.

[papa 695]

Very nice work Colin, and the gods we're smiling on you with those decals.

[flyjoe180]

Nice work, turning into a really nice looking build.