Minicraft PBY 5/5A Catalina kit questions?

[Guest]

I found the Minicraft 1/144 PBY kit on the discount shelf at the local hobby for $10 (USD) off the regular price of $24.99, and could not resist. This will be my first plastic kit in ages.

First off the bat, (1) Cockpit/nose turret: "Consult color & marking guide for proper turret style." However, that guide consists of two identical drawings of the PBY-5A, in two markings, VPB-63, French Morocco, 1944, and VP-83, Brazil, 1943. The colors and decals are identilfied, but there is nothing to indicate which of three (3, count 'em, 3!) turrets to use. I have the impression that the same kit has been issued before with other options.

How should I go about choosing a turret? Two of them use a single machine gun, and one uses a dual.

On their box they do indicate only two marking options, but being AS and therefore under the autistic umbrella, I do find it odd when a kit is marked "PBY 5/5A" when it only is set to make the 5A.

Has anyone else made this particular kit? Any other "gotchas" to look out for? Recommendations for adhesives, other suggestions?

Thanks very much, John

[Guest]

Probably of little help but here goes John.

I have a Revell PBY 10A Cataline (still in it's box). This has two guns in the front turret. May be a 10A but according to Revell info. they were known originally as PBY -5A's. They were then released to the Army & known there as PBY-10A. Actually to be correct they were designated OA-10A. Note all the confusion. Whoops no you have already encountered that. But read on & they were used by the US Air Force. But then in the USA I think, at least at that time, that the Air Force was part of the Army.

The long & the short is that my PBY- 10A is the PBY- 5A & has two guns in the front turret.

Laurie

[Guest]

John found this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_PBY_Catalina

PBY-5A October 1941–January 1945

Hydraulically actuated, retractable tricycle landing gear, with main gear design based on one from the 1920s designed by Leroy Grumman, for amphibious operation. Introduced tail gun position, replaced bow single gun position with bow "eyeball" turret equipped with twin .30 machine guns (some later units), improved armor, self-sealing fuel tanks.[3]

This site has more info as well which may be of use.

Laurie

[Guest]

Thanks. The configurations supplied are both U.S. Navy, which I'm sticking with, to harmonize with the larger model. They will both "fly" from my bedroom ceiling when i'm done with them. I'll read these articles a few times and determine which one to use.

Pity this particular kit release doesn't include parts for the PBY-5. I'm still trying to decipher the PBY in Destination Tokyo, whether it's a 5 or 5A.

Regards, John

[Guest]

I got started with the kit, but mis-fitting parts have defeated me. Wheel wells gave trouble, the alignment ribs don't line up, and the cockpit with turret, assembled as shown in the instructions, really does not fit properly either into the fuselage (same mis-match with the alignment ribs). I've tossed the kit on the closet shelf; this one is not worth the trouble and wasted time it's cost me. The next PBY will be the nice, big, 1:28 Guillows balsa, and I don't expect to get defeated by that nice, American made kit (the MiniCraft kit is made in China, and quality control problems are endemic under the communist system).

Feeling grumpy,

regards, John

[Guest]

I got started with the kit, but mis-fitting parts have defeated me. Wheel wells gave trouble, the alignment ribs don't line up, and the cockpit with turret, assembled as shown in the instructions, really does not fit properly either into the fuselage (same mis-match with the alignment ribs). I've tossed the kit on the closet shelf; this one is not worth the trouble and wasted time it's cost me. The next PBY will be the nice, big, 1:28 Guillows balsa, and I don't expect to get defeated by that nice, American made kit (the MiniCraft kit is made in China, and quality control problems are endemic under the communist system).Feeling grumpy,

regards, John

You are allowed to feel grumpy after that John. I had some very difficult problems with a 1/48 Mosquito recently & felt & showed more than grumpyness. Hope the next one goes well.

Are you going to publish for us as you build the next Catlina as this sounds interesting as most of us are plastic types ?

Laurie

[Guest]

You are allowed to feel grumpy after that John. I had some very difficult problems with a 1/48 Mosquito recently & felt & showed more than grumpyness. Hope the next one goes well.Are you going to publish for us as you build the next Catlina as this sounds interesting as most of us are plastic types ?

Laurie

Yes, definitely! I've completed the Minicraft disaster, and will also post on the outcome in another post here. My current plans are to start on the big Catalina next, hopefully within the coming week or next.

Regards, John

[Guest]

Yes, definitely! I've completed the Minicraft disaster, and will also post on the outcome in another post here. My current plans are to start on the big Catalina next, hopefully within the coming week or next.Regards, John

Look forward to that. As said I have a Catalina to build. Plastic that is. Will you publish as you proceed John? Interesting to see another type of material construction & how you go about it.

Laurie