Bell P-400 'Air-A-Cutie' Weekend Edition
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Kit Review
This is a reissue of the kit first released in 2000 as #8061, done here in the simplified Weekend Edition series without photo-etched or masks.
Inside the box you will find three sprues of a dark grey-coloured plastic and a single one in clear plastic. Surface detail is via engraved lines, with no rivets, plus raised ribs for the fabric-covered control surfaces. All colour call-outs are via Gunze-Sangyo Mr Aqueous Hobby Color and Mr Color ranges. Alternative parts are included for drop tank or 500lb bomb on the centreline rack, plus standard or 'weighted' main and nose wheel tyres. As before, the option to have one or both car doors open is included, plus the American and British style of exhaust stacks. The instructions have been modified to denote that weight is required in the nose, although the amount is not quoted.
Colour Options
The kit offers two decal options:
• AP287, 'Air-A-Cutie' of the 36th FS, 8th FG, New Guinea, November 1943
• P-400 flown by Capt. James R. Hillin, 91st FS, 81st FG, Tunisia, February 1943
The decal sheet, which is printed by Eduard, is excellent and has perfect register and colour density. It includes a set of airframe stencils as well as the wing root walkways and seat belts.
Conclusion
Still the best choice for the P-39/P-400 in this scale, the parts have remained crisp and well moulded with no sign of flash or other mould wear. The lack of the die-cast nose weight seen in the original is no great problem, although you will have to add quite a lot of weight into the nose area to ensure this one does not sit on its tail.
UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants (here), or you can visit the Eduard website directly (here).
Accessories currently available in UK for this kit
Eduard 49-234 Detail Set [pre-painted] £8.40
Eduard EX250 Canopy & wheel masks £5.60
Pmask Pk48020 Canopy & wheel masks £2.10
Scale Aircraft Conversions 48141 Metal landing Gear £12.70
This is a reissue of the kit first released in 2000 as #8061, done here in the simplified Weekend Edition series without photo-etched or masks.
Inside the box you will find three sprues of a dark grey-coloured plastic and a single one in clear plastic. Surface detail is via engraved lines, with no rivets, plus raised ribs for the fabric-covered control surfaces. All colour call-outs are via Gunze-Sangyo Mr Aqueous Hobby Color and Mr Color ranges. Alternative parts are included for drop tank or 500lb bomb on the centreline rack, plus standard or 'weighted' main and nose wheel tyres. As before, the option to have one or both car doors open is included, plus the American and British style of exhaust stacks. The instructions have been modified to denote that weight is required in the nose, although the amount is not quoted.
Colour Options
The kit offers two decal options:
• AP287, 'Air-A-Cutie' of the 36th FS, 8th FG, New Guinea, November 1943
• P-400 flown by Capt. James R. Hillin, 91st FS, 81st FG, Tunisia, February 1943
The decal sheet, which is printed by Eduard, is excellent and has perfect register and colour density. It includes a set of airframe stencils as well as the wing root walkways and seat belts.
Conclusion
Still the best choice for the P-39/P-400 in this scale, the parts have remained crisp and well moulded with no sign of flash or other mould wear. The lack of the die-cast nose weight seen in the original is no great problem, although you will have to add quite a lot of weight into the nose area to ensure this one does not sit on its tail.
UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants (here), or you can visit the Eduard website directly (here).
Accessories currently available in UK for this kit
Eduard 49-234 Detail Set [pre-painted] £8.40
Eduard EX250 Canopy & wheel masks £5.60
Pmask Pk48020 Canopy & wheel masks £2.10
Scale Aircraft Conversions 48141 Metal landing Gear £12.70
