Bloch MB152 'Early Version'
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Kit Review
This is a revised reissue based on the version produced under the Azur label (#A060) in 2008. The revisions in this early version basically revolve around the additional grey sprue containing the engine cowling parts, because in A060, this element was all in resin. The rest of the kit comprises three more injected sprues, done in a medium grey-coloured plastic, one in clear plastic, twenty-nine resin parts and a small fret of photo-etched brass containing twenty-three components.
The interior is a combination of plastic (floor, bulkheads, sidewalls, instrument panel, control column and rudder pedals), resin (seat and throttle box) and etched (seat belts, seat side bars, rudder pedal strops, control levers and various panels and placards). The tail features separate rudder and elevators, but the wings have all the control surfaces are flaps moulded in situ. The engine is a little gem made from multiple resin parts, which fits firmly onto a revised rear bulkhead. A little surgery is needed to the lower, front section of the lower wing half, to deal with the revised (longer) intake of these early machines. The cowls are now all plastic, with the bulges all separate and that longer lower intake has separate screens inside it. The instructions clearly show that the engine centreline is off-set up 2º 5' to port, so don't try and get this centralised! The instructions also show you that the main wheels sit at a specific angle to the ground, not at 90º as you would expect. The undercarriage itself has a separate wheel well, with separate rib details, with the oleo, wheels, doors and retraction rams also in plastic, just the compression links are resin. The canopy is three-part, although the instructions do not show the option of having it posed open. The gunsight has a resin base with the two lenses as clear acetate film. The wing tip lights are separate, the propeller backplate is resin but all the blades and spinner are in plastic. Final details include the rudder trim tab linkage and the ring and bead sight, both of which are etched.
Colour Options
There are two options on the decal sheet.
• No.231, Y-718, GC I/8, Cherbourg-Maupertus, January 1940
• No.111, Y-59B, GC I/1, 1st Escadrille, Chantilly, Spring 1940
Both are in the green/brown/blue-grey over light grey scheme and all colours are listed by Gunze-Sangyo Mr Color and Mr Aqueous Color ranges in the instructions.
The decals are printed by Aviprint, so they are clear and precise, but are probably very thin and best 'floated' onto the model surface otherwise you will find them very 'grabby'. Unique markings, rudder tricolour and fuselage stripes are included, but no other airframe stencils.
Conclusion
A neat little update to the original Azur release, offering more in plastic and less reliance on resin, which is always welcome. The quality of the moulding is probably not as crisp as their latest releases, but it is still a good kit and with care and attention will make into a stunning model. Highly recommended to all Armée de l'Air modellers.
Our thanks to Special Hobby for the review sample. For more information on this and any other Special Hobby products, visit www.cmkkits.com or www.specialhobby.eu.
UPDATE 27th NOVEMBER 2015 - This kit is now available in the UK from Hannants, click here to go directly to their website and order
This is a revised reissue based on the version produced under the Azur label (#A060) in 2008. The revisions in this early version basically revolve around the additional grey sprue containing the engine cowling parts, because in A060, this element was all in resin. The rest of the kit comprises three more injected sprues, done in a medium grey-coloured plastic, one in clear plastic, twenty-nine resin parts and a small fret of photo-etched brass containing twenty-three components.
The interior is a combination of plastic (floor, bulkheads, sidewalls, instrument panel, control column and rudder pedals), resin (seat and throttle box) and etched (seat belts, seat side bars, rudder pedal strops, control levers and various panels and placards). The tail features separate rudder and elevators, but the wings have all the control surfaces are flaps moulded in situ. The engine is a little gem made from multiple resin parts, which fits firmly onto a revised rear bulkhead. A little surgery is needed to the lower, front section of the lower wing half, to deal with the revised (longer) intake of these early machines. The cowls are now all plastic, with the bulges all separate and that longer lower intake has separate screens inside it. The instructions clearly show that the engine centreline is off-set up 2º 5' to port, so don't try and get this centralised! The instructions also show you that the main wheels sit at a specific angle to the ground, not at 90º as you would expect. The undercarriage itself has a separate wheel well, with separate rib details, with the oleo, wheels, doors and retraction rams also in plastic, just the compression links are resin. The canopy is three-part, although the instructions do not show the option of having it posed open. The gunsight has a resin base with the two lenses as clear acetate film. The wing tip lights are separate, the propeller backplate is resin but all the blades and spinner are in plastic. Final details include the rudder trim tab linkage and the ring and bead sight, both of which are etched.
Colour Options
There are two options on the decal sheet.
• No.231, Y-718, GC I/8, Cherbourg-Maupertus, January 1940• No.111, Y-59B, GC I/1, 1st Escadrille, Chantilly, Spring 1940
Both are in the green/brown/blue-grey over light grey scheme and all colours are listed by Gunze-Sangyo Mr Color and Mr Aqueous Color ranges in the instructions.
The decals are printed by Aviprint, so they are clear and precise, but are probably very thin and best 'floated' onto the model surface otherwise you will find them very 'grabby'. Unique markings, rudder tricolour and fuselage stripes are included, but no other airframe stencils.
Conclusion
A neat little update to the original Azur release, offering more in plastic and less reliance on resin, which is always welcome. The quality of the moulding is probably not as crisp as their latest releases, but it is still a good kit and with care and attention will make into a stunning model. Highly recommended to all Armée de l'Air modellers.
Our thanks to Special Hobby for the review sample. For more information on this and any other Special Hobby products, visit www.cmkkits.com or www.specialhobby.eu.
UPDATE 27th NOVEMBER 2015 - This kit is now available in the UK from Hannants, click here to go directly to their website and order
