1/48 Monogram PBY-5A Black Cats Catalina

Gallery Article by Matt Wohlford on Dec 29 2014

 

      

This is my recently completed 1/48 Monogram PBY-5A. Aftermarket products used: True Details Wheels, Terry Dean nose weight, Eduard canopy masks & Yellowhammer Decals. The decals were pretty old and did not settle well - probably the biggest "fault" of this build. 

 

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Model Master enamel paints used. A base of the older blue/gray camo was airbrushed on - then a coat of flat black followed by various coats of faded black on upper surfaces to provide fading. I then used a Magic Eraser Cleaning pad to scrub away some black in high use areas to reveal the original camouflage on the aircraft. Some brown chalk was lightly applied on the upper wing for some color variation. Antenna wire was made using EZ-wire (amazing Stuff!) I also scraped away the rope that was molded into the fuselage and then replaced it with some twine from the local hobby shop.

I entered this build into the IPMS Kalamazoo 2014 contest. To my surprise I managed to receive 2nd place in the 1/48 multi-engine prop category! This was the first time I've placed at a contest, what an honor!

Overall this is a wonderful kit that you rarely see built up. Great detail, good fit, and it looks like a Catalina - Good enough for me!

Matt Wohlford

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Photos and text © by Matt Wohlford