Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/48 PB4Y-2 Privateer Conversion

Product # CEC48500 for $239.99 for Monogram/Revell kit

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Jan 18 2006

WOW!!!  WOW!!!  WOW!!!  WOW!!!  WOW!!!  

 

 

When I opened the sturdy box containing this resin conversion set for the 1/48 Privateer from Cutting Edge Modelworks I was in awe of the number of parts.  This set contains nearly 150 parts in all in 3 mediums...grey resin, clear resin for the windows and some turrets and white metal for the landing gear.

You also get an 8 page colour instruction book, painting masks for the windows and wheels and a decal sheet for two different Privateers....one WW2 American bird and one French aircraft from Indochina (Vietnam) in 1954.  You also have the option of buying Pyn Up decals from Meteor Productions for other Privateers with sexy noseart.   

 

The resin is the typical high quality you expect from Cutting Edge Modelworks with recessed panel lines and a very smooth surface.  A test fit of the fuselage halves showed a perfect fit with almost no flash and no warpage of the fuselage halves.

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The detail rich white metal landing gear are flawlessly cast and include hydraulic lines and will help to properly support this resin rich model.....a nice touch by Cutting Edge Modelworks.

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The clear parts are made of clear bubble free clear resin and include very finely done panel lines which are a bit hard to show well in photos.

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The rest of the exterior resin parts are full of fine recessed panel lines and crisp well done detail.  There are so many parts!!!

The decal sheet includes markings for 2 aircraft.  
  • The first aircraft is an American PB4Y-2 Privateer VPB-121  ser.# 59564 from Eniwetok Island in February 1945.  The paint scheme is light blue on the side (Intermediate Blue) and dark blue (Non-Specular blue on the side of the fuselage and white (Non Specular White) on the undersides.  Noseart is a 9 little elves with white beards holding and shooting a very large musket rifle.  National markings are included.
  • The second aircraft is a French PB4Y-2B Privateer with Flotille 28F in Indochina (Vietnam) that flew combat missions at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.  This aircraft also later served in Algeria.  The paint scheme is glossy sea blue overall.  Noseart is a white shield with a black wolf.  National markings are included.

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The eight pages of instructions include colour photos and information laddened text to help guide you through each step in the process to create this awesome conversion.  Also included is general tips for using the Black Magic Painting Masks.  The resin casting is of a very high quality and all detail is very well done.  This conversion is not for the novice modeller, but it is not impossible for a patient modeller....go slow and enjoy the build.  Test fitting parts at each stage before you get out the glue will be the best trick to achieve the highest quality model.  This is not a complicated build.....just straight forward resin work.

Click on instruction sheets below to see larger images

There are two PYN-UP Decals sheets available from Meteor Productions separately for the Privateer that are available now. The two sheets are: 

  • PYND48022 PB4Y-2 Lady Pirates Nr.1: PB4Y-2, 59501, Punkie, 501, , VPB-109, Palawan, Okinawa, and Iwo Jima, June-August 1945; PB4Y-2, The Super-chief/Lex Loci, None, , VPB-106, Westbrook Field, Palawan, Philippine Islands, May-July 1945. $19.99; 

  • PYND48024 PB4Y-2 Lady Pirates Nr.2: PB4Y-2, 59582, Miss Sea-ducer, R582, Lt Bronstein, VPB-116, Iwo Jima, March-June 1945; PB4Y-2, 59505, Redwing, X505, , VPB-106, West Field, Tinian, and Westbrook Field, Palawan, Philippine Islands, March-May 1945; BONUS DECAL for unknown PB4Y-2 with a great Cherub with machine gun on left waist blister! $19.99. 

 

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford