I must confess I have a love of
1/144 kits. I guess it's the small size and the challenge and fun that
comes with smaller scale kits. Platz has taken the 1/144 scale kit to a
very delicate looking and well detailed level. All panel lines are fine
and recessed. The canopy and windshield are a one piece affair, so if you
want to pose this model with an open canopy you have 2 choices. Use an
Xacto knife and carefully cut the windscreen apart from the rest of the
canopy.......or just cut grind/sand/file away the unwanted parts from the 2
canopies included in this kit. Yes you actually get 2 kits in this one
box......so if you are willing to sacrifice the second kit to have an open
canopy on your model, then this is an option.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Cockpit detail is actually pretty good.
There is a separate seat that looks accurate and a separate instrument
panel. Sadly the instrument panel doesn't have a decal and there's no side
wall detail, so I'm starting to think Platz intended you to have a closed
canopy. Super micro detailers could have fun doing up this cockpit if they
were crazy enough to try. The wheels have detail that would be respectable
for 1/48 scale and tires have tread. The wheel wells even have ribbing on
the underside of the top wing.
There is a bomb and a centerline
fuel tank that also comes with each kit. The engine cowl ring is very
finely crafted and the prop blade is thin and looks correct. You also get
an engine which will come to life with a bit of paint and dry brushing.
The tail wheel and support have to be seen to be believed......someone put
plenty of effort into detailing this part and of course the main landing gear
look very good as well.
The decals include 3 USN Hellcats
from 1943 - 1944.
The decals are excellent quality and
in register and include stencils including prop decals for 3 aircraft. All
parts are packed in separate bags to protect the smaller more delicate parts.
1/144 models are a blast to build
out of the box and I guarantee you will enjoy building in this tiny scale and if
you are crazy enough to try.......I've seen some stunning detailing in 1/144
scale.
Steve
Check out http://www.platz-hobby.com/
for this and other fine products. I'd like to thank Platz
for the review sample......this kit is made in Japan and the high quality
is evident throughout this tiny model kit.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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