Brewster Model 339C Buffalo ML-KNIL - 1/72 Hasegawa (conversion F2A-2)

[Aesthete]

This is one of my earlier builds finished as early as 1999. The level of painting and weathering leaves something to be desired being obviously below that of my more recent models presented here and the colours might be somewhat controversial in the light of new information, which became available since then.

Nevertheless, as it seems not to be really a lot of NL-KNIL B-339 builds around and I was pretty busy doing all that extra detail, I still dare to present it to your attention:

Brewster Model 339C

B-3110, 2-VLG-V, ML-KNIL, Singapore, January 1942, flown by Kapt. J.P. Van Helsdingen

Kit:

• 1/72 Hasegawa F2A-2 Buffalo "U.S. Navy"

Afermarket sets :

• Eduard #72-233 photo-etched detail set
• Hobby Plus navigation lights, wire

Decals:

• Aeromaster # 72- 146 "Buffalo Collection Part II"

Modifications to convert F2A-2 to a Dutch B-339C:

• the tail fuselage cone with arresting hook was replaced with the longer and more pointed one (without a hook ) featured on land-based a/c;
• a fixed tailwheel mounting with a larger wheel was installed instead of the retractable one with a small wheel;
• cuffs were removed from the Curtiss Electric propeller blades (although the kit does provide the uncuffed blades as well, but these are Hamilton Standard referred to be used with a B-239 and therefore don’t fit to the Dutch version, being first of all just too short);
• the area behind the cockpit under the canopy was simplified as the navy equipment (liferaft, RDF loop etc.) used on F2A-2 wasn’t installed on B-339 the straight pitot tube on the starboard wing was replaced by an ‘L’ shaped pitot tube.

Other corrections/additions/replacements:

• wing panel lines were not very accurate and were so filled in with superglue and then rescribed according to the available photos;

• only one landing light (on the port wing undersurface) is required on this version of Buffalo, so the second one provided in the kit was just mounted in place, the seam was filled and then everything was sanded and polished to be later just painted off; wing, rudder and elevator trailing edges were thinned the wheel wells were corrected and extra detailed as they should look like on the real a/c;

• the fuselage interior seen through the wheel wells was almost totally empty in the kit, so a lot of details were added there;

• air intakes at the top and bottom of the engine cowling were represented as just holes und had therefore to be deepened by cementing plastic pieces behind that holes followed by drilling them and scribing the correct tunnels.

• navigation&formation lights were replaced with transparent ones.

• the machine gun barrels were made of hypodermic needles.

[Mitch K]

Fantastic bit of work!

[LDSModeller]

Very Nice!!

Doesn't matter what colours the Brewster Buffalo wears, still looks great any which way.

Thanks for sharing your photos

Regards

Alan

[Mike DeTorrice]

This is extremely well done and it looks outstanding ! A very fine Buffalo model and presented here with a first-class series of photographs.

Mike

[batcode]

nice work, looks great

[stevej60]

Cracking build and finish,just got Tamiya,s 48 scale Buffalo inspired to get it started now!

[cardiff guy]

Nice work I always liked this little tub well done

Glenn.

[MikeR]

Lovely!

Mike.

[robvulcan]

I do love the Buffalo and that is a very fine example indeed

[russ c]

Really nice Buffalo, I keep chickening out of doing a Dutch one myself, but you may have changed my mind

[Aesthete]

Thanks so much!

Although historically perhaps not so significant as Finnish B-239, the F2A-2 (and its export versions) is in my opinion the best looking Buffalo version and it was also considered by many pilots to be the best Buffalo variant - probably similar as with Bf 109 F vs. G...