1:48 OV-10A Bronco Update set, Paragon Designs Options

[Mike]

The aged Testors OV-10A Bronco kit suffers both from poor detail, and some important dimensional inaccuracies that would tax most modellers to correct. That is until Mr Neil Burkill came along and created the masters correcting all of the major issues with the kit.



Inside the businesslike box are two bags of nicely cast resin, another bag containing a small etched brass fret, and the major components, namely the wings and horizontal tail parts, the reason for the replacement of which becomes evident when you compare the kit wings with the resin parts, as below:





The sponsons containing the engines and MLG are too close to the fuselage, which on correcting means you will also need a wider new horizontal tail. Both parts are accurately detailed, with revised panel lining and a huge number of vortex generators moulded into both parts. They are simple drop in replacements, so no cutting of the kit parts required so far.

The remaining resin parts comprise the cockpit, which is woeful on the kit, instrument panesl, some appropriate lumps and bumps, exhausts and a lovely set of slightly bulged landing gear wheels. Here's where you'll have to get busy with the tools, cutting the kit nosewheel out from the moulded in stirrup and replacing it with the new one. The final resiin parts are the rear portions of the verticsl tails, which replace the kit section with accurately hinged parts that are also an awful lote finer and more in scale.



Finally, the photo-etched fret incorporates some new landing gear doors, flare dispensers and other fine airframe parts, including mass balances for the flying surfaces and even a windscreen wiper for the canopy!



Conclusion

It's a great set to update this kit, which is sadly getting harder to find, but does pop up on eBay from time to time. At a bit over £22 it represents excellent value and brings this ancient kit of an unusual subject bang up to date. Highly recommended on all fronts.

Availability

Available direct from Neil himself (contact details here), Hannants, or any other good aftermarket stockists.

Review sample courtesy: