Revell Lockheed Hudson, 1/72

[waylandsmithy]

AARGH! This is the worst kit I've ever come across! My lack of skill meant that I messed up the nose, and my first time using a liquid latex mask wasn't entirely successful. But rather than bin it, I decided to carry on and use it as an experimental base for practicing weathering.

 

I know it's not up to the normal standards on here, but I'm sort of happy with how the paint came out, if nothing else!

 

I went turretless because the kit parts were ugly, and I found a couple of examples online that were also devoid of turrets but had the same camouflage. They also didn't have the identifying letters on the side, so I binned them too.

 

Anyway, here it is, for what it's worth...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 2018 by waylandsmithy
typo

[John_W]

Well done.

It is indeed a sod of a kit to build, and mine nearly flew in to the bin as well.

Edited May 29, 2018 by John_W
Spelling

[Jackson Duvalier]

Have you compared it to the old Airfix kit?  😬

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Sorry to hear your troubles but I think it looks good 👍

[Graham Boak]

If it fitted together better, it would be better than the old Airfix kit on every count.

[waylandsmithy]

2 minutes ago, Graham Boak said:

If it fitted together better, it would be better than the old Airfix kit on every count.

Ah! I haven't tried the Airfix one. The main problem with this was getting the fuselage (and particularly the nose) to go together. The interior needs major surgery too, as do the engines. But I did enjoy the challenge and I've learned a lot: I need to get more adept at filling and sanding.

 

The Vallejo paint is a joy to use, though. As is Tamiya's super runny cement.

[cngaero]

That's a good looking Hudson.

Don't beat yourself up about it, we've all been there. Your skill set will develop with the more kits you build. 

This hobby is a long learning curve and gaining the experience is the important thing. 

Keep on going. 

[waylandsmithy]

14 minutes ago, cngaero said:

This hobby is a long learning curve and gaining the experience is the important thing. 

Keep on going. 

I will! I'm definitely enjoying, and trying to pick up new techniques that weren't around 30 years ago.

 

Not sure what to invest in next though: airbrush, or eye test??

[VMA131Marine]

It should be pointed out that your Hudson is not an original Revell kit, but a rebox of the MPM/Special Hobby kit. The molds to produce the kit are more similar to those used for short run toolings than the long-run moulds typical of Revell's indigenous toolings. This type of kit is harder to assemble because locating points are less precise or non-existant and, TBH, I think Revell should put a different kind of label on these kits to signify their short run nature.

 

That said, you've done a very credible job on the model and the weathering looks particularly effective. Well done!

 

After using enamels almost exclusively for ever, I am starting to warm to Vallejo paints. I particularly like their acrylic polyurethane primers. AK Interactive acrylics are also excellent.

Edited May 29, 2018 by VMA131Marine

[Graham Boak]

  It's a fair comment about it being a short-run kit but plenty of short-run kits, including other MPM examples, fit together much better than this one.  However, I'm not sure I'd swap this problem for the kind of inaccuracies seen on the Revell Halifax.  Perhaps they need yet another kind of label?

[Max Headroom]

Good result there👍🏻from what others rightly say is a 🤬of a kit!

 

I have one on the go that’s *ahem* stalled and has been for a while.

 

Trevor

 

 

[waylandsmithy]

Are the decals the same quality as other Revell kits? I had a couple of issues with the roundels not settling down. And some sadist decided the red roundel centres should be put on separately!

 

I've now got a pile of Revell 1/72 biplanes to have a go at. I haven't researched whether they're any good yet...perhaps it's best not to know.

[Thud4444]

Looks good to me. I'd be proud to put it on the shelf.

Edited May 29, 2018 by Thud4444

[Mr T]

This kit is one of the two on my Shelf of Doom as it is pig to build. Some Magna resins go together better. I gather that when it was being produced a mould broke and had to be retooled and the kit does has a feel not being finished properly. We'll done on a challenging kit. 

[waylandsmithy]

Thank you for all the kind and encouraging comments!

[Graham Boak]

Having more than one layer for a roundel is no bad thing, but the normal fault is getting the yellow ring centred (or the roundel centred on the yellow ring), and that is far too common, even on specialist sheets.  Hasegawa were good enough to provide separate yellow rings on their Hurricane, but no-one else has taken the hint.  I wish that they would.

 

I must be honest, and admit that I haven't started my Hudson yet.  I was very tempted to get it when I saw the reviews - surely it can't be that bad? - but I waited until the P&W version came out.  For a long time I've been tempted by a desert-camouflaged Hudson with a large Red Cross on a white circle marking, and I knew that desert-camouflaged Mk.V transports were fairly common.  So I got the kit, looked again at the photo, and despite the caption it wasn't a Hudson but a Lodestar!  Not to mention the P&Ws being far too large, more like Hercules, so they were unusable anyway.  And I already had a Lodestar, but intended for a different scheme.  I have started that with less trouble, but the new fuselage makes life easier that way.  I've yet to move onto the wing/undercarriage/engines, but it is discouraging.

Edited May 29, 2018 by Graham Boak

[Seahawk]

I put mine on "pause" when I read John McIlmurray's account in one of the modelling mags of his struggle to build a review sample.  He had it on display at the following Nationals, less on show than as evidence that he had finally beaten the little ****** into submission.  The Hudson and Wellington were not MPM's finest hour and did nothing to enhance Italeri's reputation when they appeared in their boxes.

Edited May 29, 2018 by Seahawk

[Rabbit Leader]

1 hour ago, waylandsmithy said:

I will! I'm definitely enjoying, and trying to pick up new techniques that weren't around 30 years ago.

 

Not sure what to invest in next though: airbrush, or eye test??

Get the Airbrush - what your eyes can’t see will tell your brain that you’ve ended up with a better looking model!! 

 

Back to the Hudson, the first win is that you’ve finished it, there’s many kits that don’t get that far. The second is that no matter how good or bad you think it is you will have acquired new skills and hopefully confidence to tackle the next one. Point 3 - you will always see more faults in your builds than anyone else and #4 - the minute you think you’ve mastered this hobby its probably time to find another hobby. 

 

We are always learning and trying new products and techniques and I think this is what makes this hobby both enjoyable and a little frustrating at the same time. 

 

Cheers... Dave

[waylandsmithy]

I think I might hold off on the airbrush for a couple of kits, so I can get better at filling and filing first, and develop some more weathering techniques. The airbrushing is quite intimidating with no experience! But I will give it a go down the line: the builds I've seen on here are truly inspiring.

[Pauly Boy]

Great build! Always liked a Hudson.

Now, on with the next.

  Paul

 

             

[bigbadbadge]

Well done on completing the Hudson it is a hard kit to tame, I built the Italeri Hudson and it took bloomin ages on and off . As said above now you have done this kit you will have gained more skills to tackle the next one.  Keep up the good work. This is a great hobby and the good thing is we are all here for one another too whether for advice or information about a certain aircraft etc 

What are you planning on building next?

All the best 

Chris 

[RidgeRunner]

If nothing else you deserve praise for sticking with the gentleman's scale ;). Good build.

 

Martin

[waylandsmithy]

45 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said:

Well done on completing the Hudson it is a hard kit to tame, I built the Italeri Hudson and it took bloomin ages on and off . As said above now you have done this kit you will have gained more skills to tackle the next one.  Keep up the good work. This is a great hobby and the good thing is we are all here for one another too whether for advice or information about a certain aircraft etc 

What are you planning on building next?

All the best 

Chris 

I've collected a few kits (because that's the law). Some are a bit ambitious just yet, such as the 1/48 Walrus and 1/72 Stranraer. I've got a 1/72 Academy Stuka: that's tempting because I've never built an Academy kit before. I do really want to do a 'custom' Starfighter for my own amusement too. So in summary, probably a Bedford MWD!

[bigbadbadge]

Nice. The Bedford sounds good. I have been doing a Bedford QLR.  I do love the look of the old WWII erase Bedford vehicles.   Good luck with your build. 

All the best 

Chris 

[Meatbox8]

From what I've heard this is a real pig of a kit and Revell were a bit cheeky releasing it as I believe it was originally an MPM limited run tool and not really meant for the mainstream.  Having said all that I think you've done a great job with it and your perseverance and patience have paid off.