1/72 - Ryan KDA-1/BQM-34 Firebee by Plus Model - released

[Homebee]

Plus Model is to release a family of 1/72nd Ryan Firebee target drones kits

Source: https://www.facebook.com/artscale.eu/posts/2809152559179590

- ref. AL7028 - ,Ryan BQM-34 Firebee

https://www.plusmodel.cz/en/BQM-34-Firebee

- ref. AL7035 - Ryan BQM-34 Firebee with cart

https://www.plusmodel.cz/en/BQM-34-Firebee-s-transportnim-vozikem

- ref. AL7036 - Ryan KDA-1 Firebee

https://www.plusmodel.cz/en/KDA-1-Firebee

Box art

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: http://www.ipmsdeutschland.de/Ausstellungen/Nuernberg2020/Bilder_JLF/105.html

 

 

V.P.

 

Edited January 11, 2022 by Homebee

[Grayhawk]

Why no wing stations for these great looking Drones?  I know, I know, "you want egg in your beer, too?"  These look really great.  Now if I didn't have three Italeri DC-130's...  Cheers!

[Homebee]

32 minutes ago, Grayhawk said:

Why no wing stations for these great looking Drones?  

 

 

 

V.P.

[colossusfr]

I want one.... or two.... or more !!!!  😁

 

Alain.

 

[Homebee]

Sources: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1825589950899443&id=303036219821498

 

 

- ref. AL7028 - ,Ryan BQM-34 Firebee

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1825560370902401&id=303036219821498

http://www.plusmodel.cz/karta_en.php?id=811

 

 

 

 

- ref. AL7035 - Ryan BQM-34 Firebee with cart

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1825573647567740&id=303036219821498

 

 

 

 

- ref. AL7036 - Ryan KDA-1 Firebee

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1825589950899443&id=303036219821498

 

 

 

  

 

V.P.

[Kampartiger]

It would have been nice if Plusmodel had included the DC-130's 'Long nose'  along with the Firebees.

[Violet Club]

I hope that the Reconnaissance versions (used in Vietnam War) will be also in their project list as well as the Large Compass Arrow drones

 

[HMSLion]

Yup.  The recon Firebees would probably be better sellers.

[-Ian-]

If someone would kindly produce the appropriate decals I'd be sorely tempted to give this beauty a go 😁 :

 

[Homebee]

Czech in box review - ref. AL7035 - Ryan BQM-34 Firebee with cart

https://modelweb.eu/2020/04/18/1-72-firebee-bqm-34a-s-transportnim-vozikem-plusmodel/

 

 

V.P.

[Homebee]

Released

Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2002532739871829&id=303036219821498

 

 

In box review - ref. AL7028 - ,Ryan BQM-34 Firebee

https://modelweb.eu/2021/07/05/1-72-firebee-bqm-34a-plusmodel/?lang=CS

 

 

V.P.

Edited July 6, 2021 by Homebee

[Madoc]

Aww... it's so cute!

[Planebuilder62]

Belcher bits have made a 1/72 decal set for that Lancaster but they are sold out

 

Regards Toby

[belcherbits]

8 hours ago, Planebuilder62 said:

Belcher bits have made a 1/72 decal set for that Lancaster but they are sold out

 

Regards Toby

The Lancaster decals are sold out but the drone decals are still available, if that's of any help. Contact me at [email protected]

Mike Belcher

[Rob de Bie]

Deleted - Link

[Rob de Bie]

OK, clear, I can't post a link to a review on my own site - I did not know that. That feels unfair: the site only costs me money, there are no commercials on it - it's just my contribution to the hobby. The Firebee review webpage is so new that you cannot find it through Google, so good luck if you're interested..

 

The review is way too long to copy here, but I will post the conclusions: 

• I think the PlusModel kit is a reasonably good model, but it's no improvement over the old Italeri BQM-34, except in having engraved panel lines and availability. If you're not very particular about shapes, the PlusModel kit will do nicely. But I can't 'unsee' the various shape errors of the model
• it's a slightly oversized model
• the model has nice variety in the decal options. A big contrast with the Black Dog model that contains no decals but costs more
• PlusModel could have included many more parts to make this a much more interesting kit; there are plenty of target systems that are mounted on Firebees. More ambitious would be a ground-launch platform
• errors that can be fixed quite easily:
  • extend the inlet forward 2 mm if you're building the original J69 design
  • tilt the radome 4-5 degrees up if you're building the later J85 design
  • shorten the span of the horizontal tails 2.3 mm on each side
  • ensure the horizontal tails are set at 45 degree sweep angle
  • add 'slider' brackets under the wings if applicable to your airframe
  • add JATO collar attachment brackets on the parachute cone if applicable to your airframe
  • replace the pitot tube with a longer one, maybe using Albion microtubing, and point it more downwards. See my AQM-34L where I tried this
  • move the canted bulkhead panel line on the front fuselage forward by ~4 mm, and extend the skid to that line
• errors that are more difficult to fix:
  • correct the sweep angle(s) of the vertical tail. This will also affect the fit of the tail decals
  • the double bubble shape of the fuselage-nacelle area can be filled with putty
  • the area behind the exhaust needs extensive reshaping

 

Here's a comparison of the old Italeri Firebee on the left, and the slightly bigger PlusModel kit on the right. Also note the difference in sweep angle of the vertical tails.

 

 

Rob

 

 

 

 

Edited January 11, 2022 by Rob de Bie

[Rob de Bie]

I tried to solve the problem of the unfindable Firebee review by creating a signature - I hope that doesn't break the rules. The review is on the 'Scale models' part of the site, not the 'AQM-34 Firebee' part.

Rob