Jump to content

Questions about F4B-4


ruth

Recommended Posts

Hallo

 

I am going to build a F4B-4 in 1/32  from Hasegawa, after my Spitfire in 1/32 from Tamiya is finished.

It will be my first interwar American Navy Fighter.

Actually I build lots of biplanes.

But never interwar biplanes.

Has anybody built this Hasegawa kit?

I would like to hear your experience about it.

Are there any remarkable flaws in the kit or instructions?

I have as aftermarket the engine from Vector Resin.

Has anybody photos from this aircraft?

Let me know. Thanks in forward.

 

Happy modelling

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you have a squadron or aircraft carrier in mind? That might help, especially for photos. There are some restored F4B-4's which I think were  conversions from P-12E's that you could do a walkaround search for to get details- IIRC The Planes of Fame and National Museum of  Naval Aviation each have one. There was an old Aero monograph on the F4B-4 that had good detail photos, but it's been OOP for a LONG time. This should get you started...definitely not my scale, but I have seen the kit and built examples, and it's a pretty decent kit OOB. I think they also did a 1/32 P-26, BF2C, and P-12E. Many large scale builders I know wish they had also done a P-6E!

Mike

 

https://modelingmadness.com/review/preww2/huif4b.htm

 

https://www.largescaleplanes.com/articles/article.php?aid=107

 

https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/has/kit_has_js066.shtml

 

http://www.hyperscale.com/2009/galleries/f4b432rs_1.htm

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hallo, 72modeler,

Thanks  for the answer and the links.

I want to build the VF-1B 1933-1934 from the USS Saratoga.

The second option is the VB-5B 1935 from the USS Lexington.

 

Happy modelling

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Ruth,

 

AFAIK, VF-1B was flying F4B-3 in 1933 (?). See my post below. There is a list of references at the bottom.

 

Cheers, Michael
 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

At the start of the latest lock down I decided to rescue three kits for the “shelf of doom”.

I bought this Hasegawa 1/32 Boeing F4B-4 second hand about 20 years ago. Construction went well until I tried the decals which were complete rubbish.

Over the years the kit languished on the shelf mainly being used as a test bed for different paints being applied to other models.

Hannants had the Yellow Wing Decals for this kit in stock and I ordered a set.

Some of the missing bits turned up in the bottom of the spares box (yes I know I have forgotten to fit the auxiliary wing struts) but it was mostly a question of repainting.

Yellow Wing Decals

This Yellow Wing Decals set has been reviewed elsewhere on this site. Sufficient to say you get decals for 3 Navy and 1 Marine aircraft. They handle and adhere very well indeed. My only observation is that you have to be careful applying the various very small warning stencils they provide. I managed to get them to roll up into tight little balls!!

Apart from my own ham fistedness these are really good decals.

51217833257_b65041b29f_k.jpgIMG_0664 by Ray Staley, on Flickr

51219310894_c5b1b7eba4_k.jpgIMG_1596 by Ray Staley, on Flickr

51219615440_b69903b19f_k.jpgIMG_1598 by Ray Staley, on Flickr

51219615400_a25b08100d_k.jpgIMG_1599 by Ray Staley, on Flickr

51218545391_291496dfe2_k.jpgIMG_1600 by Ray Staley, on Flickr

51219310764_8baabd316f_k.jpgIMG_1656 by Ray Staley, on Flickr

51218759248_32a26dc057_k.jpgIMG_1657 by Ray Staley, on Flickr

51217833242_ae4590241b_k.jpgIMG_1658 by Ray Staley, on Flickr

51219615245_1dfcacfa3d_k.jpgIMG_1660 by Ray Staley, on Flickr

 

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 5/31/2021 at 2:10 AM, Phoenix44 said:

If you really want to go to town I suggest having a look at this:

 

https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/45212-132-boeing-f4b4-almost-naked/

WOW! thanks for pointing out this mind-blowing build. Kudos to Tomasz, the artisan. 

 

Lone Star Models did (does?) an outstanding interior upgrade for the kit in resin.  Sadly they are temporarily shut down.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/lone-star-models-lsm-30386-f4b-4-cockpit-set-hasegawa--1152292

https://lonestarmodels.com/

 

 

Edited by SilverWings
Add information on Lone Star Cockpit upgrade
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Ruth, just noticed this thread. I have in the last few weeks, completed the very same model, started over 30 years ago! For an old kit it goes together well, mine is OOB apart from repair of bits and pieces damaged from years in the attic. I found if it’s carefully cleaned up with dry trial fitting as you proceed,  it was possible to paint and decal the main components before final assembly. I rigged mine with 0.3 mm nickel silver wire attached with pva glue. Take your time with it and you can get a very nice model.

Regards, Dave

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...