Popular Post Marcello Rosa Posted June 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2021 (edited) I attach here photos of my recently completed Privateer, built out of the box (+ some home made improvisations) from an original Matchbox kit that has sat in the box for 40 years. The problems with this kit are well known, and as expected this was a troublesome build (if you want to know details, visit my personal webpage; link in my signature panel). Still, I really wanted to build a Privateer, the idea of converting a B-24 kit was just too daunting, and I found it for a bargain in eBay (currently these kits are going for more than $200 AUD - more than 3 times my investment...). Surprisingly, the decals performed like champs, even I opened the box though they were all warped, yellowed and stuck to the flimsy paper that was supposed to "protect" them. In fact, it was nothing that 8 weeks of exposure to sunlight could not cure. I also stuck with the original engine cowlings, even though sampling the internet would make you think these are gross abominations that misrepresent the original (I honestly could not see what the fuss was all about; pretty OK for 1/72 scale). Whereas the propellers did look wrong, I did my best to make this less visible using the time-honoured technique of sanding. One irritating aspect of this build was that Tamiya cement (both the normal and the quick-setting) did not work well with the plastic: seams that I thought were long sealed tended to pop up again days later. This created multiple cycles of re-sanding, re-gluing, re-masking and re-painting, particularly along the joint between halves of the fuselage, and half-wings. I am not sure what the solution is, but if you are lucky enough to find one of these to build (they have been out of production for a while), it may be useful to try a different type of cement. Anyway, this seems to be the only kit of the PB4Y-2 around, so if you (like me) really like this plane, it is worth investing the time and effort. There were a few things I would do differently if given another chance, but I think it makes a fine addition to my collection. Edited June 27, 2021 by Marcello Rosa Changed order of pictures and fixed line breaks, added tags 124 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winenut Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 I absolutely love it Marcello I have looked to get the Matchbox original myself but had found the prices ridiculous! Back when I was a young teenager I built this exact kit and it brings back a lot of great memories to see yours today The scheme is just superb and you have certainly done the kit justice (So glad the decals worked out!) Yes we can see the typical Matchbox flaws compared to the standard of modern kit engineering (mainly the bulky/heavy look of the clear parts and canopy) but nevertheless you have created beauty Thanks for posting Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempestwulf Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Great job Marcello, you should be proud of the finished kit as it sounds like a daunting one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Hello This is really fantastic with such an old kit. Thank you for sharing. Patrick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Fantastic looking model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giampiero Piva Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 (edited) Very nice result. Congrats ! Bravo Marcello ! Edited June 27, 2021 by Giampiero Piva error 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Very impressive! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 That is impressive & enormously well done too. It is good to know it comes together so well OOB rather than having to throw a massive amount of aftermarket at them, thought plenty have showed that doesn't hurt either. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcello Rosa Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 4 hours ago, Winenut said: I absolutely love it Marcello I have looked to get the Matchbox original myself but had found the prices ridiculous! Back when I was a young teenager I built this exact kit and it brings back a lot of great memories to see yours today The scheme is just superb and you have certainly done the kit justice (So glad the decals worked out!) Yes we can see the typical Matchbox flaws compared to the standard of modern kit engineering (mainly the bulky/heavy look of the clear parts and canopy) but nevertheless you have created beauty Thanks for posting Cheers This was a bit of a surprise to me because my childhood memories were that Matchbox kits were the best in terms of fitting. Well I am glad I didn’t try this one then… 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcanicity Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 That's a beauty! You wouldn't know it was a 40 year old kit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Fantastic !!! I really like your work, these vintage kits may give amazing results when in the right hands. Btavo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Wow, this is beautiful! A subject not often modelled, and the antique Matchbox kit makes it doubly valuable. Very impressive build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Totally beautiful Privateer. Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Lovely work: another model to show that these old Matchbox kits can be dragged, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Very well done, seamless finish and beautifully presented. I would like to know where you live if you can get eight weeks of sunlight, this is not possible here in the UK 😂 Alan 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Fantastic,you've done the folk's from Matchbox proud! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Great work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastieboy Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 That sure is a beauty, great job 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcello Rosa Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 4 hours ago, Alan P said: I would like to know where you live if you can get eight weeks of sunlight, this is not possible here in the UK 😂 I live in Melbourne, Australia. But in all fairness other Australians also lampoon us for the bad weather. From what I understand any daylight from a window can do the trick (but of course, the sunnier, the better) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 (edited) I've heard that about Melbourne but I suspect a bad winter in Melbourne is probably a good summer in this part of the world. Anyway that's a beaut of a job on the Privateeer. Edited June 27, 2021 by noelh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winenut Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 7 hours ago, Marcello Rosa said: I live in Melbourne, Australia. But in all fairness other Australians also lampoon us for the bad weather. From what I understand any daylight from a window can do the trick (but of course, the sunnier, the better) Ha ha yes we do lampoon Melbourne's weather.....if you want the really good stuff it's in Adelaide! Plus some of the countries best wine..... Cheers 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcello Rosa Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 On 27/06/2021 at 13:25, Winenut said: (So glad the decals worked out!) Well, if you ver find one, and the decals are busted, let me know. I have taken the precautionary step of scanning the decal sheet at ultra high resolution before trying to apply them. The file is big, but if everything fails, you can print a new set 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 That's beautiful work, looks great in that scheme 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 This is a beauty, and I can see you totally re-scribed all the panel lines, which makes a significant difference and must've been extremely time consuming. I can't tell whether you corrected the underside outboard engine nacelle rear areas, which should come to a nice prow-like point, rather than an open half-circle shape. I didn't correct that on my build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcello Rosa Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 (edited) Hello No, I didn't change that. I was actually a bit confused about it since the photos I've found indicated that there have been different engines and different fitted to the Privateer, and they have different outboard nacelle ends. For example the one in the Pima museum has the nacelle like you described. In the end I used this diagram as my reference, which indicates that for at least some Privateers the outboard nacelle was lie you described. I also used is as my reference for panel lines. Edited June 29, 2021 by Marcello Rosa fixed spell errors 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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