1/72 Special Hobby Douglas A-20B Boston "Soviet Air Force"

[Roman Schilhart]

Dear fellow Britmodellers,

here's my 1/72 Special Hobby A-20 Boston with Red Stars.

The model was painted with Mr.Hobby acrylics.

Photographs by Wolfgang Rabel.

Thanks to @Kjetil Åkra, @dogsbody, @DLinevitch for their help in research.

 

 

This kit was first released in 2007 under the MPM brand.

Special Hobby added specific parts for the VVS Version with UTK turret (plastic, resin and etch).

Unfortunately the turret transparencies are not as clear as the cockpit glazing, and they don't fit well.

The oversized defense gun was replaced with a metal item from Mini World.

I scratch-built the life raft in the cockpit with paper tissue.

The bomb bay was cut open and loaded with Soviet bombs (from a Tamiya Il-2).

Photo-etch from Eduard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous owner's markings (RAF?) overpainted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a pretty challenging build with poor fit throughout.

I'd only recommed this kit to seasoned and very patient modellers.

Thank you for your interest, best greetings from Vienna!

Roman

 

 

 

 

 

[F-32]

Gorgeous work, really really nice

[Andy Dyck]

Another perfect cracker!  Superb photography as always!
 

Andy 

[Remus389]

Interesting in soviet markings, very good, I like it very much 😎👍

[Zigomar]

Just brilliant!

[RMCS]

Superb 

[djos]

Only one comment......BEAUTIFUL!

Best regards Djordje

[RidgeRunner]

Another beauty for you, Roman

[JWM]

Roman, very nice result and interesting worn camo showing the complex history of plane.

I think the factory scheme was with US insignia (in 1942 or early 1943 style), not the British roundels. There are surely specialists, who knows how it was, I  am just guessing...  If I may ask - Have you considered that  the overpaintigs of blue part of insignia  were likely done rather with Soviet green (like nose elements and turret frames), not the OD? If it was OD it must be painted before sending them to Soviets. I do not know either, how it was...

 

Regards

J-W

 

[tonyot]

Excellent job Roman and an interesting scheme too,...... top modelling.

Cheers

          Tony

[TheyJammedKenny!]

Amazing job on this, Roman!  Unless I'm mistaken, the cartoon nose art is most unusual for a Soviet type.

[Sky Keg]

Roman, you prove that there is hope after all for the dreaded Special Hobby A-20 kit.  I tried it and not long into the build, I discarded it totally frustrated.  Just to get the thing together in a somewhat realistic presentation is a miracle.  To top that, you didn`t just make it look presentable, you turned it into a masterpiece.  Hopefully some manufacturers out there hear the calls for a advanced tooled A-20 in 72nd scale because it is long overdue.  

 

Great work as usual Roman!!!!!! 

 

Mike

[Kjetil Åkra]

Very nice model indeed!

[Snafu35]

hello Roman,

 

Whether it is for the construction of scale braille or for the construction of airplanes, the result is always spectacular. Well done!

 

Perhaps the lift raft could be made with plastic; Create a sausage with a piece of plastic bag not too thick, tie it with straps, and paint it bright yellow:

OK; I'm cheating because it's 1 / 48th. But with your talent ...

 

Regards,

Eric-Snafu35

[corsaircorp]

Excellent Boston Roman !!

Congratulations !!

I really love it !!

CC

[Wulfman]

A great build on a difficult kit, I gave up on mine !

 

Wulfman

[Roman Schilhart]

2 hours ago, Snafu35 said:

Perhaps the lift raft could be made with plastic; Create a sausage with a piece of plastic bag not too thick, tie it with straps, and paint it bright yellow:

Thank you very much for feedback, Eric.

I've tried with various types of plastic - from rubber gloves to thin foil - but paint came off in flakes when I touched.

That's why I chose paper tissue.

You may be right regarding the color of the life raft, it's hard to make out from b/w photographs...

 

[DLinevitch]

Very beautiful work!
One note, there should be only 4 bombs.

If someone else wants to make soviet Boston B, but does not know what to choose, there is also such a night fighter with a Gneis-2 radar



Тhe placement of antennas is the same as for Boston C

Edited November 30, 2021 by DLinevitch

[Roman Schilhart]

16 hours ago, JWM said:

If I may ask - Have you considered that  the overpaintigs of blue part of insignia  were likely done rather with Soviet green (like nose elements and turret frames), not the OD? If it was OD it must be painted before sending them to Soviets. I do not know either, how it was... 

Thank you for your feedback, Jerzy.

I assume the Red Stars were painted on before delivery, hence the unusual configuration (most VVS aircraft don't carry inisgnia on upper wings).

But that's just speculation, of course!

[IanC]

Not much to add, except I think it's one of your best yet, Roman. 👍

 

Ian

[Mountain goat]

Interesting subject and a simply splendid rendition. Some drooling may have occurred.

 

Jay

[Pete in a shed]

Thats a smashing result from such a difficult build Roman. The detailing on the engine is beautifully done. Love it.

Pete

[Muchmirth]

Another fantastic build!! Beautifully crafted.

[Navy Bird]

Excellent! Beautifully finished - I particularly like the work you've done modulating the monotone of the paint. The scratchbuilt life raft is superb as well.    👍

 

Cheers,

Bill

[Mig88]

Outstanding work as usual Roman. Beautifully finished.

 

Miguel