A kit which has been on
my "to do" list for far too long, I did a 12
episode series on YouTube detailing the build
of this model. It took a lot more time and effort than
I initially thought when I started the kit, but I got
there in the end and I'm fairly happy with the outcome.
The Hasegawa P-12E was
originally released in 1971, and though it is still a
very nice kit, by today's standards it is showing its
age somewhat. The changes I made are detailed in the YouTube
series, but in a nutshell I did some re-scribing, scratchbuilt
a detailed cockpit, replaced the engine with a resin one
from Vector, improved and detailed the propeller, cut
and repositioned the elevators and rudder (the ailerons
are already separate in the kit), scratchbuilt a tail
skid, and rigged the model with photo etched rigging from
RB Productions.
The 27th Pursuit Squadron
markings were tricky to mask and paint, but it is my favourite
scheme for this aircraft so I had to give it a go. Paint
is Model Master International Orange, Chrome Yellow and
Humbrol Olive Drab (155), with a touch of Emerald Green
(2) and British Racing Green (239) to replicate the pre-war
Olive Drab. Final finish is Testors Semi-Gloss Clear Lacquer.
I modelled the aircraft
pictured on the bottom of page 7 of the Profile Publications
edition on the P-12E. Microscale decals (sheet #32-0003)
were used for most of the markings, though there were
some issues with these. The U.S. Army markings under the
bottom wing are actually 1/48th scale, so I created masks
and painted these on. Similarly, the squadron emblems
under the cockpit are also undersized, however with no
other options to choose from I ended up using them. I
created decals for the aircraft number on the fin and
printed them out on a laser printer. The rudder Insignia
Blue and Red stripes were masked and painted, with the
BOEING logo coming from the Microscale sheet. Black outlines
to the International Orange markings are from a Print
Scale sheet of black decal strips.
Aileron push rods and horizontal
stab struts are from Brass Strutz, a very useful product
which, sadly, has been unavailable for many years now.
The rear facing light on top of the fin is an M.V. Products
1.8mm clear lens. Wingtip navigation lights are from clear
sprue, painted in the appropriate clear red and green
colours.
The seat cushion is made
from White Milliput with the beading from fine wire. The
U.S. Air Corps marking is another custom made decal.
The kit windshield is very
thick and too tall. I replaced it with one made from 0.010"
clear acetate.
With the exception of a
few (modified) kit parts and the photo etched seat belts
from an old Model Technologies set, the cockpit was completely
scratchbuilt from various sizes of plastic sheet, rod
and strip. The venturi is stretched plastic tubing.
The multi-part resin engine
from Vector is a huge improvement on Hasegawa's which
is moulded as one solid lump of plastic, incorporating
the faceplate and pushrods. A replacement cowling and
separate faceplate are also included with the resin engine.
Vector's exhausts are more suited to the F4B-4, so I made
new ones from plastic tubing. Hamilton Standard propeller
logos are from Fündekals.
Pushrods are 0.030" plastic rod. I used Albion Alloys'
Micro Brass Tubing for the spark plugs with 0.21mm braided
Pike leader wire for the leads. This is a dark Bronze
colour which nicely replicates the braided copper covering
used on aircraft engines of the '30s and '40s. I also
used this braided wire for the rudder and elevator control
cables that exit the rear of the fuselage.
P-12Es were originally
manufactured with tail skids. Tail wheels were introduced
later in the production run, though many aircraft were
retrofitted with them in the field. Hasegawa's kit only
has the tail wheel option, so a tail skid was constructed
from brass tubing soldered together, with the fairing
and tail bumper (in front of the skid) made from sheet
plastic. Some modification to the fuselage was also needed
to remove the bulge over the tail wheel mount that was
not present on skid-equipped aircraft.
Back
to 1/32 Aircraft Main