FINISHED: DesTROYer's 1/72 Academy PB2B Catalina

[DesTROYer]

Saturday morning I began work on my latest build. A PB2B 'Black Cat' Catalina. Assembly is quite simple though there are a hep of sink marks thats locations honestly confuse me when there are so many close locations that they could have gone and not be seen. This afternoon, I was even able to pop out to the garage and prime and paint the interior so that I can begin buttoning it up. For this one, I will be modelling A24-362 OX-V of 43 Squadron.

My original intended subject was A24-88 RK-A of 42 Squadron, of which my Great Uncle, Edward Henderson worked on as an armourer in 1944, but I made the mistake of not checking my references, before cutting up the tail for the taller tail. RK-A was a PBY-5A and was actually correct for what the kit had. Doh, live and learn. I guess I'll have two cats in the collection. As the interior of these kits are very minimal, I plan to add a lot of extra detail to the next one. But this one, apart from the Red Roo conversion, will be OOB.

[DesTROYer]

Looks like I'm filling in those wheels. The PB2B-2 is a flying boat only. FARK. The road blocks this kit is throwing at me. This kids is what happens when you build on a whim without doing the research first.

[F-27pax]

I think we've all been there and done that. I keep on promising myself... but somehow I forget in the excitement of the moment. Hence the Mirage IIIV that I've been using a lot of harsh language on and which refuses to do what I tell it to.
Leigh

[RayS]

I won't be too hard to make up some blanks from plastic card and closing and puttying up the nose gear doors. Looks like I will be doing it from my build when the time comes.

[DesTROYer]

Lying in bed last night I had a think about how to do it last night and I believe I have a very simple solution on how to carry it out. Only thing I'm not looking forward to replicating are the rivets.

[DesTROYer]

Dramas over. Solution found. During the week, I removed the wheel wells, and using them as a template, made up some backing plates, then made some templates of the area that needed to be filled on the outer skin. Made up two sets and glued them all in place. Then using Tamiya putty, bogged over the lot.


Here's todays work. I started up with sanding back the tamiya putty until I got a great smooth surface. I'll lay some new rivet lines with my new rivet tool after the primer is on.



I then buttoned the two halves up and fitted the new tail and canopy.




Then, just because I wanted to see what it looked like with the wings on, I stuck them on for a look.



She has a decent wingspan.
Some more work on the tail and joins tomorrow morning, then I'll apply the masks and a light coat of grey primer to see where it needs more attention. It's going together pretty well.

[RayS]

Nice to ee you overcame the wheel well issue Troy. Coming along nicely now. It is surprising how big the old Cat is when it is assembled.

It makes me want to start mine, though I still have a few others going again, so I had better not interrupt the old mojo.

How will you display it? Are you going to attempt to scratch build some beaching gear?

[Cap'n Wannabe]

Isn't there a Revell 1/72 Cat with beaching gear?

[hrtpaul]

I'll be watching this

[DesTROYer]

As expected the primer has highlighted some areas that will require some extra attention.