Other than the raised/lowered gear
options, there's nothing to fiddle with
here folks -- very easy to set up.
options, there's nothing to fiddle with
here folks -- very easy to set up.
Hobby Master strikes first again -- this time with a gorgeous little 1:48 F3F-1, which is much more delightful that I expected. It's also
much smaller! The box it comes in is the same size as a typical 1:72 fighter box, and the model manages to make the Buffalo look
large! But the real deal was small and the dimensions of this scale replica match up correctly for the scale (I was so skeptical at first I
had to break out the ruler and calculator!)
This model comes direct to DiecastAce Field from Hobby Master, and it is a final retail sample. The model should be hitting retail
stateside in August. So thanks to HM for their cooperation in bringing the first review of this model to you!
Fit/Finish: This model is every bit as nicely done from a paint and finish standpoint as the Buffalo, which is to say it gets high marks in
this category. The paint is well applied with no evidence of overspray, and the markings are all pad-printed and quite crisp. There are a
few small glue-smudge blemishes here and there, but these can only be seen if you really look for them -- and it may be possible to
remove them with a Q-tip and some water, I'll give that a try later. The wire rigging is very well done, and seems to be less delicate than
it looks, too. The canopy slides open/shut on a rail and looks quite nice overall. The back of the canopy does tend to ride up a bit in the
closed position, however. The panel lines are well done, and the wings and rudder have a nice ribbed effect to model the canvas
covering these surfaces had. There is no wash applied to the model so it has that "showroom" look, which I like with this scheme.
Assembly: Other than the gear options and pilot there's not much to do here. The dummy bombs come pre-attached. If this bothers
you, I think it would be fairly easy to remove them. The gear is quite simple to install in either configuration, though if you aren't careful I
can see where you might damage the delicate wire rigging between the wings, which is really well done by the way -- I want to make
sure I emphasize that! The model is very small -- did I mention that already, too? -- and if you have meaty paws like yours truly the size
of the pieces and proximity to the wings and rigging could lead to trouble. On my model the raised gear configuration did not fit quite
as tightly as the lowered gear, which fit nice and flush. The raised gear main part, which seats in the gear well and you then insert the
wheels into the sides, did not sit flush with the fuselage. (It does look like this could be fixed with a bit of sanding, just a smidge -- but
honestly, it was not noticeable enough for me to want to go this route.) There is a small piece, which looks like an exhaust cover, that
you then pin to the piece you just inserted into the gear well. This piece should fit flush in both configurations, but with my model it just
didn't quite make it. See my pictures here.
Cockpit/Pilot: The cockpit has the standard finish we've come to expect from HM in 1:48 and smaller. You get some generic white
rings on the instrument panel and some other sparse interior detailing. The seat looks too large, another trait I've noticed with the line
and the pilot figure looks to be too small... again. He looks to be a good %20 smaller than the 1:48 figures from C1 and Marushin, for
example. However, at least he can see above the instrument panel and looks okay behind the stick.
Packaging: The model features the same standard packaging we've seen to date with all HM models except for the 1:32 series, which
has a higher grade. I do wish HM would improve the quality of the packaging -- at least with the limited models to make them more
attractive to collectors. A numbered certificate was not included with this model, which is another disappointment considering it is
marketed as a limited run. (I am checking to see if a card should have been included -- sometimes when I get a model early the cards
simply haven't been printed yet.)
Intangibles: This model simply has a charm to it that really makes it worth having, even if you're not into biplanes, like me. The
historical significance of the airframe as a training tool for the U.S. navy should not be overlooked, either. The scheme is stunning, and
I'd say the quality of the construction is very high overall for the price point.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Recommended!
much smaller! The box it comes in is the same size as a typical 1:72 fighter box, and the model manages to make the Buffalo look
large! But the real deal was small and the dimensions of this scale replica match up correctly for the scale (I was so skeptical at first I
had to break out the ruler and calculator!)
This model comes direct to DiecastAce Field from Hobby Master, and it is a final retail sample. The model should be hitting retail
stateside in August. So thanks to HM for their cooperation in bringing the first review of this model to you!
Fit/Finish: This model is every bit as nicely done from a paint and finish standpoint as the Buffalo, which is to say it gets high marks in
this category. The paint is well applied with no evidence of overspray, and the markings are all pad-printed and quite crisp. There are a
few small glue-smudge blemishes here and there, but these can only be seen if you really look for them -- and it may be possible to
remove them with a Q-tip and some water, I'll give that a try later. The wire rigging is very well done, and seems to be less delicate than
it looks, too. The canopy slides open/shut on a rail and looks quite nice overall. The back of the canopy does tend to ride up a bit in the
closed position, however. The panel lines are well done, and the wings and rudder have a nice ribbed effect to model the canvas
covering these surfaces had. There is no wash applied to the model so it has that "showroom" look, which I like with this scheme.
Assembly: Other than the gear options and pilot there's not much to do here. The dummy bombs come pre-attached. If this bothers
you, I think it would be fairly easy to remove them. The gear is quite simple to install in either configuration, though if you aren't careful I
can see where you might damage the delicate wire rigging between the wings, which is really well done by the way -- I want to make
sure I emphasize that! The model is very small -- did I mention that already, too? -- and if you have meaty paws like yours truly the size
of the pieces and proximity to the wings and rigging could lead to trouble. On my model the raised gear configuration did not fit quite
as tightly as the lowered gear, which fit nice and flush. The raised gear main part, which seats in the gear well and you then insert the
wheels into the sides, did not sit flush with the fuselage. (It does look like this could be fixed with a bit of sanding, just a smidge -- but
honestly, it was not noticeable enough for me to want to go this route.) There is a small piece, which looks like an exhaust cover, that
you then pin to the piece you just inserted into the gear well. This piece should fit flush in both configurations, but with my model it just
didn't quite make it. See my pictures here.
Cockpit/Pilot: The cockpit has the standard finish we've come to expect from HM in 1:48 and smaller. You get some generic white
rings on the instrument panel and some other sparse interior detailing. The seat looks too large, another trait I've noticed with the line
and the pilot figure looks to be too small... again. He looks to be a good %20 smaller than the 1:48 figures from C1 and Marushin, for
example. However, at least he can see above the instrument panel and looks okay behind the stick.
Packaging: The model features the same standard packaging we've seen to date with all HM models except for the 1:32 series, which
has a higher grade. I do wish HM would improve the quality of the packaging -- at least with the limited models to make them more
attractive to collectors. A numbered certificate was not included with this model, which is another disappointment considering it is
marketed as a limited run. (I am checking to see if a card should have been included -- sometimes when I get a model early the cards
simply haven't been printed yet.)
Intangibles: This model simply has a charm to it that really makes it worth having, even if you're not into biplanes, like me. The
historical significance of the airframe as a training tool for the U.S. navy should not be overlooked, either. The scheme is stunning, and
I'd say the quality of the construction is very high overall for the price point.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Recommended!
Hobby Master 1:48 Air Power Series
HA7301: Grumman F3F-1, USN VF-3, USS Saratoga, "Flying Barrel" Released: Aug, 2008
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Vital Stats:
Production Run: 2,000 worldwide
Catalog Number: HA7301
Price: $44.99 MSRP
Available: August '08
Production Run: 2,000 worldwide
Catalog Number: HA7301
Price: $44.99 MSRP
Available: August '08