Halinski Brewster B-239 Buffalo

[ccoyle]

Halinski Brewster B-239 Buffalo, Issue 1/2008, Scale 1/33

Type: WWII single-seat fighter
Scale: 1/33
Designer: Andrzej Halinski/Marcin Dworzecki
Difficulty: difficult (high parts count, small parts, wire work)
Format: booklet 240 mm x 340 mm

A nice review of this model was recently posted at kartonbau.de, so I thought I would whip up an English review.



I have a particular fondness for any model subject I built in plastic as a kid, and the Buff is one of them. Not to mention, I love redemption stories, and the Buffalo has a good one: pretty much cannon fodder in the service of the USN, USMC, and RAF, the Buffalo was a terror in the hands of Finnish pilots flying against the Russians. This model depicts the mount of Finnish ace Hans "Hasse" Wind (75 kills) in winter camouflage.



The kit comes in booklet form. It is larger than A4 -- not sure what this particular size is called. There are six pages of parts and formers done in Halinski's trademark high level of realism. In this case, the winter camouflage is particularly noteworthy -- it has the look of having been hastily, and none too neatly, applied over the summer camouflage which is still largely visible. There is also a significant amount of scuffs and scrapes, as one would expect on airframes that have seen hard service.



Eight pages of computer-drawn three-dimensional diagrams are included. Browsing these gives one a sense of the exceptional level of detail in the finished model. An example of this is the undercarriage, which has a large number of wire parts, especially inside the wheel wells.



There are many nice touches in the kit, such as separate control surfaces, glazing templates, interior canopy frames, instrument panel overlay, and a high level of interior detail. Laser-cut frames are available.

For detail, realism, and subject matter, this kit has to be a five out of five starts. I won't get to it real soon, but it is definitely on the short list.

Cheers!

[dansls1]

Nice review

I swear once I get working again I'd like to basically 'subscribe' to every Hal airplane kit they produce and get a copy with their clear canopies. Every one I've seen since they went to digital kits is 100% worth building

[Golden Bear]

I seriously don't know why I don't just build only Halinski. They are a pleasure, almost easy, to build because everything fits and they look outstanding when complete. I NEED the Buffalo in my collection. Too bad I'm mired in building the G.50 engine (and I think I lost some pieces:().


Carl

[ccoyle]

A build thread is under way here at Papermodels.pl.