The Little World

The classic answer to the question of where are our Buccaneers… Now that we have that out of the way decorum can return.

The Special Hobby 1:72 Brewster Buccaneer was the result of doing what I told myself I would not do; go to the Post -Christmas sales. To be fair, the sales came to me with an on-line offer from Metro Hobbies in Melbourne for a 30% off sale. I could still have been virtuous and binned it, but I was not. As a result, I have yet another Vickers Delta Mk II and a Fairey Barracuda Mk II as well as the Brewster.

If you are going to go off the rails you might as well do it in the middle of the trestle and fall into the valley far below…

Back to the Buccaneer. I know the real thing had a dismal reputation and a dull service record, but the basic shape is quite appealling. This version will need the three-colour US navy scheme and I know I can do that…having done an Avenget in it already.

The kit was inexpensive, as Special Hobby kits go, but it has all the bells and whistles; injected main parts, resin details, and a small sheet of photo-etch brass. I am determined to use as much of this as my skill will permit.

The sprues are clean and largely flash-free. The ejector pin marks are inside and most need not be trimmed. I see no sinkholes.

The canopy is clean, clear, and thin. It is two pieces, but you’d have to do some careful sawing to expose the gunner’s position or let the pilot out.  I shall leave them closed as enough will be seen through them anyway.

The decals are perfect and not so oppressive as some sets. No aftermarket spending with this one. The colour call-out is adequate for this scheme as long as you stick with the GSI Creos paints.