Quickboost has produced replacement exhaust parts for the Academy 1/72 PBY Catalina kits. The resin replacement is a simple drop-in for the kit's plastic parts. There is no modification required to the kit parts to use these resin replacements.

A side by side evaluation (see photos) indicates a replacement of superior detail that will provide a more accurate rendition of the exhaust assemblies. Check your references for the appropriate set to use (some models of the Cat had a straight pipe exhaust). Be sure to wash the parts in soapy water to remove mold release agents and prime prior to using your favorite modeling paints. Also, remember that you must use epoxy or CA glue to attach these parts to styrene plastic.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the IPMS Reviewer Corps and Quickboost for the opportunity to review this item.

History

An entirely different two-seater was produced by the Bell company for internal use. Two P63E-1s were modified by Bell with a separate observer seat in the rear fuselage, located behind the engine mounted under a separate canopy. A probe was mounted which extended through the spinner, and to make space for the observer the radio equipment had to be moved forward into the armament bay. The aircraft carried the civilian registrations NX41963 and NX41964.

In the Box

Instructions

The instruction booklet was divided into eight pages of clearly marked parts and their construction sequence. Illustrations for the parts and their construction sequence were very clear and crisp. The instructions contained 49 separate steps to complete the model.

Included in the instructions is a drawing for paint and decal applications for either of two aircraft. Both were for the civil aviation models.

LPS Hobby from Brazil has a new set of 1/72ndscale after-market decals for several P-51 aircraft that were assigned to the famed Tuskegee Airmen. These markings were carried by aircraft while that unit (332ndFighter Group) was stationed at Ramittell, Italy during 1944.

The markings are for: