M26 Flares

Published on
Review Author(s)
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$11.24
Product / Stock #
BRL 72280
Provided by: Hauler Brengun

Hauler/Brengun was founded in 1999 and produces scale plastic kits, resin kits, resin accessories, and photo-etched detail sets. This detail set of the M26 Flare is offered in 1/48 and 1/72 scales. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HaulerBrengun/

M26 parachute flares provided illumination for night bombardment, to blind anti-aircraft defenses, or night photography / observation missions. A mechanical time fuze in the nose ignited the flare.The tail end is closed with a shipping cover that is sealed by a strip of tape. As this shipping cover is pulled out by the hang wire, a cord pulls out the parachute. There is a six second delay to allow the parachute to fully deploy before the flare is ignited. Once lit, the flare burned for three to three-and-a half minutes with a yellowish light of about 800,000 candlepower [M26 Flares that had exceeded their service life were marked with a 2” blue band were lower powered at 575,000 candlepower]. The M26 Flare could not be dropped at airspeeds greater than 130 knots/150mph due to the tendency for the stabilizing sleeve to tear away. The M26 Flare was 50.0” in length and 8.00” in diameter. A loaded M26 Flare weighed 53 pounds of which 14 pounds was the flare charge. The M26 Flare was designed for horizontal suspension via two mounting lugs where the rear mounting lug is the center of gravity for the flare. The M26 Flare can also be referred to as the AN-M26, where the AN designation meant that it was approved for use by both the US Army and US Navy.

The Kit

The Brengun 1/72 M26 Flare is a set of two resin flares upright on the resin pour block. A small decal sheet provides the stenciling that goes on the side of the flare. The Brengun packaging consists of an inner clear plastic bag on top of a black paper insert. This is then enclosed in an outer plastic sleeve with an adhesive fold. The instruction sheet is included behind the black paper insert. Make sure that you bathe the resin parts in soap and water for at least 20 seconds to meet CDC standards. This effort will be important to make sure the resin is free of any mold-release.

Construction

I used a fine-tooth razor saw to separate the M26 Flare from the pour block. I then carefully sanded the bottom of the flare with a glass polishing file. I only separated one M26 Flare from the pour block as the fuse had broken off prior to packaging [at least the fuse was not present inside the sealed packaging]. Of course this one could be used as a M26 that did not have the fuse screwed in yet, but it should be easy enough to repair with Evergreen Scale Models 218 .020” Rod [0.50mm]. One caveat is to make sure you cut the M26 Flare at the right point above the pour block. I have seen some reviews where they cut the M26 Flare exactly on the pour block which is incorrect. If you are in to adding detail, you can drill out the mounting lugs, add a metal strap handle to the base, add additional detail to the fuse, and add the priming wire. I considered a few of these detail additions, but they may be easier to do on the 1/48 scale release than in 1/72.

Painting and Decals

I painted the model with Tamiya Surfacer Primer (light grey).I then brushed on Future and let the M26 Flare sit for two days under a plastic bowl to keep dust away. The decals need to be cut individually from the decal sheet, and ideally as close as you can get to the artwork as possible to minimize the carrier film. I brushed Future before laying down each decal and positioned with a wood toothpick until satisfied. I used Gunze Sanyo Mr. Mark Softer on the decals and then let dry. After two days, I sprayed the model again with Future and let dry under a bowl for another two days. Next up, I applied Tamiya Panel Line Accent Colors in Gray, Dark Gray, and Light Brown to the shackle straps and fin bases. I painted the fuse base with an AK Acrylic Marker RCM010 Aluminum and then the fuse tip with AK Acrylic Marker RCM011 Dark Aluminum.

Overall Evaluation

Even at a hair over 5/8" in length, this is a nice addition to a 1/72 bomber diorama. If you wish to see the real thing, there is a pair on display at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio, however, they are missing the fuse assembly and the priming wire. I was able to find a 75-Page War Department Technical Manual [TM 9-1981] that describes flares, photoflash bombs, and signals, including the M26 Flare in detail and it was a great assistance in understanding the M26 Flare.

My thanks to Hauler-Brengun and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great detail set.

Highly Recommended !

Package Front

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