The Ryan ST was a trainer used in the early 1940’s. The sleek airframe and Menasco inline engine made for a pretty hot little ship.

You can build either a U.S. Army Air Force PT-20, or a Dutch STM-2 on floats or one of two Australian STM-2’s from this kit.

I received the package in excellent condition. It was in a nice sturdy box surrounded by enough tissue paper to use for the next three holidays. The actual model box is another sturdy package with all the parts again wrapped in tissue for protection. Each part was either enclosed in a zip lock plastic bag or wrapped in tissue. I found no loose, broken or damaged items. I took inventory and everything was accounted for.

The instruction sheets are very well printed with high quality photos showing just about every aspect of the build to answer those questions you will come up with, which is a standard for the high quality of Fisher Kits. There are several tips and suggestions included and placed throughout the instruction sheets that are very nice and helpful. He lists all the options for the kit and the difference in detail parts for each plane. So the hardest step is to decide which airplane the build. There are several painting and decal diagrams making finishing a no hassle job.

The casting quality is superb if not outstanding. Upon close examination I found very little flash and no bubbles. The fuselage halves were taped together and appear to have a perfect joint. So hopefully very little putty and sanding will be required. The interior detail seems very detailed. You get several instrument panels so if you mess up there is extra. Paul says to apply clear tape over the dials and this will resemble the glass faces on the dials. It works and looks good. I have used this technique on several kits.

The wing includes adjustable flaps and ailerons. The tail surfaces are also separate so you can place them at the angle you desire. Again tips are included on how to set the control stick and rudder pedals.

The floats are a nice addition. They are excellently molded with some very nice detail. They include some wheels which I assume is for the Beaching Gear. There is nothing in the instruction that tell you how to apply them. There are some axle looking things on the sides of the floats, maybe this is where you are to place them. Since I am doing the US Army Trainer, I won’t be using them (bummer they are nice too).

You get two different engine cowlings. One is for the Dutch version (the one with the floats) and the other to be used on the rest of the versions.

The canopy/ wind screens are model from clear resin. I’ve used these before and all it takes is a coat of Future or Alclad II Aqua Gloss Clear to make them crystal clear it also protects them from scratches and fogging up with ACC.

The decals are very nice looking and includes all the data you will need to finish your plane.

Rigging is simple. Included are some photo etch rigging wires for the wings. You will have to decide on what to use for the rest of the wires. Paul suggests a product called EZ Line, an elastic type thread that many WWI modelers use. I think I’ll stick to my favorite monofilament fly fishing line painted with a Sharpie pen.

I will make my recommendations for this kit after I build it. But so far it would appear to be outstanding. I would suggest this project to those that have experience dealing with resin and photo etch. It may also be consider for that first resin project. Assembly appears to be on the easy side with very little flash cleanup.

Thanks to Paul Fisher of Fisher Models and IPMS/USA for providing this kit for build and Review.