History

Atlantis Models has released a PBY-5A Catalina in 1/104 scale. This was originally a classic Monogram kit, which debuted in 1955. On the older model there was some issues reported with parts alignment, I found none of that with this kit.

In the Box

• Instructions
  • There is a one-page instruction sheet. Illustrations for the parts and their construction sequence were very clear.
• Sprues: 2 molded in blue plastic
• Clear plastic: 1 sprue
• Decal Sheet: 1

Building the Model

Cockpit

The cockpit has only the upper half of a pilot and copilot no other detail for it.

Because there was no detailing in the cockpit and the waist gunner positions (they too had upper body figures only) I decided to paint those areas black and did not install the figures.

Canopy Clear Parts

Included Cockpit, forward gunners’ area and two waist blisters.

Background

Hauler/Brengun was founded in 1999 and produces scale plastic kits, resin kits and accessories, photo-etched details for kits and other accessories.

It’s a model, it’s a game it’s two, two, two things in one! Atlantis Models has done all the heavy lifting getting the molds and license for this kit. Once built, you can play ice hockey. Inside the box, you will get multicolored sprues (yellow, black and white and one spring) all ready to assemble and play. This kit is well molded and has no flash. It is snap tite in that it all pushes together. There are stickers included for the hockey sticks, Snoopy’s spot and the markings on the “ice’.

Assembly, start to finish, will take about 30 minutes. A good sprue cutter or razor saw will help remove the parts as the sprue gates are substantial. The pieces are heavy too, in order to tolerate the beating the game will take being played with constantly. I did deviate from the instructions in that I glued Snoopy and Woodstock together and clamped them well. A quick sanding and I repainted both. I hand painted the eyes, mouth and noses and gave them several good coats of clear.

The company website states:

“The latest issue of your favorite magazine concentrates on an important aspect of any build: accessories. The details and optional accessories that bring realism into your modelling projects, add narrative, or complete a diorama. These accessories present interesting painting and weathering opportunities. For example, few WWII German projects are complete without “German Jerry Cans”, stowage and sandbags are a popular subject with armour modeler’s, tank ammunition and ammo crates including the different metallic areas and textured woods. Mig Jimenez, explains the processes behind painting and weathering a large fabric gun mantlet: adding interest and texture to the material. Each technique and effect explained in this latest issue can be applied to a range of subjects: whether a beginner or experienced modeler this issue will leave you inspired for your next project”

This 64-page book is number 24 in Pen and Sword’s Tank Craft series. It is printed in the larger A4 size on high gloss, thicker paper. The topic of this book is not the Panther tank, but the German Army (Heer) Panzer Brigades that used this tank in 1944 and 1945. There are three generations of Panzer Brigades and each is discussed in detail. There are nice organizational charts for each Brigade. There are ten pages of color camouflage and marking pages with two tanks on each page. Following that section are ten more pages of 1/35 scale kits builds. The first kit is a Dragon Panther Ausf A, then a Dragon Ersatz M10 Panther Ausf G and lastly another Dragon Models Panther Ausf G. There is lots of color photos of these models and explanations how the builds. The ten pages after that are all the different modelling products concerning the Panther tank. Kits and aftermarket products are listed and photos of each. This is a great reference section for modelers.