Some of the first models I built were by Hawk Models out of Chicago, Illinois. This company had a proud heritage, starting with solid wood and balsa models in the 1930's, mainly in 1/48 scale. They were one of the first companies that embraced plastic injection molded models, starting with recognition models during World War II, in the then accepted standard of 1/72. They would return to 1/48 models in the 1950's, but did have a small number of 1/72 kits, some of which could be traced back to dies used for those early recognition models. In the mid-1960's, Hawk produced its last 1/72 scale aircraft, four very simple kits designed to be somewhat accurate but very easy to build; a Spitfire Mk. 22, a Mitsubishi A6M-5 Zeke, a Messerschmitt Bf-109G (actually a Bf-109F) and a Grumman F4F Wildcat, though in actuality it was an Eastern Aircraft FM-2. By the early 1970's, though, Hawk was doing poorly as interest in plastic model building waned in this country, and soon Hawk was acquired by Testors, another Illinois based hobby company, first as a subsidiary but soon disappearing altogether. Currently, the remnants of Hawks models are split between Testors and a new Hawk Models, a division of J. Lloyd International, a toy manufacturer who also owns Lindberg Models, another childhood favorite.
Both of these models are Hawk in origin, an F4U-1 Corsair and the FM-2 Wildcat, with the latter being an original Hawk kit from 1967, whilst the Corsair is a recent Testors reissue.
The FM-2 is the simplest of the two, scarcely a dozen parts including the stand. It normally comes with no interior, basically a hollow kit. Landing gear weren't included with this series of kits, though it is certainly possible to build them if one so desires. I chose to keep the model as simple as possible, the only changes being made were to cobble together a simple cockpit for an Airfix pilot.
There is also no molded engine detail. I could have opened up the cowling and added one, but instead chose not to.
As for the markings. I wanted to have it represent a late war Wildcat VI for the Fleet Air Arm, though the markings are basically just representative and not for any particular aircraft. The color scheme is overall glossy sea blue (Testors Acryl), the decals from the spares box. A couple of decals did not take well and silvered around the edges. Oh well, that happens with older decals. This model was completed on the 22nd of April, 2010, with a build that lasted really only a few hours.
(A quick note about the Testors Acryl Dark Sea Blue. I brush paint my models; I could airbrush, but prefer that my Paasche be used for my artwork. For some reason, this color has a tendency to bubble up in some places. It might be the age of that bottle, certainly a few years old. The Wildcat, sadly, has a few more bubbles than I care for.)
The Corsair is straight from the box, a Testors release from dies that quite probably date back to those recognition models of World War II. This model is a real mix bag; it has recessed panel lines but a flat deck for a cockpit, the pilot being just shoulders and a head. Engine detail is lacking but the landing gear look nice.
This model is painted for late war, again overall glossy sea blue. Markings are for VF-84, USS Bunker Hill, early 1945. A very simple model, no modifications were made; kit was build late Decmber, 2007.
Perhaps these aren't the most detailed or well painted models, but for me, they were great fun to build.
Both of these models are Hawk in origin, an F4U-1 Corsair and the FM-2 Wildcat, with the latter being an original Hawk kit from 1967, whilst the Corsair is a recent Testors reissue.
The FM-2 is the simplest of the two, scarcely a dozen parts including the stand. It normally comes with no interior, basically a hollow kit. Landing gear weren't included with this series of kits, though it is certainly possible to build them if one so desires. I chose to keep the model as simple as possible, the only changes being made were to cobble together a simple cockpit for an Airfix pilot.
There is also no molded engine detail. I could have opened up the cowling and added one, but instead chose not to.
As for the markings. I wanted to have it represent a late war Wildcat VI for the Fleet Air Arm, though the markings are basically just representative and not for any particular aircraft. The color scheme is overall glossy sea blue (Testors Acryl), the decals from the spares box. A couple of decals did not take well and silvered around the edges. Oh well, that happens with older decals. This model was completed on the 22nd of April, 2010, with a build that lasted really only a few hours.
(A quick note about the Testors Acryl Dark Sea Blue. I brush paint my models; I could airbrush, but prefer that my Paasche be used for my artwork. For some reason, this color has a tendency to bubble up in some places. It might be the age of that bottle, certainly a few years old. The Wildcat, sadly, has a few more bubbles than I care for.)
The Corsair is straight from the box, a Testors release from dies that quite probably date back to those recognition models of World War II. This model is a real mix bag; it has recessed panel lines but a flat deck for a cockpit, the pilot being just shoulders and a head. Engine detail is lacking but the landing gear look nice.
This model is painted for late war, again overall glossy sea blue. Markings are for VF-84, USS Bunker Hill, early 1945. A very simple model, no modifications were made; kit was build late Decmber, 2007.
Perhaps these aren't the most detailed or well painted models, but for me, they were great fun to build.
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