@moon puppy's trials and tribulations with Rosie the Rocketer had me pull out the kit and I remembered that I had reviewed it decades ago on another web-site. Well, here it is!
This was the first injection molded aircraft model of the new Millennium in 1/35th scale. Bronco has a most interesting line up and I was happy to see this aircraft in their list. Having possessed an airframe and powerplant (A&P) license, I am quite familiar with aircraft.
The subject chosen is Piper's J-3 Cub which was known as the L-4 (Liaison) or O-59 (Observation). The US Army Air Force used about 6000 of the Cubs in various guises and models. This particular model is the L-4H which lacked electrical systems and had larger wheels for lower ground pressure.
The Kit
This model arrived in a rather large box with a nice but inaccurate painting of a Grasshopper flying over a column of Tiger tanks. Interestingly, the sample is form the Chinese domestic market with the name of Weijun Models instead of Bronco. Inside, we find 72 olive styrene parts on three trees, four clear styrene parts, 17 different photo-etched parts, instructions and a sheet of decals. There is plenty of empty space in the box.
The molding is very good with no flash or short shots. However, looking at the details, some are extremely fine while others are rather clumsy. Case in point, the Colt M1911 in its holster is rather sharp while the seats are really thick.
Cutting out the main parts and taping them together show that there is good fit all around but my main concerns were the details. While the Piper Cub is a simple aircraft, it is hard for me to believe that it can be properly modeled in this scale with only 76 plastic parts. This is especially true since neither slide molding, multi-part molding, nor is pin molding in evidence here. This means that details on the bottom of the fuselage (main body) are missing.
The actual aircraft is made of aluminum, doped canvas, Plexiglas, and wood. There are some other materials like steel but those are kept to a minimum. The riveted construction of the sheet metal nose is well done for the sides but the bottom lacks any of the rivets. I would have expected to see rivets on a tree to shave off. The nose is made of two sections causing a seam which is difficult to remove. This could have been avoided by using three parts following the natural panel lines.
There is a bed roll which is best tossed, no radio, which is needed for an observation and forward air control. Frivolous parts on the photo-etched sheet which replace perfectly adequate styrene parts, raised knock out pins on the mating surfaces of the engine’s cylinders, one piece tail wheel assembly, and the list goes on.
The only options in the kit are a bench seat in place of the rear bucket seat, and the option of plastic or photo-etched part. I choose plastic as the photo-etched offers nothing other than a folding exercise.
The instructions are printed on heavy stock and cover a short history, basic usage, decal application, parts map, assembly, and future products listings (which lists a British Humber and Staghound in 1/35th scale). The assembly occurs on six pages and the steps are not numbered.
Starting with the cockpit, the control sticks (C41) are added to C23. Remember that whichever attitude you place C41 (both should be identical to each other), the ailerons (parts B3, B10, B11, and B18) are affected by sideways angles. Ailerons work opposite to each other. If the stick is moved to the left, to make room for cockpit entry, the right aileron drops while the left one lifts. Fore and aft angles affect the elevators. Pushing forward drops them. The modeler must cut the elevators away from the horizontal stabilizers (parts B6 and B17) to display them in any other attitude.
The rudder pedals (C18 and C 19), control the rudder B8. They also control the tailwheel while on land (taxying). The internal bracing is fragile and well done for the most part. A carbine along with a pair of binoculars, canteen, and a Colt M1911 are furnished. However, no color details are offered for the instruments (at least a decal would have sufficed), no locking mechanism for the entry door (B9), and the worst being that the modeler must cut off rivets and add them to the windscreen from a clear sprue. Clear plastic is much more brittle than colored styrene and this procedure will be difficult. No mention is made of how many are needed (three times the amount per inch of the sides).
The decals are a bit thick and have a speckled gloss finish. No stencils are provided, nor are any other markings other than 39*F and the serial 9676. No other information is provided, not even colors! While the box art shows a white 39*F, the decals are in black and the wrong type face! The serial is in yellow when it should be Orange-Yellow.
This aircraft is either 43-29676 or 44-79676 and belonged to the V Artillery Corps. It was painted in Olive Drab 41 over Neutral Gray 43 with edges in Medium Green 42.
Accuracy
OK, not looking good; but what about accuracy?
Taking some measurements I have from a survivor in Poland, I compared a few items. Wheels 450 X 220 are a good diameter. The inspection hole covers (the round items near the tail), are a good match but those on the bottom of the wing are grossly over sized. It seems that the designers mistook it for recessed landing lights! Fill in with putty and add disks matching those on the side of the fuselage. While one is at it, add two more (side by side) just behind the bungee poles of the landing gear.
Conclusion
Actually, the shape and sizes are not bad. However, at this scale, the model screams for out detailing which was not offered in this kit. If one is willing to devote the time to add it, it will be a great addition to your collection.
Thanks to Paul A. Owen of Track-Link for the sample.
References
- Personal experience with the aircraft.
- Personal measurements and photograph collection of a surviving aircraft in Poland.
- "US Liaison Aircraft in Action" by Al Adcock. Squadron/Signal Pub., 2005.
- Skrzydła w miniaturze 1'91 (Wings in miniature) Piper L-4 Cub by Zbigniew Luranc
- TBiU 130 Samolot wielozadaniowy Piper L-4 Cub