1:48 Hong Kong Models DB-7B Boston III

[Fran]

1:48

DB-7B

Boston III

Hong Kong Models

Catalogue number 01F015

Price: around 106€

 

I was very curious about this release from Hong Kong Models as I had the chance to build one of the first test shot of the 1:32 A-20 solid nose

For me the A-20 is the best 1:32 model from Hong Kong with their surface detail and stressed fuselage so I was eager to see the little bother in 1:48.

 I didn`t saw live the 1:#2 HK Models A-20J but for sure the all the surface detail and stressed fuselage effect are present.

 Lets check out the box.

 

My review sample is the special edition with the weight nose and metal landing gear.

These two items are well worth it so you can have no problem with the tail sitter syndrome and also no problems in handling the plane with the landing gear on and be afraid in breaking it.

 

And a fantastic paintjob in a A4 sheets

This release is most welcome to all 1:48 modeller aircraft and to the modelling aircraft world in general because finally we have a state of art and modern technologic A-20 Boston.

There`s a lot of sites with hundreds of histories of the A-20 Boston/Havoc so lets me skip that.

 

 

 Starting for the extra metal parts.

 

As I already said, get this version as the landing gear in metal is precious as the construction steps are quite dangerous to the integrity of the landing gear. As it made , the landing gear goes to his place before the painting so it’s quite hard no to break at some point (I know I did in 1:32).

 

The detail gear is quite complex in the construction and because of that it’s a bit fragile.

 With this, you are safe.

 

The rest of the landing gear detail is great straight from the box, even the wheels are quite good oob. 

 

As for the metal weights, it’s a simply and effective solution without thinking too much to avoid a tail sitter.

 

The kit comprises multiple sprues of mid-grey injection-molded plastic, featuring detailed surfaces with fine molded recessed panel lines and rivet details. In fuselage and wings.

 

 

 

 

While the surface details are very good and the best one in any A-20 in 1:48, are not as good as in 1:32…

 

 

 

Naturally I shall say because making stressed skin fuselage in 1:48 is probably, nowadays, not possible.

That said, by all mean, the surface wings and fuselage detail are bad. Not at all.

As I already said, are the best in 1:48 for any A-20

 

 

As for the bombay, if in 1:32 was the best bombay I ever saw stright from the box, in 1:48 is no different.

 

 

The only problem: it´s a too narrow view of all the beautifull detail.

 

 

 

The cockpit details are quite good straight from the box as for the bombardier compartment in the front of the nose.

 

 

 

 

 

The cockpit and bombardier’s compartment are well-detailed, with accurate representations of the pilot’s controls, seats, and instrumentation. The inclusion of photo-etched seat belts enhances realism, though some modelers may opt for aftermarket or some scratch for super-detailing.

 

 

 

 

One thing that will give modeler some work is removing all the injection pin marks.

 

They are quite a few (probably I think HK models could have done a little more to void these ones) but they are simple to remove as there are all raised injections marks (much better to remove than the recessed ones)

 

 

The engines… The exhausts system in 1:32 was a difficult and tedious task to complete… I was curious to see if HK Model would keep the same system in 1:48… and the answer is …. No.

 

 

 

HK models simplified a lot, making into a single part! Thank you!

I personally grateful for that as it was the most non rewards task in the 1:32 model

 

And the exhauts on this release are also great

 

 

The clear parts have no distortion and quite clear in fact. Specially in this release as the all nose is in glass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also is given a small photo-etched fret that provides seat belts and internal structural components like a mesh to the engines gondolas.

 

 

 

As for schemes options, a decal sheets if given with to option and a few stencils:

1.    Boston III Z2216 RH-A, 88 Squadron, RAF Attlebridge, Norfolk, UK, August 1942.

 

 

2.    DB-7B AL445 K, 15th Bomb Squadron, USAAF, RAF Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, UK, Summer 1942.

 

 

 

The decals are printed with good color density and registration with two lovely nose arts. Decals are made by Cartograf so quality is guaranteed.

 

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As for the instruction, and already made three Hong Kong Models, they are quite comprehensive with references color chart with Mr. Color, Tamiya paints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Conclusion

Compared to HK Models’ own 1:32 A-20 Havoc that I already made, the 1:48 Boston III is smaller and less complex but retains similar attention to surface detail and engineering. No the same detail specialty concerning the stressed skin on the fuselage and wings, so the surface details is very good but no as good as in 1:32.

Still is a fantastic kit with all the details in box is more than enough to be build a fantastic replica.

It is the best Boston in 1:48, hands down… but also the most expensive one, hands down.

 This model is going to the top of to do pile!

The detail out of the box is very good and it will make a very good replica.

Highly recommend this to intermediate/expert modeler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Martinnfb]

Really nice to see it in 1/48 scale. Thank you for the preview Fran.

Cheers

Martin

[Artful69]

Thanks for the tour Fran

I really hope this variant makes it to 32 scale ... both in current and solid nosed configurations ... So far the kit seems to be selling well ... and it has rave reviews ... HK have kitted a popular subject in awesome fashion for both scales!

Rog

[KevinM]

Nice looking kit

 

[Spitfire]

Gosh that takes me back, I think that it will be a tad better than the AMT/ERTL versions that I built way back, it's a shame that they missed the early RAF Bostons in 1/32.

Cheers

Dennis