Hasegawa

Martin B-26 F/G Marauder

Kit Number: 00557

Reviewed by  Ned Ricks, IPMS# 36013

MSRP: $41.00 Review kit provided by Dragon USA. (www.dragonmodelsusa.com) Hasegawa has released a kit to represent the F/G variant of the B-26 Martin Marauder. If you like an aircraft kit that is well done, gives you choices and gives you choices with lots of detail, this may be your next project. The Martin B-26 Marauder was an American World War II twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company and maintained the lowest loss record of any combat aircraft during World War II. Its loss record stands in sharp contrast to its unofficial nickname "The Widowmaker" - earned due to its high rate of accidental crashes during takeoff for the B-26A variant. This design, Martin Model 179, was accepted for production before a prototype even flew, due to the desperate need for medium bombers following the intensification of World War II in Europe. A total of 5,288 were produced between February 1941 and March 1945. This kit represents a more evolved version of the B-26 used later in the war with much success. The 174 parts are on twelve sprues, including a full size clear sprue with the tail surfaces (more on that later). There are two sprues marked "G" and two marked "J." That is on purpose, as these hold parts of which there are multiples such as landing gear, engines, and engine cowlings. The kit is cast in light gray plastic and of a good consistency to hold the nicely recessed panel lines and other details. The bomber has lots of windows, small and large. In some of these smaller openings, I created windows with white glue and in others I used the excellent clear plastic provided. The builder has the choice of open or closed bomb bay doors with bomb racks and bombs available. Why clear plastic for tail surfaces? Because the tail gunner had visibility issues with the elevators that were solved by placing vision openings so he could see approaching enemy planes! The modeler masks the "windows" portion and paints the rest, which is about 98% of the part. The cockpit is basic with no side wall controls either molded on or as parts. The throttle quadrant is well cast and does well with some dry brushing a few spots of color, but there are no seat belts, either PE or decals, and no bomb sight or bombardier's station, which seems a lack with all the wonderful clear glazing. There are several bulkheads that fit inside the two fuselage halves. In some other kits, I have had problems with those bulkheads getting out of alignment just as the two fuselage parts (edges wet with glue, of course) were going together. In this kit, each bulkhead piece matches with a notch molded into the fuselage part for a secure placement. Good job, Hasegawa! Also, the wings assemble very securely to the fuselage by mating with stubs from the bomb bay sub-assembly that extend through openings in the fuselage wing roots. So, thankfully, there is not much chance of getting the famous B-26 wings glued on at an incorrect angle. For a tricycle gear aircraft model, one of the modeling issues is where to add nose weights so the finished product sits as it should. Finding where to stash those weights is a problem with this kit. The nose section is mostly open to view, and on the underside, the wheel well takes up most of the space. Before adding the clear nose section, I tried inserting lead fishing weights with a vague idea of camouflaging them later. Bad news is I couldn't get enough lead inside the bombardier's compartment to make the plane sit upright because of the proximity of the center of gravity. The good news is that the Hasegawa engineers provided a clear plastic prop-up with base that fits under the tail section to hold the model horizontal. For a static display is satisfactory, but not so much so in a diorama. Decals are provided for three aircraft including distinctive nose art. Two of these call for all natural metal skin. For the aircraft markings of the 459th BS of the 344th BG that involves OD top surfaces, there is even a white background for the portion of the ID numbers that will be over the green. But, you must read the instructions or miss out on the use of this extra! (I know this from experience.) The decals go on well and have good color. The national insignia are of two sizes. Most modelers (unlike this reviewer) will probably want to follow the instructions and actually put the smaller ones on the fuselage so that the aircraft ID will also fit. This kit is "Recommended". The standards of design and manufacture live up to the quality expected of Hasegawa. IPMS thanks Dragon USA for providing this kit for review.

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