1/72 AMT-ERTL Northrop X/YB 35

by Gabriel Stern

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Matter has four known states: solid, liquid, gaseous and plasma. Kits have also various states (although unknown to science): wished, acquired, stashed, semi-built  (in this state the kit may stay for a while), and already built.
  Of all the monsters that lurk on the top shelves of the hobby shops, this is one of the most appealing and less seen (in the built state, that is). In spite its age, it holds very well. It is reasonably detailed (exceptional interior, unfortunately not to be seen again once the fuselage -sorry, the wing- is closed) and recessed panel lines. The decals are sort of a shame, but not the worst I've seen. As per the title, two versions can be completed: XB and YB.
  I think the Northrop design is well known and doesn't need introduction. Its merits are evident too. And so is its appeal.
  Going back to the kit, what I can say is: Lots of Propellers my friends!, especially if you go for the XB version or you are still undecided at the moment of dealing with them. You will have to take care of those yellow prop tips, myriads of them.
  I can assure you that you will not find any problems in the tail area or the fuselage of this kit, Take your time with the wing, though, which in this case amounts for almost the whole thing anyway.
  You know this thing is huge, so be prepared to move to a bigger house or ask the pets out of the premises to get some extra room.

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    Among the few improvements are: opening the air intakes (they come blanked out), lazy representation of the structure behind the intakes, fiddling a little with the interior, provision of a couple of antennas and static wicks, drilling a few vents and exhausts and faking "rivets" on the landing gear doors.

    The first thing you notice in working with this kit is that when you sand, you sand. Large surfaces are a consideration in filling, re-scribing and of course, painting. After a base of grey primer, the first bottle of alclad II went on in just a few seconds. I also used Humbrol metallics, testors metalizers, rub-n-buff, metal-sprayed decals and whatever else was on hand, even a spray can.
  Instead of going for a panel-by-panel job, I used the hues free hand, aiming for a less "technical drawing", more blurry-like feeling.

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I would like to mention that instructions are very good, but the decals were thick, wrongly-colored and of course have yellowed with time. They adhered well, though. Transparencies were good and their fit was correct.
  This monster kit deserves high credits, and I think it certainly merits to be re-issued. From a time long ago, this aluminum overcast soars to modeling shelves slowly, but majestically.

Gabriel

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Photos and text © by Gabriel Stern