Subject: Re: HLJ - Hasegawa 1/72 B-24J Liberator 90BG The Jolly Rogers
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Dave Johnson" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:50:36 -0800

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dave Johnson 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 1:27 AM
  Subject: HLJ - Hasegawa 1/72 B-24J Liberator 90BG The Jolly Rogers

  Hasegawa

  1/72 B-24J Liberator 90BG The Jolly Rogers 

  Limited Release Series

  Product # 01910 (http://www.hlj.com/product/HSG01910) from HobbyLink Japan (www.hlj.com)

  Product Article by Dave Johnson on the November 2010

  History -

  The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was, designed by Consolidated Aircraft Company of San Diego, California. Its mass production was brought into full force by 1943 with the aid of the Ford Motor Company through its newly constructed Willow Run facility, where peak production had reached one B-24 per hour and 650 per month in 1944. The B-24 ended World War 2 as the most produced Allied heavy bomber in history, and the most produced American military aircraft at over 18,000 units. The B-24J was very similar to the B-24H, but shortages of the Emerson nose turret required use of a modified, hydraulically powered Consolidated A-6 turret in most J model aircraft built at Consolidated's San Diego and Fort Worth factories. The B-24J featured an improved autopilot and a bombsight. B-24H sub-assemblies made by Ford and constructed by other companies and any model with a C-1 or M-1 retrofit, were all designated B-24J. The J model was the only version to be built by all five factories involved in B-24 production. Total of 6,678 B-24J were produced.

  The Kit -

  Upon removing the box lid is nine grey sprues and one clear sprue, that contains 215 parts according to the box lid. The moulds are very crisp and show no traces of flash or sink marks on any of the parts on the sprues. Panel lines are fantastically done as per normal with Hasegawa kits of late. There are some very nicely tooled parts on the sprues from the one piece tires that feature a weighted look to them, also the wheel hubs are very nice looking. The Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65's engines and superchargers really stand out too.

  Cockpit details are very basic as you would expect in this scale, but shouldn't be to visible once the you have completed the build. A decal is supplied for the instrument panel, but you would get some nice results with some dry brushing.

  There are a few not for use parts on the sprues that would be for Hasegawa's B-24D, but unfortunately all the require parts are not there for a D version. The front section of the aircraft is moulded in clear plastic, this may aid in masking of the few window's around that area. With the weight of the model completed it surely will be a tail sitter, so the instructions have a call out for an 90 gram weight to be added to the front area of the model to counter this.

  A really nice touch that is included with the kit, is that the turrets can be added once the mode is painted and completed. The turrets are also moulded as one piece apart from the belly turret which is moulded in 3 parts. The belly turret has optional parts to build the model with it deployed, or in its storage position. The parts that need to be attached to clear turret pieces have been designed to so there would be no ugly seams on the clear parts.

  Also included is a full pay load of 1000lb bombs, which can be displayed with the bomb bay doors open or closed. 

  The kit includes two schemes for the 90th Bomb Group of the 5th Air Force.

  "Queen Mae" 319th Bomb Squadron, 90th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force "Jolly Rogers".

  "Miss Jolly Roger/ Booby Trap" 312nd Bomb Squadron, 90th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force "Jolly Rogers".

  Both feature pin-up girls on the nose area and these decals are printed on the newer decal paper that Hasegawa have been using. The decals are nicely printed and are very crisp and printed in perfect register but have a bit of carrier film around them.

  Overall, this boxing of Hasegawa's B-24J will build up into impressive model of the United States most produce bomber of all time. As most Hasegawa kits go together with minimum hassle, this kit would be recommended to any level of modeller.

  I would like to thank HobbyLink Japan (www.hlj.com) for the review sample.