G'day Nigel, I had the pleasure back in the 90s to live close to RAAF Amberly where they were restoring two of these aircraft side by side, USAAF A-20G (Hell N Pelican II ) and RAAF Boston III (Jessica). I was lucky to have access to both aircraft from early in the restoration to completion, then painting in the paint booth by RAAF tradesman. I took hundreds of photos of the interior and exterior of both aircraft in my many visits to the base and have some wonderful pics of my 4 year old son sitting in the cockpit of "Jessica"
I'm happy to see that HK models stepped up their game, I love this company for their brave subject choice, and especially for bringing the B-25 to this scale. So I really hope they will be successful and last a long time, and this great kit will surely help with that I think. Looking forward to your build!
I'm not so much surprised as amazed you're dipping your toe back into HK models after the Lancaster catastrophe. I do hope you won't be so badly disappointed in this A 20G- I'll be watching this one phase by phase!
A friend clued me into this and directed me here, and I am now waiting to get my copy next Thursday. Woot. My Dad flew an A-20G--30-DO in New Guinea and the Philippines and I am looking forward to modeling his plane in this scale (although a little overwhelmed as well). In his group they mostly bombed at 50 to 100 feet ("coconut bombing"), so the ventral gun was left off. Really appreciate the box review and am looking forward to the build videos. Thanks!
Booked my seat Nigel, can't wait to see that beastie take shape that's for sure, my Foxie 'Ted' will be watching and sends his love to Jess too, great review. Dave'
This kit is definitely on my to get list.... Just got my 1/32nd B24j and I have the 1/32nd Whirlwind on order.... the havoc and b25j straffer are next on my list
I think HKM used the Lewis Air Legends airworthy A-20G 43-21709 ( there are some nice close up pics of this aircraft with open panels and with stressed skin to good effect on line ) when designing this kit as it has the same style nose wheel with tiny holes around the rim which I have not seen in any wartime period photographs or other restored aircraft.
Great observation.. This is THE issue with using restored Aircraft. If this is the only error I will be surprised. Overall shape looks great to my eye? I wonder if B-25 has the same wheels as the A-20?
I'm going to Metro Hobbies in a few weeks when I take a trip from Sydney- Melbourne. I'm hoping when my wife sees the look of awe on my face, she'll overlook the price and enable me to walk out with this kit in hand. It looks absolutely gorgeous. That colour call out for the interior seems accurate. The A-20-G at the National Museum of the United States Airforce has a light olive drabish cockpit very much like the RC262 in the callout, Im not sure how close to original that is though. Great review Nige.
@Nigel’s Modelling Bench they have a banner on their website saying it's now in stock. Not sure if that's online only though. I'll still be there in July either way so that's good 😀👍
That is unusual on an American aircraft. Most American aircraft have both a pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit for bombers and transport aircraft. Fighters are usually 1 pilot.
Hk , has outdone themselves with this one . Looking forward to mine when it arrives.......... I, wish the boarders Lancaster, stress skin was more like this A-20 . I ,agree with you the lancaster seems to be well over the top . Have a great day Nigel. Good review as always
I had pre ordered on Metro Hobbies several months ago, and once the kit arrived there paid straight up! I should get it in the next few days. Now all I need to do is wait for someone to produce RAAF markings (they did operate the -G models later in the war, although most were destroyed in an air raid on their base). It will go with the Mitchell strafer that I have NEIAF markings for.
Due to my situation I have to budget very carefully as my monthly expenditure is extremely limited. I use PayPal pay in three to make 3 instalments which allows me to know my expenditure accurately. I got mine in Germany which even with customs was £25 cheaper than the best U.K. price I found, who couldn’t offer PayPal.
Excellent looking model kit. Only including the weights in a limited number of kits is kinda a jerk move in my opinion. At least sell the weights in a additional package if you must.
@NigelsModellingBench I pre-ordered mine from sprue brothers but I can find no information if the kit I ordered will have weights or not, I guess I'll find out later. In the meantime I've started kinetics new mold f-16c kit. The kit is very inexpensive and appears to be very nice, I recommend it.
Thanks for this one, I saw on BNA website there is an upcoming release for the Mitchell bomber 1:32 from HK models. If it's as good as this one I'd certainly be interested. Defiantly lifted their game!
I'd love to see you tackle that Trumpeter 1/35 CH-47A Chinook sitting in the stash just over your left shoulder! I just finished that kit a few months back and had a good result with it! The detail on this new A-20G looks incredible, especially the oil-canning of the panels.
@@NigelsModellingBench The HB kit has the same engine mistake. 14 cylinder not the R-2800 18 cylinder which the kit should have had in it. Thanks Nigel your CH-54 SkyKrane is another one of your master pieces. Thanks again!
Thanks for your kind words regarding the CH-54. Right.. we need to clear this up... The HB kit of the A-26 has awful engines, with 14 rather than 18 cylinders, among some other silly mistakes. This A-20G kit has the correct R2600 engines which have 14 cylinders. The B-26 and A-26 had R2800 18 cylinder engines.