"Witchcraft" was a Ford-built "H-15" model with the larger bombardier's glass and a wrap-around Alclad panel that met the skin of the aircraft in an S-curve. There were various other changes from a Consolidated built example "J" model which the kit appears to be. If that worries you, then you cannot build an "H" model from this, but maybe it doesn't.
That's right, Witchcraft was a H-15-FO having different S-shaped nose.It seems to me HB went for a Witchcraft warbird that is overpainted J-85-CO in fact. Over Exposed livery was a recce F-7A version converted from a J-5-CO plane having both front and rear turret of A-6A type; Shy-Chi Baby J-185-CO then. All of them differ from HB kit in details such as bulged nose windows, nose gear doors retracted outwards etc. No livery can be built so as the finished model wlild be historically accurate. Big disapointment for me.
You said you have the HB 1/32 version? How do the propellers compare? It seems they fixed the wrong shape with the 48 kit. Curious what you think. I had to go aftermarket with the 1/32 kit
Much more detail than the Monogram along with great surface detail. However you never mentioned it has the same obvious problem as the Monogram. Front & rear turrets molded in halves. After all this time you would think they would do better. They did the same with their earlier 1/32 release.
Beside turrets nonsense how they are molded take a close look at engine cowlings and nacelles shape. They are shaped wrong, canopy clear part as well being too "shallow".
She must be a tail sitter. I did not see an indication of nose weight. Also, I did not see a boarding ladder at the back to use as a support. Maybe there's some room for weights under the cockpit and nose compartment floors.
