1/48 Kinetic E-2 Hawkeye

Gallery Article by Shawn "phantom" Weiler on Aug 8 2011

 

This is a 1/48 Kinetic E-2 Hawkeye with Fightertown decals and Royal resin wheels.

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Considering I lost the instructions and had to go from memory of the build I did a year or so ago I think it turned out pretty good. With the wings extended it makes you appreciate how big these planes are. The only thing I might recommend as a aftermarket need might be brass landing gear. I used the kit stuff but due to the sheer weight of this model both mains broke twice during the build. Repaired them and they seem ok, but brass might work better. The weight is a empty paint bottle filled with fishing weights stuffed behind the cockpit. That still was not enough once I put the tails on. Lucky I left the windshield as the last item to be secured and was able to toss in a couple more weights.  Without proper weight at the front, this model is the father of all tail sitters. Especially with the wings folded back.

Used a surprisingly small amount of putty. Unlike my first build this one had very little. The extended wings have none at all which greatly surprised me.

Shawn "phantom" Weiler

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Photos and text © by Shawn "phantom" Weiler