Tamiya 1/48 Brewster Buffalo - VS-102 - FineScale Modeler - Essential magazine for scale model builders, model kit reviews, how-to scale modeling, and scale modeling products

Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Tamiya 1/48 Brewster Buffalo - VS-102

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Friday, March 27, 2020 3:35 PM

This build is the 1/48 scale Tamiya Brewster Buffalo. I will be building it as the US Navy F2A version. The aircraft will represent VS-201 that was aboard the USS Long Island AVG-1. I will be adding a resin engine from Quick Boost as well as Eduard photo etch set. Starting with the cockpit I detailed the side walls and then the seat and dash. The rear bulkhead had 2 injection areas. Not sure why they set it up for the front side instead of the back, but a little putty solved the issue. After the seat and dash were done I detailed the pedals and then assembled the cockpit into the fuselage and put the fuselage together. The fit was good and only required a couple of areas to be filled with putty. Next up will be the building and detailing of the engine.

You can see more photos in the build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-brewster-buffalo-vs-102/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

Reply

fox

Member since
January 2007
From: Narvon, Pa.

Posted by fox on Friday, March 27, 2020 4:23 PM

Looking good! Keep the pics coming.

Jim Captain

Stay Safe!

Main WIP:

On the Bench: Artesania Latina (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

Reply

Mopar Madness

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Mopar Madness on Friday, March 27, 2020 5:56 PM

Nice start. Looking forward to seeing more!

Chad

God, Family, Models...

At the plate: 1/48 Airfix Bf109 & 1/35 Tamiya Famo

On deck: Who knows!

Reply

keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Friday, March 27, 2020 6:45 PM

Looks sharp. I did the brit version last year. I had poor fit of the underbelly glass otherwise went together nice.

Thanks,

John

Reply

tempestjohnny

Member since
November 2003
From: Naples, FL

Posted by tempestjohnny on Saturday, March 28, 2020 5:42 AM

Looking good. Great detailing in the interior

Reply

jb4406

Member since
March 2011
From: Gateway to Cape Cod MA

Posted by jb4406 on Saturday, March 28, 2020 9:52 AM

Just putting the finishing touches on the same kit, converted it to F2A-3. Built it as MF-15 from VMF-211 during the battle of Midway. Simple conversion and got markings from spares box. Kit just falls together, even with conversion/scratchbuilding.

"The difficult, I do right away. The impossible will take a little longer."

Reply

Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Friday, April 3, 2020 5:36 AM

This week I used the Quickboost resin engine in place of the kit engine. The first thing I did was use 32awg wire to add the ignition wires. They were then painted dark brown. A 28awg wire was added to represent the hub oil line and some photo etch engine labels were added to the hub. The engine was detail painted. Finally, for the pushrods I used 32awg wire but did not strip off the black sleeving. A quick light dusting with black chalk was added to give the engine a little grime. The engine was then mounted into the fuselage. For the cowl I had to trim down the upper and lower cowl ducts so I could add the photo etch grates as the resin engine is a little thicker than the kit engine.

The wings and main landing gear assembly were assembled which includes the floor of the cockpit. Next up is putting wings and stabilizers on and painting the basecoat.

You can see more photos and details from the start in my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-brewster-buffalo-vs-102/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

Reply

Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Friday, April 10, 2020 1:54 PM

This week’s update covers the final assembly as well as the completed build of the Buffalo representing VS-102. The fuselage was assembled and detailed. The prop was assembled and painted and the light gray was base coated. I applied the decals which were not bad. A little thicker than I like but they laid down and conformed to the surface well. The canopy was polished and painted as well as the underside windows. And this is negative side of this kit. The windows on the belly are a very poor fit. I filled the gaps with styrene which makes it less noticeable but once the gaps were filled it still sits a little under the surface of the fuselage.

Finally I added the antenna wire using EZ line fine. The large spinner for the prop does limit the engine details a little but I am happy with the overall aircraft. This kit was a nice kit to work with the exception of the underside windows. Due to its small size the build moves quickly, especially with the current situation. Thanks for following along.

See all the detail from start to finish at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-brewster-buffalo-vs-102/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

Reply

jeaton01

Member since
December 2002
From: Northern California

Posted by jeaton01 on Friday, April 10, 2020 3:29 PM

Looks nice, David. I don't remember any issues with the bottom window, but I do remember being surprised that the masks for it were not pre-cut. Maybe not all the kits have the fit issue.

John

To see build logs for my models: http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

Reply

fox

Member since
January 2007
From: Narvon, Pa.

Posted by fox on Friday, April 10, 2020 7:26 PM

Nice build David! Toast

Jim Captain

Main WIP:

On the Bench: Artesania Latina (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

Reply

F-8fanatic

Member since
January 2009

Posted by F-8fanatic on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 7:35 AM

Just curious, does the kit have the shears that were kept in the cockpit for the pilot to drop the landing gear if the usual method did not work? For those who are not aware, this aircraft had shears for the pilot to cut a pair of cables under the instrument panel....this was the emergency method of lowering the gear. Amazing, both the crude nature of aviation tech back then as well as the stones it must have taken to climb into that cockpit.

Reply

modelcrazy

Member since
July 2014

Posted by modelcrazy on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 7:42 AM

Looks great Wolfman. It's a shame most of all the great engine detail is covered.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

Reply

Reasoned

Member since
February 2011
From: Bent River, IA

Posted by Reasoned on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 8:29 PM

F-8fanatic
Amazing, both the crude nature of aviation tech back then as well as the stones it must have taken to climb into that cockpit.

Yeah, especially knowing you were going up against the Zero piloted by experienced aviators (as they did at Midway). Interesting information on the LG.

Very nice work on the Buff David!

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom. Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

Reply

THE MAGAZINE

CONTACT US

RECENT ARTICLES

POPULAR TOPICS

RECENT REVIEWS

POPULAR TOPICS

RECENT REVIEWS

POPULAR TOPICS

RECENT VIDEOS

POPULAR TOPICS

RECENT THREADS

CATEGORIES

NEW PRODUCTS

OUR STORE

CURRENT ISSUE

SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Tamiya 1/48 Brewster Buffalo - VS-102