1:32 A-20G Havoc

The real subject

The Douglas A-20 Havoc was an American twin-engine combat aircraft with tricycle landing gear, deployed as a light bomber and for attacks on ground targets. The G version differs from the earlier ones in the nose: instead of the glazed navigator's station it got a solid nose with fixed gun armament, because low-level attacks pressed directly home had proved themselves. The machine served with American units and with the Allies and has come down to us in many color schemes.

What the set contains

Photo-etched parts for an A-20G model in 1:32 scale. In the large scale the coarseness of plastic shows most, and that is exactly where photo-etching helps: it replaces parts that should have the thickness of sheet metal on the real subject and adds relief that cannot be produced in plastic. Which parts of the model the set complements and which kit it is listed for is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

First look the fret over against the light and compare it with the instructions, so that you know which parts belong together. Separate them with a sharp blade pressed against the part on a hard backing and level the remains of the tab with a fine file. Make straight bends in a bending tool or against a ruler; form curved shapes by drawing the part over a round shank, not by folding it. Glue with cyanoacrylate applied in a minute drop; any excess goes white on metal and is hard to remove. Degrease the metal before painting and go over it with primer, otherwise the layer will flake off during handling. Seat painted parts with blunt-jawed tweezers, so that they do not leave marks in the soft metal.

Terms of supply

A set of photo-etched parts is supplied. The model, paints, glue and tools are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.