1:48 Latécoère 298 - Ultra Limited Kit

Latécoère 298 in 1:48 scale, Special Hobby, Vintage Treasure series

A kit of the French floatplane torpedo bomber Latécoère 298 in 1:48 scale. The Czech maker Special Hobby released it as an Ultra Limited Kit in the Vintage Treasure series, in which it revives older molds from the Azur range in a limited edition. The box combines injection-molded plastic parts, resin extras and a vacuum-formed canopy; the decals cover two versions, a French machine of 1940 and a captured German one of 1944.

The real subject

The Latécoère 298 was a single-engined low-wing aircraft set on a pair of floats, which French naval aviation introduced shortly before the war. It was powered by the Hispano-Suiza 12Y V12 engine and its main armament was a torpedo slung under the fuselage; the machine also served for reconnaissance and bombing. In the spring of 1940 naval aviation units sent these aircraft against ground targets as well, where they took heavy losses. Some of the aircraft then flew under Vichy administration, individual captured examples appeared on the German side and some of the machines flew until the end of the war.

Building and painting tips

A short-run mold calls for dry fitting and adjustment of the fit. Cut the vacuum-formed canopy out with a margin and sand it down to the edge of the opening. Wash the resin parts free of mold release residue before fitting them. Set the floats and the struts carefully to the drawing so that the model stands level.

Who the model is for

• For modelers with experience of mixed-media and short-run kits.
• For collectors of French aviation subjects of 1940.
• For anyone interested in floatplane and naval types in 1:48 scale.
• For those looking for a less usual subject for the display case.

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.