After my first few model airplanes (the Lindberg "Strategic Strafer" P-47, the Airfix Boulton Paul Defiant, and, I believe, the Airfix Fokker Triplane), my mother would allow me one kit per week. But, if I was clever, I could buy two lower cost models. The two companies whose kits were indeed cheap were Lindberg and Hawk. The Hawk T-6 (as well as its Navy version, the SNJ) were plentiful at the local Pic-n-Save Store, selling for half the 1/48 kits; around $.59. I actually bought the T-6 and SNJ on the same day.Imagine my surprise when I discovered they were the same kit.
Well, not exactly the same. The T-6 was molded in silver, the SNJ in yellow, and they had different decals. But they were the same airplane. I believe I even swapped canopies to see if it could be done; of course it could!
The model has a history dating back to the 1940's, and indeed may have been derived from the recognition models Hawk was contracted to make for the war effort; many of its features are very similar. It has much in common with Hawk's SBD-5/A-24 as far as part breakdown is concerned. Incredibly, this kit, as well as their SBD and Corsair, is deficient in rivets. Normally, model builders complain about rivets, as they really shouldn't be so noticeable. However, the aircraft still had them, if subdued. The T-6/SNJ only has them on its wings.
As for the kit itself. Aside from being very simple, it really only represents a T-6, specifically a T-6G, a postwar variant. It lacks all of the changes necessary for it to be an SNJ, though the Navy did have a variant that was very similar, the SNJ-X-7X, which was not very common. When Testors acquired Hawk, they did produce a more accurate SNJ, though this model is long out of production.
My kit is a 1965 production run. The box is great; they don't make them like this anymore.
There is some writing on the box that indicates something of this models history.
"LAOS"? Was the original builder planning on making a model of one that served in the Laotian Air Force? Maybe one from the Vietnam conflict? Who can be sure.
There are just twenty one parts in this kit, not including decals. To Hawk's credit, the decals represent a real T-6G as it appeared in the late 1940's - early 1950's. While the decals are slightly yellowed, with a little work they should do. The fit of the parts is extremely good, and the panel lines are recessed (something not too common on kits from this period). The interior is very basic, no interior at all really. Also, the national markings are molded directly into the plastic. This was a real bear of a problem if you chose to use different markings. Back in 1977, my best friend Craig and I were running short on Japanese aircraft for our little "war games" (more like "arms race"). We took the same path that film makers took when they needed Japanese aircraft, we used Hawk's SNJ and T-6's, with spare decals or handpainted hinomaru. That was not enough to cover the markings, as you could still see the bars aside the hinomaru.
Later kits had instructions as we know them today, with illustrated step by step instructions.
These instructions have directions above them (I can't help but think about a recipe - "Take 1 cup of flour, 2/3 cup sugar, some butter...").
The rest of the kit is not bad. The canopy is of the large paned variety (per "The T-6 Modeling Page"), so it really is a better representation of an Air Force T-6G. The decals have a black antiglare panel, when in reality they were olive drab.
However, there is one thing that looks odd, and that's the crewmen. There are two, and, yes... uhm... they do look vaguely human, though the look as if they were in a "Star Trek" transporter accident. They are also oversized. Note - girlfriend's red hair for scale.
This model, while very much a collectors item, is destined to be built. The model had some damage to it already, the tailwheel was broken off. I re-attached it with CA glue for these images. I'll make some basic improvements, mainly a new interior. Otherwise, this classic kit is to be built and decorated as the plane it represents.
Should be great fun.
Well, not exactly the same. The T-6 was molded in silver, the SNJ in yellow, and they had different decals. But they were the same airplane. I believe I even swapped canopies to see if it could be done; of course it could!
The model has a history dating back to the 1940's, and indeed may have been derived from the recognition models Hawk was contracted to make for the war effort; many of its features are very similar. It has much in common with Hawk's SBD-5/A-24 as far as part breakdown is concerned. Incredibly, this kit, as well as their SBD and Corsair, is deficient in rivets. Normally, model builders complain about rivets, as they really shouldn't be so noticeable. However, the aircraft still had them, if subdued. The T-6/SNJ only has them on its wings.
As for the kit itself. Aside from being very simple, it really only represents a T-6, specifically a T-6G, a postwar variant. It lacks all of the changes necessary for it to be an SNJ, though the Navy did have a variant that was very similar, the SNJ-X-7X, which was not very common. When Testors acquired Hawk, they did produce a more accurate SNJ, though this model is long out of production.
My kit is a 1965 production run. The box is great; they don't make them like this anymore.
There is some writing on the box that indicates something of this models history.
"LAOS"? Was the original builder planning on making a model of one that served in the Laotian Air Force? Maybe one from the Vietnam conflict? Who can be sure.There are just twenty one parts in this kit, not including decals. To Hawk's credit, the decals represent a real T-6G as it appeared in the late 1940's - early 1950's. While the decals are slightly yellowed, with a little work they should do. The fit of the parts is extremely good, and the panel lines are recessed (something not too common on kits from this period). The interior is very basic, no interior at all really. Also, the national markings are molded directly into the plastic. This was a real bear of a problem if you chose to use different markings. Back in 1977, my best friend Craig and I were running short on Japanese aircraft for our little "war games" (more like "arms race"). We took the same path that film makers took when they needed Japanese aircraft, we used Hawk's SNJ and T-6's, with spare decals or handpainted hinomaru. That was not enough to cover the markings, as you could still see the bars aside the hinomaru.
Later kits had instructions as we know them today, with illustrated step by step instructions.
These instructions have directions above them (I can't help but think about a recipe - "Take 1 cup of flour, 2/3 cup sugar, some butter...").The rest of the kit is not bad. The canopy is of the large paned variety (per "The T-6 Modeling Page"), so it really is a better representation of an Air Force T-6G. The decals have a black antiglare panel, when in reality they were olive drab.
However, there is one thing that looks odd, and that's the crewmen. There are two, and, yes... uhm... they do look vaguely human, though the look as if they were in a "Star Trek" transporter accident. They are also oversized. Note - girlfriend's red hair for scale.
This model, while very much a collectors item, is destined to be built. The model had some damage to it already, the tailwheel was broken off. I re-attached it with CA glue for these images. I'll make some basic improvements, mainly a new interior. Otherwise, this classic kit is to be built and decorated as the plane it represents.Should be great fun.
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