[PappyB]

Hey all,

The US Navy VF-3 Buff just landed on my desk and after ripping open the box and having a peek... I just had to share my initial impressions.

This is one SWEEEEET model! (I totally agree with Hawk's assessment "Kewl!")

It's almost entirely metal -- very heavy.

The fit and finish are superb -- the paint job is very, very impressive, and the pad-printed decals are crisp as can be.

The black wash is much more subtle than we've seen in similar paint schemes in the 1:72 line -- not sure if this due to the scale diff, the new wash strategy by HM (starting to use a lighter wash with lighter paint schemes), or both.

The retractable gear is interesting -- kind of difficult to setup in the down position, requires you to insert the metal struts (one piece) in the gear well and then push onto a tab with a supplied plastic tool... I foresee some people breaking the model during this process, but if you're patient it really should be no big deal...

The gear rolls (a first for MH I think) and the rudder moves -- the canopy opens as well and you can see clear through the cockpit and out the bottom windows, as you should -- rudder pedals and all...

The cockpit detail's a bit sparse, but it looks good overall. Also interesting is that bare bulbs are modelled in the wingtip nav lights -- a red one on the left, green on the right -- there are no clear plastic covers for the lights, which I will assume is as it was. Nice attention to detail if so... (don't know much about the Buff).

I wasn't very excited about this one, really, but since it was a new scale and mold from HM I wanted to check it out -- it's a winner, no doubt about it. If I hadn't received my Carousel 1 Dora-13 yesterday, it would be my current "hot" fav... but it's a "hot" number 2. :-) I'll do a shoot this weekend and post a slew of pics as soon as I can. Until then...

[hworth18]

Great pic Pappy!! The Buff looks very nice and has a nice finish to it.. I may stretch and get the RAF version, but this just isn't on my "short" list.. Too bad HM decided to do this one first (my opinion) and not something more popular..

[Elmer]

Thanks for posting the pic and giving us your initial impressions Pappy!! I'm glad to see this is finally starting to hit collector's hands. I have one on preorder with EI's pre-war Texan.

I can't wait for your review!!

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by hworth18

Great pic Pappy!! The Buff looks very nice and has a nice finish to it.. I may stretch and get the RAF version, but this just isn't on my "short" list.. Too bad HM decided to do this one first (my opinion) and not something more popular..

Do you mean this scheme, or this mold?

If the scheme, I do agree -- a Finnish scheme would have been a great choice, and I'm sure we'll see one eventually -- but I do like the prewar colors.

Weren't there some Buffs at Midway that got chewed up real bad by the Zeros, too? That scheme would be interesting to see as well...

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Do you mean this scheme, or this mold?

If the scheme, I do agree -- a Finnish scheme would have been a great choice, and I'm sure we'll see one eventually -- but I do like the prewar colors.

Weren't there some Buffs at Midway that got chewed up real bad by the Zeros, too? That scheme would be interesting to see as well...

I was referring to the mold.. As there are many neat planes left to do in 1/48 and the Buffalo just seems like a strange choice as a 1st release..

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I was referring to the mold.. As there are many neat planes left to do in 1/48 and the Buffalo just seems like a strange choice as a 1st release..

Oh, perhaps -- personally I like that they're doing something a bit less "obvioius". That said, I'm hankering for some good Russian models in 1:48...

[stalag8611]

I've got two on pre-order from the mule and can hardly wait for their arrival. The Buffalo proved to be inferior to the Zero, and everything else it seems, but it took the brunt of the Japanee attacks in the Pacific, especially at Midway, and it definitely deserves its niche in air war history. I already own the IXO F2A. and I consider it an example of what IXO can do when the7y get serious.
What do you guys want, another P-51, P-47, P-38, Spitfire, Bf-109, Fw-190 release in 1:48 from HM? As for me, some of the earlier WW II releases would be very welcome.

[flyXwire]

Thanks for the picture, PappyB! I'll pick one up when this paticular livery gets made....hopefully!

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

What do you guys want, another P-51, P-47, P-38, Spitfire, Bf-109, Fw-190 release in 1:48 from HM?

Honestly???? YES!!!!!
The only 1/48 Bf109G, P-38, and Spitfire are the FM ones and they aren't that great.. i personally don't care who makes these (Eagles, Carousel, or HM) as long as they are made..

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

Thanks for the picture, PappyB! I'll pick one up when this paticular livery gets made....hopefully!

Yeah, I'd love to see this one too, Fly!