Academy/Minicraft PBY-5A Catalina
Released in the mid-nineties as part of a series of PBYs, Academy's -5A is a quantum leap beyond the ancient Airfix and Revell kits. All panel and rivet detail is recessed, though the rivet detail looks excessive to me (sort of like an engraved version of Airfix detail). All control surfaces and the wing aft of the rear spar feature heavy fabric detail. My chief complaint with the moldings stems from the use of black plastic (the kit is marketed as a Black Cat PBY-5A), which certainly won't help with the grey over white Atlantic scheme applied to French Cats. Several options are provided in the box, including the Yagi aerials and "eyeball" nose turret required for an Indochina-based PBY-5A. A choice of exhaust types is also included. A basic interior is provided, with seats, yokes and a featureless instrument panel (with decal) up front, and bulkheads and walkways for the waist gunners' area. The kit guns are accurate in shape, but lack detail. Engines are well-detailed, and molded as one piece. All tires are provided as separate vinyl parts (with no plastic duplicates) with some tread detail. Minimal decals are provided for a black PBY. Appropriate markings are given on Carpena's Indochina 1er Partie, for a PBY-5A of Flotille 8F.
Academy/Minicraft SB2C-4 Helldiver
Finally released in 2006 after many years on Academy's coming soon list, their SB2C-4 is probably the best small scale rendition of the "big tailed beast". Highlights include fine recessed surface detail, along with good cockpit, engine and bomb-bay detail. The kit depicts the SB2C-4, which requires modification to the cockpit canopy and prop at a minimum, as well as revisions to the cockpit layout and bomb-bay for the hard core. Academy also released a limited edition featuring photo-etched dive brakes and pre-cut canopy masks by Eduard, as well as different decals than the basic release. Appropriate markings can again come from Carpena's Indochina 1er Partie sheet.