The 1/144 PB4Y-2 Privateer from Cobra Company has been reissued by the UK’s Blackbird Models. It’s reviewed here by CHRIS CLIFFORD.
If you’re a fan of Consolidated’s B-24 Liberator, your thoughts may have turned to its more exotic relation, the PB4Y-2 Privateer. Essentially a B-24 with a single vertical stabiliser, six gun turrets and navalised equipment, it was produced for long-range, low-level maritime patrol. While Minicraft kitted a twin-tailed 1/144 PB4Y-1 in styrene, there has been just one PB4Y-2 in this scale, the mixed-media product from Cobra Company in 1998.
Many modellers who like large aircraft types – but are short on display space – favour this scale. And they now have reason to rejoice as Cobra’s Privateer has been re-boxed by Blackbird Models, as item 1440015. However, the white-metal undercarriage from the original boxing has been usurped by black resin examples. You also receive extra decals and three whole sets of vacuum-formed glazing rather than just one, in case of mishap. Experienced modellers will know that vacform canopies can be tricky to work with; in reality, though, it’s these builders alone that should tackle this kit, not the novice.
Above: Resin casting standards are good with this welcome…
