I
have always liked flying boats, and whilst I do like a really elegant boat I
can’t resist the more clunky looking ones (In fact I have a thing for aircraft
subjects that could easily be flown by Dick Dastardly and Mutley in the Whacky
races cartoon of the 70’s). I think that the MBR-2 just scrapes into the clunky
category .
The
MBR-2 was one of Beriev’s most successful designs of the 1930’s &
40’s, and could operate from land on wheels or skis, as well of course from
water as a flying boat. Several
captured examples were used by
Finland
during their two conflicts with the
Soviet Union.
It was also operated by North Korea, and quite possibly several other countries.
Like some other anachronistic
designs, such as the Fairey Swordfish, it continued in service and was better
regarded even after its replacement from the same manufacturer was produced.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The
Avia kit is an interesting one. Whoever mastered it clearly liked the subject
and went to a lot of trouble on some small details, yet it borders on appearing
very rough in places. This is largely due to the varying tone of white, grey and
brownish plastic that it is moulded in, with swirls of colour running through
some parts. I was left with the distinct impression that it was made from
recycled plastic! However, closer
inspection of parts shows that they can be cleaned up quite easily. The biggest
job I had was filling in some exaggerated sagging fabric effect between the wing
ribs. I have read that these were in fact plywood covered, so I left no rib
effect at all on mine.
Where
the kit shines is the number of decal options it provides. I have lost my
instructions since building mine, but I seem to recall 16 choices, but it was
certainly around a dozen at least. The instructions provided copies of several
wartime photos illustrating some of the subjects covered by the decal sheet, but
these suffered from appearing to be a poor photocopy of a copy, of a copy, and
so on… This combined with a very flimsy cheap cardboard box strongly suggest
that this kit was developed fairly early in the Eastern European kit
renaissance. But please don’t be put of by these observations, fundamentally
the kit is very good, needing only a bit of easy filling, and some trimming and
tidying up. The decals are excellent in all respects. I have seen the kit
offered by Maquette, eastern Express and no doubt some other companies have
offered it too. It’s cheap and well worth buying.
Mark
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