C-46A Reviews

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David  L. Veres on Cybermodeler.com

Williams Brothers' Curtiss C-46 remains the only injection-molded Commando to 1:72 scale. And anyone who's tackled the kit knows how challenging it is.

Fortunately, Richard Marmo shows how in his illustrated E-Book, Building The Williams Bros. 1/72 scale Curtiss C-46A Commando – sixth in the author's growing range of printable, privately produced "Marmo Method Modelbuilding Guides".

Available from scalepublications.freeyellow.com, the handy PDF handbook sequentially covers the whole project in ten, step-by-step sections:

Introduction
Getting Started
Main Gear Doors/Wheel Wells
Wings, Horizontals & Nacelles
Cowls, Cowl Flaps & Engines
Fuselage & Cockpit
Mating The Wing & Fuselage
The Horizontals
Canopy, Landing Gear, Props & Other Details The Final Touches
Done At Last!

Marmo doesn't just build the model: he improves it with aftermarket and scratch-built elements. Pity Maestro Models' beautifully detailed, pre-painted brass instrument panel is barely visible inside the completed kit cockpit – and the fragile photoetch seat mounts remain completely invisible!

He thankfully covers each construction stage – notably the model's hideous wing-root gaps and airfoil discrepancies – with commendable clarity. But I really think an inside shot of the "Smaller pieces of .020" styrene" is necessary, for instance, to show how "to cover the vee shaped gaps" in his upgrade to open cowl flaps.

Some enthusiasts might also question Marmo's choice of ModelMaster Olive Drab ANA 613 and Neutral Gray FS36270 for period Curtiss camouflage matches. But maybe he simply grabbed what he had – as many modelers do. In fact, Marmo admits to using "a 35 or 40 year old bottle" of Pactra M-1 Flat Scale Black to airbrush tires.

Talk about "shelf life"!

Over 130 color photos illustrate the 89-page effort. And a list of "Links" nicely concludes coverage.

Williams Brothers' 1:72 Commando remains one tough, toilsome transport. But Marmo steadily smooths your way.

"With time, this e-book and patience, mostly patience," he concludes, "the end result is a quality C-46 that you'll be proud to add to your display case."

And that's well worth his modest $3.99 price of admission.

My sincere thanks to Scale Publications for this review sample!

*****

Paul Mahoney, IPMS # 8943 on IPMS/USA website

Richard Marmo's name might be familiar to many IPMSer's... he is one of the founding members of the club, and is in fact IPMS Membership #2 !!

This is #6 in his series of ePublications, and the first I have had the pleasure to read (and review). Available in several different formats, including ePub and PDF (see links above), this is an 89 page, highly detailed description of how Richard built (for commission) the 1/72nd scale C-46 kit produced by Williams Brothers.

Note: There are several ways to obtain this publication - Barnes and Noble (ePub ONLY) or via smashwords. I have listed both url's below:

Barnes and Noble (ePUB)
Smashwords (ePUB, pdf, or Mobi)

The build is documented thoroughly, with multiple pictures on practically every page. Each step in Richard's process is detailed, with all his fixes, workarounds and solutions. Just a few pages into the read it became evident to me that this kit is not for the faint of heart... but if you want a 1/72nd C-46, it is the only game in town.

Reading this reminded me of the few times I have been fortunate enough to discuss building something with a true expert. The writing flows smoothly, and Richard clearly explains each step. The accompanying photos illustrate the process clearly, and I was able to easily follow along with the build (in my mind anyway).

Think of this as an extremely detailed kit review, with every necessary 'fix' explained and demonstrated. I would suggest this is a must-have for anyone interested in building this kit. Wholeheartedly recommend.