Aaronw Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 My second entry is the Smer boxed Heller 1/72 MS406 kit. The MS 406 was France's most numerous fighter in 1940. It was relatively modern being developed in the same period as the Hawker Hurricane, P-36 and Me-109. Unfortunately development did not keep pace with these aircraft so by 1940 it was outclassed by the German aircraft it faced and it finished the Battle of France with almost 2 losses for each victory. Finland, Switzerland and Turkey also purchased the MS406. By using uprated engines Swiss and Finn variants had greatly improved performance allowing the aircraft to serve until the end of the war as second line fighters. and a little work done. The fit isn't perfect but not too bad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) It is a pretty basic kit but for the most part goes together well. The top of the nose needed some work but overall fit is very good for an $8 kit. It is much better than the C.714. Paint and some of the decals applied Edited December 6, 2011 by Aaronw Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luno13 Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Sharp work! Is there a reason for leaving off the elevators for painting? What colors did you use? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) I've since added the elevators, wasn't intentional to leave them off just a symptom of building in spare moments. Same goes for the decals, I usually wait until close to the end, but I couldn't sleep the other night and was in a decal mood. Speaking of decals, they are not bad being nice and thin but they are very brittle. I used Pollyscale French Chesnut Brown, French Fokker Green, French Blue Grey with French Light Blue Grey on the underside. There is also a second green on the wing tips and tip of the nose, I used Model Master Medium green for this. This second green is subtle but noticable in person but it doesn't really show up in the photo. Edited December 6, 2011 by Aaronw Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VG 33 Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Quickly and nicely made. Patrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 Thanks I find fairly simple kits like this are great for getting my juices going again. Landing gear installed and decals applied. Just need to knock down the gloss on the paint and get some nice photos. I have found all the lettering / number decals are oversize. They look ok but are much larger than what is shown on the box art. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Guess I better get these posted. I've actually been done for awhile but keep slacking on the photos. So here is the MS406 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VG 33 Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Very nice May 1940's fighter but should need dull coat. Congratulations. Patrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Thanks, I liked building this little guy. It is not a bad looking plane, sounds like with another 6 months to a year to get improved versions into the field it might have been a pretty good little fighter. I actually did hit it with dull coat but obviously it is going to need another. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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