Matchbox/Revell 1/72 PB4Y-2 Privateer (Full Build)

I've used the original Matchbox artwork, Roy Huxley, as the thumbnail. as it's the best.
Items used on this build:-
Quickboost QB 48 042 B-17 Gun Barrels.
eduard BRASSIN B-24 Engines.
Armory Model AR AW72345 weighted wheels.
Other items that might be of interest to anyone building the Privateer:-
Squadron Canopies do sets of Vacform clear parts for the Privateer.
There is supposed to be a upgrade set for the Matchbox and Revell Privateer kits :- Ex Cobra/ Lone Star Models? I tried to find out more just before Christmas 2023, but the website seemed unavailable at the time. You could try Facebook as a contact.

[@createdezign1840]

I have a real soft spot in my heart for these Matchbox kits. It seems to be a real testament to how much a modeler's skills have developed over time to bring out and add to the original kits. What some modelers have brought to these nostalgic beloved kits is staggering. Thanks so much for bringing this to us. :)

[@MarkHevingham]

Same here. The neighbour two doors up always bought me a birthday and Christmas present and for a run of about three years 74 to 77 I got several Matchbox kits in dual or tri colour (aside from the year I got a Six Million Dollar Man jigsaw!) . The mess I would have made age 8 did not deter me from enjoying the build. Can't believe the quality Greg pulled from this one!

[@GregsModels]

Anytime👍

[@SaltimusMaximus]

As a kid I started building Matchbox kits when I had the money aged about 8, glue everywhere, no paint, could never afford it, don’t do much kit building now.

[@markfryer9880]

​@@GregsModelsDo they still make Matchbox model kits? Do they still make Matchbox cars and trucks? I used to make the models in '76. Mark from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@GregsModels]

@@markfryer9880 I'm not sure of the exact history. Some, possibly all of the moulds went to Revell. And now and then they release these old Matchbox kits under their banner. As for the cars I'm not sure👍

[@troubadour1562]

You've really inspired me to get back on the horse at 67. Astounding engineering refits. Brilliant result. Thanks for sharing your skills 😊

[@andrewtolley3706]

Very impressive. Your model-making skills make me realize how feeble my own attempts were when I built the revell kit years ago. Thank you for sharing your remarkable talent.

[@markfranks1329]

Really good to see you again, Greg. Honestly, your ability to take a pig's ear and transform it into a silk purse, never, ever ceases to amaze me. Truly inspiring to watch. Don't be too long for the next one.

[@jostscalemodelling]

Despite the age of the kit, you have managed to create an impressive model with a lot of craftsmanship! A beautiful aircraft! I really like the interplay of the colors! My greatest respect for this challenge!

[@edlangley4660]

Welcome back! One day I will reach the high standard that has now been labelled, 'uninspired'. Cracking vid. Many thanks to the Professor of Plastic.

[@GregsModels]

Thank you 😂

[@wojciechkoska3515]

Long videos are good, I like them. I watch it while tackling my modeling projects. Thank you. Very nice build 👍.

[@joeljenkins7092]

Wonderful! A great demonstration of how skill and patience can transform a simple kit into art.

[@mazinman3]

You should be commended for this torture session of a model. You really turned a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, so job well done. We’ve all had that one model from hell, it sounds like this is one of them. It really turned out well IMO.

[@tesarus8461]

This is pure magic how old and scary kit transforms to a beautiful model. Thank you for sharing!

[@mooshoopork63]

Your "uninspired" efforts are still killer!

[@lesvenus3788]

An absolute beauty of a build Greg and well worth the wait. Glad you’re back and I very much looking forward to what’s next!

[@Mishn0]

The Privateer is my favorite Liberator variant. The longer fuselage and wings give it a slimmer, more graceful look. It's one of my favorite aircraft overall. Maybe the Martin Mercator beats it as it's even slimmer and longer winged! I've got one of the original three color kits in the stash and was lucky enough to grab one of the "Cobra Company" resin sets before they went out of business. Now I have to engineer a place big enough to display it and work up the nerve to built it! Great job on yours.

[@GregsModels]

That set looks interesting and would have added so much more than I ever could 👍😎

[@bobz1736]

I always look forward to your videos. Waffle is good 👍 😅

[@scale_jelly_lydon5813]

"Hope you like what I've done with this kit", I love what you've done with this kit. Stunning job!

[@JJ-cf7nb]

Another lovely build of an arguably terrible kit. But go easier on yourself man! There are just so many beautiful and appealing kits out there instead of hair pullers like this one. As I learn a lot from watching your construction and finishing, I’m hoping I can share one minor tweak; a bit of panel wash around the edges of the canopy panels will give the frames a cleaner more refined look. Kind of like a woman’s mascara haha

[@GregsModels]

Thanks, will do👍

[@melsilvestre8049]

I wish I could've owned that kit when I first saw it in the late 80's. No what I've limited my collection to a/c that flew in the Philippines AND 1/48 scale, I'm in deep trouble! But your build has inspired me to look for drawings or an old conversion kit!

[@neilhaas]

PBY4-2 Privateer very nice airplane interesting build. Nice aircraft. ❤😊👍🙏🤝🤗

[@anthonycapanas2932]

Greg, your Privateer looks superb. Very nice job in creating the wheel well detail and seat details. Replacing the propellers was a must. You did it even better with after market ones. Extensive work on the cowls and engines awesome. Excellent work overall.

[@ChristianGurney]

After a tough week, to see this video brought a wry smile to my face. Thanks Greg!

[@GregsModels]

My pleasure!

[@danielcgomez]

Very nice build Greg! Such an oddball bomber, but beautiful all the same!

[@mahna-mahna6408]

Every step of your build deserve a like. That fix on the engines was the most needed improvement for this kit, but your detailling of turrets was another piece of patience. Despite those old Matchbox kits require a lot of work, imho Revell's plastic is very pleasant to work with. Thanks for this great video !

[@rastarn]

Superlative work, Sir! An absolutely wonderful effort, (no matter how personally annoying😁), on bringing a very old kit back to some genuinely beautiful life. It's a joy to have another build of yours in my feed again. I was missing it! Thank you for the entertainment and inspiration.

[@CallSignVMan]

I've built my share of Matchbox kits when I was younger and never got close to make them look this good.

[@ChristianSchroter]

Hello mr. Greg!i had alot of fun watching and listen. It was delicious.thank u 4 sharing.keep it up and keep the Faith. With sticky greetings from brandenburg/Germany. Your fellow modellmate.christian

[@davidhinkson8856]

I had to click on this the moment I saw it, because I built this kit twice in the early 1990s, and I remember seeing an ad in Airfix Magazine in the summer of 1981 with a man who had built a super detailed version of the kit. And yes, I had the original Matchbox model molded in three colors. I enjoyed it and in some ways it was better than some of the bigger Airfix kits I had built up to that point.

[@robo40]

Cracking job Greg, beautifully painted and detailed as usual. Enjoyed it thoroughly thank you 😃👍

[@bagdaduk]

might i suggest adding some back ground music. kinda awkward while watching and no commentary and all you can hear is...... blank.... there is free music u can used that wont give u a copyright strike

[@Biggles369]

Funnily enough, I think this is one of your best builds of late. It shows all of your skills and I love the subtlety of your approach to this scale. I think you are right about the decals, they do seems the wrong shade, but a stunning model.

[@leecormack2413]

Been inspired to add details to kits by your videos. Sometimes I still have to remind myself that the police won't arrest me if I get it wrong or paint the wrong colour. In the end it's not going in a museum and it's meant to be a fun hobby.

[@randkorp2003]

Building this kit atm, and have saved a lot of time and effort by transplanting the wings, mid-fuselage section and engines from an Academy B-24D. Very satisfied with the results so far.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

Top notch work, given the vintage source material, mate! This Airfix kit inexplicably looks familiar: is it a re-boxing of the Revell 1:77th-scale model kit of the Ford Tri-motor Aircraft? I also saw your build of Convair’s PB4Y-2 Privateer U.S. Navy Patrol Bomber model, from Revell’s re-boxing of the Matchbox 1:72nd-scale kit of the aircraft. Now that was impressive! I decades past had that Matchbox kit, though due to circumstances not of my causation and well beyond my capacity to resolve, I had not been able to build it. I also had a Revell Monogram 1:48th-scale kit of the Consolidated B-24D Liberator USAAF Heavy Bomber, and with it, an aftermarket mixed media conversion set to modify it to a PB4Y-2. However, I frankly lacked the skill to attempt it.

[@jakecutter5125]

Fantastic work, I have the original Matchbox kit and I plan on doing it in one converted into a water bomber. yours Steve....

[@petebesch]

Hello Greg, my name is Pete. I too am a PB4Y fan and built the one of two that I have back in 1982 or was it 1983? I was wondering when you'll be doing more videos. Also was wondering what reference material you used for your build. Having still another Matchbox kit I was also wondering if the Revell kit is still floating around. Love your work, keep modelling..😃😃😃

[@svensvensson2724]

I love seeing old Matcbox builds. Most of these I only saw unpainted in a catalog. As for running out of steam; I think you put too much work into customising it. Panel groves don't exist in real life. Slightly raised lines do. Deal with it at the paint stage. Completely remaking parts... Ok on the engines, but the entire cowls? Too much. Custom cockpit no one will ever see? Wheel wells? Nuff said. The thing that I love about your models, and what really bring them to life is the paint work. Get to painting quicker, and you will have a better model.

[@Shrike58]

Excellent job...the after-market gun barrels and engines made a huge difference.

[@George-pp2hr]

Hello there Greg. I've got this model but came in a Revell packaged box. I haven't built it and bought that a decade ago now. I think the decals are the same as you can do an overall Metal finish British I think transport or maybe Canadian. Anyway as you would know it has alternative parts for the natural metal version. I'm about to watch this build. Goodluck or unless of course it's been done already. From George down under Melbourne Victoria Australia.👍🇭🇲🦘🐨✌️

[@daneshivers2921]

Stunning job, Greg! As an afterthought: with all the popularity of new B-24 kits, why can't at least one company convert to a Privateer? We're even using them as water bombers for forest fires. Someone out there PLEASE step up. Thanks, Dane

[@jeffholt9437]

(2nd post) - great trick using the raised panel lines to scribe recessed panel lines and then sanding down the raised detail (sorry if this is aircraft modelling 101 stuff but I've never seen it!!) 😊 Oh yes, and an amazing build but we all know that! However, given the efforts made to accurize everything, I'm surprised that you settled for those barrels?

[@TheFulcrum2010]

Welcome back Greg, superb build on this oldish kit. I used to own it but decided to have a clear out. It was a while back but I must admit now that I've seen your build I'm thinking I should have kept It. The work you've put in though could put a few of us off so kudos to your skills. By the way remembering the original boxing I think the other choice was a VIP transport for general Eisenhower hence the additional windows and different nose. Anyway a great bit of modelling Greg and a good Easter to you and yours.

[@SimonWallwork]

Looks pretty good to me!

[@richardharris7214]

'Had the exact same experience 2 years ago with this kit. Dragged on to the point I even left my local model club - just couldn't get anything quite right -2 steps forward 3 back. Finally, after months it was finished. I weathered it to within an inch of its life! I look at it now and some days I think it is the most realistic and best kit I have made [60 years experience] and then the next day I think it is the worst!

[@antartis73]

Greg, you’re a master but to call the beautiful pieces you created out of scrap and kit pieces ‘crap’ is simply unfair. They’re all amazing, wish I could be as good

[@markc7002]

Your modulation, shading and blending is exceptional, a true artist!!

[@phayzyre1052]

One thing about these old model kits, when it comes to construction, scale, ease of assembly and detail, they can’t compare to modern day models. Apart from that, I still like building them sometimes just for the nostalgic value.

[@DutchDaveModels]

Not bad at all, but I do understand the interest in a kit can get lost somewhere. I have those moments as well sometimes. Still a nice result man! 💥👍💥

[@matchesburn]

0:29 - "And hopefully the next video build won't be as long as this." ...Am I the only one that wouldn't mind a multi-hour long video build? Some of the best model build videos I've seen have been ones that are quite long and have little in the way of editing and show most of the process.

[@Thessalonikios7890]

Το είχα φτιάξει γύρω στο 1973 τότε το μυαλό δεν ήξερε ότι θα γεράσω και θα χαθεί όπως χάθηκε η μαγεία και η ευτυχία της ζωης

[@MikeMurawa]

Hi Greg good to see you back. Didn't Matchbox manufacturer a large Puma helicopter, Mike

[@mikemontgomery2654]

Someone really needs to come out with a 1/48 and/or 1/32 scale version of the Privateer, make it a lot more accurate too. As far as the real aircraft, I've only ever seen one in person and it was a loud beast! Flew over my house as it departed.

[@TheNorwegian]

First "big" kit I built back in the day. Ended up looking like crap, of course, but still kept it around for 10-15 years

[@sullivanrachael]

Greg, you might not feel that you did your perfectionist best with this kit; but look at the raw mouldings - awful in so many places. You effectively replaced all the detail. Props, engines, guns, cowlings, seats all resin or scratch built. There is a lot of work going on there! This has got to be one of the best Matchbox Privateers built, and it’s all wrapped up with your masterful paint and washes; truly worth watching. Will the masochism ever stop? Think you did a brilliant job. Happy Easter!

[@GregsModels]

I'm never happy, with anything😂👍

[@mikejungferman4744]

Very cool buddy, I'm nowhere near your detailing skills, but fun to watch

[@chrislapp9468]

He's good. I've been building since the 70s. -De-tail... 👍

[@clavier2560]

Eric Tabarly , the famous french sailor, has flown Privateers as a pilot in Indochina

[@rustykilt]

I have this old kit in my stash. Always hoped a new kit would come available.

[@jonbuller6149]

Well worth the wait. She's turned out pretty damn good. Far better than what Matt would have done! 😜😂

[@GregsModels]

🤫😂👍

[@TheScaleModeler]

Hi Greg good to meet you today at the Yeovil show. Thanks for tip re Macci I ended up with Italeri S.79 Sparviero in 1/72 unopened for 20 quid which I thought was a bargain. Take it easy and look forward to seeing your next build 👍

[@GregsModels]

Nice to have met you. You picked the better kit the Airfix one is dreadful👍

[@paulwilson1529]

great job and great video. love to see these old kits transformed. you said you hoped the next video wouldnt be as long. well i wouldnt mind if your videos were longer and even more detailed.

[@JedenSiedemDwa]

Absolutely beautiful, You have great talent to all that rescribing, remaking, and shadowing surfaces and details. Only one advice I can give is to prepare casting molds as separate parts, not cutting them partially, because with separate mold parts risk of damaging resin cast is lower. All the best for You! ;)

[@GregsModels]

Yes, so true👍

[@fisherman10101]

I think you should be working for Revell, I'm sure the standard of their kits would rise enormously. Great job as usual, thanks for the video

[@GregsModels]

Sounds good to me👍😎

[@garrylum6025]

Figures are different from the usual matchbox figures.

[@cushionbelly2519]

Great to have you back. Your scratch building and small additions are absolutely first class. Amazing talent. 👏🏻

[@GregsModels]

Thank you👍

[@richardbailey3343]

Gregg you worry to much the privateer looks great.😊 Regards

[@sergiovasconcellosocriativo]

Hi Greg. Amazing job, again...I liked the good dosage of effects you put in. Less is more. I'm having practically the same difficulties with a Revell kit. A U.S Navy PB4Y-1 Patrol Bomber... I made the interior of the corridors that were empty. So, I downloaded a paper model in 1/33 scale and deduced it in CorelDraw to 1/72. I printed it and redid it on plastcard. Other problems I had were; the ball tower fitting in the belly has a huge amount of play. Apart from the rivets that look more like a cheese grater. Pieces that don't fit properly or have differences in height and so on. Hahahahahahaha. This kit has been sitting there, semi-painted, for about two years on my shelf. And I ended up putting together other kits, to clear my mind. The funny thing is that a couple of days before watching your video, I decided to continue assembling the blessed kit. The colors are very similar. In my kit, the instructions ask to paint it "dark blue" and "white". But I actually replaced it with "Dark gull gray and insignia white" that I mixed myself. I'm trying to get excited to ride it again. Cheers.

[@GregsModels]

Stick with it👍😎

[@markfrommontana]

Greg, I LOVE what you've done with the kit. I appreciate your candor which contributes to making your build videos such a fun and informative experience. Impressive work with Evergreen..just the right amount along with the resin bits to transform this plane into something special. When you showed all of the parts right out of the box, I thought, whoa, were kits from way back really that, um blobby? But it's now an aircraft I'd be proud to display on the front of my shelf --hypothetically of course as I never would have dared some of your plastic magic. I also noted how well the wings fit into the fuselage and wondered if you might mention that.. I shouldn't have wondered at all of course. Really the only thing that truly surprised me was how well the decals turned out...Kismet. Keep on doing what you're doing whenever you wish because I will be watching.. and I know your loyal subscribers and others will be as well. Bravo.

[@GregsModels]

Cheers Mark👍

[@georgeworthington9991]

That's a truly stunning result! I'm glad you stuck with it. It seems you always start with a mediocre kit, not the worst mind you, but very far from the best, and you always end up with something truly remarkable. Much respect.

[@GregsModels]

These kits need to see the light of day built👍

[@brucemoore659]

My uncle was a Flight Engineer on a Privateer

[@MultiPedroAndrade]

I got one to build , original Matchbox 😁✈️🥳

[@anyblunder6782]

I really like what you’ve done with it.

[@marvinbanka7592]

I don't care how old this kit is, I wish that it would be re-releasd.

[@nikolaosstavrou5327]

HEY Greg you can use pigmet instead of baby powder ,to see better wherre you put the glue. I use gun metal pigment and makes the mix almost bleck ,like black super glue.,and it sands the same. EXELLENT BUILD!

[@GregsModels]

Yes, I heard you can. I also heard it takes longer to go off. But whatever you are happy with👍

[@troughtonchard]

Sooooo what to do today? Finish one of the many partly built kits? Start something from my stash? Tidy up….(yeah right)? Oh wait….a new Greg build vid…..right ….brew a big mug of tea, roll a couple of fags….turn off the phone…..kick the missus out for a while and fire up the you tube. Perfect. Another fantastic build although I could sense the waning interest by the way you kept flicking and rocking the model from side to side while it was resting on the jig lol. Greg if I had half your skill I would still only be as quarter as good as you. Keep em coming matey.

[@GregsModels]

Great😂😂👍

[@julianmhall]

3D printer? Resin or PLA? I'm guessing resin for detailed small parts. [Note to self: Greg needs a USB vacuum cleaner for his birthday]

[@GregsModels]

Yes resin, hopefully🤞

[@runesvensson1244]

It's a shame that only Matchbox did this kit.

[@damianmullan8239]

Another beauty of a build greg

[@fletsepopje]

Thank you very much for this video Greg ! It was interesting to see you making and using the moulds to make resin copies. What kind of silicone and resin do you use ? The silicone looks very soft, do you have an idea how many resin copies you can make with your moulds before they wear out ?

[@GregsModels]

The silicone and resin used are from Polycraft, eBay. As for lasting it all depends on how complex the cast is, generally they do last.

[@northlandrider5396]

Good to see you back Greg. The absence is forgiven, but where's the hippy wave got to mate??? Every time I watch one of your excellent build videos I get flashbacks to childhood memories of fingers webbed with UHU glue and polystyrene fingerprints on everything. 😄

[@merlin51h84]

Looks pretty good to me. I think you've actually found the right balance. Sometimes some people just go right over the top to the point of unnecessary obsession. Would like to build one of these one day, maybe.

[@GregsModels]

Yes, you are right. For me, it's about the overall look rather than the close-up detail. But I do get hung up about trying to please everyone 😂👍

[@miroslavgolian5409]

This is a great build. Looks excelent. Brawo 👏 I think that this is one of the best looking airplane of ww2. I just love it. Its a shame that no other manufacturer came out with a new tool for this beauty. I would really want this on my shelf.

[@GregsModels]

Yes, this subject would sell👍

[@seavee2000]

Superb. Modesty is a virtue,but I feel you downplay the hard work and skill you have applied to this,and every other project you have presented. You certainly deserve a wider audience.

[@GregsModels]

That would be nice😂👍

[@richbrown886]

Welcome back Gregg. Another fearless build. If you lost interest, it didn't show in the final result.

[@GregsModels]

Cheers👍

[@charlesbola1971]

I love your work Greg it is simply spectacular. I built this model a year ago, but it doesn't match the quality of your work. congratulations.

[@bristdav1]

Turning out work like that is always worth the wait. A fantastic build as always and I’ll say again your eye for colour is second to none. The other thing about old age is the eyesight. I’ve been finding mine deteriorating over the years, which does turn me off modelling at times, but as is said, it’s not a race and the fun of this hobby isn’t relevant as to how long it takes you to complete a kit.

[@GregsModels]

Cheers👍

[@wfp9378]

If I could make kits even half as good looking as yours I would never lose interest in making them. As it is my last abomination put me off the hobby and now I have at least 30 unmade kits in my closet. Guess my heirs will have fun with them

[@GregsModels]

That's a shame, you should build for yourself and your own pleasure. Forget what anyone else does👍

[@lesgl]

Great job..patience of a saint..lol

[@stevenpiper970]

Nicely done, really highlights how badly we need a new tool Privateer.

[@GregsModels]

Yes, this subject would sell.

[@trappenweisseguy27]

Even a 4 inch diameter hyper detailed kit of that ball turret alone would sell like hot cakes.

[@fufutooky3582]

Question, Dyno tape that was used for line work. Where would I find it and primary usage..

[@mode1charlie170]

Dyno tape is used for making labels. You need a Dyno gun to imprint the letters into it. Try an office supply store for the tape.

[@jeffdosch5738]

Nice job. I like your humor and the fact you don't take the hobby or yourself too seriously. Can you hint at what the next project is?

[@GregsModels]

I'm between a kit that first came out in 1959 or something that has only just been released this week. One will require a large amount of work😒 the other will not😌.

[@jangoosen5407]

Once again, superlative!

[@marcusaureliusantoninusaug2161]

Fantastic. I consider myself a decent intermediate modeler (out of the box and PE/ some aftermarket resin parts). But watching you build all that from scratch just amazes me. I'm in aw of your skills. Much respect.

[@Unyielding_Modeller]

OK Greg, this is how a kit looks like where you have “lost patience”. The result clearly shows that you have finished a piece of junk… NOT! What a great build of this ancient Matchbox kit.

[@benhietbrink5799]

Great job. I remember building the Matchbox boxing of this as a teenager. I finished it off in the US Navy option. I would love to get my hands on that Revell boxing and finish it off as a cargo version. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.

[@jeffwootton509]

Looks top level as always Greg!!

[@nigelconnor6960]

👍👍👍👍👍 fab, thanks! ( Looking at decal sheet, live and learn, didn't know French Navy had the Privateer) Great build 😀👍

[@london19657]

Great work,very nice video.

[@antonrudenham3259]

I used to buy a Matchbox kit every week with my pocket money in the early 80's and I still build now, one of the things that I remember about them is their perfectly smooth finish as you'd expect to see on an aircraft and one which, although every other aspect of kit production has improved exponentially, modern kits such as Airfix don't seem capable of replicating. Most modern kits seem to have a slightly rough finish to them which in scale makes an aircraft appear to be cast in concrete. Not so with this beautiful Privateer though, a fantastic effort Greg.

[@danielleclare2938]

Box Art was always so well done back in the day. I built many models kits from the late 60's early 70's but would also play with them so I liked the ones with moving parts. Put a slot car motor with a battery in one to make the propellor spin but it was really strong and pulled the model off the table and it crashed onto the floor. Short flight. Balsa wood glider was 10 cents I liked those too. Memories...

[@davidharris733]

Been looking forward to this. I guess you're all moved in and squared away now?

[@GregsModels]

Still lots to do but we're over the hump👍

[@abbush2921]

You found this kit damn annoying .