Hobby 2000 1/72 PBY-5A Catalina kit review.

A full look through this lovely kit from Hobby 2000. Get yours here www.emodels.co...

[@JedenSiedemDwa]

Nigel, Hobby2000 is "re-pack company" - all their kits are re-packs, mostly from Hasegawa, Academy, and so on, but with new decals from Cartograph, and masks. And yes, this is a Polish company. Nice inbox, thanks for it. Good to see. All the best for You! ;)

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks for the info!

[@asdf9890]

I just started the Academy Midway anniversary edition. So excited to build such a beautiful plane/boat. Going to take my time on this one! With those big bubble windows, I think the interior is going to be super visible so I plan on scratch building interior detail. The mask for the glass was very nice, first time using a precut mask and I think I’m hooked. My last build, a B17 had me cursing trying to mask the glass 😂. Took me an hour or so to get them all masked with the precut. No hassles or worrying if I cut it too small or large.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Have fun!

[@roncalverley]

Hi Nigel, My brother built that kit for my dad. Back in the mid 70's Dad flew that same variant out of Winnipeg as a freighter to remote locations here in northern Canada. Thanks for the review.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Such a great little story Ron. It’s a beautiful plane.

[@JeffDonahueScaleModeling]

Hi Nigel, This looks like a really cool kit. I'll be looking forward to seeing the build. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day. Jeff

[@Forest_Fifer]

I remember building a Catalina in the 70s. I think it was an Airfix one, it had working folding wingtip floats.

[@phillipsiviter2024]

Gorgeous little kit Nige, definitely Academy plastic with that attention to detail, love to see this built.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

You and me both!

[@chrislovelock8394]

Hi Nigel I have just had to send back my Kotare 1/32 limited edition Brian Lane spitfire as the retailer uses the card wrap and a plastic bag and it was damaged in transit. The collectible box was damaged in transit destroying my experience have now sent it back and won't be spending this kind of money until retailers start packaging properly. Bought an Apache 1/35 from Jumblies Models well packed no issue it's becoming a real problem in our hobby. I've got the Hobby 2000 1/48 Harrier which is a reboxing of the Hasegawa kit with all the options to make a GR7 or 9 it's a great boxing with extra parts and lovely options I'll be buying this Catalina too. All the best to you and your dog.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Sorry to hear that. Was that from a company starting with a J? Jumblies always package well as do Scale Model Shop.

[@chrislovelock8394]

@@NigelsModellingBench sadly yes it's was

[@markoldreive]

If using a new retailer, I always ask how they pack a kit before I purchase from them.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Yeah, I've decided not to buy from them again unless its a silly bargain. Most I've bought from them have come in a bag. Consider the difference in the packaging for this £20 kit compared to your £100 kit.

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

@@NigelsModellingBench Never had a problem with Jadlam. I still use them because they can be the cheapest. Plus free postage and a good reward scheme. EG I saved enough points up to get £12 off of the pre-order of that Meng Apache kit.

[@allensjoquist1924]

Really a nice looking kit. Will be looking forward to seeing it get the Nigel treatment.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

It is a lovely kit, not as nice as the Monogram 1/48 but at £21 it’s awesome.

[@alistairhow2550]

Katowice is in Poland

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thankyou

[@jasonc9194]

Just bought this kit, did not realise it was the Academy kit with extras and was pleasantly surprised to find the masks and Cartograph decals, will watch the build with interest. Great video, thank you for posting.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@Duececoupe]

I've bought from emodels a few times and been like "where's the bloody opening", fantastic service and packaging! Excellent video as always my friend! 🤜🏻🤛🏻🍻

[@johnmauldon2603]

Bought Revells Rebox of this Academy kit..as you say a lovely little kit but mine is in grey plastic and must say have fallen in love with the Cat...I would love to build the 1/32 HpH resin and fibreglass kit but have never worked with fibreglass and it's to expensive to learn on....Maybe Neil at HKM should think about tooling this kit in 1/32 and 1/48.... I'm up for 1/32

[@davidi4306]

The US and Australia used Black Cats for extensive mine laying operations around the South China sea. Many were very long missions involving forward refuelling and we done at low level at night time. Most Australian ones had the undercarriage removed to save weight.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks for the info. I had never considered the weight aspect of the U/C.

[@jeffreypurcell4681]

Great aircraft, Australia had lots of them. 2 VC’s was awarded to PBY pilots as well, can’t wait to see this built. You can go to town on the model as they got really beat up in the pacific 😊

[@NigelsModellingBench]

A beautiful bird for sure.

[@georgecoventry8441]

Nice kit. That should build up just fine.

[@arthurmee]

Lovely looking kit . . .very tempted to grab one myself especially at the price.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

You should! Sold out on eBay but at £24 on Emodels still a bargain.

[@arthurmee]

@@NigelsModellingBench ordered . . . now as someone who's returned to the hobby after nigh on 6 decades !! I will wait to watch your build video, in order to draw on your vast knowledge and experience Nigel, before I get stuck in myself. . . . No pressure ;-). Love your channel by the way.

[@Steelbackuk]

Ohh always enjoy your videos , but have peaked my interest with it 72nd

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Good to hear!

[@ApriliaRSV4F]

There's a Catalina at my local airport. Regularly see it flying around.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Lucky you!!

[@rileyk99]

I have the Academy PBY-4 kit. I'd love to do it in a colorful pre-war scheme.

[@Rpantherluzero]

I love your detailing, Nigel

[@tronmcconnell4465]

Nigel, you are correct - Catalinas sis not have flaps. Some (maybe all) variants were capable of carrying up to 2000 pounds of bombs, but at Midway, 4 PBY's were loaded with a torpedo and staged a nighttime attack on the approaching enemy fleet, actually scoring a hit with one torpedo on a Japanese fleet oiler. How they managed to cobble together the shackles to support the torpedo under one wing, I'm not really sure (the resulting bank to the heavy wing side must have been something fierce and a real bear to fly). The markings on the kit you have, with Ensign Jack Reid as the pilot (Squadron VP-44), are historically important, as he was the first to sight the approaching Invasion Fleet, thereby confirming our intelligence that the intended target was, in fact, Midway. Also, if you are interested in rounding out a collection of Midway aircraft kits, you should look into the Vought SB2U Vindicator and the Brewster F2A Buffalo, both of which were based on the island at the start of the battle (and both of which were quickly dispatched by the better performing Japanese aircraft).

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Midway has always been one of may favourite films and the battle was an astounding success for the US, following the original devastation..

[@MrYorkiepudd]

i bought the academy kit of this the other week ..may build it soon too OTB

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Do it!!

[@MrYorkiepudd]

@@NigelsModellingBench i nigel i only started modelling at the end of last year after 40 years ..thank you for your very informative videos i do the model making as a sort of self therapy as i suffer from severe depression and anxiety ...i've even joined a club and looking to join another here in Brisbane ,AU

[@NigelsModellingBench]

So pleased I am helping someone out there.

[@colinpragg2686]

I did this kit. Was good fun. If you intend to have wheels down, you will need nose weight.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks for the tip off. Any idea how much is required?

[@colinpragg2686]

@@NigelsModellingBench quite a lot. Not sure exactly. I kept putting in until it didn't tip back any more. I even drilled a hole in the wing pilon before I put the wings on to put some weight in front of wheels. I should say that I wished there was something in the instructions, as would have done it sooner. Maybe I could have put some weight just behind the engines

[@markoldreive]

That looks a lovely little kit.

[@markoldreive]

It appears to be based on a 1983 kit released again in 1995 with new parts for the A model

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Academy were really good back in the day. For a thirty year old kit the surface detail is gorgeous. It was actually 1993 Mark as pointed out buy John below.

[@paulgammidge-jefferson9536]

Nigel. I keep losing my follow 'bell' for your site. I love to follow your builds so I will be catching up. From memory, wasn't it because they replaced some of the munitions with extra fuel that allowed the Cat to get to the boat triangle? Ove the channel. Great to hear you chipper.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

You Tube is doing some weird things.. I lose subs, comments and likes???

[@paulwoods7857]

Lovely aircraft, a real icon of its day. Looking forward to seeing you build this kit, but will it be a quick build?......i can see wormhole of ejector pin marks, sinks and reality getting in the way!😂😂

[@NigelsModellingBench]

We shall see

[@johnkelly2098]

Promising, Nige, looks great on the sprue. I have heard the 1/72 Academy kit is the best in scale of this type and Hobby 2000 have a name for reboxing good kits at sensible prices especially Hasegawa items. i have to say I have been a customer of emodels for several years and have always been satisfied with their prices and service.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks for the info

[@johnkelly2098]

I believe it was a Cat that found the Bismarck after she disappeared after sinking the Hood.

[@johnhughes2653]

The original Academy kit dates back to 1993 according to Scalemates.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Amazing.. Forty years old!!!

[@johnhughes2653]

@@NigelsModellingBench Ahem, thirty, Nige!

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Sorry John.. someone above said 1983!! Still looking good at thirty!!

[@frankiedaymodels8529]

Ahoy Nigel Wonderful Inbox Review Looks Like the Minicraft kit Or Academy kit Looks Superb to Say The Least. Love to see you Build Dumbo I Be Following you you Will Enjoy This One model On Buddy Frankie

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Glad you enjoyed it Frankie. I have a 1/32 Cat on the way too.

[@Rpantherluzero]

Nigel, the question is, will you be happy with out of the box build? From what I have seen, you love to detail your models😊😅

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Absolutely

[@gary6300]

Hi Nigel it looks a cracking kit for £21 bargain I'd say mate good review looking forward to you doing this kit justice i do like the midway scheme. Think i need to buy this kit cheers Gary 🇬🇧

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Get it!!

[@MattJeo11]

You called it lovely 19 times, and variations of nice 16 times so this should be very nice build indeed.

[@Forest_Fifer]

Katowitz is Poland isnt it?

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thank you.

[@llqvz116]

Pity there's not a Coastal Command option.

[@jamesmaroon6161]

Nigel. Does this company ship to the U.S? I saw some of there models that I would like to purchase. I did contact them to see if they do. I like that Catalina airplane. I was in the U.S Military and can appreciate some of the military aircraft. Will you be putting this together on youtube? Take care bro

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I assume so, however the postage will not be cheap. I'm sure you could find this kit in the USA, or if you buy it, they could pack it in a smaller box as the box supplied is waaaay too big!! i will be building this on here yes..

[@leslieschramm6252]

"Lovely,lovely quick build". Anyone believe that? I'm going to guess six videos and close to 5 hours of content.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

That is a quick build for me Les lol.