John's thoughts on the Minicraft Bonanza and T-34 models
Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2021 11:24 am
I went to the stash and got out the V-35, F-33A, and T-34 model kits. First thought was the V-35 kit overall seems pretty accurate, but the clear parts belong to Mr. Magoo. They are a good basis for stretch forming replacements, provided you fill the pilot's storm window indentation first and since the draw is not too deep it shouldn't be difficult. The propeller is a problem, as I'm not sure I ever saw a V-35B with a two blade prop. The seats show the pattern for an earlier Bonanza, and there was never a bench seat in the back, it was two separate seats with the right one stored in the hangar, or neither installed. You could easily load a V-35 too far aft and be out of the allowable CG range.
The F-33A kit really makes me mad. The clear parts are identical to the V-35 kit, which shapewise is fine but still Magoo. The kit is no more than the V-35 kit with a three blade propeller and additional parts for the vertical fin and upper aft fuselage, and instructions to use the V-35 tail for the horizontal stabilizer on the F-33A, which is silly, as they are not at all the same. The vertical fin needs some attention as at the top there is a fairing that might be suitable for an EF-111 but needs to be sanded down. They mistook a thin sheet metal fixed trim tab at the top for major structure, apparently.
The T-34 kit is much better and does not seem to be related to the Bandai molds at all. It comes with both two and three blade propellers, and unless you are building a civilian T-34 you won't need the three blade prop and can use it on the V-35. The landing gear could be used on the V-35 and F-33A as in 1/48 there is no difference, and the horizontal tail on the T-34 is nearly the same as the F-33A with the exception that the trim tabs need to be enlarged in chord slightly. I will have most of the parts of a T-34 left over because I plan to use the Minicraft T-34 canopy on the Sword T-34C, which has an unfortunate shape particularly in cross section.
The F-33A kit really makes me mad. The clear parts are identical to the V-35 kit, which shapewise is fine but still Magoo. The kit is no more than the V-35 kit with a three blade propeller and additional parts for the vertical fin and upper aft fuselage, and instructions to use the V-35 tail for the horizontal stabilizer on the F-33A, which is silly, as they are not at all the same. The vertical fin needs some attention as at the top there is a fairing that might be suitable for an EF-111 but needs to be sanded down. They mistook a thin sheet metal fixed trim tab at the top for major structure, apparently.
The T-34 kit is much better and does not seem to be related to the Bandai molds at all. It comes with both two and three blade propellers, and unless you are building a civilian T-34 you won't need the three blade prop and can use it on the V-35. The landing gear could be used on the V-35 and F-33A as in 1/48 there is no difference, and the horizontal tail on the T-34 is nearly the same as the F-33A with the exception that the trim tabs need to be enlarged in chord slightly. I will have most of the parts of a T-34 left over because I plan to use the Minicraft T-34 canopy on the Sword T-34C, which has an unfortunate shape particularly in cross section.
That's really shoddy, how they've made the F33 kit - but sounds like you could cross-kit it well. I hadn't picked up on the prop and I do agree with you and Lyle. I've not seen one in the flesh but all the imagines I've looked at have a three blade unit. I'm actually wondering if I can use the spare prop from my 1/72 Hurricane kit - in 1/48th it'll be about the same size.