Monogram's original 1979 issue was that of an AT-6B Texan (Harvard Mk. II), and featured two finely detailed figures. Later
Revell released the same kit with some minor changes to make a T-6D (Harvard Mk. IV) with the spinner and lond exhaust.
These details make the Revell kit a bastarized Texan / Harvard. Let me explain. The actual aircraft that Revell's Air Racer
decals portray was in fact a Harvard Mk. IV, by by using the Monogram molds, they inherited some differences. If one chooses
to build a Canadian Harvard of either marks these kits are acceptable to begin with. Some changes will need to be made.
I chose to re-scribe the Revell kit. Sanding, filling, re-scribing, and polishing was the most time consuming part of this
project. The fit was generally good, but some putty was needed on the forward fuselage, around the anti-glare panel and at
the navigation lights. SuperGlue was used to fill in the gaps along the horizontal stab - fuse joint. Only minor sink marks
were found on the wheel covers, a little putty and they were fixed. One assembled the kit looks nice.
My Harvard is painted in a civilian scheme to keep in tradition with my water bomber collection. Conair Aviation of
Abbotsford BC. operated C-FNSN originally as a transitional trainer for pilots moving onto the Avenger fire bombers. It was
then used as a birddog until the mid 1990's. It was then sold into the war bird market. Because the Revell kit was cast in a
$&%#@ red plastic a coat of silver was first sprayed. The white base color was then sprayed, trim lines were masked for the
red paint, and finally black pin striping was left. Whether you re-scribe or not, the kits overall fit is good, detail is
well done and for a cost of $20 a good deal.
Occidental/Modelcraft kits like the above combination also share the same molds. They only have one difference - decals.
Occidental features Portugese military markings, while Modelcraft replaced them with Leading Edge's Goldilocks Aerobatic
team set. These kits have several advantages over the previous kits as they are full fledged Harvards. Windscreens are
provided for both the MK.II and MK.IV and the extended exhaust is supplied. The kit is almost identical to the Monogram
version. The interiors feature the same level of detail and the parts makeup is identical. The real bonus. is that the kits
are already scribed!
My model of this kit will be completed using the kit supplied sheet. I don't think anyone has ever had anything bad to say
about this decal product as they go on very well. The kit was sprayed overall Chrome Yellow and the proper panels were hit
using the Model Master 2 Flourescent orange. A quick gloss coat, decals, another gloss coat and its ready for weathering.
Being an engineering student at SAIT for the last 3 years, I have seen their Harvard before, during and after engine runs.
The only spots oil appears is around the back of the cowl, and a light amount from the exhaust.
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