SPA Modeler

Lyle contacted me and asked me to do a build review, Fermis got the F-5F and I got the MB-339A. Seeing that I don't build in 72 I find it sort of off the shelf to do so. This is a simple enough kit, kind of neat in its own way. Raised lied and thick runner gates as it has are not that difficult to deal with. It comes out of an end flap type box with two sprues molded in a sort of matching blue to the description of the box top art work, It has one clear part sprue that has two fairly clear parts on it, a wind screen and canopy that are clear and with out any noticeable flaws.

My biggest gripe, so far, are the exceptionally small parts that usually, in some larger kits, break at the mention of removal from the sprue. This turned out to be nothing to get squeamish about because the plastic is fairly strong. It's not too soft or too brittle.

The decals are in fair register and may be some thing of a Cartograph type of affair and since the print is some what microscopic it is hard for me to tell. During the assembly of the cockpit I had used the in box instrument decals and they seem to go on with out any fuss.



The kit has one option of aircraft, the "Fecce Tricolori" aerobatic team. P.A.N 55th anniversary. with multiple plane numbers to choose from.

Two blue and one clear sprue plus the decal sheet



all the parts for a complete 1/72 scale cockpit.



said cockpit completed



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Compared to my phone the fuselage is about as long as my steel sieve memory.

All-in-all I am looking forward to the rest of the build. I am planning of going with the whole box art but then I could get creative and do a bit more research and maybe come up with something even more of an eye catcher,

Our contact at Hobbico, Natalie, is following and will post on their social media and website! Thanks, Natalie.

Good luck, Paul! Either you have a 12inch smartphone or this is a really tiny kit.

Wow Paul building 1/72....



Nice looking kit!

I have seen the Frecci on numerous occasions. They are a great aerobatics team, so I am following this build with interest.

I assembled the wings, two halves each, and masked the canopy of which Ill discuss later. Anyway I was extremely amazed how well the decal for the lower wings and tail planes went on. They are thick enough to not tear if you need to move them after application and after a liberal coat of Micro-sol they settled down quite nicely although it took a while for the solvent to take effect. The results speak for them selves.



I waited over night to put the fuselage decals on so I started with the larger piece for the tail. It gave me a small bit of trouble but I got it ironed out and coated it with Micro-sol and let it sit for about two hours before I added the front piece.





After that was finished I took the time to put the upper wing decals on and with not any issues. They do seem to be needing some trimming on the leading and trailing edges so Ill take care of that after the decals fully cure.



So far the decals have been pretty nice to me and I think I have enjoyed applying them the most so far in this build.

Outstandingly interesting build review Paul !


- Kari

The finished build. As I said before, 1/72 is not my scale of choice but having said that this wasn't that bad of a build. Decals were the most enjoyable while the one issue I had was the canopy. In real life it is supposed to be a two section canopy with wind screen but in 72 that may be hard to replicate. There was a very faint outline for the center support brace that I managed to barely see to mask plus the flash that was on the rear portion of the part was so thick that it actually warped the canopy as I removed it so it wouldn't fit square so I just kept it opened according to how I interpreted the way it functioned.

All-in-all, not a bad little kit but I would have to really think about 72 scale as a medium for myself. There are tons of modelers that really excel at 72 scale and I applaud them because I have seen some outstanding builds. If 72 is your thing then this kit should not be a disappointment to you..

Bravo. What took you so long?

Great build, those decals look good!