If I followed my mother’s advice (and shocking her into incontinence thereby), “If you have nothing good to say, say nothing,” this would be a very short post. I’ve rarely followed her advice, I’m not going to follow it this time. 

Total time building 345.75 hours (that’s about 14.4 24 hour days, 2.05 work weeks). For such a seemingly simple kit, that’s a long time.

Begin date February 6, 2025, end date November 9, 2025.

Vendors:

Czech Models

Grumman JRF Goose #4812 1/48 scale

Metallic Details

P&W R-985 #MDR4810

EZ Line

Fine black

My Opinion

I do not recommend this kit. It’s bad. It sucks. I wish I’d not spent the money or time on it.

Fit is about as poor as I expect small-run manufacturers. This is about the only thing I expected that was borne out in reality. Example: The fuselage was split in halves as typical for an aircraft kit. Neither side matched the other. Dimensions were off, curves of radii had different dimensions from side to side. Who does that?!

Czech Models did. Everywhere they could. By the time I was into this build, I didn’t want to build it anymore. From June until I declared this turd finished, I have been reminding myself that if I polished this thing with a sledgehammer, I’d lose all the nice work I did on the flight deck’s overhead console (and other places). The quality of the work shows my UTTER lack of involvement in building this one. I’m not proud of it, just happy it’s nothing I have to concern myself about ever again. I am so glad that I no longer have to think, plot, and plan how to counter the “engineering” of this kit. The build process was many things, “enjoyable” is not on the list. My only feeling at this point is I’m VERY glad this thing will require no more investment…of anything…on my part.

In all fairness, the finished product displays well. If you’re determined to build this turd, that’s the only kind thing I can say about it. And if you take them, keep your blood pressure medications handy. You’re going to need them.