Hasegawa 1/72 scale S2F-1 Tracker

Kit: 00824
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Hasegawa, from Dragon Models USA, 626-968-0322,
www.dragonmodelsusa.com
Price: $27.95
Comments: Injection-molded 56 parts, decals
Pros: Good subject, accurate representation, easy to build, attractive decals
Cons: Flash on some parts, fit problems, little interior detail, thick clear parts

The concept of launching B-25 Mitchells from a carrier was daunting in 1942, but just a decade later, the U.S. Navy was regularly launching a twin-engined patrol aircraft slightly heavier than those Doolittle Raiders. Grumman's S2F was initially designed as an antisubmarine patrol aircraft to be launched and recovered on full-size aircraft carriers. Crews phoneticized its designation to "Stoof," and the design was developed into "COD" cargo carriers, trainers, and early-warning platforms. Veteran airframes have even been used as water bombers to fight forest fires.

Hasegawa's kit was first issued in the late 1970s, and has seen several reissues. This latest one features the dark-sea-blue paint job and markings from the aircraft's debut in 1954. The plastic parts are unchanged and the molds are starting to show wear, exhibited by minor flash and thick clear parts.

Like the real thing, the kit is an old workhorse, sure and steady, not a thoroughbred. Surface detail consists of fine raised panel lines, many of which disappear when you sand seams. There's not much to the cockpit interior: two seats, floor, and decal instrument panel, along with two poorly molded pilot figures. The instructions tell you to insert nose ballast, but it really isn't necessary if you're careful in construction. The tiny tailwheel was used as an overrotation protection device, and you can use the kit tailwheel to keep the nose down.

The fit isn't great, but some dry-fitting and sanding before gluing will help. The biggest problem was the front of the engine nacelles which bulged a bit at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions compared with the cowls. The instructions have templates to make exhaust flash shields from .010" sheet styrene to go on the inboard side of the exhaust trench on each nacelle.

Landing gear struts and wheels show good detail, but there's nothing inside the main wells. The main- and nose-gear door sets are molded together in the closed position, and you have to cut along recessed lines to separate them. The two-piece clear canopy is pretty thick, as is the wing-mounted searchlight.

I painted the model with Testor Model Master gloss sea blue and let the finish cure for a week. Flat dark gray was used on the de-icer boots on the wings and tailplanes. I used Polly Scale khaki for the dorsal and ventral radomes, and flesh on the MAD boom tip.

The decals are typical Hasegawa quality, but the white it is using is much "whiter" than previously used. I had to cut away a little of the clear areas in the wing-walk decals to get them to fit around air scoops and antenna masts. The finishing touch was using fine monofilament for the complicated antenna wires topside. No diagram was given in the kit, so I relied on photos and drawings in Jim Sullivan's S2F Tracker in Action (Squadron/Signal) to spin the wicked web of wires.

It's nice to have a "Stoof" in my collection, and it looks good in the handsome sea blue scheme. Resin conversion sets allow you to make elongated S-2E, C-1 Trader, and WF-1 Tracer to round out the family.

- Paul Boyer