Clear Prop! 1/48 scale Culver PQ-14A plastic model kit review

The Clear Prop! 1/48 scale Culver PQ-14A plastic model kit allows you to build the drone aircraft developed from the Culver LFA Cadet and used primarily for antiaircraft artillery training during World War II. More than 2,000 of the drones were produced. Although primarily flown by radio control, the PQ-14A had a rudimentary cockpit and could be ferried between locations by a pilot.

Packaged in a sturdy box, the beautifully molded parts include good surface detail. Some are delicate, and small attachment points minimize breakage during part removal. The 22-step instructions include detailed color callouts referring to Mr. Color and Ammo paints. The PQ-14A was primarily made of wood, so I painted much of the interior with light and dark wood colors.

The cockpit included tiny parts but went together quickly and relatively easily. The kit provided decals for the instrument panel, and they responded well to Solvaset. Part of the cockpit assembly included the nose-wheel well, which proved to be a bit fiddly. Let the glue set completely between steps to alleviate some of the problems. You’ll be rewarded with a good-looking bay.

Keeping the nose wheel on the ground was the biggest headache of the build. Step 11 called for 8 grams to be added above the nose wheel well. I added 10, and that wasn’t nearly enough. So, I filled the wheel well with lead, but still no joy. In the end, I propped up the rear with a piece of stretched clear sprue. Not ideal, but at least it’s not popping a wheelie in my display case.

I had difficulty fitting the cowling (Part D6). I think it would be better to add this piece after joining the fuselage halves, at which point I think it would slide into place. In Step 14, the instructions indicate assembling a tail, but there is a complete tail on the parts trees (Part E5) that can be fitted instead.

I held off attaching the undercarriage, prop, and small exterior parts until after painting. I painted the aircraft Tamiya Bright Red (No. LP-50), and the decals laid down perfectly without solvent. The aircraft I modeled featured a whip antenna that needed to be scratchbuilt, and the instructions provided a detailed drawing and measurements. I added the antenna wire from the starboard wingtip to the tail with thin elastic thread.

The finished model of this unique, albeit tiny, aircraft looks great. The Clear Prop! 1/48 scale Culver PQ-14A plastic model kit is not for a beginner because of the small parts and scratchbuilding involved. But anyone with some experience should be able to handle it without a problem.