CZECH MASTER RESIN |  |
Introduction
Howard Hughes beautiful streamlined race horse is the subject of one of the latest offerings by the prolific CMR brand.
This time, CMR even takes things a little further since we're really talking not about one kit but of a 2-in-1 issue, given the fact that inside the ziplock bag there are all the parts needed to build both iterations of the H-1: the absolute speed record aircraft that Howard flew in 1935 to a then shattering 352 miles per hour (566 km/h) - only to land wheels up in a beet field after having run out of gas - and the longer wing and fuselage "winged bullet" of the transcontinental flight record of January 18, 1937, in which "The Aviator" linked Burbank and Newark in 7 hours, 28 minutes, 25 seconds.
As usual with CMR the parts come well protected and separated by groups in plastic bag "cells", the full set of resin bits being complemented by two vac formed canopies, a nicely printed transfer sheet, four pages of clear assembly instructions, two pages of painting instructions and four very informative pages of photographs from the original H-1 residing at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington.
Upon inspecting the parts the usual attention to detail and overall quality of CMR products is readily apparent, with all the parts being molded in the now usual beige resin, showing no signs of air bubbles or casting malformations.
Checking the accuracy of the parts against plans isn't an easy job with the kit still unassembled, given the fact that I had no reliable 1/72nd set of plans to perform this verification and also because the fuselage isn't simply divided in the two normal halves. In fact you'll have to add onto the assembled fuse halves the one piece cowling, and as such, you will only have a clear idea of the final length after everything is in place. Still, if you go through the trouble of resizing the five views of the painting instructions to 1/72nd, you'll come to the conclusion that at least for the short span version (and I see no reason why this shouldn't be also valid for the larger version) the kit is spot on spanwise and as far as I can say without having assembled the fuselage parts the same conclusion should be obtained for length.
In what concerns details, the kit has all it takes to do a superior model out of the box, with a competent rendition of the double row P&W 700hp engine and a good load of "office" accessories, including accurate renditions of the instrument panel and pilot's seat, the only minor nit pick on my part regarding the vac canopies which look ok, are well molded, but could be clearer, although I suspect a coat of Future will take care of this.
The wheel wells are nicely done and detailed and the painting instructions show comprehensive information in this respect.
All in all, I regard this as another winner from CMR and if you’re into racing and record aircraft then you'll simply have to have this one.
Couldn't recommend it more! Go get yours.
Thanks to CMR for the review sample
P.S. If you run a search on the internet, there is a good deal of info available not only on the original aircraft but also on the amazing replica that Mr. James Wright built and flew and in which he would sadly fly where angels go in 2003.
