FROG Douglas Boston, 1963

NON-IDENTICAL TWINS

It is rare that we have the opportunity to make a direct comparison between two model kits of the same aircraft to the same scale by two different manufacturers, but it so happens that both Airfix and Frog have issued kits of the Douglas Boston III. To make the coincidence even more remarkable, both kits depict aircraft in service with the same squadron at the same time—No. 88 Squadron R.A.F. operating from Swanton Morley in the summer of 1942!

The Boston (alias A-20 Havoc) is a very well-known aircraft whose absence must have been sorely felt in a number of collections, and it is therefore with some regret that we must report that both kits contain more than their fair share of inaccuracies— oddly enough different inaccuracies—and neither does real justice to its subject.

Taking individual features in turn, both models are correct in length, but while the fuselage depth of the Airfix model is also correct, Frog would appear to have got the lower line of the engine nacelles confused with that of the fuselage, resulting in a curious bulge aft of the bomb-bay. The fuselage depth is correct to the bottom of this bulge, but forward is 1/16in. too shallow. The fin of the Airfix model is correct whereas that of Frog's model is 1/8in. too short, and while Frog's tailplanes are correct in outline, those of Airfix's model have acquired sweepback! The nose transparencies of neither model are accurate—it is probably easier to correct the shape of the Frog model's transparencies than those of the Airfix offering. Frog depict the pilot's and gunner's canopies correctly, but both are 1/8in. too long on Airfix's Boston. Turning to the wings, Frog have achieved very nearly the correct shape, only a little cleaning up at the tips being demanded, but the span of Airfix's model is 1/4in. too great, the wings are too thick, and the ailerons break the lines of the trailing edges. On the other hand, Airfix have got the shape of the nacelles right while Frog's are too sharply-tapered towards the rear which, in turn, results in under-sized wheels. Both manufacturers have also erred in the shape of the cowlings, but again in opposite directions—Frog's have too much taper, Airfix's not enough.

;This extraordinary diversity of errors even extends to the transfer sheets. Airfix give the unit code letters in white whereas they should be red, and Frog omit the code letters (RH) from the transfer sheet entirely. Airfix recommend the wrong colour (light grey) for the undersurfaces—Bostons were certainly painted in this colour later in the war, but the Airfix model, AL693 (actually a Boeing-built Boston III A which normally differed from the Mk. III only in its electrical system and in the removal of the "alligator-tail" flame-damping exhaust pipes in favour of ventral studs, and in the extension of the carburettor air intake above the cowling to incorporate a tropical filter, although this particular aircraft did not embody the latter modification), came from one of the earliest production batches.

Both kits fit together well, but Airfix's detailing is infinitely superior to Frog's. Both have satisfactory instructional sheets, but after working through this catalogue of inaccuracies, the modeller may feel that the only answer is to buy both kits and combine the best features of each into one model!


W.R.Matthews

Flying Review 1964-02, Model Talks"

Over the counter
FROG

No simple solutuion can be recommended to bring the FROG Boston III up to scratch. This model has obviously been prepared from inaccurate drawings, without sufficient reference to photographs. If the components are laid over Boston drawings in "Aircraft of the Fighting Powers" they will found to much exactly! All the imperfections of this very bad drawing have been faithfully reproduced. For istance the lower fuselage line has a step of 1/16 in. half way along, which was never there and the nose canopy is much too bulbous. The engine cowls have too much taper and the rear nacelle fairings slope down from the wing trailing edge, whereas they should overlap the wing for above half its chord. Not shown on the drawings are mysterious pumps on each side of the lower engine nacelles forward of the exhaust pipe outlets, the origin of which has yet to be established. Like the Baltimor, the Boston costs 4s 6d.

Other plastic models recently released include the SM406c and Macchi 202 from FROG, and Airfix contributed the magnificent Liberator and Hudson kits plus a Boston III, which is not to be compared with the FROG effort - altough I suppose that one should be able to take a half fuselage from each kit and - bamm!

Model Aircraft march 1964

NEW AND IN VIEW NEW AIRCRAFT KITS
IN VIEW (AIRCRAFT KITS)
    FROG. The revised edition of their 1/72 scale kit of the Boston, now called the Havoc, has been released. The kit mouldings are little changed except that the mysterious 'bump' beneath the belly of the original kit has been removed.
    Decals are excellent being for the Boston III flown by RAAF pilot F/Lt. W. T. Newton V.C. and alternatively for a Havoc Intruder of 418 (RCAF) Squadron, Bradwell Bay 1942.
The IPMS magazine, november 1969

"Monthly Review of new products
    Frog also released at the same time a revised version of their older Boston kit, now re-boxed as a Douglas Havoc Intruder Boston, this kit has had many of the inaccuracies in fuselage shape removed and the new decals and box art are for a Boston III of 22 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force, as flown by F/Lt. W. T. Newton, RAAF V.C. and a Havoc Intruder of 418 Squadron R.C.A.F. Bradwell Bay 1942. The former having the glazed nose transparencies overpainted as was common on many Bostons used by the R.A.A.F. Some slight corrections to the fin and wing shapes are necessary for absolute accuracy and the Profile Publication on the Douglas Boston is a useful guide for this. The kit is moulded in grey plastic and the tongues for attaching the wings and tailplane to the fuselage require some trimming before they will slot into place correctly. The remainder of the kit fits together quite well. The transparencies are good, with the various canopy and other framework lines somewhat more finely detailed than of those in the original kit.
    Decals are excellent and include the amusing personal markings for the R.A.A.F. machine of F/Lt. Newton, V.C. This is a welcome revision of the original Boston kit, and one that deserves a second look.
Bob Jones of IPMS
Scale Models 1970-02, New to you?"


NEW to YOU?
MONTHLY REVIEW OF NEW PRODUCTS CONDUCTED BY BOB JONES OF I.P.M.S
  Frog also released at the same time a revised version of their older Boston kit, now re-boxed as a Douglas Havoc Intruder Boston, this kit has had many of the inaccuracies in fuselage shape removed and the new decals and box art are for a Boston III of 22 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force, as flown by F/Lt. W. T. Newton, RAAF V.C. and a Havoc Intruder of 418 Squadron R.C.A.F. Bradwell Bay 1942. The former having the glazed nose transparencies overpainted as was common on many Bostons used by the R.A.A.F. Some slight corrections to the fin and wing shapes are necessary for absolute accuracy and the Profile Publication on the Douglas Boston is a useful guide for this. The kit is moulded in grey plastic and the tongues for attaching the wings and tailplane to the fuselage require some trimming before they will slot into place correctly. The remainder of the kit fits together quite well. The transparencies are good, with the various canopy and other framework lines somewhat more finely detailed than of those in the original kit.
  Decals are excellent and include the amusing personal markings for the R.A.A.F. machine of F/Lt. Newton, V.C. This is a welcome revision of the original Boston kit, and one that deserves a second look.
Scale Models No.5 1970 FEBRUARY Vol.1 No.5

"Modelling World
James Goulding
Recent FROG releases
    Another kit from Frog is for the Douglas Boston III day bomber and night intruder (and not the Boston III and Havoc as claimed) and is in fact a re-work of the company's earlier Boston kit which, apart from one particularly odd feature, was always one of the better models of this very famous aircraft. The feature referred to was a peculiar, non-existent, change of profile along the bomb bay area. This must have been included originally because of a misinterpretation of a photograph or drawing, but has now been removed in this re-issue.
    Generally the outline is reasonably good, and the finished model looks attractive. When checked against known dimensions, the depth of the fuselage and height of the fin are not as great as they should be—which result in the model looking slimmer than the real subject. Smoothing of the lower fuselage may have, of course, resulted in the reduction of the overall depth, but the fin and rudder should be higher by about a quarter of an inch. The contours of the fin and rudder top also need some modification.
    Transfers included are for two aircraft, a Boston III day bomber of 22 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, based on Goodenough Island in 1943, and a Boston III night intruder of 418 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, based at Bradwell Bay in late 1942. When the Boston Profile was published, the code letters of this aircraft were incorrectly shown in grey, but have been produced on the transfer in the correct Dull Red. One small omission on the transfer sheet for this aircraft are the rest of the words "Ottawa Ontario" which were written in small capitals after the machine letter "0". As seen in the photograph, they appeared in that form at least on the starboard side of the fuselage. The finish of this aircraft at this date was the sooty RDM2 black. Incidentally I have found a very realistic and pleasing RDM2 finish is obtained by giving a model one coat of Humbrol matt black, and, when dry, another coat of Downey's Acrylic Designers Gouache water colour paint, Black No Ao1, as I mentioned in the December 1969 issue. This acrylic paint is permanent when thoroughly dry and gives a completely matt finish without any sheen. It is available in small tubes, costing about 2s, and is very economical in use. It is mixed with water to the consistency of very thin cream, and if kept from drying out too rapidly a tube will be sufficient for many models. It would be advisable here to repeat my earlier warning to wash out thoroughly in water any brushes used with this paint—for unlike other water colour paint, dried brushes will not soften in water!
    Returning to the subject of this review, the transparencies in this kit are a little disappointing in quality, but as I have said before these items are generally to a high standard in Frog kits. The contours of the nose glazing are not strictly correct, as they should be more tapered and have a bomb-aimer's flat window in the lower portion.
    This is a useful re-release, and a good subject for the conversion enthusiast, with such possibilities as the many bomber variants and also the Havoc night fighters and intruders, including the Helmore Turbinlite Havoc.
    This kit costs 6s.
Aircraft Illustration april 1970"

FROM FROG
    THREE new kits from Frog, all to 1:72 scale, feature the Tupolev SB-2 bomber, the Douglas Boston (a re-issue), and the RA-5C Vigilante.
    Second kit is the old Frog Boston III, now re-boxed and given new transfers and presentation. From memory of the original issue, there also appears to have been an attempt to iron out an inaccurate bump from the belly of the fuselage. New and attractive transfers are provided for a RAAF Boston III of 22 Sqn with an optional set for a Havoc Intruder of 418 Sqn RCAF. Particularly with the new transfers, this kit is definitely worthwhile as far as available Boston kits go. Price is 6s.
C.O.E.
Airfix Magazine, 1970-03, Vol.11 No.07

NEWS FROM AIRFIX
The world's greatest value in construction kits
TWO MORE AIRCRAFT

A detailed model of the Douglas Boston III is now available in the 1:72 scale Airfix Series 3 aircraft range, price 4s 6d. The kit has 65 parts and assembles into a model measuring 8 inches long, with a wingspan of 10i inches. Among its features are a pilot, complete with control column and printed instrument panel, a gunner, a bomb aimer, revolving wheels, a movable replica of the twin machine gun, landing 'lights' and movable elevators, rudder and ailerons. Clear plastic parts are provided for the fuselage windows, the nose transparency, and the cockpit and gun canopies. The miniature machine gun can either be fitted in the raised position (in which case the rear half of the gun position transparency is discarded) or omitted, with the transparency cover then fixed in position. The model can be completed with its undercarriage in either the retracted or lowered position, and a display stand is included in the kit, together with full assembly and painting instructions, transfers and a tube of cement.

The Douglas Boston was one of the many American aircraft operated by the RAF during World War 2. They were used throughout the war, and altogether 7,385 were produced. The first squadron to use the Boston in the UK was No 88 Squadron RAF, one of whose machines is represented by the Airfix kit. The Boston III was powered by two 1,600 horsepower Wright Double Cyclone engines, which gave it a maximum speed of 304 mph at 13,000 feet and a range with maximum load of 1,020 miles. Armament was four fixed .303 inch machine guns in the nose, two in the rear cockpit and one for ventral defence, while the bomb load was 2,000 lb. The aircraft's wingspan was 61 ft 4 in and the length 48 ft.

Airfix magazine December 1963 Vol.5 No.4

DOUGLAS A-20G HAVOC Manufacturer: Lesney Matchbox Scale: 1:72nd Price: 75p.

One of the few home-produced aircraft kits to come on the market this year is the Douglas A-20G Havoc from Matchbox. Moulded in three colours it is the only version available that can be made up with the rear power-operated turret and was therefore awaited with some interest.

Unfortunately is it not up to as high a standard as I would really have liked and there are one or two faults in it which make the task of modification a lengthy one.

There are to my mind two major faults. These are in the rear turret which has no interior detail and at the same time stands proud of the rear of the fuselage and not nestling into it as on the real machine. The second is that the engines are too large in cross section. This is an undeniable difficulty as it means a complete rebuild of this section and the raiding of other kits to get engines the correct size. At first I did not believe that the proportions were so badly out but any glance at photographs will reveal that the engines are quite some way short of the lower line of the fuselage whereas those on the model are slightly deeper. The plans of the Boston/ Havoc in Aviation News Vol.3 No.6 confirmed my initial thoughts.

Nevertheless I went some way ahead with the work as it would be unfair to criticise a model without making it up. The rest of the construction apart from a few minor differences of opinion between myself and Matchbox on the shape of the tailplanes and the chord of the wing was perfectly satisfactory. One thing I did note though, which I thought extraordinary, was the engraved panel lines on the wings and engines and the raised lines on the fuselage. Could it be that Matchbox used two different toolmakers for this job and could this explain the inaccurate parts?

The kit comes complete with two different noses allowing for the 12-gun solid nose of the Havoc intruder and the glazed day bombing version. In the latter the glazed parts are in two sections which necessitates an unsightly glue joint down the middle even if one does use liquid cement.

It is a pity that the Mathchbox kit of this model did not live up to my expectations. Particularly so because the other models by either Revell or Airfix have their faults. It would seem that the best thing to do is to combine each kit and come up with something resembling an accurate Havoc. Where's my knife and sandpaper?
Jeff Lindsey

Scale Aircraft Modelling OCTOBER 1978 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1