Hobby Boss 1/72 Morko Morane (Conversion)

HOBBY BOSS 1:72 MORKO MORANE

Reviewer: Johan De Wolf (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 28 May 2008

Kit Details:

Scale: 1/72
Base kit: Hobby Boss kitnr.80235
Parts: 34 light grey + 1 clear injection molded (7 not used).
Surface detail: finely engraved
Decals: 2 options
Accuracy: very good
Price: $3.95

Additional items used:

Moonshine models Mörkö Morane (conversion kit no.1)
Inscale set AC021

Aircraft History:

France donated 30 Moranes to Finland in 1940. They where found to be pleasant handling and reliable machines, so in 41/42 a further 59 aircraft where obtained from France and German war booty. However as the war progressed the Moranes where unable to keep up with more modern designs. Engine power as well as fire power were deemed insufficient. Conversion work started in 1942. The original 860 hp Hispano Suiza 12Y-31 engine was replaced with a 1100 hp Klimov M-105P. This engine was a Russian development of the H-S engine and was pretty much identical in size. These Russian engines were readily available from Finnish and German war booty depots. The original French armament was replaced with German guns of the same caliber. These German guns had a higher rate of fire and packed a bigger punch. The first flight of the Mörkö Morane took place on the 4^th of Februari 1943. Testing revealed engine cooling problems but these were finally over come in the spring of 1944. Forty more of the surving Moranes were then converted to Mörkö Moranes. The total weight increase of this conversion was only some 150 kg, and the overall performance of these machines got quite a boost. As a result the Mörkö’s remained in service until 1948, when the last machines were finally retired.

The Kit:

Packed very neatly in typical Hobby Boss fashion, you will find one light grey sprue one clear sprue and the fuselage and wing each in their own compartment in a tray. There is no flash to be found and the minimal mold seams can be cleaned up with a quick swipe with sandpaper. The only ejector pin marks that might be visible after construction are on the inside of the gear doors. As with the D.520 there are again 6 unnumbered parts on the sprue, and no clue is given as to what they are for. There are spares for the tail plane struts and tail skid, incase you might break one. As with other Hobby Boss kits, the parts fit is very good. Surface detail is a bit more restrained than on the D.520 but also a bit softer. The decal sheet is of high quality, and offers markings for two machines. The Finnish roundels are in two parts to avoid problems in countries where Nazi symbols are forbidden. The instructions consist of a part location diagram and three easy to follow construction diagrams. Camouflage is depicted in two full colour 4-view drawings.

The Moonshine Models conversion kit consists of a replacement cowling, a new radiator bath, a spinner and 3 separate prop blades in cream coloured resin. The instructions consist of a single A4-size sheet with a short history, a drawing that shows where to cut the Hasegawa cowling, construction notes and partial camouflage schemes for two machines.

Accuracy:

The kit’s span is spot on. With the conversion cowling in place the length is also correct. The ribs on the wings are depicted by engraved lines only, where as they could be more correct with raised detail. However in this scale you can get away with it. The landing gear is correct in shape but the peculiar retraction mechanism could have been a bit finer detailed. Because the cockpit floor with molded on seat is a separate piece in this kit, it will be easier to add detail in this area than with other Hobby Boss kits. The conversion kit captures the details of the new cowling and radiator very well, and the resulting model looks very convincing.

Construction:

I started with cutting the cowling from the fuselage with a razor saw. I also removed the radiator area from the wing. Although the conversion kit is designed for the Hasegawa kit, it fits the Hobby Boss kit without any problems as well. The cockpit was then spruced up a bit with some structural detail on the side walls. The stick was replaced with a less crude item from the spares box, and the headrest braces were added. The blank molded in instrument panel was detailed with a decal from the spares box, and the ring and bead type sight was replaced with a reflector type. Seat belts were added to the seat. I wasn’t happy with the scribed lines on the wings for the strengthening ribs so I replaced them with thin strips of Evergreen stock. I also removed the crude location lugs for the landing gear, and deepened the wheel bay a bit. The solid navigation lights where replaced with pieces of clear sprue and sanded to shape. The wing was then fitted to the fuselage. I needed a tiny bit of filler around the leading edge wing root and in the wheel bay to match it up with the new cowling. The new radiator bath was then fitted. Next came the tail wings with their bracing struts. The landing gear was put in place now, and I used photo graphs to find the correct, rather odd, angle at which the wheels sit. The tail skid was replaced with a wheel from the spares box. The prop blades were glued to the spinner using a self-made jig. Then the prop, antennae and gun barrels where added to the model. The finishing item was the canopy.

Painting & Decals:

Neither the kit nor the conversion instructions give any indication of detail colours. The cockpit was painted with a light bluish grey, except for the structural frames which were light green. The instrument panel was black. The seat had khaki brown cushion. For the camouflage scheme I used very dark grey and dark green over light blue. The machine I wanted to depict also had a yellow ID band around the fuselage and yellow lower cowling and wingtips. The macine I built was unusual in having a black spinner instead of dark green. I used decals from Inscale set nr. 21. I chose yellow 1, belonging to 1/HLeLv 28 based at Värtsilä in July 1944. This aircraft was coded MSv-631 and had toned down roundels. After decaling the aircraft was slightly weathered by dry brushing silver paint to simulate chipped of camouflage. I replicated the heavy exhaust stain, common with Klimov engined aircraft, with pastel chalk.

Conclusions:

This was a very simple and straight forward conversion. As such it would be ideal for someone that would like to try their hand at doing a conversion for the first time. I am very pleased with the result and the Mörkö looks great sitting next to the Myrsky on my display shelf.

References:

Les ailes de gloire #7 Morane Saulnier M.S.406
Suomen ilmavoimen lentokoneet 1939-72, Tietoteos

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