Which Korean War A-26 to get?

[aferguson]

I'm trying to choose between a solid nose A-26B or a glass nose A-26C. Which is the better version to get? I don't know a lot about Invader's in Korea so not sure which version, if either, would have been more 'typical' or is more appropriate.

Any input appreciated.

[mountian-man]

I bought HM's 'Versatile Lady' HA3207 with the gun nose. I don't usually collect 1/72, but I have to say this model is awesome!

The Glass nose 'Sweet Miss Lillian' also looks sharp, but there was an odd last minute change in the tail markings during production. I've seen several war time photos of this aircraft with the pre-pro tail, I've never seen a picture of this aircraft wearing the tail markings that the final model received.

[tmanthegreat]

The role for which the A-26 was most well-known for in Korea was the night-interdiction/bombing role. 'Sweet Miss Lillian' (despite the inaccurate tail letter) or 'Versatile Lady' would be your best choices for a classic-looking Korean War A-26 from Hobby Master.

I have both the 'Sweet Miss Lillian' and the 'Brown Nose' HM Korean A-26s (Along with 'Stinky' for a WWII version). I've actually been very fond of 'Brown Nose' as it has a somewhat unique look for the A-26 in the OD green paint and I like the solid nose with the 8 .50 cal guns.

The A-26 has long been one of my favorite WWII-era aircraft and Hobby Master did not disappoint when they made their diecast model. Its had a good run with them so far, with a variety of US and international schemes, plus about three different variations in terms of the nose and cockpit canopy to represent different phases of the aircraft's design. Its certainly one of their better offerings in 1:72 scale.

[Dauntless]

I got Versatile Lady only because it was $49 buy it now, but it happened to be the one I wanted anyways, a black iconic looking Korean War Invader.

I think the HM's twins are a pretty good deal, especially when most Corgi's are are priced a little higher.
Wish they'd make the Vietnam War version, but I guess there's too many modifications to make it viable.

[dragon53]

AFERGUSON:

I have "Stinky" and "Sweet Miss Lillian".
The guy who runs Hobbymastercollector.com, got the following unsolicited email from a former gunner on "Sweet Miss Lillian":

"I purchased this Hobby Master Invader model and it
is fantastic, very detailed. This exact aircraft was
with the squadron that I was assigned to
37th Bomb Sq ( L ) N/I and the nose art is great. I
flew in this specific aircraft in Korea as a gunner.
The model is great.
Antonio Fucci"

[aferguson]

thanks for the replies, guys.

i did some digging online and apparently the reason for the last minute change to the incorrect tail numbers on "Lillian" was because a member on a board advised HM to make the change. HM is good about listening to feedback like this but in this case the member was wrong and HM changed the tail numbers that they had originally correct, to the incorrect ones.

I knew practically nothing about A-26's in Korea but know a bit more now. The glass nosed were used as bomber leaders, using bomb sights to aim while the solid nose Invaders dropped on the leader's plane, much like with glass nose and solid nose A-20 Havocs during WW2. The glass nosed were also used for recon missions. Solid nose were used as bombers and interdiction. While any Invader could be switched from gun nose to glass nose with a few hours work, the majority were gun nosed.

So i'll probably get "Lady"....it's a good looking model but the one thing that bugs me is the lack of wing ordnance. In korea, all Invaders carried some combination of napalm, 1000 pound and 250 pound bombs on the wings and the HM model looks stark without.

[tmanthegreat]

So i'll probably get "Lady"....it's a good looking model but the one thing that bugs me is the lack of wing ordnance. In Korea, all Invaders carried some combination of napalm, 1000 pound and 250 pound bombs on the wings and the HM model looks stark without.

I've been surprised that HM has not put ordinance on the wings of the A-26. If you look on the underside, you can see right where the hardpoints would be located, save that HM has covered them over, each with a little tab glued in. Its not really noticeable, but has long led me to think that one day they will release an Invader with ordinance on the wings. HM did detail the machine guns mounted internally on the wings of "Versatile Lady". The A-26 could be equipped in that manner in actuality.