Valom BN-2A Islander 1:48

The kit

I believe the only Islander kit to date has been the 1:72 scale version from Airfix which I built many years ago so this offering in 1:48 is most welcome.

It comes in a “proper” box with a stunning illustration of G-BLDV on the lid. The contents comprise three sprues, a small transparent sprue, a film instrument panel and a comprehensive etched brass fret. The mouldings are crisp and feature incised detail, my only criticism would be the fact that the sprue attachment points often intrude on to the mating surfaces. Still, nothing that a swift pass with a sanding stick won’t cure.

In addition there is a decal sheet featuring the two subject aircraft and a fourteen page instruction book which includes a detailed colour guide with callouts for Humbrol, Gunze, Agama, Model Master and Federal Standard paint references.

Instrument Panel

First item on the agenda is the instrument panel which, essentially, is a sandwich comprising the injected console, a transparent film carrying the instruments and an etched fret. The console was painted Gloss White after which the clear film was trimmed to fit and affixed with white glue. The etched “dashboard” also needed some trimming to fit and was painted Matt Black (Vallejo Negro 70.950). The coaming which covers the instruments was painted the same colour. The miniscule control yokes and throttle levers were then added accompanied by some bad language. This was followed by the two crew seats. Etched lap belts are provided for these and the cabin seats which I struggled to fit and wondered whether my usual habit of making these from Tamiya tape might not have been a better idea.

Undercarriage

Following Valom’s construction sequence the next job involved the fairings for the fixed main undercarriage. The oleo legs and axles were intended to be a butt joint which I felt could cause problems so I drilled these components to accept a small piece of metal tubing for added strength. Rather annoyingly the mating surfaces of the wheel halves had little protruberances which needed removing before gluing. The nose wheel was also left off for the moment.

Engines

Stage Three involves the engine cowlings and here confusion started to rear its head. It’s not just my advancing senility – Geoff was similarly confused! According to the instructions, the first “engine” to be assembled comprises cowlings 17 and 18 which enclose part no. 21, the engine front. The problem is part 21 is entirely the wrong shape to fit inside these cowlings. It was then that I noticed a further set of cowlings on the sprue numbered 19 and 20, neither of which were mentioned in the instructions. However, part 21 did fit inside these cowlings. A browse through the rest of the kit (which I should have done before I started) revealed a second pair of wing tips, two nose caps and a host of other bits which did not figure in the instructions; the penny started to drop. This kit is a mixture of Islander and Defender – they just don’t tell you which is which! Read on.

So, using a combination OF Islander and, what I assume are Defender parts, I made two power plants which look OK. It’s a pity Valom don’t follow other manufacturers and indicate those parts which are not required. An email to Valom for some clarification went unanswered. I left the propellers off for the moment to avoid damage.

Read on…