Fisher Model and Pattern 1/32 Sea Fury T.20 Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

As with many single-seat, high performance combat aircraft, it is a difficult job to transition a new pilot into an aircraft without lots of training, and even then, accidents will happen until the new pilot gains experience on the type.

Such was the case with the Sea Fury, and while the emphasis was on production of combat aircraft during the war, the peacetime operations tempo began to reveal some of the problems of flying one of the world's most powerful piston-engine fighters. Development of the Mk.20 trainer soon followed the introduction of the FB.11 into service.

While the gun armament of the T.20 was reduced to two 20mm cannons, the aircraft retained the same capabilities of the FB.11 so that new pilots could be trained throughout the aircraft's full range operations. These ranged from air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities to the essential land-based and aircraft carrier flight operations.

A little over two years ago, the first glimpse of Fisher Models' first 1/32 Sea Fury release appeared at the IPMS/USA national convention in Kansas City, and the casting work was every bit as impressive as his initial 1/32 Grumman Panther kits. Since that time, Paul Fisher has produced a number of interesting variants of the aircraft, this latest reflecting the two-seat trainer T.Mk.20.

The kit comes in the same rugged box that was used for the F9F series and each major part is carefully wrapped in tissue paper. Small bags of parts were also carefully packed. None of the parts in my kit were damaged.

Like the previous releases, the fuselage is hollow-cast resin and is one-piece. That translates into no seams to fill or file. There are also no casting blocks on the major parts and while the smaller parts do come on casting blocks, they'll be easy to remove and actually help protect them from damage.

You can't accuse Fisher Models of turning out the same old stuff. The original Sea Fury wing was a two-part casting with a third part representing the main wheel wells. Take a look at this wing - those three parts are now one single casting! No filler required to get those wheel wells and lower plate into the underside of the wing. As with the previous wing though, you can see that the fuselage and wing dry-fit very nicely, once again translating into little or no filling required to mate the wing and fuselage.

The original cockpit was designed by Roy Sutherland of Cooper Details (now Baracudacals). Since the Sea Fury is a favorite of Roy's, the cockpit detailing is some of the best I've seen. The original cockpit has been extended to add te reear pit and associated details. As before, the resin parts are augmented by photo-etch and instruments are printed on acetate.

The five-bladed propeller comes with a jig to help set the angle and pitch of the blades when placed on the spinner hub. This is a very nice touch!

The engine looks a little simple until you remember that when the spinner and prop sit in front of the small opening in the cowling, you won't be seeing much in there anyway.

The rudder is molded integral with the vertical stabilizer, whilst the ailerons and elevators are provided separately.

An optional wing is available that provides separately cast outer wing panels and the center inboard section so you can pose the wings folded. This is a handy option if you are parking more than one 1/32 scale aircraft on your shelf.

Landing gear is cast in brass by none other than Ernie Gee of G-Factor (if you haven't already seen the other beautiful landing gear sets that he has developed).

The external weapons options include four rocket rails with rockets, and two external tanks.

Markings are provided for three examples:

• T.20, VZ346, BR/273, FAA
• T.20, D-CAMI, Target Towing aircraft for the German Air Force and Navy
• T.20, D-CACY, Target Towing aircraft for the German Air Force and Navy

The German examples were red (scarlet) in color though teh outer wings, rudders, and propeller spinners were painted orange later in their careers. D-CACY wsa later sold and converted into a single-seat warbird, still in German registry.

This is another magnificent kit that will build into a show stopper. While some people may be put off by the retail price, remember that a 1/32 Trumpeter styrene kit isn't much cheaper than the Fisher line of resin aircraft.

This one is also definitely highly recommended!

My sincere thanks to Fisher Model and Pattern for this review sample.