Reviews : Academy PBY5A Black Cat Aircraft

The Catalina is a great aircraft and although it's been offered over the years by different manufacturers, I haven't seen a truly recent 1/72 tooling. Most 1/72 PBY kits are from 1960's moldings. This Academy kit from a 1993 tooling is probably the best bet for a decent price. Eduard has a 2026 Catalina release coming, but it is a re-release of a 1990's 1/48 Monogram kit with extras, and it's going to cost a lot more than the Academy kit. The Academy kit is very good overall. Like most Academy kits, it's a good mid-range kit in difficulty, detail, and price. The kit supports several options with different engine exhausts and also extra parts and instructions for the different forward turret designs, which changed a lot between the early and later variants. Fit is mostly nice; construction goes well, though I did find affixing the front landing gear doors for a wheels up setting to be difficult to do; take care to fit and apply carefully or your doors will be crooked like mine ended up. The popularity of the kit has other benefits: you will find there are also several after-market options if you want to upgrade the engines, and I absolutely recommend looking into paint masking sets for birdcage canopies, of which the Catalina has many! In 1/72, this is the place to go for the Catalina.

Very nice kit from Academy. Being a 1/72 scale, it actually is quite big!! Went together very well and a fun kit to build!! Really don't have anything bad to say about this model. Would recommend it to a pretty good skilled modeler though if you want it to come out nice! Great price!

I was quite satisfied with the quality of manufacturing. If you are considering purchasing this kit; know that there many upgrade parts. All available here on Hobbylink: 72006-Propellers, 72007-Cowlings, 72056-Engines, 72570-Exhaust, 72571-Antenna.

This Black Cat model kit is the cat’s??? meow. Looks great. Easy to assemble. Pieces fit correctly and stay in place. Very little trimming required. Enjoyable aircraft kit. Details and decals are good to go. Fun to build.

In process of building everything fits well. wish there was better decal set like some nose art. But will buy a set individually. i think i will clear coat it in a clear semi gloss. definitly recommend nice model

Great model to build with many options for theater of war or paint schemes. Make sure to put some fishing weights or what not in the front as it is a tail sitter when normally built.

This was a nice kit, fairly easy, make sure you put enough weight in the front!! I would definitely recommend it.

This model plane is molded with great quality. I would highly recommend this model.

Can't wait to build. It came secure and in amazing shape truly ecstatic.

Not a lot of PBY models out a great price and quite a large kit

Great kit fun build will build again with different scheme

quick delivery, great cost, another deal from hobbylinc