Williams Brothers 1/32 P-35 and Others

By James Merrigan

Almost 20 years ago Williams Brothers came out with a 1/32nd scale model of the Seversky P-35. Two models could be built from the kit, the U.S.A.A.C. P-35, and Frank Fuller's S2 Racer. I mentioned this is because the models you will see in these pictures range in age from 13 to 20 years old. They sit on shelves in my basement hence the condition of the paint and decals.

That being said here are the models:

Seversky P-35

This model was built straight out of the box. The markings are from the kit decals.

Seversky S2. Frank Fuller's 1939 Bendix Racer

This is the other model that could be built from the kit. It was built straight out of the box, using kit decals. I used three books as reference for the next ten models, they are: Sever the Sky by Edward T. Malony Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930-1945 by Jonathan Thompson Polish Aircraft 1893-1939 by Jerzy B. Cynk.

Reggiane Re 2000

Built with the following modifications: New cowl (made from an Excedrin bottle, unless otherwise specified all the other new radial cowls were made the same way) modified the landing gear, modified the rear cockpit fairing adding rear vision tunnels (made from the tops of my wife's eyebrow pencils), added an air scoop on the top and exhaust stubs to the bottom of the cowling, I also added the spinner, radio mast and bomb.

Reggiane Re 2001

This model was built by mating the nose of a Revel Bf 109F to the P-35 fuselage, I modified the landing gear and rear cockpit fairing again adding rear vision tunnels, and radio mast.

Reggiane Re 2005

This model was built by mating the wings and tail of the P-35 to the fuselage of an ID models Macchi MC.202 The wings were modified so that the landing gear would fold outward. The radio mast and large radiator were added.

Seversky NF-1

Seversky's attempt at a Navy contract. I added a new cowl, telescopic sight, arresting hook, and exhaust stubs.

Seversky AP1

This was Seversky's personal demonstrator. A P-40 spinner and ADF loop were added.

Seversky 2PA/A8V1

The Convoy Fighter used by the Japanese Navy in China. Added new cowl, gunners cockpit and rear gun. Glazing was modified to accommodate rear gunners position.

Republic AT-12 Guardsman

Added second seat and appropriate glazing. Elongated the fuselage a little over a scale foot, and added five scale feet to the wingspan. Added gun fairings and air scoop to nose and the ADF loop to the bottom of the fuselage.

Republic P-43 Lancer

I rebuilt the fuselage changing the wing position from low tom almost mid-wing. I cut, sectioned and used the cowl from a Revel P-47 Razorback. I also used the canopy from the same model. Added nose gun fairings and housing under the fuselage. modified the wings and fuselage to accept new landing gear. Lots of work.

PZL 50 Jastrzab

This display was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the beginning of WWII aboard the Intrepid Air and Space Museum in New York City in September 1989, The engine and cowling with added rocker covers are from a Revel Beaufighter. The cockpit canopy and fairing were developed from a single sheet of clear plastic. the fin and rudder was reshaped, and the wings were modified to accept the inward folding landing gear. The real aircraft was shot down by a Polish AA battery while trying to escape Poland to Romania. The AA crew figured that any low wing fighter with retractable rear and an enclosed cockpit had to be German.