Piper L4 Grasshopper “Pacific Warriors”
First Impression
ModelFan

Special Hobby
SH 48239
Scale 1/48
Injection moulded model
Price euro 25,00 - 30,00

The Piper L-4 or Piper O-59 Grasshopper is a variant of the Piper J-3 that has been modified for military use and is considered the most widely used type of "L" aircraft. The prefix "L" (short for "liaison") was the USAAF designation for light liaison and reconnaissance aircraft. In total, about 5,800 units of the L-4 were produced. The L-4 was used in World War II as a courier, reconnaissance and observation aircraft; It was also used to drop smoke bombs and lay telecommunication cables. For this purpose, this model got larger windows on the sides and above the seats compared to the Piper J-3 to improve visibility, especially to the rear. Using the Brodie system, the L-4 could also be used as a reconnaissance aircraft aboard smaller ships. An engineless, three-seater version of the L-4 was used as the TG-8 training glider. From 1942 to 1943, 253 units were built. The Piper J-3 and L-4 served as models for numerous other aircraft. (…) From this point of view, the J-3 is one of the most important aircraft in aviation history, as it played a similar role for aviation as the Ford Model T did for the spread of the automobile.

As far as the Netherlands is concerned, the ML-KNIL flew this version of the Piper Cub after the war. After the capitulation of Japan in August 1945, the reconstruction followed in the Dutch East Indies with many Pipercubs that were purchased second-hand. Many aircraft came from American dumps from the Philippines and the first came in March 1946 of type L-4J.  (Note: not to be confused with a pair of Taylorcraft L-2M aircraft, these were very similar to the Pipercubs).  Piper Cubs have also flown in the Dutch Antilles

The model comes in the typical blue 1/48 Special Hobby slip-on box with a blue-gray image of a machine in flight over an island in the Pacific Ocean. It is a reissue of the SH-kit from 2022 with new decals. Previous kits of the Piper L-4 in 1/48 came from Hobby Craft, Heller/Směr (1/50) and Bandai/Revell. The box contains 78 parts on two gray frames, six transparent parts on a frame, the whole packed in a resealable plastic bag, the transparent parts are packed separately. The model also includes a small 3D printed part for a version C exhaust, a decal set, a small photo-etch part for the seat belts, an acetate film for the cockpit instruments and a 16-page colored assembly manual.
The parts have only minimal casting seams, but on the inside of the wings there are clear ejection marks that need to be sanded. There are pins for mounting. In accordance with the design of the prototype, The surface view only consists of credibly reproduced fabric coverings and some rivets, with the exception of the bonnet. The building instructions are written in the familiar style and lead to the finished model in 41 construction steps on 15 pages.  The cockpit details are partly embossed on the inside of the fuselage, but mainly consist of numerous small to very small parts. The engine consists of eleven parts, of which the boxer cylinders protrude from the bonnet to the side. The structure of the cabin glazing is complex and consists only of glass parts, the frames have to be painted, so glue with wood glue, or Kristal Klear. The sashes are then only mounted around a narrow beam at the leading edge of the glazing. Allow to dry thoroughly, preferably on the back, with the wing struts to be fitted before drying.
The landing gear consists of three struts and two-piece wheels, the tail wheel is glued to a strut that belongs to the fuselage. At the end of the construction, the screw is mounted. The device has tension wires and an antenna. Apart from the nationality badges and code letters, the decal sheet only offers the cockpit instruments, but no further markings, if any. The shiny colors of the decals have an opaque and well-defined effect. The colour specifications refer to the Gunze range. The color schemes offered are:

A: NE-1 Grasshopper 43-30170, 1st Provisional Observation Group, US Marine Corps, Pauvuvu Island, Russell Islands, augustus 1944 in Sea Blue über Neutral Grey;
B: L-4 Grasshopper, "White 8, Tommy", US Army, Bougainville, Solomons, 1944, Olive Drab over Neutral Grey;
C: L-4 Grasshopper, "QE II", No. 4 Sqn.RAAF Nieuw-Guinea, 1944, Olive Drab over Neutral Grey, witte staart;
D: L-4 Grasshopper "R323", A-Patrouille, 17e VARWA Verkennings- en Artillerie Obersevatie Divisie, Nederlands-Indië, Nederlandse Luchtmacht, 1947, Olive Drab over Neutral Grey.

Conclusion:
Special Hobby has re-released its model of an important role model, which is not necessarily mainstream, without further adjustments in a new sticker variant. Definitely recommended, but rather something for experienced model builders! The model requires additional after-market parts, of which there are plenty on the market. Certainly nice in a small diorama. With regard to the Dutch decals, I have the idea that the red-white-blue-flags are a bit on the pale side....Let's stick to already weathered.

Thanks to Special Hobby for making it available for review.