If you have read the KC-97G preview of a few days ago, you know most of the history of this plane. It was developed for the military based on the B-29, changing only the upper fuselage. It first flew in 1944 and was a success, as it should have been using proven airframe parts! Unlike the more prolific KC-97, there were relatively few C-97s built with only around 30 or so seeing service. Probably the reason for this was the huge numbers of C-47s and C-54s still around from the war and the newer C-119 and C-124s being developed.

The biggest difference between this and the previous KC-97 is the elimination of all those parts needed for the tanker version. Other than that, the sprues are identical. There are no boom parts in the C-97 kit at all. In fact, if you have the KC-97 kit and a C-97 decal sheet you can build this aircraft. 

The parts are well molded with crisp detailing on the greenish grey plastic. All details are engraved as we have come to expect in today's kits. All but one sprue and the transparencies seem to be from the B-50 kit, and why not as they have parts in common. Test fitting the fuselage shows that the parts fit cleanly and the panel lines match up. There is no flash and only a few sink marks in areas of thick plastic such as the attachment areas for the tailplanes.  

The cockpit is well detailed in this scale with instruments represented by decals, a good choice for a 1/72 kit. The nose transparency includes part of the fuselage. This is great as it makes fairing it in place a lot easier. I am concerned about the long wings being warped, but I guess building will tell. There are short spars that jut from the fuselage to help with the mounting of these long wings.

What really is neat is the decal sheet. It is huge! It is also very colorful and includes four aircraft. Three are MATS aircraft and one is ANG. Two of the MATS planes are the early markings with big, colorful nose insignia; one for the Atlantic and one for the Pacific Divisions. The third MATS bird is in later markings with bands and patches of da-glow red. The final scheme is for one of the 115 ATS of California Air National Guard, the only guard unit to fly the C-97A. All are in silver or natural metal with the ANG bird having an ADC grey fuselage underside. 

The instructions are typical drawings showing the various construction steps, the parts breakdown and paint reference. The decal placement and overall painting instructions are a four page supplement.

It looks like it will make for a nice and big model.

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet! 

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has over 900 visits a day, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.