B.F.W. M.20b2 airliner, modified 1/72nd Planet Models resin

The somewhat stocky yet elegant lines of the B.F.W. M.20b2 passenger planes can now be shown in model form thanks to this kit in resin, released -long ago- by Planet.

The kit has reasonable detail, but still a bit more can be added, and modified to better effect.

Although a convincing replica in general terms, some research flaws on part of Planet show in a few places.

A number of these inaccuracies are described and corrected in the step-by-step building thread that you can see here:

https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2020/02/planet-models-bfw-m20b2-resin-172nd.html

Both decal options are flawed in some regards, as well as several details given for the depicted machines. I had to commission, as it is often the case, my own decal sheet to be able to render an accurate representation of the type. Arctic Decals came once again to the rescue and delivered a great set.

Why many kit manufacturers don't bother in the least to look at photos to check their plans is beyond comprehension to me.

Still, the fit of the kit parts and detail is good and in general I rate this a much better offering than their F.W. 19 Ente that I built a few months ago.

Besides the need to check references to correct the above-mentioned inaccuracies, the build went on quite pleasantly.

Many thanks to fellow modeler for the help with research.

The machine represented here, an ex Lufthansa plane, went to Varig in Brazil in 1937. It served there until well after WW2, ending its long career in the scrap yard.

I posted in the building thread an interesting article that I found on the Net (translated from Portuguese) narrating the final days and adventures of PP-VKA.

I had fun building this one, in spite again of the necessary corrective research and the bit of extra work needed to obtain an accurate replica, but nothing insurmountable or too laborious.

I only wish manufacturers would be better checking those plans. The fact that something has a plan, doesn't mean you can blindly follow it.

However, in the end, we do have a BFW M.20, a handsome plane from the 30s for which I thank Planet, and also other manufacturers that venture into these less common regions of aviation, for the happiness of the ones among us that like them and understand and appreaciate their historical, symbolic and aesthetic value.