What’s the word on this kit? With the Michales coupon coming tomorrow for 50% off I’m thinking of grabbing one. My understanding is it lacks some of the cool ordinance, but how are fit and detail?
I just finished this kit and the old F15a Revell kit side by side. A world of difference. F15e : Very good engraved surface detail and fit. Only fill needed was on the underside of the wings. Cockpit could use AM bang seats, UC and bays need extra detail, Tires are nicely weighted. You’ll need to polish out a seam on the canopy. Incudes both feathered and “neked” tail pipes. If you go with the “neked” featherless you’ll need to fill some pin marks and the actuating rods are delicate. But they build up very well. Conformal tanks fit excellently if you work back to front. My example came with full ordinance(special edition) but I replaced most of it for a different loadout . Will need to add steel shot in the nose cone to keep it on the nose wheel. And then you may want to invest in a set of metal UC. I didn’t, but I cheated and reenforced the nose leg with sheet brass and rod. Looks OK. Decals worked well with sol/set and warm water.
BTW, If anyone lives near an “Ollie’s” store I just found Italeri’s 1/48 Tornado, F-15a an F117 with speciall addition decal sheets for $10.99 each. I bought a few.
most accurate E on the market. good fit N detail. well worth the $$$
Yeah I’ve been reading around about this kit. I tried the old Hasegawa kit back in the day and I was not impressed with the fit. That kit is supposedly just a modified /C from what I’ve read, but I am not enough of a jet expert to know the difference. 50% off of 34.99 can’t be beat I don’t think. I just wished it was sporting some Mk82s or some kind of ground ordeinance. I’d like to do one fully armed and pop on a Tarmac with my Hase ground crew set. One article suggested poaching the A-10 but if I buy it I’m goin to want the stuff for it!!
I am a fast mover fanatic, but when it comes to modeling subjects I usually steer toward armor and WW2 a/c, but after finally realizing I can build Revell kits with my F-4D I am on a jet kick and these kits sure beat the prices Hasegawa wants. I hope the Super Hornet is good too. That’ll be next.
The Revell Super Hornet kit, #85-5850 looks just as sweet. Haven’t built it yet, but parts look awesome. The only thing I have heard about it is the shaft for the horizontal stabilizers is a little weak, and folks that have built it say it’s best to replace it with a metal rod.
For ordinance, Hasegawa has great sets available, well worth the $$s.
Weapons set E
http://www.hasegawausa.com/product-pages/hsgs3617.html
Weapons set B
I like the look of the E weapon set, but I really was thinking good ole dumb bombs, but this load out looks more modern.
Do the weapon sets give instructions for appropriate weapons placement? I know the Hase jet kits give a full breakdown.
I do believe I want set D…I’m not sure if its in production, but I’ve found it online a couple of places.
the hasegawa E kit is just a reboxed D with a added parts. revell and academy are the only true E on the market. they need a little updating to make them into a modern E. these kits are accurate for a early E in desert storm.
Thanks Randy. I did read that about the Hasegawa. I am likely going to go with a DS bird, so early suits me fine.