Has anybody built any of these?
I’m thinking of splurging on some of these from $3.99 kits from Squadron.
I guess for $3.99, you really can’t go wrong, but if they are junk, the cost can add up to something better.
Even though they’re cheap. it might be better to avoid them, especially if the subject has been covered by another manufacturer. These kits are/were (IIRC) made in Turkey - PM Model was previously known as Pioneer 2 and has been around for several decades. I seem to recall the TA-154 kit being released some time in the 80’s.
I personally havent seen any of the other kits, but I have seen the TA-154 kit as described here:
http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/luftwaffe/ta-154.htm
http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/luftwaffe/ta-154_pm.htm
The 154 was one I was eyeballin. After I posted…DUH!!! check with google!
I’ll put my money elsewhere!
To be fair, the kit that I have doesn’t have as much flash as the short review suggests. However,the review is correct as to the size of the sprue gates, some encroaching on the trailing edges of the wings, giving you a fair sized chunk of plastic to carve/shave/sand off… The radar antennae are as thick as 4-6 scale inches.
In its day it was the only injection moulded 1/72 scale Ta-154 available, but that day has long passed…
In 1/48th, none of the issues would bother me, I’d spent the couple bucks and do the work. In 1/72, which I only do for simple “decompression” builds, I don’t want to have to do a lot of work, just cheap, relaxing fun!
I’ve mostly built a C-45 (twin beech), and have a few others in the stash. I don’t think they are that bad, particularly for the price. I’d compare them to vintage Airfix or Matchbox kits, very basic but they look like the plane from 3 feet.