Here’s a ‘small’ rant. I’m working on the Revell B-26 (unchanged since the 70’s). All’s well till I get to the seams. They are a disaster! All of them…every last one![:(!] Big, intimidating, ugly gaps. I’ve used more putty on this plane than ALL my other builds combined. I’ve questioned my modeling abilities for gap filling. They are not ‘seams’, they are winding gorges that you can see light thru. I’ve questioned my patience…I have none left. I have asked why…why me?? Or maybe this kit just sucks![banghead] I’ve considered ditching the build because it’s not enjoyable. I do expect a certain level of quality from myself and this one will not be it!
However…
I have decided to finish this Frankenstein of a plane. I will use everything in my arsenal to apply severe weathering to the unsightly problem areas. I will not allow Revell to destroy my career or fun dammit!! Maybe I’ll just drink Scotch while I finish this poor, wretched bird.[:D]
Just remember, that which does not kill us makes us stronger…or in this case, a better modeler, and we all know that you can beat this beast! Give us some prog pics and let us watch the agony turn to ecstasy when you turn the sow’s ear into a silk purse! Hang in there, amigo!
Good luck and don’t give up. Some real “dogs” have been my favorite models after all the work and trouble they gave me. I am bigger and stronger and smarter than plastic. As you are as well. Put up some pics for us.
LOL…Andy, my condolences to you…I’ve been there - and you gotta take the good with the bad, but generally, I leave the bad on the hobby shop shelves, and take the good home with me.
I prefer to NOT expend herculean efforts in turning a sow’s ear into a silk purse…I have much more fun turning a well produced model into a sharp finished model.
Unless it’s a must-have subject that nobody else makes, I’d rather save my hard earned and blow it on an expensive model that I know won’t need 4 tubes of putty and 37 sheets of sandpaper to finish.
In fact, that’s one of the most important factors that turned my finished models from “just ok” to “very nice”…a better starting point.
And what you said about “enjoying” modeling…it’s true…I get FAR more enjoyment from a sweet model than a piece of junk.
Would you rather spend your leisure time frustrated and angry, or happy and enthusiastic?
Good luck with the B-26, mate.
Andy…Hands down, the Revell B-26 is probably the worst fitting kit I have ever come across. A 5 gallon pail of putty, membership to AA and 3 long stints of “time out” back on the shelf, I suffered through mine. If you dim the lights and take pictures from far away, the gaps and gorges you describe look like “pre-shading”!
Best of luck. I know exactly what you’re battling.
We’ll do it together Andy. Eventually you may get back to the model too[;)][:D][:P]
Come on Andy, it’s not that bad. You grew up building Revel, Airfix and perhaps the odd Matchbox kit. You can easily beat this beast. No problem… Right!
We have all ran across your dilema. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and give it the File 13, Deep Six etc. You know what I mean ? It just may not be worth the time, effort and frustration. It,s your choice.
That old Monogram kit was not one of their best efforts, but I’ve seen some excellent models built from it. Really need a new tooled kit in 1/48 though.
Yeah I have to admit, not one of our better kits. I never minded the gaps on models, it was the detail I wished there was more of. In the 90s we did come out with a B-26 with resin and photoetched parts that were really nice.
I dont know kids of today get a few little gaps have to reach for the filler! Hah in my day if you wanted a model your had to reach for a set of plans just to make a start and those had to be scaled up from a minute 3 view in a magazine if theres no resin cockpit for your kit the world ends decals stickers is what they were paints hah we had a choice of six colours and they were all gloss and half of them were cellulose aftermarket is were you went for a cup of coffee when youd finished shopping glue boiled fish bones etc etc etc The above is a boiled down version of my old friend Als views on modern modelling. Being of the old old school of prewar (second) modelling, with all the single edged razor cuts to your fingers that implies, he reckons that today we have got it easy and I think I have to agree with him in the main. We all moan of the badly fitting kit and and of the time spent making good, but surely this is why we build models. To create an accurate minature of a real subject. When I used to do this professionally I got paid the same wether I built a pig or a shakenbake, and of course always went for the easy option, but now I build for ME and the end result and satisfaction is what Im after. I like to detail and modify and pull my hair out when it goes slightly wrong but to me thats half the fun and correcting mine and others mistakes is the other half. So like others have said "What does not kill me only drives me insane" , and if its a really big gap fill it with plaster/Polyfila as its easier to sand and seal with varnish. But finish it, now next year or whenever just finish it and enjoy the pleasure of success.
Having built one of these, I know your pain. But since I used it as a test platform of sorts, to re-introduce myself to the World of Modeling around four years ago, needless to say, it didn’t turn out all that well. I have since passed it on to my son, who, ever the scientist, has gleefully (and with my blessing) used it as a test platform to ascertain the flight characteristics of 1:48 scale model aircraft in the real world. May it rest in pieces. But since the B-26 is one of my personal favorites, and since no one else currently manufactures a kit, I have invested in another one. (BTW, why is it I always see this kit on eBay, and guys are bidding ten dollars or more OVER what it can be bought brand new for??) Only this time, I will be approaching it with four years of experience, as well as all of the tech tips and secrets, not to mention a plethora of tools I have since acquired over four long years, so I expect to do better this time. So you have my sympathy, but you also have my encouragement. And my advice is to put it away for a while. When I started building again four years ago, I should have started with a high quality kit (Tamiya, or Hasegawa), rather than with a low quality Monogram kit. Because I learned in a roundabout way that a low quality kit requires immensely more skill and patience, which are things that come with time. So I did everything in reverse! A crummy Monogram kit from the oldschool days is something to “ramp up” to do, for certain. Not your fault, man. Give yourself a break. So have that drink, and start a new kit, preferably a good quality kit. Once your confidence (and patience) are restored, go back and show that B-26 who’s boss! CAN I HAVE AN “AMEN” FROM THE CHOIR!!!
I’m with you Gary , as model builders we do have it pretty good these days dont we . But i think we have to be in this hobby for few decades or more before we realize how far the hobby has come . I think we also get used to the higer quality of most of todays kits , so when we are confronted with a ill fitting kit it can be frustrating and disappointing , and this is a good place to talk about it with other modelers .
I do agree that kits have risen with the times. I’m sure the older modelers can remember what poor fitting kits were like. However, this is the 21st century. They have the technology to make a well fitting kit. They are out there. Why doesn’t Revell step up and retool all the planes that they are known for. People DO want to build them. Especially the bigger bombers that they seem to have a monopoly on. I don’t know about you all, but painting and detaling is the most enjoyable aspect of my builds. Not filling canyons running thru the fuselage. Charge more! So what…I’d pay $40-$50 for a good bomber kit in 1:48. It would be worth it. That’s why I stick to Hasegawa, Acc Min and Tamiya now. [2c]
Thanks for the support and ears guys. I’ll post pics of this disaster when done[tup]
Like I always said anyone can make a $30.00 Tamiya mustang look great, but it takes a modeler to make a $8.00 Revelogram look just as great. I mix my builds. I like the challenged of an old Revelogram. But I also like the shake & bake of a Tamyia or a Hasegawa every once in a while. I get more pride though from my Revelograms and it has nothing to do with the price of the kit.
No, I just bit the bullet and pushed thru the problems. I almost have her done. She is looking decent. I will hesitantly post pics when complete. I have the AM B-25 Red Wrath waiting in line. This one will be my atonement for the B-26!
