Hello,
Does anyone know how acadamys T-33 is? What are the down falls (if any) of this kit.?Hows the detail? What does the kit run? I would realy like to get one because my uncle was a Lt.Col. and he trained people in th RCAF. So i would like to build one for him.
thanks,
seakinght
The Academy T-33 is a rebox of the Hobbycraft kit. Kinda typical Hobbycraft, with recessed panel lines, somewhat inaccurate outline, and a little lacking in detail. Seems to based on the old Hawk kit. No major vices as far as fit goes & certainly looks like a T-33 when built. There are AM resin sets available which can add some detail & Aeromaster made some nice decal sheets for it.
Regards, Rick
There are minor flaws to the kit but it builds up nicely with the after market cockpit. I crewed several and as the aircraft developed over time the details changed. The only big problem I had with the outline of the kit is the ram air scoops on the forward equipment/gun bay doors. None of the aircraft I worked on had them. Good luck, you should be able to find one for under $25.
Like all Academy kits it’d be wise to pick up some after market decals if you can.
The above comments and criticisms above I also notice/encoutnered on the two Hobbycraft Canada birds I built. I don’t usually recommend Verlinden sets for aircraft, because usually other people do it better and much cheaper. But the Verlinden detail set for this kit, though outrageously expensive, makes a model with a marked lack of detail come to life, especially the seats. I wouldn’t ignore opening the panels, since the T-Bird doesn’t have anything interesting enough to justify that kind of elaborate surgery on this kit. Unless, in the unlikely event you’re modeling a rare armed T-Bird, with its two .50 cal. machine guns, as flown to this day, I think, by the Mexican Air Force. Look at any T-Bird trainer and you’ll see the oval-shaped covers for the muzzle ports on both sides of the nose. But to the point, it sounds as if you may be modeling a Canadair Silver Star, and it has some differences due to Frozen North changes, such as differennt engine. There is a large oval-shaped opening on the top side back near the beginning of the vertical stab. It also appears on Canadair Sabres and I forgot the function. The outline problems we complain about may be the slight chubiness to the fuselage that appears on Silver Stars, as it does on the Canadian-buit Sabres. I’m looking to buid anothe one, but I can’t find the one with the proper tip tanks. Only the Korean-style under-wingtip tanks. Good luck.