Has anyone built any HobbyBoss kits? I’m looking at their chinese ZTZ-99B and their ZLS-92G. I’d just like to get some opinions.
It’s cool that we’re starting to see chinese hardware now!
I built the 1/48 T-34/85 with the interior,it was well engineered and went together with a minimum of fit issues
…I’m currently working on a second version of a V-150 Commando. It goes together well and has good interior detail.
I’m well into their SdKfz 223 funk kit with the frame antenna…[Y] lots of good stuff: well-molded bits, little - to - no flash, great detail, and the suspension is pretty darn’d cool, as is the well-detailed motor! Not a PERFECT kit, though… H-B somehow got going with lots of nice interior, along with the roof gratings (PE) and options for all hatches open to help show it… love it![:D]. But they goofed badly and somehow made a radio-car without any radios or mounts or related bits at all![:O][:^)][:(] So, it’s rob stuff and scratch for those things. But it’s a GREAT KIT all-in-all and I’ll buy their other German armored car kits.
Bob[;)]
Well - I’ve built their 1/48 F4F-3 Wildcat. Overall a good kit, but they canopy is a killer. Too thick to be posed open, but doesn’t line up with the windscreen when closed. Solution - vacform!
I’ve also built Trumpeter’s (same company) KV-2 and found it overall a very solid kit.
I’m working on their 1/72 railgun Dora and 1/35 ShkH Dana vz.77. No complaints thus far. The orange-tan plastic seems odd to me, but, it’ll get painted in the end anyway.
I’m working on their F-14 kit and it’s a real beauty. I was so impressed I went out and got their F-111, Avenger and F-3. I think Hobbyboss is really onto something.
Trumpeter and Hobbyboss are the same company? Do you know that for a fact? There’s been a lot of debate (and as far as I know, no proof) about that. They may share the same manufacturing facility, but I think that’s it.
Built Hobbyboss - yes. Nothing to complain about from my end. That V-100 kit was great. Although the “interior detail” wasn’t particularly detailed. Would take a lot of work to make it look like anything remotely accurate.
I have read that they are both owned by a larger company (primarily a furniture maker, I believe). In which case it would be not unlike how Hyundai and Kia are sister companies, but not quite one in the same. But if they are in fact sharing broadly common resources and “inspire” one another’s kits (I’ve seen this more looking at an aircraft that’s done by Trumpy in 1/32 and Hobby Boss in 1/48 - such as the WIldcats), for all intents and purposes, the kits are coming from the same place, regardless of the logo on the box.
Nearly completed a 1:48 KV-1 small turret. Very enjoyable, with no real fit issues and that includes the link and length tracks.
http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/modern/hobbyboss82440reviewcs_1.html
Here’s a review of it. I’ve built their 1/48 scale M4A3E8 Korean War Sherman. I thought it was nicely done.
We’ve had pretty decent Chinese armor for quite some time now, probably a little over a decade since Trumpeter arrived on the scene. Prior to that, the only Chinese armor was an M4A4 by Dragon with WW2 Chinese National markings. Remember, Trumpter started out with mediocre kits of Chinese copies of Soviet armor.
I’ve built HB’s 1/72 lynx helicopter, while the detail on interior was lacking the fit was nothing short of great. I also have their F-111C while I havnt built it yet a very good look at the parts says it should be excellent. I’m guessing their fit usually is great, detail is based on the cost of the kit instructions often seem hit and miss.
Andrew
I’m a big fan of Hobby Boss kits and I have built a lot. They come out with models on our wish lists.
I have the Hobby Boss ZTZ-99A and it looks like a nice kit in the box, haven’t started it so I can’t comment on the fit. The only kit I’ve built by them is their 1/48th A-10 Warthog which though a nice kit has several nasty sinkholes on the wings. Personally if I buy another ZTZ-99 I’d pick up the Bronco one. I frankly think they make overall slightly better kits IMHO.
Things for all the info, guys!
I guess I’ll give 'em a try. I was going to go with their Merkava IV; but I’ve read some stuff online about how the roadwheel alignment is all FUBAR!
I might check out some of their other stuff though!
Thanks again! [:D[
The Land Rover WM IK is basically a very well engineered kit-fit is great, detail very good, though the weapons themselves are pretty crude. There are quite a few accuracy issues particular to the vehicle itself, but it is a relatively easy kit to build.
i built a LAV-150 w/ 90mm gun. have a build log in armor from september. liked it so much i boughty 2 other LAVs. swapping their armored hummer for a chiness 99 mbt, not sure which manufacturer, i also am biuilding their 1/72 br-52 locomotive and have k-5, mortar w/ rail carrier and dora in the stash. nice kits.
at least it isn’t close to your base color. i sometimes have to prime german grey molded kits w/ a light color to see where i painted and missed.
Sofar i must say i have always enjoyed building anything coming from them. Same goes for trumpeter kits. Usually very gently priced as well…
Richard
I built a F/A-18, detail was horible but it could’ve been a older kit i don’t know.