Built these two kits side by side to do a kind of comparison. Started with painting the pilot figures.
Then I put the cockpit module together. You can see the FM kit is a little larger than Bandai’s.
But, Bandai has better detail. This is throughout the kit. Started some painting.
tried to let some pre-shading show through. Next came the main fuselage. Both kits.
Bandai
Finemold
More painting and finished up the piping. Surprisingly, the pipes were pretty resilient. Only broke one of the band’s pipes. Bandai has quite a few more than Finemolds. Getting ready for decals, FM has a larger sheet but you have three options on there.
FM
Bandai
Then it is time for weathering. Using Bandai. Panel lines and pin wash.
Then added chipping using sponges and three colors.
Then pigments for more wear and tear. This is the FM kit pretty much finished compared to the unweathered Bandai kit.
And now the completed kits.
Close up of the fuselage for detail.
Finemolds
Bandai
Well, I think that’s about it. Hope you all like the models and I hope I was able to give you some info on the kits. They both build into nice models, I found myself waiting on the FM kit because of waiting for drying times. Any questions please feel free to ask.
Great builds Stephan and i am glad some one has done this. I have not been won over by the bandai kits, but this build does show the extra detail in some areas. I don’t think i will be swapping my FM kits for the new ones, but its good to see bandai are a good match.
Love the paint work and weathering on these. I think its time i tackeled one of my FM rebel kits.
Thank you I was up in the air on rather to buy a few FM ones for what is alot of money on ebay or to buy another Bandai one (already got one in the stash). I will go with the Bandai now. Btw did you have any issue with the plastic cracking any on the Bandai kit? I had a crack develop on the side of my AT-ST from what I’ve read online the Bandai plastic don’t like enamel. I did a wip on this site and got photos of the problem.
Stick and Bish, thanks for taking a look. They both build well and the FM kit holds up well against the newer Bandai kit. Yeah, the Bandai kit has finer and more detail, but; the FM kit is busy enough and with weathering it looks just as good.
Rambo, glad this post was useful. I have also heard of the cracking issues. I am using valejo acrylics, so no problems for me. Some say it is not enamel paints that are the culprit but the thinners that are used, especially if you are using them as a wash. The thinner/wash gets in where you put pressure to snap parts together and the weaker plastic cracks in those areas. Bandai’s plastic is harder or brittle than most.
Very interesting comparison! I’ve slowly been adding the Bandai kits to my stash and I got the Y-Wing for X-Mas this year so it’s nice to see it all built up
