Looking for opinions on who makes the best C-130 kit. I want to build a good quality model with aftermarket details but not really picky about the version other than I am not interested in a Spectre.
What scale ?
In 1/72, italeri makes a good one I think…
The Italeri kit is a very good one to get. Excellent detail and excellent fit. There are various versions of the kit, too, both from Italeri and Testor’s, and should be easy to find.
I was looking for 1/72 scale.
Airfix/MPC has had a basic trash hauler Herky Bird out for over 20 years. It can be considered an E or H model. I built several of them for display at Scott AFB, ARRS/23rd AF in the early 1980s. I never compared the models to the full scale for exact details, but crewmembers who looked at them with a very critical eye were very impressed with the accuracy. I have not built any of the Italeri/Testors versions, but have heard that they are more accurate than the Airfix/MPC version.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
The current issue of the herc by airfix is the italeri mould, So i was told last year, And Heller do the herc in U.S Coast Guard markings looks cool, And I have one in my stash.
I have an Italeri AC-130U in 1/48th in my stash, and it looks the business. I’ve got the Flightpath updates for the flaps & such, but it would make a good kit, even without the updates.
I think I read somewhere that the 1/72nd Italeri kit has issues with it’s engine nacelles being out of line of flight. I read an article, might hav been FSM or SAM, where the guy cross-kitted an Italeri & Airfix kit to get the most accurate shape. That involved chopping off the nacelles & re-aligning them so that it didn’t resemble a helicopter anymore!
From what i’ve seen of my 1/48th Herc, there’s no such problem with this version.
I’ve built the Italeri one myself in the build-a-model-in-15-minutes era.Certainly was ok, although I’m not sure I would buy it again for my current build-a-model-in-15-months pickness.
There is a “C-130 fetishist” on this forum, I believe he calls himesel 130Chief. Try and find him via the searchoption. He probably knows best
THE ITALERI KITS ARE IN MY OPINION THE BEST!!! IF NOT ITALERI THEN MPC!!! I love the FAT ALBERT BLUE ANGLES AIRCRAFT!!!