Comments on 48th scale SMER kits

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Does anyone have any comments they would like to share on the SMER 48th scale aircraft kits?

For the price, they have some great subjects but I have never built a Smer kit and am not sure what I would be getting into.

Thanks, Mike

2

I only know about their 1/48 MiG-17s and for the price you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.

They are excellent kits, engraved panel lines, nice cockpits and generally look right when done.

They have a couple of little fit issues at the wing root, but at the price you can easily put in the elbow grease and not feel you’ve been robbed at all.

3

A lot of their WWI planes are based off the old Aurora molds and can be built into nice models with some work

4

for short money nice kits i like them

some people don’t like them because they are old toolings

but 2 things

1 with work they can be real nice

2 if you buy 1 and you dont like it it can be used to improve your modeling skills ---- scratch-building painting or seam filling

what ever may be your weakness

5

I’ve got the Smer (ex-Aurora) 1/48 Sopwith Camel. I bought it because it was cheap. Truth is, if I wanted a decent model of the Camel, there are much better alternatives. For one thing, it has raised area to deliniate national markings, registration numbers, etc. Interestingly, it comes with decals for alternative machines, but how do you get around the moulded in markings? Almost no interior, and as for the guns…

Still, it can be made I suppose into a nice model, and it’s also good practice, for not much money!

6

Anybody know any good on-line sources for Smer kits?

7

squadron has a pretty good choice on line

8

I built a SMER SE5A a few years ago, and always wondered about the raised markings. Its nice to finally get an explanation.

I built it straight out of the box then. If I were to do it now, it would take alot more work. (All the things mentioned above).

9

It really is a mixed bag, as said by others, some are good, some are old aurora molds…

A lot of their own molds actually are 1/50 (such as the fokker s.11, fiat Cr-32, SM-79 etc.)

These molds are typical old kits, witk raised panellines and very little detail.

However, new releases of SMER kits often feature "super decals"made by propagteam, those decals are very good.

10

I built thier PIPER (I had it wrong before) grasshopper. It was a fun kit that went together fairly well. Just had to add some struts to the elevators.

11

I have the 1/48 L-4 Grasshopper kit as well. Have yet to build it, but wibhi2’s endorsement sounds promissing.

12

Thanks guys.

Greatmodels.com has a pretty good selection and with all of your info, I’ll be buying and building some of these Smer kits and not worry too much about wasting my money.

Sorry for the delay, but I actually forgot that I posted this.