I’m hopingyou guys can answer a couple of questions for me, as I’ve come across a couple of manufacturers I’m not familiar with.
I rather fancy doing the 1/48 Amtech P40F, but how good are their kits? The same question goes for ICM, which leads on to the question, whose 1/48 Mk Viii Spitfire is better, ICM or Hasegawa?
Finally, the dumb question, I know what PE is, but what does it stand for??? Dumb I know, but I’ve got a definite brain failure on that one!!!
[#wstupid]
The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask.
Can’t help you on the kit questions as I build 1/72 but as to your other question, PE means Photo Etched.
PE is photo-etched. I like the ICM kits but I haven’t looked at their Spits. I’m not sure but I believe that Amtech is a company putting out improved AMT aircraft kits with good decals. I have been told that but I have no first hand info to confirm it.
AMTech is the old AMC/Ertl/ESCI kits with new tooling and new resin. They are very nice. ICM are Russian kits, the company is in corporate limbo right now but the kits are well detailed, almost all include nice engines. The plastic tends to be a little soft and they have a lot of quality varience in the decals - some good, some bad - mostly in the color density department. I review an ICM MiG-3 on my site and I’ve built their Yaks, Spits amd Stangs - like them all.
Oh my god!!! Photo etch!!! I now feel the size of a worm, and one with an IQ in single figures at that!!! Duh!!! One of those occasions where for some reason the brain couldn’t make the simplest of connections! I think I’ll go hide my head in shame in some dark corner somewhere!!
As for the others, thanks guys. Very useful
ICM is now being handled by Alanger out of Maine. Try this link www.alanger.us if it doesn’t work watch the ads at the top of each page and you’ll see one.
The only dumb question is a question you don’t ask
The ICM kits of the Spitfire Mk VIII & IX are considered to be the most accurate available, but they are difficult builds. The Hasegawa kits of these Spits have been critisized for some outline errors, especially the nose & spinner, but are much easier builds. If accuracy is your main concern and you have good modeling skills and are looking for a challenge, go with the ICM. If not, go with Hasegawa as they still look like Spits except to an expert and they are much less challenging.
Mauver also produces a 1/48 P-40 but it’s a P-40N. The quality is very good, some say it’s even superior to the AMetch one. You can check it here:
http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/allies/us/mp40npreview.htm
However Mauver products are not easy to find and they are expensive. You can try squadron.com or hobbylink Japan.
The Mauve P-40M & N toolings were taken over by Eduard and offered in new boxings with much better decals. The Eduard kits are getting scarce, but easier to find than the original Mauve boxings. Of course these are much different birds than the P-40E & F models from Amtech.
I saw the ICM the other day NNNNNNice!
Also , the Brigade T9 conversion is very nice also, just in case anyone is interested.