Hey all,
I really want to build a Coast Guard Jayhawk, but I’m a bit intimidated by the two conversion sets out there. I’m not definitely set on a scale so either the 1/72 or 1/48 would be fine, I just want to do a good job. I’m nervous because I don’t have very much experience with this kind of work, or with resin, I usually just build things OOB for the most part, possbily with some aftermarket once in a while. Can you guys comment on the difficulty of working with these two conversion sets? Which do you think would be easier for a newbie to pick up and do a bang-up job on? Thanks for the help!
i just finished the convertion ste from cobra,and their kit is exceptional in style’ build and smoothness of going together but their instructions to me were vague at best since i didn’t have extensive knowledge on the jayhawk witch i was told you should have if your going to do a model which i don’t agree with since building a new style of model is were you get your knowledge of a new aircraft in my opion but like i said once you figure it out the cobra kit does go together nicely even though the convertion set is twice as much as the helo it’s self but if you are going to do this convertion i do suggest the cobra one and the fireball decal set is awesome perfect instructions and go on with the greatest of ease and this is all1/48 i hope i helped and didn’t piss to many people off in what i just said
Everyone starts somewhere.
Take things one step at a time, and measure, measure, and measure again.Use a sharpie marker to plan your cuts before you commit the plastic to surgury. Test fit, test fit again, and test fit a third time.
Use a sanding belt ifyou can to remove the resin pour stubs, but do that last 1/8 inch with a sanding board so that you have control. Dont rush it…it is not worth it. Just go slow, but dont be afraid of the job!
I have not done this conversion but I have built several CC conversions, adn i know from building thier work that you need to verify the instructions but before gluing anything, mock up the conversion with tape or poster putty and see that things actually fit. Seat positions and or instrument panel position will be your most common point—if the instrument panel stands too high it will hit the windhsield, so lay it all together with tape first, inluding the windshield, to make sure you are all lined up where you need to be.
A zona saw can be your best friend when doing conversion work, as is a sharp blade. Zona saws are great but incredibly sharp and cut to the bone when they slip!!
I really like the Fireball products.
good luck!
David
I recently bought the Fireball Jayhawk conversion which is for 1/72, I haven’t seen the Cobra Companies 1/48 conversion but have some of their other stuff and it is nice. I would guess the two conversions are similar in quality so it probably up to you and what scale you want.
The Fireball kit has about 20 very nicely cast pieces, and with the exception of having to remove the pour stubs the pieces are pretty close to styrene in quality. It can be used with either the Hasegawa or Italeri SH-60 kits. The instructions are pretty good and the decals allow you to build any Jayhawk in the USCG inventory. The painting / decal guide is full color which is a nice touch in my opinion.
I found the customer service at both companies to be very good.
I haven’t built my Jayhawk yet so I can’t really say how it all goes together but I don’t think it would be a bad place to start playing with resin, you could certainly find a worse kit to break yourself into resin on.
The only real downsides to resin are the need to use CA instead of regular glue and resin is much more brittle than styrene so you have to be careful when cutting or trimming pieces.
If you are pretty comfortable building OOB, then as long as you take your time and ask for advice when you get stuck you shouldn’t have a problem, and you have to start somewhere.