Has anyone built a Collectaire kit?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi gang!

I’ve been seriously contemplating purchasing the Collectaire 1/48 scale XP-67 Moonbat. However, they must have attended the “Trumpeter and Tamiya School of Pricing” because it is quite expensive.

Before I drop some major coin I’d like to know if it’s worth it or at least what to expect. I know the “worth” can be subjective though.

Thanks!

Eric

2

Collectaire does some very nice stuff. Some advanced modeling skills are needed. I’ve seen this kit done before and it is stunning. Bondo Phil (featured in FSM) does quite a few Collectaire kits and has said some really nice things about them.

3

I too have thought about making a purchase,but since no one here ever really talks about them…wasn’t sure what to expect.Thanks for posting the question Eric! I’ll be watching this topic with interest.Later on!

4

Trans Am,

I had never really heard of anyone building their kits either! Maybe you and I should pool our money and buy one. You work on one half and I’ll work on the other. LOL! to be dead honest with you though, at the price they want, around $150 or something like that, I’ll probably tell my wife (who does in fact support my hobby) that next year I’d like to pay that much for that one kit and then that will be it for my model purchases for the year. Needless to say with my luck I’ll get the kit and then AmTech will come out with their P-61 line at the same time.

Eric

5

I’ve never built one of their kits, but I did come close to ordering their Mercury capsule kit before Atomic City’s plastic kit arrived.

I’ve seen some spectacular models built from Collectaire’s kits, but as I understand it, their quality can vary from kit to kit. I’d try to find someone who’s built the Moonbat, specifically, before ordering one. That way you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into.

And please note that Collectaire has a policy that doesn’t allow returns, refunds, or exchanges. Caveat Emptor.

Hope this helps!

Matt Usher @ FSM

6

That’s not good to hear…thanks for the heads up Matt. I have been interested in purchasing the 1/48 scale E-2 Hawkeye since it is the only one on the market in that scale.I also have been eyeing the T-45 Goshawk.I think they even had a T-2 Buckeye a while back.Needless to say with a policy like that it makes me even more apprehensive about purchasing their products.I don’t mind spending a few dollars on kits and accessories…but first I usually try to find some sort of review of the kit in question to make sure I am not just purchasing spare parts…Oh well…[sigh]

7

Matt,

Thanks for the info! It’s good to know about their policy. I feel like I’m stepping into a casino. You don’t know if you’re going to strike it rich or lose your shirt but you won’t know unless you play the game.

Thanks for the heads-up!

Eric

8

I have a few of their kits, but i’ve only gotten around to building one - the A-12 Avenger II. It bult up fine, though there were some fit issues with the internal bays aligning poorly with their openings in the botton of the fuselage. No show-stoppers, though, since it was the belly and usually out of sight. My biggest gripe is the vacuformed canopy on this one. It needs to blend into the fuselage contours, and its molded outline is way too vague to cut easily. I’ve screwed it up twice, and they’e graceously sent me two more canopies to screw up. I have no hope of ever getting it right (I really HATE vac canopies), but I try again every once in a while.

But the rest of the model looks great! [:D]

I have the Moonbat unbuilt - I see some difficulty in trimming some of the nacelle parts that were cast in open-top molds with no clearly defined line to sand them flat to. There’s also a bend in the belly, and I can’t decide if it’s supposed to be there or if the resin is warped. The wings go on with a forward sweep, but every plan view I can find shows them unswept.

9

John,

Thanks for the great info. I, too, hate vac canopies but sometimes I just have to deal with them. I’ve put together a few Czech Model kits and they’re the same way. I love their kits and they go together wonderfully with a little TLC but then I have to deal with the vac canopies. Ugh! Thank God they give you two! I haven’t utterly screwed one up yet but never say never, right?

Thanks again,

Eric