Hey Guys. First post on this area of the forum. I primarily build planes, but for some reason haven’t been around this part of the community yet.
Just thought I’d pass this along. I recently bought Italeri’s 1/12 scale F-16 cockpit model, and I am less than impressed with it. All I’ve done so far is put part of the ejection seat together, and the parts fit is absolutely dismal. Four parts assembled and I’ve already spent a couple of hours filling and sanding seams.
There aren’t many parts, probably under 100. Most of the detail is molded on so the painting is not going to be separate parts, but small detail areas molded onto larger parts.
I’ll finish it eventually, but If I had it to do again I’d just leave this one on the shelf.
Thanks for the heads-up Scott, I’ll leave that kit alone I think. If you do get it done I know I for one would sure like to see some pictures. Good luck with it.
It said Italeri, and you still bought it!!! LOL Thanks for the warning, as I was seriously considering it myself…oh well…maybe Tamiya is up for making one?? Make sure to share the pics when you do finish filling…I mean building it!!![:P]
Like I said … 4 parts and 2 hours sanding and I’ve still got seams! I don’t think that large bottle of Zap-A-Gap I bought will be enough. Nah, you’re right, it ain’t THAT bad, but it really is bad. One side of the center of the ejection seat fit down inside the frame, and the other side was sticking out. I had to sand the frame down on one side and the seat part on the other.
I’ll be sure and post some pix when it’s finished, but it looks like it’s gonna be a while.
Overall not too bad a Kit, considering the age and maker of it.
Granted needs some work and can be improved, but it is the only one out there.
Next option would be the 1/6 Scale pre-assembled cockpit.
You know, there are some brands i’m very wary about buying… Italeri is one of them. Is it just me, or is there anyone else feel that a kit is “inferior” if it’s in a box that opens from the side (ala FedEx box), rather than from the top (ala shoe box)? [:D]
In all fairness, they do make some nice kits… i have a C-47 that is my testing mule becuase everything but the landing gear is real solid!
That’s one of the main reasons I got it. That and the fact that the shops around here don’t have a lot to choose from. After I started putting it together, and admittedly I haven’t gone far, I noticed that the picture on the box cover shows a lot of flaws to. Funny how we only see what we want to see [:)]
Good, then maybe things will imporove as I get farther into it.
This is the first one I’ve had by Italeri. If the rest of it goes like the first few parts I’ll think long and hard before I try another one.
I built this kit back in the day when it was released by Ertl. It went together well, and I don’t remember any fit issues other than the upper seat pad didn’t fit well at the top. I did a little diorama with the cockpit, the helmet, and a 1/144 scale F-16 I picked up somewhere. All in all, I thought it was a good kit. Furthermore, I got many positive comments on it when I displayed it in the local hobby store.
I didn’t know this was re-released until I saw it in a local store. Armed with none of the reviews, but only with my previous experience, I couldn’t pass. I’ll make some time to build it one of these days. Unless something heinous has happened in the last few years, then I would say that prety much anyone could build this kit, and a modeler with intermediate skill could certainly turn out a fairly presentalbe representation of the real thing.
I build the F-16 cockpit twice(Esci/Ertl & Italeri) and currently working on the F-104.
My biggest gripe with the F-16 is that the cushion as shaped in the box don’t fit the seat, but not an expert on Cockpits or Planes. F-16 I think is either a pre or a very early instrument configuration.
Kit can be build up nicely with a bit of TLC giving its age, etc.
Can’t even recall how long ago those kits were originally issued(some 20+yrs ???).
More like 25 yr’s, i think i still have the original ERTL boxing at the bottom of my stash closet somewhere, but i’m afraid to open the door to look[blndfld]
These days Italeri is such a mixed bag. They have been buying up molds from all over and their kits now include a number of ex-AMT and ex-Accurate Miniatures kits. They have also released a number of Dragon kits. They also have some very old molds like the ESCI/ERTL kits from the 70s and 80s. Many of their 1/72 scale kits date back to the early 70s.
As for end opening boxes, I think they are a pain. They can pop open in storage and getting the part back into the box can be a challenge sometimes. However, there are some nice kits that come in end opening boxes, such as the newer Revell Germany kits