kit quality... my observations

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

After restarting this hobby I went and bought some Revell 1:48 bombers (B-17, B-24, B-25, B-26, B-29) but decided to be a bit more modest in starting so decided to get some Hasegawa Japanese aircraft (Kate, Tojo, Oscar, George and a few others) with the photo etch details as I got the models for 50% off.

In the mean time I ordered 6 Czech Models as they were greatly reduced and the X planes would go well with the Eduard Bell X-1 I had on order.

Again… some great prices and reviews tempted me to buy 3 Eduard kits.

After opening all the boxes and inspecting all the sprues and instructions I can honestly say there are some real standouts.

In all honesty, kudos to Eduard for above and beyond! The standard kit for the Airacobra has the paint masks included along with a moulded nose weight and the clearest instructions I have seen. For their paint instructions… hats off to having a cross reference for most popular paint brands. ( Tamiya, Gunze, Humbrol, Revell and Testors). Close inspection of the mouldings showed very well and precise casting with no flashing visible at all. Must mention that Eduard seems to always supply 2 canopies so you get 2 chances at not stuffing it up. Sprues were also in separate plasic bags which means a lot when the kit is shipped to Australia.

Hasegawa come a close second as the quality of the kit and clearness of the instructions is great. They do however only quote Gunze paints which means looking for the color in the brand you use. They seem to also never supply many/any extras which can be a tad disapointing. I would like to at least have a pilot standing next to each aircraft to show the scale comparison. I know some kits supply 1 standing and 1 sitting pilot so you even have a choice.

Czech models seem to offer very nice subjects and I have no gripes at all with the kits. I just wish the quality control on the resin bits was a bit better. As their resin is cast by True Details… I don’t know whether Czech Models or True Details is actually at fault. One gripe about Czech models is the awkward boxes that open from the side as opossed to the shoebx design where the top lifts off. The box contents are also a tight squeeze… after pulling the bits out to inspect it’s always a task to put them all back in. (bit like trying to re-fold a map)

Revell in all honesty must pull their socks up so to speak. I love their subject matter but the kits really are showing their age. Not until I bought the kits and looked did I realize the amount of flash and hence trimming that would be needed. It was for this reason I decided to buy other kits to start with first… one’s that basically have no flash or real cleanup needed. Revell are however generous when supplying figures and crew and these are usually of high quality. Maybe they could capitalize on this and sell kits with just crewmembers, mechanics and pilots to overcome the shortfalls of other kit suppliers.

[2c]

2

Wow, you’re jumping back in with both feet, and a few other limbs too!

Your observations pretty well mesh with my own experience and reviews I’ve read. Let us know what you think as you build 'em, and don’t forget to post some photos. [:)]

Regards,

3

If flash is your biggest gripe then you really don’t have a lot to gripe about. Those particular castings are all pretty old and some flash is to be expected. It’s one thing to have to fill bad seams, fill sink marks, deal with mushy looking parts, etc but flash? So what. Run an Exacto knife over it and move on. Face facts, we will all be dead and gone before anybody bothers making new toolings for most of those subjects. Even if Trumpeter makes a new 1/48 B-17 it’ll cost $200. Those Revells are amazing kits considering their inherent quality, all the potential they have for scratchbuilt improvement, the fact that they are mostly over 30 yrs old, and the most expensive of them can be purchased for $40.

4

I agree Revell is great for money and have just noticed a new B-25 kit coming out. Wondering if it’s a new “new” kit or a re-issue of an older kit. Anyone know?

Also wondering if it’s the Doolittle style B-25 as oppossed to the B-25J.

Going down to the tip tomorrow in search of an old bar fridge or something I can use as a spray booth. Something with a door, will have to make sure it’s big enough to eventually spray the B-29.

5

As usual, they’re putting the Monogram kit out there again, which means either B-25J or B-25H… although it’s been a long while since we’ve seen the ‘H’. Whichever it is, the 'ole Monogram kit is still pretty decent for its age. Now if I can just finish the one I’ve been working on for ten years… [:P]

Fade to Black…

6

Hoek’s,

I want to warn you about the Hasegawa models you purchased. I see you mentioned the paint. Do your research on the paint colors before going by the instructions, specially the Japanese aircraft. Just from experience do your research first.

Oh ya I agree about Revell. We are modelers after all. If it weren’t for a little bit of a challenge why not by them already build.

Zip

7

I agree, I noticed the conflicting paint colors straight away. Actually… there seems to be a lot of these types of conflicts.

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I sure wish the RM would box the nose cannon H, and all 3 noses for the J they offer in 1 box with decals for each variant. Even if they had to charge more Im sure it would still be a bargain.