So, finally got around to starting to update the electronic records for the stash. One of the ‘new’ items I have is the Minicraft Douglas C-118 “The Independence.” I noticed in the instructions that at the end, they have a note that says (paraphrased): “Okay, so this kit is actually a standard DC-6B; to make the one-of-a-kind C118, take a razor saw and cut 0.416 inches (10.52mm) out of the fuselage ahead of the wings. Then cut the decals (here) and move the back forward.” Those numbers are not made up, by the way. I like that they’re giving me micrometer readings…
Anyway, has anyone else ever seen anything like this before? I mean the whole, “see this picture on the box? That’s not what’s inside” thing.
To clarify the tone of this post, I’m highly amused by this! I won the kit in a raffle and don’t really have any preference on the build. I’m WAAAAY more likely to build it as a DC-6B than to try to cut 0.416" out of the fuselage. Or maybe give it to a kid to try their hand with…but I’ll tell them they have to cut 10.52mm out of the fuselage if they want the kit for free.
Trumpeter’s 1/32 A-4F has an A-4E on the box art. Inside, there are some A-4F parts like the dorsal avionics hump and upper split air brakes on the wings, but some small things like the cranked refueling probe and nosewheel steering mechanism are absent. I think the centerline drop tank depicted on the box art is also not in the box.
Hasegawa’s ancient Shin Meiwa US-1 uses a photograph of the real thing on the box top, but did not bother updating the observation window configuration and adding the large rear cargo door. The main landing gear is also from the older PS-1 despite the correct resin sponsons being provided.
I once had a 1/72 Hobbycraft CF-105 Arrow which had a Fokker Triplane decal sheet in the box.
You think that’s “funny” ? Pick up the MPC boxing of the old Airfix 1/72 A-1 Skyraider. The photos they used on the box are not the Airfix plastic, but is the Fujimi Skyraider!
Any and all of the Italeri 1/720 Forrestal-class carriers. The kits molds are all based on a Vietnam era fit with just different decals and a couple of different aircraft for what ship the box claims to be.
I like it.
First, honesty is a plus. I’m pretty sure that something like 95% of the folks that buy it just because of the box art won’t give a fig that it’s not to ‘real life’ spec. They’ll build it, put the decals on it and it will look cool.
But the fact that the company is up-front about it means the 4% that DO care will be happy to be forewarned – better to hear about it from the instruction sheet, than from some judge at a model contest. They’ll get out their razor saws and tiny metal rules and build a mini-masterpiece, the way real modelers do.
The last 1% wouldn’t be happy about anything, anyway. They’ll whine that the company is selling a fraudulent kit, that the trim color on the decals is wrong, that the panel lines (or lack thereof) are too deep/shallow and wrong anyway…and even if they buy the kit they’ll never build it.
But they’ll keep complaining.
[Just as a ‘truth in advertising,’ I bought and built a different boxing of the kit, and used lovely aftermarket decals for Panagra (Pan American/Grace), a classic livery of the era. A thoroughly enjoyable project, had a great time doing it. ]
]