I need a 1/32 scale MIG-17 to complete my Vietnam Air Power series. Which is a better model, the Hobbycraft or the Trumpeter kit? I don’t want all the bells and whistles, just a good basic kit. Both kits are under $20.00 from Sguadron.
Did not know Hobbycraft had a Fresco in that scale…?! Beware that Hobbycraft are releasing Trumpeter kits under their label, so if there is a Hobbycraft Fresco, it might well be a Trumpeter after all!
Could be. The Hobbycraft kit is a MIF-17F, the type used in Vietnam, and the Trumpeter kits are J-5/MIG-17F and J-5A/MIG-17PF. The Hobbycraft could be the rebox of the J-5/MIG-17F, which would also be correct for the Vietnam war.
The two are the same kit. For my comments on the accuracy of the kit and pix of the built model go to:
http://216.110.156.31/mig17am-32.htm
The Trumpeter and HobbyCraft kits are the same kit. The kit artwork and diagrams on the instructions accurately depict a MiG 17F. The HobbyCraft re-boxing and artwork state that it is a MiG 17Fresco “C” . It is not. Many of the shapes and parts needed to build a model MiG 17F are not included in the kit.
E-mail me and I’ll send you a list of the construction issues.
I like the kit even given its shortcomings…
I have the HC kit, and I always thought that it was the Trumpeter. Thanks for the link, amurray! Makes my build alot easier.
demono69
I wan’t to build a straight “F” model so I ordered the Academy kit. I don’t plan on doing any modifications on it, so from what I have read the Academy kit will work. Thanks for all the information, amurray. It will come in handy when I start building it.
I received the Hobbycraft kit yesterday. With optional parts it can be built as a MIG-17F or Chinese J-5. The NVAF flew the J-5 so that is the aircraft I will build. The kit looks good from what I have seen. The instructions aren’t very good and would be a real challenge to any one who is new to building. All I can say is I like the kit.
Hey, Bill, care for a mini group build on that kit? As I said, I have the HobbCraft Mig-17f as well, and would love an excuse to get it off of my shelf. Ant others are welcome to join, as well, of course.
demono69
Got to hold off on the MIG-17. I have to concentrate on the kits I am going to build for the convention first. One of them, I haven’t even taken the parts off of the tree. After I get them completed, I would love to get started on the '17.
When you get started on that Group Build, let me know, 'cause I’ve got a Shenyang F6-III that I bought a couople of years ago I may be wanting to build… I know it’s more of a MiG-19 than a Fresco but maybe we could open it up to 1/48 MiG-15 / -17 / -19…?
Domi. I also have the MIG-19. The 1/32 scale from Trumpeter. Nice kit with lots of detail. The problem is you can’t see it once it is completed. That one is also on my “to build list”.
I have Trumpeter’s 1/32 MiG-15bis. It’s a nice kit, but hasn’t got the resin engines of the MiG-19… The Farmer (the S) is one kit I’d like to get from Trumpeter in 1/32…!
The 1/48 Shenyang F6-III I have is from a company called AA. The engraving is nice but the etail is a bit scarce. I’m pretty sure it’s a development of the MiG-19, but it does look somewhat different…