I got some new things from Eduard again today, this time three new kits for review and I have a few observations that might not necessarily fit in the reviews. First, on the Morane-Saulnier Type N kit I got on Monday, I examined the decal sheet and saw that it contained – I’m not kidding – decals of tiny, irregular silver chips to be, as noted on the sheet, “For Weathering.” Now, those of us who still aren’t comfortable with the idea of having their parts pre-painted are surely going to find this an abomination. I mean, we have old-time modelers out there where still consider any plane or tank that’s not carved from blocks of wood to be nothing but toys. And still others who consider PE and resin AM parts to be cheating and showing a lack of craft and talent. I disagree. Having reached the state of the art of pre-painted PE parts, well…I love them, but am not entirely comfortable with them as a craftsman. However, we can take solice in the fact that these little cockpit parts were not painted on the real B-17 assembly line, they were prepainted by the contractor from whom they were bought. So if you don’t like pre-painting, but can’t resist the lure of those beautiful parts (and the new ones I just got are breathtaking. I wish I could show you the one for the Academy Mig-21. Unbelievable. And it’s only a ZOOM set), think of how the real world of building airplanes works.
And secondly, I received another copy of the Mirage C in the mail today, and I want to point something out to those who are thinking of buying this great kit. I have both the regular kit and the Profipak. I made a thorough comparison of both kits, and found the only difference is that one PE fret is included in the Profipak that’s not in the regular kit. The shaped nose weight, the pre-cut masks, a small PE fret, and the same decals are all included in the “plain” Mirage C kit. As for the missing color PE fret in the plain kit, they sent me that one to review because it is being sold separately, but is identical to the one in the Profipak kit.
And last, I got quite a shock when today Eduard sent over their “Limited Edition” re-release of their fine Bf-108 Taifun kit. This one, to my surprise, shows a Taifun on the box top flying in Japanese markings. I’ve never seen or heard of such an animal. The theme is Taifuns in foreign service, and most of the options are for Rumania, Bulgaria and other eastern European countries that sided with the Nazis. There is also an option for a Condor Legion bird. It includes PE parts, masks and beautiful detail.
I also got a Hanriot in Italian Service, a WW I biplane fighter that is quite colorful, and is included in the Limited Edition series. Haven’t had a chance to look at it.
I know this sounds like some jerk gloating about what he has, but I’ve done without for so long, and anyway, it really is disconcerting to have this embarrassment of riches (which I am required to do the review work on if I want to keep this job) and not be able to build what I want when I want as I have all my life. Case in point are the Mirage kits. I have to look at them all day long while working on a model I would never have built ordinarily. Still, I’m not complaining. That would be grounds for a beating from other modelers, and I would deserve it.
Tom
Sharkskin,
Sounds like a great review has started, but… DECALS of paint chipping??? Now I think that maybe we have gone a bit too far and gotten a bit lazy. Besides, I still have to try the “salt chipping” technique.
Otherwise, it sounds like you got a great week going on your surprise kits. Keep the rest of us not so fortunate modellers appraised of these new kits. (A tough job but someone has to do it. Glad it is someone like you.)
Thanks,
Missile
Missile: I shouldn’t broadcast this out in the open, but there are many fine things here that, after they have served their professional purpose, will be of no use to me. But in order for me to complete other work required of me (I have to choose my words very carefully because of who owns our web site here), I will need simple things like decals of one aircraft or another, maybe a bottle or partial bottle of Alclad White Aluminum, just odds and sods I can’t afford to mail order, and these things will be worth more to me than a 1/32 PE fret that I will never use. My email is, of course, posted on my profile. Those interested in what I need, and what I’m willing to give up in order to get, can use that email. Oops, I’ve broken the rules again, I think.
Tom
Sounds like you have an in with Eduard. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Regards, Rick
As for the Japanese Bf 108, you can see a photograph in Monogram Close up ( page 31 ) and a picture in Replic n° 153; although Replic is a French magazine, it can be found at Squadron shop.