OK…so I’ve had this kit in my stash for about a year and I am thinking about dusting it off. From what I can gather, the kit is a knock off of the Tamiya kit…everything looks incredibly similiar to that kit…right down to the stand and name plate.
Does anyone know anything about this kit?
Are there any glaring errors I should be concerned with? I already intend on replacing the airwing…the planes are pretty poorly molded, but everything else looks pretty sharp.
nobody?
I’ve never seen any evidence that Trumpeter ever did a 1:350 CVN-65. I checked the web and the Trumpter website again and nothing comes up.
Maybe was a re-box of the Tamiya kit for an offshore market?
Bit of a mystery.
Mark
Minihobby Models (MHM) pirated the Tamiya Enterprise in 1:350 scale.
MHM was part of the greater Wasan Moulding Co of China who is also the parent of Trumpeter. MHM acquired the reputation for ripping off other manufacturer’s products. Their quality was generally less than the original. Engraved detail lines were deeper, raised lines were higher, surface detail generally not as crisp. At several sites I’ve seen MHM is now out of business [but they could raise their head again at any time].
I attempted several MHM kits which were relegated to the circular file due to the effort required to bring them to the standard of the parent kit from which they were pirated.
Remember to consider the cost of your time whenever you go for an off brand manufacturer. The money you save up front is spent fixing the basic deficiencies of the kit.
Caveat Emptor