It seems like Trumpeter is putting out a lot of cool kits lately.
How are they quality-wise?
I have Trumpeters M1A2 and its a nicely detailed kit, but I’ve had endless sanding and puttying. [V] It does come with vinyl and indy tracks so you can choose your favorite. A nice thing is the $19.98 price. I have heard from more informed sources that there are some inaccuracies on it. Not sure what you have your eye on, but good luck.
It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee
I just love them, so far! Have bought several of their kits, aircraft and AFVs, various scales, and I’m not complaining and in fact, I’m planning yet more purchases. At those prices, I’m quite happy!
Quality is very good. I’ve completed two of their kits so far and I’m working on a third one. Fit is excellent so far, details are really good, engraving very nice, decals very thin, instructions very thorough. There’s the odd placed sink hole on occasions but that’s not that difficult to get rid of.
I’d say go for it. A word of mention though: I’ve been told that their very first large scale AFVs (1/35) were molded in a plastic that does not respond well to normal liquid poly type of glues… Can anyone confirm that?
Just got their F105G and have ordered the 'Bear". I’m suitably impressed with overall quality. Some room for improvement, but that seems to be the case with the majority of releases.
A friend of mine just finished the 1/24 scale Spitfire. A really lovely kit and a joy to build. I’ve started saving my pennies…!
DJ,
Yes, that is correct. Their first releases could only be built by using super glue. I believe their first kit that is molded in normal plastic is the T-55 with mine plow, in Finnish markings. I have built several of their new kits and am totally satisfied with the quality. I’m trying to come up with space for the Leopold, Faun transporter, SA-2 with truck and their new ballistic missile launcher. If only Trumpeter could be convinced to come out with a new T-62
They were probably ABS plastic. I agree, use super glue.
Crazy glue is the same.
James [:)]
I’m building the Trumpeter Hornet right now, and from everything that I’ve seen and read,
Trumpeter could end up giving Tamiya a serious run for their money.
Excellent. They have a lot of kits I’m interested in right now. I’ve been in a real modeling funk this summer so I could use something to give me a little kick start.
I just got Trumpeter’s Leopold in 1/35th and I think they may have out done Tamiya on
this one. There isn’t a lot of molded on detail. They’ve used seperate parts. That’s where
the high parts count (1140) comes from. I haven’t finished inspecting all 26 sprues yet
but I have come across some small, easily fixed sink holes in the suspension springs.
I’m not a rivet counter by any stretch but I’ve compared the kit to many photos of the real
thing and, Trumpeter has captured it completely. The kit’s price was a little shocking but,
I was lucky and my girlfriend bought it for me.
Ray
I’ve been nothing but satisfied with the products, as a whole. Yes, they have room for improvement, but I really like how they are putting out kits of fairly obscure subjects. In a couplke of years, I think that they may become a serious contender among high-end producers.
demono69
I just got the F-105D (1/32 scale) I haven’t started this kit yet, but from the second I opened the box, I was very impressed. In fact, I don’t recall ever seeing a kit even remotely equal to this one.
I had heard about some problems with the clear parts, so I guess I lucked out: they’re flawless. Awesome attention to detail.
Hint: shop around for this kit. Prices range from $120 to $90, but watch out for “shipping costs”. Squadron seems the best deal, at least that I found .
Tony Ryan