Hey all. I have been looking for a model of a specific plane for about 10 years. I found a website recently (oldmodelkits.com) and they had 4 kits. I bought 2 of them (for entirely too much but it was the first and only time I’ve ever seen the kit!) Well of course I get on Ebay and do a quick search that I do periodically and they have 18 kits of the plane for $20 a piece! Someone must have found a stash of em in Poland! Anyway, the manufacturer is Valom and the plane is an L-17 Navion. Its my favorite plane of all time. Is Valom any good or whats their story? Any info is good info! I may just have to pick up 1 or 2 of the kits anyway!
IMHO, Valom kits are the kind you turn to in desparation when you are looking for a model and Velom is the only kit available. They are a typical eastern European small run kit. Detail is good- many of the kits include resin detail, but fit is usually less than perfect by a long shot. Because of the fit problem they are for experienced modelers. Also, like many European kits, there are few registration/mounting pins, and they rely on butt joints for attachment of things like tail surfaces and such.
Being a civil aircraft nut also, I have several completed Valom kits in my collection of finished models. They look fine but they were not simple projects.
Don summed it up.
If you havent received the kit so far, don’t be surprised at how small it will be.
That will play in your favor.
i wouldn’t buy more of them, I think you’ll agree when you get your first two.
Have you ever built a High Planes or Fonderie Minatures kit? Similar issues.
The two kits I got are a Pegaso and a Lindberg. I didn’t buy the Valom becuase I had never heard of them. They did show that they came with photo-etched metal parts though. Looked like they were for the cockpit. I’ll wait to see what the Pegaso and Lindberg kits are like and go from there. Thanks Don and GMorrison!