Hi gents,
Here's my 1/48 MiG-25PD based on the (awful) Kitty Hawk kit. Lots has been said about this kit and the company, but I'll try to summarize politely.
-Rough surface finish and shallow panel lines - I ended up re-scribing the entire kit.
-Poor fit in a number of places, lack of positive attachment points, and awkward part breakdown (especially the wings).
-Questionable research - painting instructions are fantasy, incorrect and missing details for P,PD,PDS variants, well-documented shape issues.
-Low quality plastic on some sprues led to paint adhesion issues - I suspect lots of re-grind was used in some batches.
Here's a list of work performed:
-Aires ejection seat
-Misc. Eduard photoetch parts
-Scratchbuilt + modified kit exhausts to backdate to P/PD/PDS engines - used Gary Wickham's detailed build as inspiration
-Scratchbuilt pitot tubes from hypodermic needles
-Scratchbuilt intake ramps (top) and outer intake walls to correct kit black hole
-Eduard FOD covers
-Scratchbuilt APU exhaust stack underside port engine
-Scratchbuilt misc. antennae and details all over airframe
-Added brake lines and misc. detail to landing gear legs
-Lots of re-work of kit parts based on photos and helpful forum research
-Kit national markings and (excellent) Begemot stencils
-Akan and Alclad II for most exterior paint
-Wings are more filler than plastic (superglue + dental acrylic is awesome!)
Anyway, on to the pictures. Thanks for looking!