S5 modeller Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) This kit is going to be my first (possibly only) entry for this group build. When I purchased it, I was hoping for the legendary tamiya detail and fit, until I spotted this..... Turns out, it's an italleri rebox. Here's the obligatory sprue shots. Panel lines look quite large, but after checking some reference picks, they seem fairly pronounced on the real craft. Parts are nicely moulded, with little to no flash. The canopy is surprisingly clear, and nicely framed. Decal sheet is a bit basic, with most of them for the missiles. There's not even an instrument panel decal. Edited February 12, 2016 by S5 modeller 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Nice one Matt, it looks like a decent enough kit and a great choice of subject. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Brown Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I've made this kit. It was, erm, "Challenging"! Good luck Matt, and hope you finish yours. Mines on the shelf of doom..... Rick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 Thanks guys. Nigel, I'm actually pleasantly surprised at how good it looks on the sprues, certainly better than the only other italleri kit I've had, the 72nd scale XB-70 valkyrie. Rick, I'm hoping it turns out ok. I have seen one built on here before, and about the only problem they encountered were ill fitting panels on the tail boom. Can't wait to get cracking. Matt 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Work has started, cockpit is being assembled as we speak. Done a quick dry fit of the cockpit in the fuselage. Encountered some problems already. The fuselage halves are a bit warped, and to say the fit of the location pins in their corresponding sockets is a bit "vague", is pushing the definition of vague. Can see the application of clamps and tape in the near future! ⁿ Will post some pictures later on. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Just been looking around t'internet, and it seems there were a few variations during it's testing stage. This pic is the closest to the kit boxing. Please note, the exaggerated panel lines on the kit seem to correspond with the real airframe. This version has no forward mounted cannon or sensors, and a different rotor head. Again, this version has a different rotor head fitted, and also the tail unit is totally different. Makes you wonder which is the right version, and what italleri based the kit on. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Nice choice but to me it looks like the Italeri kit in a Tamiya box and this wouldn't be a first for Tamiya. The Zanchetti decals could be a giveaway... As Rick says, challenging but don't let us put you off. Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Aye Colin, you're right. I have a couple more of the tamiya warbird series, and as far as I can gather, they are all italleri reboxings. I used the google translation app on my phone, and the word italleri is even present amongst all the Japanese text. It's written in Japanese, but the translate app pulled it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Its certainly a cool looking machine. I see that it has had five different boxings. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 It's certainly been around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Aaaannd we're off!! Started, as most people do, with the cockpit. Quick overview of the major components. Main tub, painted grey as per the instructions, with some matt black details. Rear instrument panel plus cowling. Front instrument panel. Whilst that lot was drying, I attached a couple of panels to the tail boom. The typical italleri fit I've experienced in the past reared it's ugly head. Neither panel fitted great, and this is the best I could get them. All that faff, just to produce this little slot in the upper boom. Haven't got a clue what it's for though. Well that's as far as I've got, so far. More to follow. Matt 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Lovely work on the cockpit, great detail painting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Thanks very much Nigel. The painting isn't brilliant, but it's the best I can manage. Much prefer working in 48th scale. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Well, I've been progressing this build. Don't know what type of plastic they've used for this kit. It is horrible to sand, it goes all stringy and bitty. Reminds me of some of the plastic airfix have used in the past. It cuts and carves like soap. When trying to trim the sprue gates, it tends to snap rather than cut, resulting in damage to the parts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude_gan_ainm Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 What a great looking design - my favourite in the GB so far it looks like it's throwing shapes.Pity about the old plastic not co-operating,this is meant to be enjoyable.Nice one S5. Jimbob. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Jimbob, I am enjoying it, just a bit frustrated with the plastic. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llking Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 that's a good start 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 (edited) Thanks chaps. Got some more done tonight. Managed to get the seats fitted to the cockpit, and glued into the starboard fuselage. Glued the cockpit into the port fuselage. I've only glued around the cockpit at the moment, as it will allow me to manipulate the seam along the fuselage to get the best fit. Will have to push it to align, and stitch it shut with glue, inch by inch. Matt Edited February 17, 2016 by S5 modeller 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_7713 Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 I always like the looks of the Comanche, shame the programme got cancelled. Some nice progress so far, good luck getting the rest of that fuselage to behave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 Thanks mate. My research shows it could have been a good machine, and a worthwhile replacement for the apache. The fuselage isn't too bad, mainly needs clamping together, to close the gaps. The worrying part is that there ia a misalignment of the detail on the two halves. The nose section has lined up nicely, but from the rear of the cockpit back, there is a slight step on all the vertical detail. Hard to explain, will put a picture up later. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llking Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 looking good 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 Thanks mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 18, 2016 Author Share Posted February 18, 2016 (edited) Morning viewers. I've got the fuselage closed up. Despite my best efforts, I still ended up with a step all round the join. It's almost like one fuselage half was bigger than the other, as the port side sits proud of the starboard side all the way round. Forgot to add this part in the tail, for the rotor,when I glued the cockpit in. Luckily I only glued round the pit, so I could spread the tail section and fit it. Got to deal with the seam now. Edited February 18, 2016 by S5 modeller 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted February 18, 2016 Author Share Posted February 18, 2016 First round of filler, currently curing. My current filler of choice if Squadron green stuff. Used to use humbrol filler, but found it hard to sand. I find green stuff easier to sand, but has a more gritty texture than humbrol. I can see lots of green dust in my future. Matt 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Nice work on that one and is going to look great. I think the gaps in the upper fuselage/tail boom were to vent engine hot air exhaust out? Dermot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now