Ngr172 Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 I have been wanting one of these kits for a long time and just got a deal I couldn't resist on ebay ($45 shipped for all three). What did I get myself into as far as building these kits. I would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huvut76g7gbbui7 Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 You got a great bargain there ! I built the NF Mk.21 version when it first came out. It is a well engineered limited run type kit and needs some 'modelling' (as opposed to just fitting) The metal parts are very very nice. Mike Eacock,who sadly died a few years back,was ahead of his time with the Skybirds range. That old model got broken in a house move and the metal parts are being re-cycled into a Special Hobby one 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 I've an NF.21 & F.3 versions, still awaiting attention alas. As Scimitar has said & from comments I've seen on modelling forums, they go together alright & look the part but the rear fuselage is supposedly about 1/8" too short, something to do with the plans of the day, having said that, the ones I've seen built looked fine to my eye & OOB is as I'll be building mine pretty much. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 I've only built the Martin-Baker MB.5, but it was a very straightforward build and a nice model.I always wanted the Hornet, you've got a bargain there @Ngr172 John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngr172 Posted September 24, 2017 Author Share Posted September 24, 2017 Thanks very much for the input. They are hard to come by in North Carolina so I really got lucky. I have the Special Hobby F-1 and F-3 but I was pretty disappointed with the canopies and have not built them. The canopies in the Skybirds kits appear to have yellowed pretty badly. Is there a source for replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 21 hours ago, Ngr172 said: just got a deal I couldn't resist on ebay ($45 shipped for all three). You absolute , that's fantastic! I've recently started looking for an F.20 but all eBay has is NF.21s. I can't offer any advice but I am excited to see your progress on each build. Perhaps Falcon or another firm makes vac replacement canopies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngr172 Posted September 24, 2017 Author Share Posted September 24, 2017 I am really looking forward to getting started on one, I think it will be a good test of my ability. I will probably have to crash mold a canopy for the first time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 (edited) Skybirds 86 are good models, but are more based on model engineering principals than traditional styrene kits - if I recall the instructions point that out. I have a Prentice tucked away somewhere. Thomo. Edited September 26, 2017 by The Tomohawk Kid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr T Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 I built the Sea Hornet F20 about 25 years ago. As others have commented, they are engineered a bit differently to most kits and the plastic is quite hard, but it looked good when finished. I recently built the Prentice and you really do need to follow the instructions as printed. I still have a Scimitar unbuilt somewhere and the remains of the MB5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanm Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 My NF21 is here....... A very nice kit but the windscreen shape, presumably taken from the inaccurate drawings that keep getting recycled (last time on the poster in the July Aeroplane) is wrong with an upswept base. The line drawing on the box of the single seaters shows it correctly! If you can live with that, or correct it, the results are fine. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don McIntyre Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 6 hours ago, bryanm said: My NF21 is here....... A very nice kit but the windscreen shape, presumably taken from the inaccurate drawings that keep getting recycled (last time on the poster in the July Aeroplane) is wrong with an upswept base. The line drawing on the box of the single seaters shows it correctly! If you can live with that, or correct it, the results are fine. Wasn't that the main complaint about Trumpeter's 1/48 Hornet series? That they used the same drawings, thus getting the same errors at the windscreen base? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
styreno Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 I've built the Scimitar and the Hornet NF . More challenging than conventional injection styrene kits, but highly detailed models that makes effective use of P/E and cast metal parts. As noted, the canopies are the weakest part of the kit. Mine have yellowed, and there are no aftermarket replacements. I would suggest finding alternative decals. As far as accuracy, at the time of issue, they were representative of accepted standards, but some quibbles have since been voiced (see previous comments). I believe the canopy of the Hornets to be the most disputed area. Certainly worth building, but some modelling skill required. 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