F1Boomer

The personal attacks on someones model is really uncalled for, and is the reason I no longer post on this or any other model forum. Speedy, awesome build, great weathering.

It is interesting to check a kit on Scalemates, especially a kit that's been around awhile. Their Timeline feature shows the release history of the kit. It's amazing how many times kits have been re-released, with nothing more than a Boxart change. Not every modeler belongs to sites like BM, a lot don't even check the Internet for reviews, they go into a hobby store for a weekend kit for themselves or go in with their son or daughter and let them pick the kit. This is where and why Companies like Airfix and Revell spend a large amounts of money on advertising (Boxart). Often it is the only thing a prospective buyer ever sees before making a decision to by a kit. Not every modeler is obsessed with this hobby. They don't know or care about aftermarket decals, resin or PE. They don't know that the Tamiya Corsair and Mustangs are as close to perfection as models can get. If a model kit on the LHS shelf has a dynamic picture of a P-51 and costs significantly less than a Tamiya or Zoukei-Mura, they will buy it. They don't know that a evil build is in store for them with no detail and major accuracy issues. And they don't care. Sure, we do, but most of us have been inflicted with some form of AMS to one degree or another. I grew up building models in the sixties. I got Pneumonia when I was 12 and I remember my Dad going to a local model store and calling me and telling me of all the kits avaiable. I remember most of the aircraft I had never heard of, so I asked my Dad, what does the box look like? When he brought me my Sikorsky helicopter, I still remember staring at the dynamic artwork on the front before I even opened it. That's why to this day, yes, I can still be swayed by Boxart, there are just a lot more ways to research a kit to see if the model is as good as the artwork before I buy.

The Boxart is only one thing in my buying decision process. First, I have to like the aircraft, 2nd is the scale and third is the manufacturer. Once the kit passes those tests, I then begin to research the aircraft and the kits. I visit forums, sites with inbox as well as construction reviews to check accuracy and buildability. Sometimes seeing a certain boxart will send me into those tests and research, other times I want the model and to heck with the boxart. However, I paint racing helmets, race karts and other items for customers, so I have a interest in art inbred in me. That's were the interest in boxart comes in. It can make me decide on a certain kit if it is a tossup between two types or manufacturers. But I cant say I've ever been swayed to knowingly build a piece of junk kit. Although it has occasionally turned me onto a kit that I hadn't considered before, like the F-84G.

Not sure where this should go, but decided I'd stop in here first. I had been looking at Trumpeters Mig-3 for a few months. I knew a little about the aircraft, but I just didn't like the Boxart, made the whole aircraft look out of sorts to me. So I put it off and didn't buy it. Then a couple of months ago I saw the Trumpy MiG-3 built up on a website (may have been here, I don't recall). I loved the look and immediately bought the kit, built it, and really liked it. I had also seen pictures of the F-84G in real life, and was not sold, so again I didn't chase down a kit, even to look at kits available or reviews. Then last week I see the box for the 1/32 HOBBY BOSS F-84G THUNDERJET #83208. The aircraft is depicted in NMF and is presented on a mirrored surface. Stunning, to me any way, course I love NMF aircraft and blonde woman. If there'd been a blonde next to the aircraft in the Boxart, I'd have bought two. But I did stick with one, and it arrived today, Awesome, simply put. The reviews were good so I am anxious to build the kit. So here's my question, how many of you guys and gals are swayed by a models Boxart, to the good or the bad? When I went on a well known auction site, there was the F-84G and the F-84E. There's very little visual difference to the two aircraft, but I was disappointed when the F-84G was priced more and not as readily Available as the F-84E, so I paid 10 extra US dollars to get it. Yes, I know it's darn near the same kit, but I wanted the one in the picture on the box. So I was just curious, am I the only Boxart nut, or are there more of us out there. Also, what's your all time favorite box art, and would you pay extra money for the same aircraft if there's two different boxings and one has better Boxart?

Between Easter and 14 folks in the house and being in some severe pain kept progress to a minimum. Have started wheel well cabling and takes a lot of concentration which I don't have right now. Thank you all for watching my progress, I appreciate it.

Everytime I pick up this model to build on it, I think, Whoa, this is huge. So how big is it? Here is a progress pic and a comparison between my Trumpy 1/32 MiG-29K and this in progress 1/32 Su-27. And real world:

Great looking aircraft. Really like the camo, very convincing look.

Here are some pics of progress. It seems to get bigger with each added piece.

Dang, I get confused just building 1 at a time. Cool aircraft too, look forward to this and the new decals.

I'm not sure if the poor wing fit requiring a fair portion of putty was my fault from the upside down wing fiasco, or an issue with the kit. I haven't seen any complaints on forums or review, so I assume it's my issue. The nose cone fit required a bit of putty. The two intakes fit surprisingly well and took only a touch of putty. Trumpeter panel lines are very fine and somewhat inconsistent on my kit, and since I can be a bit ham fisted with paint and using 5 coats of paint when 2 will do, I deepened the most prominent lines. I used 4 different scribes and found that the Tamiya 74091 Plastic Scriber II worked best when paired with the Bare Metal Panel Scriber #BMF-003. I used the Bare metal scribe first, then the Tamiya. My Trumpy kit has some consistency issues with the plastic. Mostly soft, it would suddenly change to hard, often causing the scribe to "jump" and gouge the plastic, requiring a putty touch up. I found this to be true on the Mig-29K as well. I stop short of blaming Trumpeter for this, as it could very well be something I am doing wrong. And again, if I could be satisfied after a coat or two of paint, the original lines probably would be fine. I have built four 1/32 Trumpy kits now and find them enjoyable. I'm not a big stickler when it comes to accuracy, the folks that see my built models at my house don't know a MiG from a PiG. I build for fun, often using paint schemes that please my eyes (admittedly old eyes), if not necessarily fitting the exact model of the aircraft. I'll post some pics later today.

Didn't realize how rusty I am at model building after a 25 year layoff. Too early in day to blame it on drinking. Could have been the texting to my buddy about Alonso's shunt in the Aussie GP that pulled my attention. Whatever it was, I tried to install the Trumpeter SU-27 wings upside down. Looked like a monkey humping a football. Anyway, caught it before the glue set up. What a dork. So I didn't have time to take pictures of what upside down SU-27 wings look like, I was like a one legged cat covering crap on a frozen pond trying to get those huge fuselage halves apart. Left myself some extra clean up work, but got the wings on right now. Bet I pay more attention from now on.

That is one awesome looking Spit. Great job on the highlighting of the panel colors, gives a nice contrast. Excellent work.

Not a lot of progress, but we actually have sun in Gig Harbor, Washington, so thought I'd get some outdoor shots with good lighting. Pics show cut down of wheel wells so fuselage halves fit and pilot test fit in Cockpit.

The pilot didn't really fit the cockpit that well. His feet don't touch the pedals and the stick would have to replace his Johnson to fit. So decided to have him holding a flask of Stolichnaya instead. Not really. Guess he's just waving to the mechanics.

Thanks all for the kind words. I have a 1/32 Trumpy MiG-29 finished, I will compare the SU-27 with the MiG-29 when I'm farther along. I can already tell that it dwarfs the 29.