Silverkite

This is ot~ish due Gene reaction, but since I'm some cryptic dude sometimes I find it hard to explain myself Sorry Gene, as I said many times I'm tired of companies luring and then forgetting. I know that they do not print money nor are swimming on it, as I know that as a scale model builders WE can somehow fix the gaps by stealing hits & bits from other kits and none other than our own wife ( and I still don't have one) and maybe our wallets will be ever capable to properly judge us for our trickery. I realized that buying 8 Tamiya kits, planning to downgrade them to A was not worth the hassle, still downgrading them to early C or N variants is kinda doable by sacrificing Revell kits and for Revell kits I'm sacrificing a couple of Hasegawa ADF kits because otherwise I will have to use Italeri spare parts but I don't want my shelf to be filled with F-16s But for the F-4 it's a different story, there is the eternal wind-shield problem, the fact that early B had different panel lines on both nose and vertical stab, the phact of door 19, something related to wings and it's differences between naval and land version, there is way too many stuff to be aware off that ticks me off and I don't want it to be another Czech built Mig-21 vs Russian built dilemma especially if none ever dared to approach both E and a Mitsubishi built EJ to check how much stuff was changed Fine Molds will probably release an RF-4E variant as they probably make some B/N or J, otherwise Hasegawa will keep reboxing their F-4 kits with VF-84 decals and goodies, but outside that since there is not so much for them especially in the C/D and G territory I doubt they will ever release said variants. It's the same for the F-14B, they made a D as limited edition kit, then they release two A variants, where in the F is the B when all the parts needed are already there? Luigi

that's why I didn't order ANY, it they are planning to copy Tamiya with their bait & switch habits, I would rather stick with Hasegawa and Fujimi UK Phantoms and close both eyes for the windshield thingy than buying at least 16 F-4EJ FM kits and unleash the kit-bash chore with Hasegawa parts, no thanks, really no, I committed the error of buying 8 Tamiya F-16s and I still need to go after to at least 5 Revell F-16 and 2 Kinetic kits to steal parts and crap for the intake and polish block 52 antenna parts. Luigi

wake me up when a G2 rains

Is at least Trumpeter 1/72 9-12 spine, fine? Luigi

Aim-9B then switched to Aim-9L or M after the upgrades which on wingtip launchers it required a rail upon o rail Luigi

Even though I follow Touge, drift and JDM related channels on Youtube the available 1/24 kits for nearly everything are a big miss and a big mess. For the BNR32 of any kind but possibly #1 type Fujimi offering is the same kit, with the same chassis over and over again. Race kits do contain a newer interior and a common rollbar system, rim types to vary and sometimes the picture outside the box shows Volk Racing rims but instead you will find common R32 type rims. There are two type of common kits, one with the basic bumper, one with another bumper and some extra parts, any kit labelled with a GT-Wing or Carbon Whatever mostly contains what Fujimi already offer or offered you in the past so they are worth spending some extra bucks only if you are a collector or after certain decal options Tuned kits for what I have seen the Veilside either contains white metal or resin parts, lots of flash, lots of meh, the BNR32 with widened body just contains parts taken from Fujimi box that contains different wide body parts for three or more other cars, still you are in the need of wide Watanabe rims and some extra spacers, do not waste money hunting them down as the conversion kit when it's on stock it will cost you around 13€+ shipping Type #1 kit probably contains R31 body but I'm not sure, I didn't save pictures from every auction I saw Lower body from whatever kit comes from a Fujimi FD3S Aoshima kits have engine parts, sadly they made lots of tuned cars and I'm having problems tracking everything down as Hobby Search doesn't have pictures for the whole pack, Initial-D kit seems to be nice enough, I'm not very fond of the R32 so outside the two Wangan Midnight cars, Initial D, Wide Koenigs-like thing and a car from the real Mid Night Racing Club I'm not planning to waste too much money on them I still have to buy Tamiya R32 but since there is only one model and my kit research is halted I'll probably skip it If you need help decrypting Fujimi BCNR33 kits contents say so and I will make a nice blog post on the car forum, as for BNR34, sorry but I don't like them at all Luigi

it's possible to just purchase the decals?

Zvezda offering is generic base fuselage for all the variants they have in the calogue minus the early A/D variants with the tail rotor on starboard side. The only different parts are just the forward fuselage section and weaponry, everything else is common, now if you need to build certain variants you are looking into modify main rotor, change some panels here and there especially if you have the D parts from Eduard box, revise chaff/flare supports, reinforcement plates and interior stuff. Luigi

most of Italeri kits are just decal material. Their EF-2000 is from the 90's, they upgraded/changed the missiles and left everything untouched Luigi

I will check shapes of the two kits I own, thanks Luigi

If your kit is from Hasegawa and it's a 1/72 F-14D then everything you need to build an F-14B it's here inside the box. Fujimi probably has everything, I don't remember about them having NACES ejection seats but since B had GRU-7 those are there anyway, what can't be found in Fujimi B/D kits are GE shields and probably some other bits As for decals if you meant the stencil data, yes you can do that, if you are in the need I have DXM VF-101 1/72 decal instructions who show the placement of stencils data for either version, what you cannot do albeit some heavy whiffery and a couple of exceptions is using F-14B squadron markings on F-14D or vice-versa because: VF-2 switched from F-14A to D mid 90's never flew other variants other than F-14A with NACA gun-vents but not Bomcat mods after Desert Storm prior the change VF-11 for a short time ditto but then it switched to F-14B, can you swap D to B markings? Only for line birds, cause as soon they change the carrier group or sail for a different Ocean you'll be in the need of different CAG markings, after Desert Storm they still flew with A models without NACA gun-vents, pretty sure someone will show me otherwise but I alted my research to The Red Rippers Tomcat who flew at some Air Show and then moved to researched B and D models VF-31 same as VF-2, I'm still looking for pictures of their aicrafts after Desert Storm, it seems like they got shy during that period of time or none cared about them VF-101 is an exception as with some Bu-No and modex swaps you can make either version by using same squadron markings, but you can't if the tail art is different, keep in mind VF-101 is similar to the BF-109/Mig-21/Mirage III/FW-190 hell so be VERILY aware VF-124 I think it flew only with Ds and for a very short time, D markings were also similar to mid 80's F-14A markings, problem is nobody seems to care or have cared about VF-124 in the last three decades VF-213 switched from F-14A to D late 90's love it or hate it, your choice VX-9/VX-30 I guess you can as during later years they flew with both versions but be aware that some were A/B/D hybrids One more thing, depending on which D you are going to build, some had a rover antenna installed on Phoenix pallet, I could be wrong but cockpit coating and hud were different, cockpit most people just checks for the squared off TPID(?) panel in the RIO compartment, as for wheels I don't know, if D used different MLG rims then you need specific aftermarket rims for the D, if not then Hasegawa offers basic early and common type of rims but completely ignores the possible differences between early and common NLG rims. ECM again Hasegawa instructions are well clear, Fujimi possibly ignored that Luigi

I don't think Hasegawa ever changed or revised EA-6B boxes as I tried to do a stare contest between the contents of mine 1986~ish box, and a 1983 kit pics from the internet even though the instructions I have are for K12 or K014 kit but since the box is missing and I can't find its decals I'm not sure if it was indeed that kit or not... Anway fuselage parts and antenna layout are the same, they both have the two different IFR probes, ALQ-100 on wing pylons and so on, I also have a 00893 box, contents are the same, the only things Hasegawa changed was the presence of tinted canopy parts in early boxes which was then changed to clear parts on latter releases. Also on certain boxes Hasegawa put an extra pamphlet with instructions for the re-movement of certain antennas and instructions to scratch newer ones with plasticard, nevertheless said pamphlet it's not present on any given box with VERY VISIBLE later ICAP mods and markings and I fail to understand why. Luigi

it was said on past threads and maybe on some other forums that: Academy oddly enough managed to catch all the little details and shapes of it Fujimi is a close second but something in the rear area was off Revell is a distant third Italeri was once reboxed by Revell and Tamiya and it's a no go Hobbyboss is a simplified clone of Italeri kit and it's also a no go Luigi

cockpit seems to be inspired from Ace Combat 3 coffin system, if they really want to probe modeller wallets they should drop their Macross line for two years and start to release 1/72 Ace Combat 3 kits as those models were way more better than bulky Macross crap Luigi

also depending on what you are after check the propeller as I remember reading something saying that two different types of propeller were in use and a third type appeared during late stages of after the war Luigi

I guess their answer will be something like "not Jolly Rogers, sorry" Luigi

Squadron Signal 1065? Aeroguide 13 shows different wings with straps on both sides Also Enciclopedia dell'Aviazione I think had some belly and top pictures of them Luigi

https://www.flickriver.com/photos/39411748@N06/tags/rafphantom/ https://i.imgur.com/EqlLUjB.jpg https://www.seekanddestroy.info/uploads/7/3/2/0/73207069/f-4-phantom-400_orig.jpg I don't know if they are visible as I'm scavenging for 70s pictures https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phantom_FGR2_after_landing_accident_at_Naval_Station_Argentia_in_1969.jpg Also I don't want to open a can of worms but plates are showed on his FG drawings, if anything just pretend he is not bashing any kind of kit http://soyuyo.main.jp/f4/f4e-1.html Luigi

Page 15-16 are now up on Trumpy/Boss Facebook page, the Intruders are still there, call the cops. HL3 confirmed Luigi

I will try to NOT TL;DR Italeri many Tornado variants and if in the meanwhile I find the piece of paper on which I written who reboxed what and not I will also add this, otherwise nickels Scalemates timeline is partially correct but messy due Revell reboxes Italeri #124 box 1st edition prototype aircraft as box art 2x Kormoran missiles; 2x Sea Eagle missiles ; 2x Aim-7 missiles; 4x 250lbs (?) bombs 2x 70mm or whatever rocket pods and 2x pilot figures Options for two aircraft: RAF XX-948 and Luftwaffe D-9592 Italeri #124 box 2nd edition camouflaged aircraft as box art Outside the box art and decal sheet paper no other changes were made You can recognize these earlier kits as the lower fuselage comes with a raised step for belly pylons (no raise in the middle section though) Revell reboxed either box with code H-2023 with no changes in the decal sheet Testors reboxed either box with code 872 but decals had the following options: Marineflieger 98+03 RAF XX-948 Italeri #151 box art with a Marineflieger aircraft Changes were mostly made only in the sprue marked as a square 2x Kormoran missiles; 2; drop tanks; 2x Aim-9 missiles and related pylons; added probe for inflight refueling and LMRTS sensor, plus something funky standing as what I guess should be 2x Cerberus pod were also in for the fun, both crew figures were still there Sprue marked as a triangle still had the same stuff from previous #124 but the raised step for belly pylons was removed Markings for AMI 6-07; Luftwaffe 44+10; Marineflieger 43+32 and RAF ZA-590 Reboxed by Revell as #4333 decals had the following options: AMI 6-05 Luftwaffe 43+93 Marineflieger 43+46 RAF ZA-592 Italeri #164 box art with a Luftwaffe aircraft Italeri revised different things here: Intakes received narrowed lights instead of that huge tear shaped thing Main instrument panels received raised detail Pilots went AWOL Vertical stab had some of its antennas removed Wing pylons lost their locating dents for drop tanks Upper fuselage received the dent for the intakes and also tail base between engine nozzles was lengthened Rear section of the lower fuselage was partially revised as they added a couple of lumps and what I guess are a couple of drains 250lbs bombs replaced with slimmer ones, added MW-1 munition dispenser, BOZ-107 and Sky Shadow pods were added Drop tanks with engraved panels Due changes sprue layout was revised but its detail didn't change from past releases Markings for AMI 36-34; Luftwaffe 44+76 and RAF ZD717 Reboxed by Bilek as #929 new markings for a RAF Desert Storm Tornado ZA447 Mig Eater and a RSAF 501 Tornado again from Desert Storm Reboxed by Flugzeug as #1006 retained the same Italeri decal sheet plus an extra set of decals for a Special Color aircraft and possibly with PE and white metal parts Reboxed by Italeri as #1384 new markings for 3 RAF Tornado during the Desert Storm which are ZA447 Mig Eater; ZD746 Alarm Belle; ZD850 Cherry Lips and ZD890 Hello Kuwait G'bye Iraq Reboxed by Revell as #4355 BUT sprue A was MODIFIED and contained an IFR and a recce pod as per Italeri box #171 in place of Sky Shadow and LMRTS pieces, yet it still had MW-1 dispenser and slicker gpb. New markings for AMI 36-34; Luftwaffe 44+17 (even if the box shows 44+54); RAF ZA412 Reboxed probably by Take Off magazine minus the MW-1 dispenser, I can't find the pictures I saved but I guess it had markings for an AMI Tornado during Desert Storm Italeri #171 box art with a Marineflieger Tornado Another sprue revision (Sprue B is the same as #164 box) Kormoran missiles are back Added 2 Harm missiles and relative adapters Recce and IFR pod added Markings for AMI 6-51 (tail art is kinda wrong); Marineflieger 45+45 and RAF ZA412 Reboxed by Revell as #4361 markings for Luftwaffe 45+37 and Marineflieger 43+82 Italeri #071 box art with an AMI Tornado Last revision with added parts for ECR/SEAD varaints with Alarm and Harm missiles, IRLS and FLIR sensors added, LRMTS Sky Shadow and BOZ are back onna menu Markings for AMI 50-55, Luftwaffe 44+44 and RAF Desert Storm ZD851 Amanda Jane Reboxed many times by Italeri as #1291 - #1336 - #1403 and #6804 This should be everything (I'm updating and correcting it from time to time) Luigi

hope they will have more stencils than Revell kits Luigi

Between Esci and Italeri Tomcat the winner is Fujimi Between Esci and Italeri Eagle the winner should be Hasegawa Esci F-15 wheel wells are blank, you stuck the legs here and done, Italeri are not that blank Esci F-15 intakes are nicer than Italeri ones, still everyone but Academy and Platz in 1/72 scale picked the blank or the short trunking route Esci F-15 cockpit is a tad less deep than Italeri and I would say it's a tie Esci F-15 airbrake detail it's null, plates are Y shaped which puts it into C territory rather than A/B variant, still the plates are represented as panel lines so one can easily correct them for A/B variants, Italeri did the same yet the airbrake well and the airbrake itself have extra details Nozzles...Esci F-15 wins just because you can throw away the featherless nozzles and use the others Panel lines on Esci F-15 are more simplified than Italeri (with some exceptions and also completely ignoring the real aircraft) Wheels I think both have early-ish style Weapons...go aftermarket Drop tank steal Hasegawa F-15 style droptank from a Phantom and slap it on either of them Other problems are: Esci F-15B comes with underwing pylons and a drop tank no options for Aim-9 rails or Aim-7 brackets or whatever are called Esci F-15 Asat just Asat pylon in the need of some corrections and the missile itself which again is in the need of some love Esci F-15 whatever full AA loadout but no droptank Esci F-15E just the B with extras Italeri F-15s in the past were all with raised panel lines, now I don't know about the F-15E but panel lines of the C variant are engraved Both models do look like an F-15 when finished yet Esci F-15 seems more nicer than Italeri kit Luigi

If anything Hasegawa marks it as H86 (Rosso Brillante) on their SP-53 boxing Luigi

I did a research around a year ago, but I stopped to the stencil data and a couple of other things as I wanted to find pictures of the entire batch that was sold to the UK just to be sure Internal things I guess it is sorted out by Verlinden's Lock On book, if anything port side periscope pictures can be found onnaweb Bridle hooks were not present so you have to shave them off and leave a faired off(?) void All ECM antennas on the belly are not present 'cept the two in the NGL door area Spine antenna in the middle of the fuselage is present on some and seems to be absent in a couple of others Wing reinforcement stripes were kinda on Buttoned or riveted eyes on drag chute door At the base of the vertical stab Phantoms have some sort of intake, some aircraft such as ZE 353 58 and 54 have a kind of of dent and it looks clear, others like ZE360 and 351 doesn't look so clear edit also don't forget the wisker-ish antenna on the port side air scoop beneath the nose https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/F-4S_Phantom_II_of_VMFA-321_taxiing_in_1987.JPEG I'm not an expert, just someone whom wastes time staring pictures Luigi

the F-16 will be the same 1/72 MLU rebox or it will come with some extras? Luigi