Tiger331

So, how much do these normally go far ?. I'm not asking how much you paid for yours because that is very much your business but what is thevgoing rate. Reaon I ask is that I recall seeing a stack of these, gathering dust, in a shop in Italy not that long ago. I distinctly remember seeing them because, although not a fan myself, my brother is a F1 nut and a modeller and I was thinking about him...ended up buying some other 'rare' Tamiya kits which, again, were stacked up to the ceiling. Mark

I'm sure this has been asked before but before I dispose of the last of my Hasegawa F-14 Tomcats, I thought it would be best to check the relative merits (or otherwise) of this kit against others. I have read a lot about fit issues with the Hasegawa kit but that in general terms it is an accurate rendition. Of course, we now have the more recent Hobby Boss kit, which I understand, is easier to build but has some accuracy issues !. So, the question is, which one should I go for.?...ditch the old Hasegawa kit (for which I have loads of aftermarket) and go for the more recent Hobby Boss issues or press on with the Hasegawa kit ?. Thanks Mark

Never mind this.....though I may be tempted......where's the Nighfighter version of the ME 410 ?? Mark

Pete, A great job done with a wonderful colour scheme....This one is on my own 'to do' list having seen the aircraft at IAT '91. I particularly like the 'final finish' with the semi-matt (or gloss) sheen. This is precisely how I remember the jet (and borne out by my many photos)...all too often I have seen this scheme portrayed in a matt finish and it just does not look right. You have depicted it extremely well. How did you get on with the Aires cockpit set ?....any fit issues with this ?. I've had real problems with examples on both the Hasegawa A-4 and F-104 and, of course, there are well publicised comments about fit issues with others. Not seen much on the F/A-18 Hornet though. Your thoughts would be welcomed. Well Done ! Mark

Yep......It's going to be a long wait for this new Viggen....hopefully worth it. Another on my list of major 'wants' having spent some time on exercise with the Swedish AF in the mid-1990s and seeing these big jets thundering down the local highways (we were on a so-called deployed warbase) no more than 30 feet from where I was standing.....v. impressive (and noisy !). The Viggen was also one of the major highlights of our local airshow here in Stavanger last year although its 'partner' from the Swedish Historic Flight, the Hawker Hunter, produced one of the best aerial demonstrations I have ever seen by this other classic jet fighter..... bring it on........! Mark

At least one Royal Norwegian Air Force C-130J has flown low-level over the island today......We were out on the boat yesterday afternoon and the locally based 330 Sqn Sea King Mk 43s were very active too....must be an exercise on, I think....too much military activity for a Norwegian weekend otherwise !. MPA

Troy, Thanks for the info.....I agree that its probably best to outline what I have in mind so that a better recommendation can be made. Right now, I plan to complete a Post-War RNZAF example, a Portuguese AF T-6 and possibly a French Armee de l'Air example.....so all, actually Post War.......from what I have read so far each seems to have its own merits so I may just go ahead and take the plunge and buy a RM example to try out. Thanks again Mark

Hi there, I'm really after advice about the Revell/Monogram T-6 Texan kit of late 1970s vintage. I have several of the later Occidental kits in my stash but I'm now led to believe that the RM kit is pretty good too. I have, therefore, thought about buying one of the older RM kits just to try something different but I am not about to go wasting money if, in reality, its not so good. I get the distinct impression that some folk look at Revell (ex-Monogram) kits through rose tinted glasses at times with their views not quite matching reality so I want to be sure this is not the case with the good ol' Texan. I do realise that the RM kit, by virtue of its vintage, features raised panel lines instead of the engraved as found on the Occidental/Italeri kits, but this is NOT a problem and certainly would not put me off buying the kit if all else is OK. Thanks for your help Mark

Totally agree or even downsize their 1:24 DH Mosquito to 1:32.......great economy of scale (pardon the pun) since all the R&D has been done

On the basis of what appears to be current Airfix policy (new tooling of popular subjects that have been previously tooled by them and British subjects that are crying out for a decent kit, here's my tuppence worth (in no particular order). 1:72 Avro Vulcan Avro Shackleton Bristol Beaufighter DH Comet Handley Page Victor HS Buccaneer S2B Vickers VC.10 Westland Whirlwind 1:48 Bristol Blenheim Fairey Gannet Gloster Meteor F.4 or F.8 Hawker Tempest II/V HS Buccaneer S2B SA.330 Puma SA.341/2 Gazelle Mark

Yes they did and according to a well respected source in Malta there is speculation that at least one eventually found its way to Malta and operated from the Island in an overall Matt Black colour scheme (with no markings) on clandestine ops along the North African and Italian coasts. It was subsequently lost in heavy seas off the Island.

Guy, Thanks for the warning but I have already been 'stung' before.....the free shipping sounds all very attractive until, as you say, the goods arrive....brown paper and string don't match up to the 'rigour' of International Post and I've had several kits arrive in less than perfect condition from South Korea. I may give this a miss...... Mark

Shedding a bit more light........According to my (very reliable) sources, David produced approximately 100 conversion sets immediately prior to closing down Meteor Productions. Approximately 10 were retained by the Company with another 10 going to key individuals who had helped with the original project. I too have heard some individuals express misgivings about the conversion but I believe this to be a heavy portion of 'sour grapes'..I have seen the conversion set in the flesh and can attest to the fact that it is comprehensive and largely accurate, although I have no doubt some would beg to differ....it certainly looked like the mighty British Phantom to me (and I've worked around a few)....Worth paying £1000 for ???.....thats a very subjective question...depends on what the buyer wants to do with it ?. Maybe they are aware of the fact that there are roughly 100 sets worldwide, not taking into account build examples....maybe they want to clone it ?..who knows. The debate about a future mainstream kit manufacturer producing a kit is moot. I tend to agree with the argument that has been put forward asserting the (relative) dearth of high quality F-4 kits in general in 1:32 scale and that this fact leads to the conclusion that a 1:32 scale British Phantom is some way off. That said, Revell have a 'nasty' surprise of springing unlikely subjects on us from time to time and they do like former-RAFG subjects so who knows ?. I think it unlikely but you never know. Mark

Gary, Thanks for the various bits of info.....Very useful and help to confirm something I had suspected but was not sure about. I knew that some Revell (and other manufacturers) kits are moulded in South Korea but I wan not sure if these were similar quality kits just re-marketed by Ace (a company I was not familiar with) or cheap, disguised, re-pops much like those that emerged in Korea in the late 80s/Early 90s that were rip offs of Fujimi and Hobbycraft kits. Now I know the background and with your and Nico's advice, it looks like I can bite the bullet and take the plunge with one of these kits in the certain knowledge that Revell (Germany) will also announce its forthcoming release a couple of weeks after I have bought it !. Thanks Mark Thanks, Nico....very helpful

Agree.......If ever a box art was going to sell a model it would be this......just uploaded it as my wallpaper too !

Agreed....and yes, thats my worry too with the Ace kit.....I had the Hobbyboss Rafale C which was based on the prototype and given Ace's use of a black jet on the box top I'm concerned that the kit is either one of the Revell original releases with swopped parts or a Hobbyboss clone. If its a variant of the new Revell boxings of the Rafale B and M (with the newer parts) then that is a different matter and I may be tempted....I already have the decals...

Gary Are you able to confirm with a degree of certainty that this is a variant of the current Revell moulds. I have seen the kit previously advertised and always wondered if it was a 'rip off' of either the Revell or Hobby Boss kits given the commonality of items in their respective catalogues (with the exception of a Revell Rafale C). It would also be helpful to know if the Ace kit is a variant of the later, improved, Revell kits of the B and M....IIRC these included the revised flare/chaff fairings and one or two other minor details. Any additional advice you can provide would be gratefully received. BTW, like your photos in the 'stash' thread.....makes me feel a whole lot better about my own stash which is about 50% smaller (but still worries me !) Mark

Hi there, Does anyone know if I can cross-kit the Revell 1:48 Rafale B and M kits (the latest versions of the kits in both cases) to produce a Rafale C ?....Do I need any other aftermarket sets ?...Wolfpack etc ? Thanks in advance Mark

I had one last visit to my 'local' MZ Branch (which I always made a point of visiting when I was home visiting my parents ) before returning to Norway - I understand (from discussions with the shop staff) that the former CEO resigned (Last year IIRC) over differences with the Board on the direction in which the shops/chain should go. He was, evidently, more for sticking with the model side of the business since he saw this as 'core' and in fitting with their original ethos (taking up from the old Beatties chain and other well established model shops). When the decision was taken to branch out (pardon the pun) and, at the same time, launch an ambitious expansion plan, he walked. Yes, its a great pity that MZ is going although the staff in the branch I visited (one of the most profitable in the chain) were upbeat and confident that when I return in another 6 months or so, I will still be able to find a model shop in the town (almost certainly under a different name). Notwithstanding what has been said on this thread their prices are WAY better than I 'enjoy' in my local LMS's, so I will miss the opportunity to support them in the future . For all the moaning and whining that goes regarding prices through the medium of this website and others, we Brits still have quite possibly the most vibrant and competitive hobby 'network' in the world. I have been fortunate enough to have travelled far and wide in my lifetime and always hunt down the local hobby shops.....very few match what we (still) have......support them or lose them Mark

75% reductions, eh ?......Stand by for Evilbay to be flooded with more Academy, Airfix and Revell kits to add to those 'bargains' that are now appearing courtesy of visits to various branches of The Works and Home Bargains ! Mark

Steve, As I said in the build thread, a truly great job which has produced a masterpiece, given the original 'canvas' and its diminutive size. The fact that you have completed this after so many years away from the hobby only underlines your inherent skills...gives me optimism for my own erratic attempts, given the vagaries of Service life and regular moves. It also brings back memories of a short trip from Nottingham to Skegness in 1980, taken in a civilian registered Chippie (still in RAF colours) with my room mate at IOT, who had a PPL. Well Done, Mate ! Mark

I must say it is quite amusing to see whats turning up on Evilbay and the like these days. In recent days there's been a massive increase in Revell C-17s, F-4F Phantoms in German special markings, A320s, Canberra PR9s and a rather fetching motorised glider....I wonder why ?....could it be because Home Bargains are knocking these out at rock bottom prices.....same goes for Academy F/A-18 Hornets (Blue Angels issue) and their 1:48 F-86F Sabre 'The Huff'....recent sale items in MZ.....as has been said, everyones at it......you cannot have your cake and eat it....support the LMS or lose them......your choice......I use the internet a lot (mainly because I cannot source everything locally) but I still enjoy the buzz of going into my LMS and checking the plastic first.....OK, so I pay a bit more but I accept that penalty in order to retain a local shop.....

Couldn't have put it better myself. This and the previous comments from Chuckb1 pretty much sum up the situation for both MZ and others. I agree that MZ appear to have lost their way in deciding whether to be a 'proper' model shop or a toy retailer and there can be little doubt that their Management have made some questionable decisions in the current economic climate (rapid expansion etc) but we, the consumers, must take our fair share of the blame. I currently live in Norway and whilst they have very few hobby shops (overall population just over 4.5m) spread over a very large area, all are thriving...why ?. Because buying on the internet from overseas and importing is likely to cost more unless you are extremely lucky. Hobbyists are, by and large, forced to use their LMS and do....the result is there for all to see. In the UK, the internet has killed off so many hobby shops over the last few years and, some will say, with good reason....you can get better offers on the internet, even when you factor in the 'exorbitant' postage costs (try living in Norway with that one -13 pounds to send a Hasegawa P-51 Mustang sized box). Its the age old saying....you cannot have your cake and eat it..either support your LMS or lose it and shop on the internet...you cannot have it both ways....Mark Y live

I have several Eduard MIG 21 projects so this provides just the motivation I need to get another one started early next year. So, count me in !. Tiger331

Interesting that I should come across this on BM this morning. I spent a very enjoyable afternoon yesterday at the East Fortune Museum of Flight just south of Edinburgh. The Bollingbroke that resides in the restoration hangar is coming along very nicely and I would estimate its about 80% complete and resplendent in its primer ready for the paintshop. The museum is well worth a visit to get up close to some interesting types and well suited to taking reference photos for modelling projects. I took a stack of the Jaguar GR1A for my forthcoming Kittyhawk build......and, of course, it has Concorde as well !. Tiger331