Tiger331

It's economics, pure and simple. 'We' (yes I'm a Brit) had it pretty good between about 1998-2008, with good prices on most kits from most brand names. I have been fortunate enough to have moved around Europe a fair bit in the last 7 years and I can tell you that we are still pretty well off. I lived in Italy between 2005-2008 and Italeri kits were, on average 1/3rd higher than UK RRP....and they are made in Italy !....How does that work ?. Back in those days, you could buy a 1:48 Hasegawa Hurricane for around 24 Euros, which was broadly similar (at 2007 exchange rates) to the UK Prices. I was back in Italy recently and similar sized kits (you cannot get Hurricanes for love or money !) were nudging 50 Euros....and that now goes for ALL brands in Italy, including Airfix and Revell. Although Italy are not (yet) in the same league as Greece or Portugal, inflation and the Euro is taking its toll right across the economy. I am currently living in Norway.....If you REALLY want to complain about kit prices come over here ! My local hobby shop 'boasts' Hasegawa 1:48 P-51Ds for roughly £45.00, the Airfix Nimrod will set you back £65.00 and the Trumpeter 1:72 Tu-22 Backfire or 1:48 Su-24 Fencer will relieve you of £110.00. A Hasegawa 1:48 F/A-18F Super Hornet retails for 825NOK (roughly £90.00 at the current exchange rate). It's no wonder we take advantage of Norwegian.AS (Norwegian Easyjet equivalent) offer to have an extra suitcase for £6 one-way when we make our annual pilgrimage to the IPMS Nationals in November (we're already booked). Yes, I agree that we have seen steep price increases in the UK but lets keep it in proportion. The Hasegawa 1:48 F/A-18 Hornet was £39.99 when it first came out in the UK (1991) and, taking inflation into account, I would argue that it does'nt cost that much more now. What has happened at home is that many of the pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap merchants (Antics, for example) have had to scale back because the likes of Hasegawa and Italeri are no longer producing kits in bulk....Less kits vs similar production costs increases unit cost. Hats off to Airfix and Revell for maintaining great kits at great prices although it just goes to show how valuable a historic 'name' associated with the hobby is.....Hornby knew this which is why thay have invested so heavily in Airfix. Anyway my tuppence worth, for what it's worth Tiger331

I'm looking to start a 1:48 F-86F Sabre project soon......Looking for the best kit in 1:48 scale. Both the Academy and Hasegawa kits have good reviews although they are quite different...I know, for example, the Academy kit caters for the split fuselage with engine detail. Which kit is considered the best ?. Not too interested in cockpit detail since I will almost certainly use an aftermarket set. I'm more interested in overall accuracy etc. BTW, I'm not doing an RAF/RCAF example - probably opt for a FAP F-86F 1960s era. Cheers Tiger331

Just to add.... Aztec do a nice set of decals for Mexican F-5E/Fs....interestingly, it's the two-seat F-5F that carries the more colourful anniversary markings (AZD48-020). Continuing the Latin American theme, FCM48-033 has some nice markings for standard F-5Fs, which includes light grey examples with full colour national markings and some low-visibility grey/green aircraft - both F-5Fs. Finally, the Isra decals Middle East F-5s sheet (IAF-84) is targeted principally at single-seat examples but the layout and content of the sheet provides multiple serials/letters to be able to complete two-seat examples for most of the air forces represented, using references. HTH Tiger331

Some advice please from helo fans on the UH/MH-60 family of helicopters. Which is the better kit ?....Academy or Italeri or are they the same kit ??.....With so many re-boxings around it's difficult to tell these days. I'm looking to do a standard UH-60 Blackhawk and a SF MH-60K or similar Thanks Tiger331

Got my hands on a copy of the new Italeri re-release of the Esci Dassault Mirage F.1C....one of my all time favourite aircraft. The original kit was one of Esci's better efforts although some work is needed in certain areas including the undercarriage, air brakes and cockpit, all of which are a bit basic. Panel lines are, however, engraved. This is, to my knowledge, the third re-release of the kit by Italeri....The last combined paints, brush etc and, for some reason, was not widely distributed hence the often ridiculous prices reached on EBay. All that is behind us now, with Italeri re-popping the kit and its all GOOD news. Inspite of 'encouraging' the modeller to build an early generation F.1C (or export equivalent) the kit still retains the additional sprue that was included in the F.1CR/CT re-issue. For those not familiar with the original kit, the additional sprue includes the later stores pylons, MERs, bombs, ECM and Chaff pods, ejection seat and recce camera fairing etc associated with the CR/CT variants.....so if you have the right aftermarket decals you could build the two later variants out of this kit too. The piece de l'resistance though is the SUPERB silkscreen quality decal sheet, produced by Cartograf. It is easily up there with the very best of aftermarket sheets and offers no fewer than 7 Armee de l'Air choices, when their F.1Cs all wore attractive tail markings. There are also options for Hellenic, Spanish and Jordanian examples. My copy was in perfect register and includes a very comprehensive set of stencils and safety markings. Have no doubt, this is one of the better re-releases we have seen in recent months with some inspired decal choices, which is more than can be said about the RAF options in the re-released Tornado F.3 from the same stable !. Highly recommended to all

Title says it all really. I've heard both kits have some issues (Revell - represents pre-early production - Hobby boss - some accuracy ?) so which is considered the best ?. Keen to find out so I can begin a project. Thanks Tiger331

I'm after a little help, please since I am not an expert on the F-105 Thunderchief. Right now I have examples of the 1:72 Trumpeter kit and the 1:48 Hobby Boss version. Both look very nice in the box but I am still wary of accuracy issues with kits from these two companies. As an RAF enthusiast, I have been disappointed with certain aspects of the Trumpeter Lightning kits and Hobby Boss's Tornados (to name but two) so I have every reason to be cautious about just how good these F-105 kits are. I can only make the one (the perennial problem of time and space) but would hate to make the wrong decision and opt for the less accurate of the two kits. Anyone got any ideas on which I should opt for ?. Any advice from USAF experts gratefully received. Incidentally, I looking to do one of the ANG/AFRES machines in wrap around camo from the early 80s, so if one of the kits is better suited to the later period that could also be a consideration. I remember walking past them on the flightline at Nellis during Red Flag, towards the end of their service....great looking aircraft. Thanks Tiger331

Yep.....I had a brain f%$t over 3(F) but the others are not what you could call 'proper' flying units in the same sense as 617 Sqn. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking 617 Sqn per se but I do find it strange that they are retained at the expense of other, equal, if not more illustrious, former flying units that have been largely relegated to secondary/non-flying status. There are, of course, others out there such as 19(F) flying Hawks and 72 flying Tucanos......It's just the principle....

Can someone please explain why 617 Sqn have been allowed to survive ?. Yes, I know all about the Dambusters...blah...blah...blah but that was ONE raid. They have been constantly retained at the expense of other, equally famous Squadrons that have A. been around much longer and B. A far more prolonged and successful war campaign - Battle of Britain, Battle of the Ruhr, Atlantic Campaign etc etc When you look at the number of famous Squadrons that have had their standards placed in the rotunda at RAFC Cranwell (as a final resting place for most) it just does not make any sense. 3 (F), 41(F), 54(F), 64(F), 74(F) & 92(F) Sqns (ALL Battle of Britain) are all recent 'Casualties' and yet 617 Sqn STILL exists ! WHY

Yep....The colour used for the two RAFG specials was RAF Roundel Blue.................Not sure who does this colour now but Xtracolor used to have it in their enamel range and White Ensign might do it....Not sure about acrylic paint manufacturers (Lifecolor maybe ?) Tiger331

Adam, Thanks for this...................Sounds like the same problem that I had with the F-104 and A-4. The former was ridiculous......The fuselage sides AND Aires pit sides were sanded until they were both wafer thin and the fuselage is still 'stretched'.....just as well I had planned this project with an open cockpit or there would have been a definate ledge. The Cutting Edge F-104S cockpit, on the other hand, fits one of my other F-104 projects a treat. As I suspected, it looks like I'll have to treat both the donor kit and the detail set with 'respect' and test fit all the way.............deep joy......but then, that's modelling...it needs the odd challenge here and there............ Tiger331

Hi there, I feel sure this may have been asked previously but I have not noted it. I have a Hasegawa FGR.2 with the Aires resin aftermarket cockpit detail set. I'm anticipating trouble fitting it - My previous experiences with Aires cockpit sets "designed for the Hasegawa kit" have not exactly been trouble-free. My F-104 Starfighter and A-4 Skyhawk are proof of that. Can anyone tell me if the same goes for the Phantom combo and, if so, can they provide any useful tips for fitting the Aires set, which looks superb, I have to say. Many thanks Tiger331

TG we have someone else that's done a bit of research...bravo. Before we all start complaining again, I vividly recall paying (in the UK) around £36 for the (then) brand new Hasegawa F/A-18 Hornet in 1:48 scale - That was 20, yes 20 years ago !. You can still pick them up for around the same price now, if you shop wisely. I know some of the re-pops are now going for considerably more but its all relative. We had it good in the UK for a long period (2000-2007) when we were picking up Hasegawa kits for a fraction of the cost in other countries....I know, I was living in Italy and Norway at the time - Italeri kits cost more (and still do) in their country of origin than in the UK. Right now, my local model shop has the Airfix 1:48 Canberras for £75 each, A Hasegawa P-51D will set you back £42 and the Trumpeter 1:32 Lightning will set you back a cool £140, so quit you're complaining. Tiger331

Got my Finnish Air Force version today.....As if to add authenticity to the claim that they had been "found" it had a thick layer of dust on the box lid when it arrived.....Not sure Hannants are that sophisticated as to have a 'dusting machine' in their warehouse. I was a bit curious though....When I ordered the Finnish example, the Luftwaffe version was listed as out of stock. A day later they had 20+ again so I ordered this one too. Should be on its way. Tiger331

After some help please... I think the market has changed since I last dabbled with 1:72 Scale MiG-29 Fulcrums....I seem to recall there were issues with both the Fujimi and Hasegawa kits and that the best of the bunch was the Italeri kit.......Is this still the case ?.......I was wondering if the ICM kit (or others) were better. 1:48 is my 'normal' scale and the ICM Spitfires and ME Bf-109s are nice but not sure if this is followed through with their 1:72 stuff. Any assistance/advice gratefully received. Tiger331

I'm looking to start putting together a project to build one of the Aeronautica Militaire Italiani (AMI) F-16s - I am assuming one of the Kinetic examples (F-16AM ?) will fit the bill but I'm not sure - Maybe the Tamiya Block 25/32 can be downgraded ? Any advice gratefully received. Tiger331

Hi there, I have a problem with ascertaining the colour used for the overall Grey F-5E Tiger IIs used by the Brazilian Air Force. Two highly acclaimed South American decal manufacturers (including one from Brazil !) seem to disagree on the FS number of the grey colour used. One quotes 'Blue Grey' FS36375 whilst the other quotes the colour as FS36463. I would normally be inclined to go with the Brazilian recommendation but the real aircraft appears to be more akin to the alternative shade quoted !. My FS Colors fan shows little difference between the two shades but I would still like to get it right. Of course, its perfectly possible that two different shades of grey were used at different times but I am not a Subject Matter Expert on this particular Air Arm/Type... Can anyone shed any light on it ?. VMT Tiger331

I've just embarked on an Airfix Nimrod project, utilising the A2Zee engine/intake conversion parts. These resin components are quite sizeable and heavy and I am concerned that 'normal' CA glue will not be strong enough to hold them in the longer term. I have seen a recent build article for the Nimrod/resin combo on this forum with what appears to be a glue that sets clear holding the various parts together. What I need is something strong that does not need a considerable amount of sanding afterwards. I have seen some discussion about resin epoxy glues (such as Araldite) but they are a real problem to sand afterwards. Any ideas/suggestions gratefully received. Tiger331

Recently started a 1:48 Buccaneer S.1 using the Heritage intakes......I need some motivation to continue with it so it looks like the GB may be the answer. Hope to finish it in the overall white scheme (what else ?) with 809 NAS markings. Tiger331

Oh....................One other thing.........................This may temper your complaints about pricing in the UK.. Price sampler from my local Hobby Shop here in Norway. Hasegawa 1:48 P-51D Mustang 42.00 Pounds Airfix 1:48 BAC Canberra B(I)8 60.00 Pounds Airfix 1:72 BAE Nimrod 70.00 Pounds Trumpeter 1:32 BAC Lightning 110.00 Pounds Cheers

This is down to pure economics (with a capital E) period. We saw this in 1991 and, to a lesser extent, in 1999....all linked to downturns in the world economic markets. Three years ago you could pick up brand new re-issues of the Hasegawa 1:48 F/A-18C Hornet for 25-26 Quid in the UK. In 1991 (when this kit first hit the streets) it cost 16 Pounds MORE !. Check the prices in your stash (particularly for Hasegawa/Fujimi kits)....you may be surprised. 3-5 Years ago some kits were wildly over-produced by companies such as Hasegawa, which is why the likes of Antics and Wonderland could give us all some great bargains on a fairly wide range of great kits....Remember the Hasegawa 1:48 F-104 for a tenner and 14.99-19.99 for a F-4 Phantom. World's changed, production has been cut and there are simply not the same number of kits around. A cursory glance of the back-catalog for the likes of Hannants or Roll Models paints a vivid picture. These large scale MO Houses are not keeping the stock they used to, simply because A. Its not being produced and B. It costs too much. Hasegawa (and others) have cut back production so economies of scale (pardon the pun) have been reduced and unit costs rise. The Golden Age of cheap kits (particularly from Japanese manufacturers) in the UK is over, for the foreseeable future. A cursory glance st the prices of Trumpeter kits (and others) reveals a similar story...Even those closer to home (Italeri) have risen steeply in the last 2 years....so don't lay the blame entirely at the door of Hasegawa. Bottom line...Two choices...Put up with the prices and be a little less ambitious in building up your stash... or go back to basics....get a supposedly 'inferior' Airfix or Revell offering and put in the extra detail yourself. The latter two companies make some great kits and for the price of a Hasegawa offering, you can buy a kit plus all the resin/photoetched you need to correct/improve it. And...before you ask......I don't work for Hasegawa or any of its distributors.......I simply maintain an interest in the market effect on our hobby...We can't assume that we will be 'protected' from issues that affect every sector of the rather dire world marketplace. Tiger331

Don't forget the FAA version of the Westland Lynx (HAS.3) and that at least two variants of the Wessex were used...The 'junglie' HU.5 and the ASW variant.......There's one of the latter, called 'Humphrey', in the FAA Museum at Yeovilton.....I think it was on HMS Antrim and was used in the action over South Georgia. HTH Tiger 331

Love it or hate it....EBay is Ebay and it's no different to any other form of auction house. People will pay what they think is good value for an item. If it's the only one they have seen in a while and they really want it, they'll pay but its not 'over the odds'.....it's what they think is good value. In general, I think the vast majority (at least 95% of those using EBay) are honest and I agree with the view that the hidden bidders system is designed to fend off 'unauthorised approachs' by watchers hoping to make a quick killing. Ebay can be highly erratic and an item which fetches 60 Quid today may go for 20 the next.....It's simply down to who's on at a particular time. There appears to be a 'panic' on Classic Airframe single-seat 1:48 Scale Meteors (F4 & F8) right now with some recently going for 65-75 Pounds yet I bought two for an average price of 28 Pounds just over a month ago........Similar story with Revell 1:72 Westland Seakings and Airfix TSR.2s.....I sold one of the latter for 16.00.....I didn't mind.....I got back what I paid for it in the first place and you just write it down to experience.....On the flip side, I've managed to pick up Hasegawa 1:48 Hurricane Mk Is for a fiver (try and even find one of these right now !) and Hasegawa 1:48 F-4 Phantoms for a tenner so it works both ways.... Value is very subjective and purely individual....What one thinks is good value another will believe is a rip off.....It's a free world (TG)....Relax Tiger331

So, Hannants delivery times have improved of late.....I DONT THINK SO !........Before the Website update, I used to wait on average for 7-10 Days for my orders.....Thats now gone up to at least 21 days and two of my recent orders have gone missing. I e-mailed Hannants (twice), so far without reply to enquire about the procedures for missing orders. Further, I am now paying almost double in shipping for my orders. I'm still not convinced that Hannants have improved....the Jury's out....Pity, since I have had excellent service from them in over 20 years of patronage but its not good right now. I think they are just too big and no longer offer the 'personal touch'. I will give my full support to Graham at Relish Models on this one. He is between a rock and a hard place with the Hasegawa Sea King price....but he delivers great prices on a host of other goods and GREAT service. I get my stuff in 7 days or less so I'll back him on his 'policy'....I think he is doing the right thing in protecting his interests right across the board....Sure, he could cut the cost of the Sea King, incurring big personal losses, reducing his profit margin and then going out of business...thens who are the losers ??..... Let's get real

Yep, End of an era......I clearly remember the 203 Sqn jets at RAF Luqa with my father in the late 1970s and individual aircraft at VASF RAF Changi some years earlier. Interesting distribution of airframes - I simply cannot understand why the Scottish Museum of Flight didn't get one, given the types' long and historic association with Kinloss and Scotland ?. Anyone know why ?......Is this another 'victim' of the MoF's obsession with the Concorde ?. Tiger331