Habu12

Well, here's the thing. For several years, Airfix was releasing home run kits. They were getting better and better. Then all the problems started with the parent company, and it filtered down to all their brands. And this kit was one of the results. It was a few steps back from what they've done before. This kit, the Victor kit, and the 1/48 Stuka were not even up to par to Airfix's own quality. They've since picked it back up. But after building one of these, I sold off the others I had bought. No desire to build them.

SO friggin dirty! Love it!

So dirty and lovely!

Hmmm...if that can be converted to AutoCAD I can give it a shot.

Well look at that! I finally get to see my bird innscale! I’m an GE instructor. I’ve been wanting to do one for a long time, but I’m going to convert a pred kit. Just a few things here though. The engine intake you have is on bothe sides of the scoop. It should only be on the port side. The radiator/intercooler scoop is actually much bigger than you have it, and it’s split into two pathways. The center antenna for the upper omni goes almost straight up, it’s not swept. And I don’t know what antenna that’s supposed to be on the upper front, either. It’s not present on the actual bird. There is a much smaller and less raked antenna that should be there. Your MA antenna that hangs down in he forward part of the fuselage is from a predator. Ours is much larger and shaped completely differently, as we use a different datalink. The CSP under the fuselage is also much larger. And lastly, we don’t use dual rails for the AGM-114s. Gray Eagles can carry four, but only on single rails inboard and outboard.

Great stuff! Best I've seen made of a a mediocre kit. Dirty, too!👍

Dirty and lovely!

Nice! But waaaaaay too clean! These snakes get dirty!

Thanks! I went to that page and selected the bird in it its later iteration when it had changed props, and the Angie name had been removed. It wasn't flown by the original pilot then, but it still had the girl painted on it, and the OD wing and tail was apparently on it almost since it was new.

Tonal depth is tip top! 👍🏼 And it’s dirty!

I built it a year and a half ago 😉

I also built this bird. I want to send you to a page that I found when doing research for this aircraft. I’m glad I did find it before my build. http://www.512thfightersquadron.com/l3-o.htm

😳😳😳

Well I had a limited time, since I was leaving overseas the next day. So I had to crunch build. The cockpit has no detail painting whatsoever. Not that you see much of it anyway.

The Academy is a little more modular, so it goes together faster and easier. This one is a little tricky in the intake area. I did end up haveing a big seam along the outside of the intake trunk, but I left it be. Not a problem on the Academy. But both kits are excellent.

OOB, Xtradecals. Built within 24 hours.

Most Phantom kits come with the full complement of stencils. And they can be daunting. In reality though, those stencils were added by the factory when new. After repaints, units woild would repaint whatever they saw fit. Also, I just wasn’t gonna waste time with all of those stencils, especially in 1/72. Thanks! All of the pics are taken with the same iPhone I’m typing this reply with 😎

OOB, xtradecals. This kit is nice, but it’s really geared towards a launching jet. There were a few gaps that were kinda wide. Overall though, very good fit, and appears very accurate.

Needs more dirt! Otherwise superb.

Answers to your queries is yes I do paint. I removed the window stay and the screen and I use spray cans outside the window. I had to do something, I’m in Utah! Couldn’t be denied!

OOB, built on my hotel workbench. Since I’ve been traveling for work, I made up a small workbench in my hotel room! I’ve built several cars, but this is my first aircraft.

The dirt is strong with this one.

Echo all the comments, except the nose is a bit stark white. I know it’s difficult to replicate half opaque fiberglass on a piece of opaque plastic though.

Well that’s good news. I still imagine they’re looking for a buyer.

I knew it was news when Hobbico acquired Revell AG. They were doing fine before that. And by fine, I mean I know they had issues, and were looking for an answer. But Hobbico wasn’t it. They would’ve made it through.