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Habu12

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    Yellow Pony! 1/48 Eduard P-51D Mustang “Marie”

    in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft

    Posted

     Eduard P-15D-5 Mustang
    Box
    Packaging/Decals/Pubs: 10
    Eduard’s newer, more dynamic boxart rivals that of the top companies. The instruction sheet contains more color, though needs a little more proofreading. But each version getting its own color page for markings, and the chart designating which areas are bare metal and which are in an aluminum lacquer coating. The decals are Cartograph, and are exquisite as usual.
    Sprues: 9
    While nice and crisp, some do have a little bit of flash, and some short shot issues. The gates and land of the parts are second to none however.
    Shape: 10
    The stressed skin effect was very well represented, and very convincing. Bravo! The other shapes looked spot on, no issues.
    Subject/Cool Factor: 10
    This is a P-51 Mustang. It created the Cool Factor. While the Spitfire may have been coveted beforehand, the desire, sexiness, the lust for a fighter didn’t arrive until the Mustang went into combat. It continues to this day.
    Engineering: 9
    Eduard took a while to release this kit, and didn’t seem to hurry up and get it out when Airfix got theirs out. And we really are spoilt for choice because of it. This is billed as a Block 5 P-51, but without the non-filleted tail. Which is accurate, as most Block 5s were field modified to add the fillet. But the one-piece fillet makes it obvious they will release a non-fillet tail in the future. Also, the inclusion of all three prop blades adds more possibilities. A P-51K can be built from this kit, as is also includes a Dallas canopy. There is also a camera port part, that goes unused, but it’s only one. I imagine there will be an F-5 photo recon release, or one that incudes it, in the future. One thing that still puzzles me is the way the prop gets added to the cowl. The peg for it isn’t long enough to insert in the poly cap just inside the nose.
    BOX SCORE: 48
    BUILD
    Fit: 9
    I take point away here for one reason: the fit is too good. There is absolutely no wiggle room in the parts. And I think that contributed to the fact that I misaligned the cockpit pieces, and it made the wing fit a little more difficult.
    Detail: 10
    Detail is fantastic. Without a doubt, the most detailed 1/48 P-51 to date, just topping the Airfix kit. Although the Airfix kit has some questionable areas of rivet lines. This isof course the Profipack kit with the color PE. For those that have wanted a Mustang with a smooth wing, this is it.
    Effort: 9
    Just a tick off for the fit that’s just too tight. Other than that, It was an absolute delight to build.
    Value: 9
    Just because this kit costs about $20 more than the Airfix kit, I take a point off for value. Fun Factor: 10
    This was an absolute delight. Enjoyed every minute of it.
    BUILD SCORE: 47
    Add it all up and the D score is...96 out of 100
    This is a Grade A kit. Most detail, but you do pay a premium.

     

    • Like 1
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    A Super Sunliner. 1/32 Revell F-18E Super Hornet

    in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft

    Posted

    17 hours ago, FIGHTS ON said:

    Very impressive build and your post#7 is very helpful. I have done the Trumpeter "E" and despite some of that kit's flaws, was a good fit and looks like a Rhino. At the price these Revell "E"'s are at , I am sorely tempted, but some of the reviews seem to suggest a real shocker or a kit that leaves modellers fighting the build throughout. 

     

    I onlyget to build 1 or 2 kits a year and want that experience to be enjoyable, your finished build looks outstanding, but I'm still undecided on taking the plunge..... 

    If you’re going to only build one or two kits, I suggest this year you go for the Tamiya Spitfire or F-14D. That’s about as enjoyable as you’re gonna get. 👍🏼

    Perhaps I’ll add the upcoming Tamiya P-38, which should also be a winner. 

    • Like 1

    Cat out of hell! 1/24 Airfix F6F-5 Hellcat Mk.II FAA

    in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft

    Posted

    Airfix 1/24 F6F-5 Hellcat

    Box

    Packaging/Decals/Pubs: 10

    My thoughts on the boxart has been recorded, and nothing changes here. For this kit, the instruction sheet isimpeccable, and in multicolor and 3D CAD exploded views. The wiring guide for the engine is also fantastic. The decals are Catrograph and no issues were encountered whatsoever. Top marks. 

    Sprues: 9

    The gates are much improved over the Spitfire, andcutting parts off didn’t include chunks of plastic this time. There was still a little flash here and there however. But the genius stroke, was keeping all the subassemblies on one spure. All the engine parts on one, all the cockpit parts on one, etc..

    Shape: 10

    The stressed skin effect was very well represented, and very convincing. Bravo! The other shapes looked spot on, no issues.

    Subject/Cool Factor: 10

    This was initially a head scratcher. But the risk Airfix took in going for say, a tier II subject has paid off. This was a hole in the line of WWII fighters that was finally filled. And while the Hellcat doesn’t have the sexy lines of a Spitfire or Mustang, it definitely looks great in this scale. It makes up for the fact that is isn’t a Mustang or Spitfire in the risk that was taken. Top marks here too.

    Engineering: 10

    Airfix has taken that leap forward that I hoped they would with this kit. The build sequence is logical, the spuresfollow the subassemblies, the instruction sheet is easy to follow and well illustrated and colored, and I encountered no issues in the build.

    BOX SCORE: 49

    BUILD

    Fit: 9

    I take point away here for one reason: the fit is too good. There is absolutely no wiggle room in the parts. And I think that contributed to the fact that I misaligned the bottom of the fuselage. However I do blame myself mostly. However, the engine an ancillary components did have some parts that were just too tight, and fitting was difficult. There was literally no room for it to wiggle on. Also, the engine covers do have a looser fit if you don’t get it 110% right. And that extra 10% is almost impossible to get without eating up time. 

    Detail: 9

    Detail is fantastic, for the scale, and I’m thinking Airfixhave hit maximum density on their box plastic detail. Sure, some crisper look can be had with aftermarket parts, but out of the box, the detail is still fantastic. How much you want to add to that is just a matter of your time and money. 

    Effort: 9

    Just a tick off for the fit that’s just too tight. Other than that, It was an absolute delight to build. 

    Value: 10

    Put bluntly, you can’t get better value than this. A mighty kit for $160. The HK Lancaster and HB Liberator are $300+ and have known issues. This kit doesn’t have any of those, and at half the price. 

    Fun Factor: 10

    This was an absolute delight. Enjoyed every minute of it.

    BUILD SCORE: 48

    Add it all up and the D score is…97 out of 100

    This is a Grade A kit. The highest score I’ve given so far, and even if this isn’t your scale or your subject, GO BUY THIS KIT! Keep it in your stash if you must. 

     

    • Like 4
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    Cat out of hell! 1/24 Airfix F6F-5 Hellcat Mk.II FAA

    in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Alan P said:

    Blimey that was fast work!

     

    I'm waiting for the decals to come out, but can't stop looking in the box. Superb kit and your build really does it justice.

     

    Was it easy to build with the 'one wing folded, one extended' option?

     

    Alan

    Absolutely no issues making half folded. Just study the build sequence. Airfix kept the sequences separate, so you can tell

    which is which. 

    • Thanks 1

    Cat out of hell! 1/24 Airfix F6F-5 Hellcat Mk.II FAA

    in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Grey Beema said:

    Super job you've made of that, well done.  I like they way you can display it cowling on but can also open the cowling when you want to.  

     

    Again, well done..

    Well, I held them on with Blu-tac for the pics. Otherwise, there’s no provision for keeping th panels on. That would have been nice, to have rare earth magnets holding them in like Tamiya does 🤷🏼‍♂️

    Speed Silver Spit! 1/48 Airfix Spitfire Mk.XIV

    in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft

    Posted

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     Airfix 1/48 Spitfire Mk.XIV
    Box
    Packaging/Decals/Pubs: 10
    When Airfix went to the red box, it was a revelation. One that signaled that they could indeed make attractive boxes that made you want to buy the kit. Adam Tooby’s fantastic modern artwork sealed the deal. Almost literally. The instruction sheet has set a new standard for 3D exploded views, and their color coding is a smart stroke. Also, the full color paint and decal guides have finally come to the state of the art. Airfix has also switched to the glossy type Cartograph decals which are colorful, on register, and lay down beautifully.
    Sprues: 8
    This incites a lot of controversy. This kit is molded in the soft, light Indian plastic. And it’s love or hate. I personally love it. Because it’s soft, it’s easy to cut and sand. On the downside, it’s soft, so it’s easy to cut and sand. So, you can easily cut off too much, or inaccurately if you’re not careful. And because it’s easy to sand, you can lose detail very quickly. Filling and sanding is my least favorite task, so I don’t mind the softness. The softness can also soften some of the detail. But mold seams are starting to show up more prominently lately. Also, the part gates have almost no land to them. The gate goes right up to the part, so when you nip it off, you end up cutting into the part itself. Right off the runner. This has been a long-standing issue. It’s time for Airfix to step up in this area.
    Shape: 10
    Shape looks good. It captures the lines of the classic fighter well. I’m sure the Spitfire illuminati will nitpick, but I see no major or medium issues.
    Subject/Cool Factor: 9
    As a whole, you can’t get cooler than a Spitfire. It’s a mainstay and a supremely cool airplane, to this day. However, this mark isn’t exactly one of the most coveted. It’s not a Mk.V, or a Mk.XI. The Mk.XIV, while important, is not one of the most popular in the line of Spitfires. In fact, a story is told of the commander in the far east rejecting the mark because it didn’t look like a Spitfire should look. So, for coolness, it loses that one point. Engineering: 8
    The shape is spot on, the modern methods Airfix uses to gather its data is working quite well. However, it’s getting let down by the sprues, as mentioned earlier. While Airfix’s new kits have been wonderful for the last 13 years, it’s high time to take that next step. Yes, their financial woes have hurt them in recent years. But now with more stable footing, fixing those niggling issues with the sprues, and really honing in the detail should be imminently possible
    BOX SCORE: 45
    BUILD
    Fit: 9
    Some engineering decisions are puzzling. Such as why they chose to make the front fuel tank a separate piece, which did create some issues. Why they didn’t make the wingtips a separate piece, instead of having you cut it off, to add the clear clipped wingtips. That didn’t create any issues, but a strange decision nonetheless. Clipping the top of the vertical stab to fit the larger rudder though, that makes perfect sense. Also, no issues were created there. The sequence for adding the wing panels also left a gap to deal with. I suggest going the traditional way and adding the bottom wing piece to the top two panels and then adding it to the fuselage.
    Detail: 9
    Detail is fantastic, however, as mentioned before, the detail can now be homed in just a bit more. Perhaps it’s a limitation of the Indian plastic. But if that’s the case, then some new solution may be needed. Just keep the plastic softish!
    Effort: 9
    I built this kit in one night. It went together beautifully. But the small issues mentioned before do take appoint away.
    Value: 8
    Airfix kits have come up in price in the last few years. They’re no longer quite the value they used to be. Economics dictate this, and I get it. You used to be able to get 90% of the detail of a Tamiya kit for 2/3 of the price. Now that’s upped to about 3/4.
    Fun Factor: 9

    Fast and easy, fun build of a subject we’ve had no new tool of for a while.
    BUILD SCORE: 44
    Add it all up and the D score is...89 out of 100
    Just missing out on the Grade A kit. It’s fun, it’s modern Airfix, it’s fairly cheap. It just needs that little bit to put it over the top. Perhaps we see that jump in the 1/24 Hellcat kit.

     

     

    • Like 36
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