Tiger331 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 It is a good kit. It is more modern than the very old Monogram kits that people do get excessively nostalgic about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 (edited) I haven't built (or even bought) the other choice, but I HAVE built the Monogram T-6. It is covered with little bumps, which I thought of as accurately (so to speak) imitating the raised rivets that are on the real thing. The wheel well is a little challenging, if you are concerned with the seams, but I think the cockpit detail is very good. I have seen some comment that overall it better replicates the T-6 than the other does, but it sounds they're pretty similar in overall quality. I don't think they give you exactly the same sort, which might be a good thing- possible differences: rear glass (and a frame line on the sliders?), exhaust, spinner (none in most boxings of Monogram kit, though Revell 'Air Racers' did give one, I believe). I think I've also seen comments that people like the shape of the cowling better on the Monogram, but it sounds like a pretty subtle difference. Don't pay too much for it, because they're pretty easy to come by, but by all means get one and have fun! bob p.s. Probably true of both, but if you want to actually nest the sliding canopies, you'll need to do vac replacements. Edited August 24, 2013 by gingerbob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Bob: the Occidental kit comes in a number of versions, but the Monogram is a wartime T-6D despite whatever else it may say on the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Here is one I did about 10 years ago. It is a fun little kit. Just played with it a bit. And, I agree about not spending too much. I think my total outlay on this was $5.00 second hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Mark as other posters have said, both kits are good. But make up different variants. Graham's point about the Mon/Rev kit only making up a T6-D is important, as there are many detail variations between different version on the AT-6 see http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/69085-na-harvard-ii/?hl=harvard http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/70255-harvard-trainer-kit/ here's a hyperscale bun fight on the subject! http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1306723255/1306879044/1-48+Harvard-Texan+-+Monogram+or+Occidental- here's an inbox review, http://modelingmadness.com/scott/allies/us/t6preview.htm useful sprue shots etc. the interior is pretty good, note all the cockpit framework. Perhaps you should ask which kit is a better starting point for what you want to end up with given the info in the links above. HTH T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger331 Posted August 25, 2013 Author Share Posted August 25, 2013 Mark as other posters have said, both kits are good. But make up different variants. Graham's point about the Mon/Rev kit only making up a T6-D is important, as there are many detail variations between different version on the AT-6 see http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/69085-na-harvard-ii/?hl=harvard http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/70255-harvard-trainer-kit/ here's a hyperscale bun fight on the subject! http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1306723255/1306879044/1-48+Harvard-Texan+-+Monogram+or+Occidental- here's an inbox review, http://modelingmadness.com/scott/allies/us/t6preview.htm useful sprue shots etc. the interior is pretty good, note all the cockpit framework. Perhaps you should ask which kit is a better starting point for what you want to end up with given the info in the links above. HTH T 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 I think you'll find that the NZ and Portugese aircraft are basically wartime T-6Ds (AT-6Ds strictly, I suppose!). The French examples were a mix of T-6Ds and the postwar T-6G, with most of the well-publicised examples being the latter. I can't imagine you being disappointed with the Monogram kit, given what you've already said. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpiomikey Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 The kiwis had a mix bag of texans. (Strictly Harvards) At one point one was taken apart for overhaul and they found bracing in the rear for the SNJ tail hook. The Revell kit i found to be a shake and bake. Fell together almost as easily as a tamiya kit. One thing for it i would suggest a vacform canopy if possible. The kit canopy is a bit thick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sosezi Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 Got one Revell 1998 Rebox just today Lovely baby [IMHO Occidental's Texan was based on Monogram one] probably will do French one in Algeria (and what a box art!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilneBay Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 I've built both the Monogram and the Occidental kits. IMHO the Monogram captures the aircraft better because of the rivets. The real thing was not a smooth skinned flush fitted panelled affair. It had overlapping panels joints and lots of rivets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudolf_Filip Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 I really like the old Monogram kit. The shape is so much better than the Occidental/Italeri kit. The quality of the molding of detail is also better on the Revell-Monogram kit. I also agree with MilneBay about the raised rivet detail. Here is a pic of the belly of a Swedish (SK 16) Harvard. Quite a few rivets... Andreas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 I agree: the shape of the Occidental one just doesn't capture the T-6. The Monogram one is better in both shape and surface treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Sorry to intrude, but any opinions on the Italeri 1/48 “Harvard Mk. 2a”? Something, somewhere, makes me think it’s a reissue but I can’t recall of what! Jonny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 The Monogram is a nice kit. This is a 30 year old build though and all markings hand painted. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 31 minutes ago, Jonny said: Sorry to intrude, but any opinions on the Italeri 1/48 “Harvard Mk. 2a”? Something, somewhere, makes me think it’s a reissue but I can’t recall of what! Yes, possibly a new part or two, but basically the Occidental kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 ThNkyou! Jonny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpk Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 My 2 cents. The Monogram kit is quite a bit better overall than the Occidental kit. The Monogram kit is inexpensive, accurate and widely available. To me the Oxy kit is soft on the details. Sort of a mushy version of the Monogram kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 I just built one. There were some issues, especially with the canopy fit and the older decals. I replaced the kit canopy with a vac canopy that fit and would properly stack, replaced the seats with Lion's Roar PE, and made seat belts from flattened solder. Overall it's a good kit and I'll enjoy building the other 2 in my stash with Caracal decals and vac canopies. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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