1/48 - Grumman F-14A/B & D Tomcat by AvantGarde Model Kits (AMK) - F-14D released - new F-14D Bombcat boxing

[Martin @ AMK Hobby]

The Mig-31 kits are absolutely lovely with great engineering but certainly not "kit of the century" or even kit of the year.

Interestingly enough it was actually awarded Gold Medal a Kit of the Year 2016 at Nuremberg Toy Fair.

Edited September 11, 2016 by Martin @ AMK Hobby

[Laurent]

[Homebee]

Laurent you're a incorrigible unbeliever! You don't respect the Martin's holy words, you'll be burned at the stake.

By the way: "Modell des Jahres" choosed and attributed by who?

 

For the buzz

 

V.P.

Edited September 28, 2016 by Homebee

[Martin @ AMK Hobby]

Read my comments carefully gentlemen. “a kit of the year” not “kit of the year”.

The devil is in the detail.

[March]

Read my comments carefully gentlemen. a kit of the year not kit of the year.

The devil is in the detail.

Damn you and your cohesive sentences!

[Texan76]

I built the Mig-31 by AMK. Marvelous kit. As far as the surface detail being a little heavy, that's a good thing. After painting and clear coating, it will still hold a panel line wash. Detail that is too fine might get filled in with paint and not hold a wash.

[DIO]

I built the Mig-31 by AMK. Marvelous kit. As far as the surface detail being a little heavy, that's a good thing. After painting and clear coating, it will still hold a panel line wash. Detail that is too fine might get filled in with paint and not hold a wash.

..which is exactly what my problem has always been with Hasegawa. But not with AMK or Tamiya...

[Robotics]

Seriously don't think AMK's kit will touch Tamiya's sales one bit.

Different kits different markets.

Tamiyas distribution network reaches every corner store in the world something AMK could only dream of accessing.

AMK are battling to get kits out the door to those who want to buy them so I don't think the twenty five guys posting here not buying the Tamiya F-14 will have an impact.

It's a delusion to think AMK sales will touch Tamiyas sales especially seeing we already know the Tamiya kit, fits perfectly, has beautifully restrained surface detail and is above all easy to build and you will be able to buy it from "every" hobby shop in the world and most toy stores.

AMK's F-14 has proven none of those things yet and the very nice Mig-31 has recieved far more hype than almost any kit I can remember.

If the F-14 arrives with surface detail of the Mig-31 I can only imagine the rumblings of displeasure and some of those Cads look pretty heavy.

Many of the guys lauding the Mig-31 screamed about the panel work on the Hobbyboss F-14's and they are far finer than the big Mig's I have compared head to head.

The Mig-31 kits are absolutely lovely with great engineering but certainly not "kit of the century" or even kit of the year.

You want that get the Fine Molds Claude to see beautiful fine restrained detail and it clicks together perfectly.

I'll be buying the AMK F-14 like I did the 31's but I won't be hyping it up, overlooking it's faults like surface detail and lack thereof like many have in what can only be described as a Beatle mania type fandom.

If that canopy multi part nightmare AMK have come up with isn't absolutely perfect in fit and engineering I won't buy any F-14's and neither will plenty of others when we have a beautiful Tamiya kit to turn to.

Good luck AMK I really hope you nail it..oh and see common sense with that canopy.

Why would you go and say these things? This is not a race man, it's a pleasurable hobby.

If you say "different kits, different markets" then you might as well have left it at that and don't start comparing. You can always of course decide for yourself to buy the one you prefer or which you can afford (or can't).

Have fun,

Joe

[Simon382]

Are we really at that stage where we are happy to complain about a kit that, other than some pics that are computer generated, doesn't acutually exsist yet?????????

I'm waiting to see the end product with my own eyes before passing comment. In this time of downturn and rising prices shouldn't we at least give kit manufactures a chance before we shoot them down in flames???? If we don't then we may loose this hobby all together

[exdraken]

Market will decide! Maybe there is plenty of room for both!

Apart from that first release will be the total other end of its respective service life! Definitely not the same at all kit wise!

Edited September 12, 2016 by exdraken

[ICMF]

Are we really at that stage where we are happy to complain about a kit that, other than some pics that are computer generated, doesn't acutually exsist yet?????????

I dunno. Are we at that stage where we are happy to praise a kit that, other than some pics that are computer generated, doesn't actually exist yet? An opinion is an opinion; why is one side valid and the other not?

Not to mention, given Martin's job, and history of responding to feedback, it seems like it would be entirely appropriate to comment on what one would like to see from the kit while it can still be changed and amended. I mean, the kit has already been altered due to criticism and feedback on discussion boards, so obviously 'complaining' about it has been a net positive.

[Robotics]

I dunno. Are we at that stage where we are happy to praise a kit that, other than some pics that are computer generated, doesn't actually exist yet? An opinion is an opinion; why is one side valid and the other not?

Not to mention, given Martin's job, and history of responding to feedback, it seems like it would be entirely appropriate to comment on what one would like to see from the kit while it can still be changed and amended. I mean, the kit has already been altered due to criticism and feedback on discussion boards, so obviously 'complaining' about it has been a net positive.

You seem to mix up pointless criticism with positive feedback.

Joe

[Ka-Efka]

[...]

By the way: "Modell des Jahres" choosed and attributed by who?

V.P.

Most likely from the germen modelling magazine Modell Fan.

Criteria for 'Modell des Jahres' award are not only overall quality of the modell, but also relevance for the market. Meaning: the 25. Bf109, even if highest quality, will be having a hard time getting awarded, if a (slightly worse executed) P36 is released same year.

[Martin @ AMK Hobby]

This is why we are giving you the four wings, two molded closed so you dont have to glue parts down to get the “slick” look, two wings fully open for the pre cat shot check or inflight.....

[Pfeil]

WOW

[Nocoolname]

VF-1 "CAG" bird (the one with the multi-coloured stripey taily thing) 😀

Edited September 13, 2016 by Nocoolname

[helios16v]

Hopefully there will be the "extended" static nose gear as well. My assumption would be both versions will be available if they are including 2 sets of wings. Worst case, it wouldn't be horrible to modify the nose gear if need be. Either way, it won't prevent me from buying one.

[DIO]

Looks pretty good so far. Keep up the good job :-)

[Robotics]

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!

Awesome,

Joe

Edited September 13, 2016 by Robotics

[Martin @ AMK Hobby]

The standard nose strut and the compressed nose strut will be included.

The Hold-Back bar will also be included. More exciting news to come.

[DannyB]

Looking awesome Martin!

Can't wait for this one to come out, any ideas on a release date yet?

[Robert]

1/48 carrier deck to pose it on ?

[Parabat]

Looking good, but please check that the bottom intake lip is parallel to the top lip, currently on that front view the bottom lip is parallel to the floor, same mistake Hobby Boss made.

[Tbolt]

Looking good, but please check that the bottom intake lip is parallel to the top lip, currently on that front view the bottom lip is parallel to the floor, same mistake Hobby Boss made.

That's not what I'm seeing - it's not parallel to the floor, look at the gear leg, that pictures is at an angle and the two lips look parallel.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Tbolt

[AntPhillips]

Looking good, but please check that the bottom intake lip is parallel to the top lip, currently on that front view the bottom lip is parallel to the floor, same mistake Hobby Boss made.

Looking at Martin's photo's I'd say the head on shot is misleading (or an older shot), if you look at the oblique shot below the intakes definitely are not parallel to the ground.