Homebee Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 (edited) How to offer the open and closed panels choice to the modellers! Here's the fair engineering solution proposed in the brand new Freedom Model Kits F-20 Tigershark (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234978555-18002-freedom-model-kits-f-20a-tigershark-148). Source: https://www.facebook.com/832469846768673/photos/a.832473110101680.1073741827.832469846768673/1153222161360105/?type=1&theater Freedom Model Kits EU F-20 Tigershark kit in 1/48 has hidden doors inside the kit. This is to help you add electronics or gun bays later. Either scratch build or wait for some aftermarkets to come along. We added the door ribs to the inside just as added detail to make this easier for you. Simply cut along the lines (hold up to a light source and see "through" the plastic which will guide you through the cut). We hope you enjoy our innovative approach to model kits. V.P. Edited August 29, 2015 by Homebee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 A good idea, but all your opened doors end up a scale 6" thick! Selwyn 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngstROM Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Good point Selwyn, but hopefully a/m sets would include replacement panels (like Aires' avionics bays for the legacy Hornet). On balance, a decent idea IMO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Good point Selwyn, but hopefully a/m sets would include replacement panels (like Aires' avionics bays for the legacy Hornet). On balance, a decent idea IMO! So, if you are using after market replacement panels, what's the point in putting panel detail on the inside of the kit? Selwyn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMG Offramp Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Or why not design the kit buttoned up, no panel inner details but still retaining the cut lines inside, and design separate panels at the correct thickness and with accurate inner details? No crying anymore, both sides happy ;-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngstROM Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 So, if you are using after market replacement panels, what's the point in putting panel detail on the inside of the kit? Selwyn Or why not design the kit buttoned up, no panel inner details but still retaining the cut lines inside, and design separate panels at the correct thickness and with accurate inner details? No crying anymore, both sides happy ;-) Totally agreed. I wouldn't care if the interior detail is there or not; just approve of the 'cut-out if you want' solution instead of the 'fight to button it up' one! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Getting the correct thickness of panels in injection moulded plastic is effectively impossible. This kit is a good compromise. If you doubt me then do the maths. Resin gets closer and etch closer still but still way over scale. Personally I think it's a good idea, helps the model maker add detail, makes an easier result for the aftermarket people, and no issues for those who want a straight forward or in flight build. Freedom Models have listened to comments and acted on them, keep on criticizing for no good reason and that'll soon stop. It's cost extra to do this and whoever pushed it through needs support or it won't happen again.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 A good idea, but all your opened doors end up a scale 6" thick! Selwyn No less accurate than most of the weathering that painted onto models nowadays! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Perren Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Very good compromise IMHO. I don't tend to open panels myself but I can see the value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freedom Models Martin Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 (edited) It was a compromise for those who wanted open panels and didn't want to scratch build new doors. The idea is to allow for all eventualities, if that's at all possible. The modeller who wants scale thickness can scratch build their own new doors using a coke can (or whatever) and then add their own ribs, from scale plastic or whatnot. He or she then wins and gets what they want. The modeller who just likes the doors open to show off some gubbins (and for those who are not interested in scale thickness) is satisfied because the ribs and detail are done for them. The modeller who doesn't want to open the panels is happy because theres nothing for them to do. Why wouldn't you want them included if we can include them? We took the opinion that it was worth doing to be innovative and to listen to our customers. THAT is our priority here. If you don't want these details we can easily go backwards and not bother with the engineering or CAD time. However, I don't think that is what the masses would want so we will keep adding little touches like this to make modelling more enjoyable to everyone. I know it's hard to please everyone and perhaps that's why companies don't bother. However, we are different. I hope! Regardless, we added easy to cut panel areas to help out those who want to open the panels because we can We also took the opinion that it's hard to get the doors to fit right if they were opened up by us. Most modellers complain of having to fill those areas where they don't want to open the "doors" and the engineering is wrong. We looked at it from a different perspective. Why not give modellers the guide and the capability rather than dictate? It's up to you now. Open or not. Edited September 1, 2015 by Freedom Models Martin 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Well done, Freedom Models, and why other companies do not go down the same route is beyond me. And while we're at it, why don't other companies do the same for naval aircraft with folding wings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesthegringo Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 For info, the Eduard 1/48 MiG-21 kits employ the same type of method for the front airbrakes. They are moulded closed, but if you want to open them, you cut them along the panel lines, and Eduard provide inserts to glue behind the hole, plus supply separately moulded and detailed airbrakes to fit in the open position. I can't think of a better way to do it without supplying entire alternative fuselage parts Cheers Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorth Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 I quite like this approach as it really is as close to "The best of both worlds" as we're likely to have from what a manufacturer can practically put in a box and still limit themselves to styrene instead of going full multimedia. I personally like to build all my models "buttoned up" so as no to interrupt their general outlines; but it's nice to know the option to build them open is there if I choose to go off that path for a build or two. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freedom Models Martin Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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