jugjunkie Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 Would be keen to hear from anybody that has built this kit because I have found it to be somewhat disappointing and would like to know if it's just me. Before I point out some of the issues I have had with it, let me just share some pictures of where and how I got to where I'm at. I'm not going to narrate each picture but I will just add something to pictures of interest. Started with the engine.... ....Then on to the airframe, the seats looked a bit boring so I just did some enhancements (pure aesthetics on my part with no basis in reality).... ....then some cockpit detail. The kit detail is quite good and with some careful paintwork actually comes out pretty decent.... ...again a few enhancements from my imagination.... ....started the engine bay..... ....Looking at photos of the real thing, they show the top two windows are in fact sun visors, so after a dip in clear Mr Muscle (Future) I then made a 50/50 mixture of Mr Muscle and Moir's food colouring....... I dipped the clear piece in to cover both sides first and attached to the airframe...... ..the opacity is too clear so I used a very soft brush and added some more coats (drying completely between coats) until I was happy with the result and that is where I am at. At this point I would like to just say something about the kit. Firstly the plastic Kitty Hawk uses is very soft so it is extremely important to be ultra careful when removing parts from the sprue and this problem is exacerbated by VERY thick sprue gates which make the removal of delicate items a nightmare! Novices please be very careful when removing parts because I foresee plenty tears flowing otherwise. The soft plastic also demands care when trimming excess plastic - again be careful because you can very easily remove far more than you planned. The next big issue I have is the instructions, they are not very clear in some instances and one or two bits had me scratching my head to say the least because it gives a vague indication of what goes where but it is only after some trial and tribulation that the actual position of a part becomes apparent. Colour call outs are also very general and the use of reference material and personal preference is going to be mandatory. This is a very good kit and the detail is very acceptable but if I can offer one bit of advice when building it, it's that you MUST test fit each and every piece before you even look at the glue pot! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 Looks like you're making good progress & neat work. Your sun visors look good, they can be a nightmare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Perren Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 Excellent progress. KH's approach to this construction is busy isn't it. I like what you've done so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helios16v Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 (edited) Sounds like my experience w/ Kinetic's Mirage IIIE & Trumpy's RA-5C. They build out to a pretty nice kit...but they are certainly a modeler's model. They don't just snip, slap, and glue together like a lot of Tamiya kits. Patience and fiddling required. But I find the extra work makes good results at the end more rewarding. I suspect the Kitty Hawk Jaguar is going to fall into the same boat after seeing Mike's build. Just pray you don't have a short timeline! Looking good so far though. Edited June 21, 2016 by helios16v Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Does the kit offer the non-radar nose, or is it just the ugly duck nose in the box? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jugjunkie Posted June 22, 2016 Author Share Posted June 22, 2016 Hi Jessica, only option on this particular boxing is the duckbill i'm afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jugjunkie Posted June 22, 2016 Author Share Posted June 22, 2016 Just another quick update. Last night I started with the clear parts and again I have to say removing from sprues is very challenging. I have test fitted the main windscreen and I see problems ahead, the fit is not good and there is going to be a gap so I need to decide to have it top, bottom or midway making the two gaps slightly easier to deal with. Pics this evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jugjunkie Posted June 24, 2016 Author Share Posted June 24, 2016 As suspected there are a number of fit issues with the clear parts which are going to need some attention, but nothing deal breaking... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jugjunkie Posted June 27, 2016 Author Share Posted June 27, 2016 Well I am now completely miffed to say the least. Again I urge anybody that has built this kit to please offer some insight on this kit. Up until now it had some issues which considering the price we pay for these "modern"kits, was mildly irritating but could be overcome with some care and attention. Now I am changing my opinion and saying this kit is a load of sh.t Please somebody explain to me how I ended up with this - The clear windscreen and side panels all fitted into their place quite fine with no real issues - as did the sun visor and side doors. I then started by fitting the left front door and all was very well. I was expecting some problems because almost invariably whenever you have these build ups where all surrounding parts are fitted into place first and you are left with the "puzzle"fit scenario which has to be dropped into the gap, there will be some corner or edge that interferes somewhere. Not in this case, the door went into it's assigned gap like a dream man was I happy........ ....then the right door and I can say in all my years of building models I have NEVER seen such a poor fit!! My first obvious reaction was "You dumb Bast..d what have you done?" So I retraced everything done to this point, checked all other parts and their positions and I can honestly say this is no fault of mine. Can anybody please let me know if they have had even a remotely similar issue with this kit? I am now left with no option other than to leave the right door open! I am not too worried about the small gap at the top of the nose because the actual aircraft has a rubber seal along the top of the nose compartment which opens, so I will be adding that later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jugjunkie Posted July 4, 2016 Author Share Posted July 4, 2016 The engineering of this kit just begs for problems. All the panels attach to a frame making it almost like a jigsaw puzzle and there are gaps appearing at almost every new panel fitted that need fixing. The kit is going together slowly but needs plenty patience and effort but it is starting to look real sexy. One other major gripe I have with the kit is that the back sliding doors CANNOT be modeled closed, you have no choice the fit is such that they can only be modeled in the open position (I hate leaving open things on my models and this one requires three doors open (not down LOL). 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 I appreciate your frustration, but it does look good. Is having doors open that big a disaster? I know plenty of people (me included) who moan that we can't open doors / hatches. I agree with your comment about prices, with the amount you fork out you would hope the pieces fit! It still looks good though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverTorque Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Hi man!I've worked on the dauphin as 365 n3 for a long time. If you check this out http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234952105-aerospatiale-sa365565-dauphin-ii-148-kittyhawk/you will see what you have to modify in ordere to have a perfect dauphin. The biggest mistake is the main rotor head, it's too high. Then you have to correct the nose angle. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Does the kit offer the non-radar nose, or is it just the ugly duck nose in the box? Dunno whether or not ya were aware of this option, Jessica: http://modelingmadness.com/scott/mod/h65preview.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverTorque Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 (edited) You can just ask the normal nose to KH! Edited July 14, 2016 by OverTorque 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 You can just ask the normal nose to KH! O'Reilly...? Ya positive 'bout that? 'N' how is one supposed to do that, Torque, my mate, yeh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troschi Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 the short nose is included in KHs second boxing Item No. KH 80109: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234980039-148-harbin-z-9bcw-haitun-new-variant-by-kitty-hawk-released/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Nice! Jessica will be delighted! Thank ye, troschi, my mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverTorque Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Nice! Jessica will be delighted! Thank ye, troschi, my mate. Lol!And me?Troshi told you the same info i gave you!hahah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Lol!And me?Troshi told you the same info i gave you!hahah True, true... Jessica will be delighted! Thank ye, too, Torque, my matey, yeh! Incidentally; jugjunkie, yer dog stands so proud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Areos Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Well, I am at the same stage as you and... I have the same issue with the doors... I had anticipated issues with the cowlings so I've assembled them by anticipation. With a lot of dry fiiting, it went well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 (edited) Edited July 26, 2016 by Jessica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jugjunkie Posted August 19, 2016 Author Share Posted August 19, 2016 Well the woes just continue, it is now apparent that you have no choice in the matter - the rear doors can only be built open, there is no way they fit closed also had my hands full mounting the gear box and rotor head, i had to cut away all that lovely detail (not that it matters, it's all hidden anyway) just plowing through this one now to get it finished and off the bench.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now