keithjs Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 (edited) Well, this one was a bit of a struggle.... Although it looks lovely in the box and all the pre release 'hype' I personally found all is not well when putting it together. OK, some of it might have been me maybe expecting more than I should but I'm just not happy with the overall experience...Hey ho.. Anyway, as you can see it's finished in SAAF markings as a favour to a SA friend. The decals (and again these didn't help but obviously no fault of kit ...) are from MAV decals and are rather opaque (so I used 2 sets) and are ALPS printed so tend to be rather (dotty?) for want of a better word. Hopefully someone will do some more? I also wanted to do one with a turret so changed the serial number and code letters. As far as the model goes it's very detailed inside but you can't see much, the engines are nice and so are the clear parts. It's the fit of the parts I found troublesome and some of the 'silly' mistakes such as location and size of some of the windows, and not sure whether it was me again or not but the bottom of the fin is about 3mm shorter than the root it sits on so some gentle removal of the rear of the root was required along with reshaping the rear of the rudder. One of the more annoying points is that when cleaning up the wing joints you inevitably remove the fuel tank detail which is pretty tricky to replace and I'm still not happy with it now.. The two intakes on the wing leading edge between the engines are totally the wrong shape and need reshaping and the landing lights are awkward too. The instructions are nicely printed but are a little difficult to follow at certain points during construction too. There are optional parts throughout (particularly turrets and upper fuselage inserts (another badly fitting part) and I'm sure we can expect other marks in future but I for one will probably give it a miss next time round. The decals though are superbly printed Anyway thanks for looking. S1 S3 S2 S4 Edited June 17, 2019 by keithjs 60 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazza l Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 Looks very nice, first one I've seen built... makes into an impressive model. gazza l Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 No sign of any struggles there, it looks beautiful! Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 Fantastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phone Phixer Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Beautiful end result. Very different markings too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSModeller Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Hi Keith, Very nice SAAF Sunderland. It's interesting that SAAF Sunderland's had the same wing white/grey paint scheme on wing upper surface as RNZAF ones did Unfortunately Special Hobby messed up on the Porthole sizes. In 1/72 scale, all the porthole transparencies should be 4.1mm (or 4mm) (exception being the Beam Hatch where the port is larger) The opening Portholes have a larger diameter outer rim (metal) which I think is where the odd sizes come from for the portholes........ Thanks for sharing your model with us Regards Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 great work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen8718 Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 great work on what was obviously a difficult kit. very nice finish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avgas Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 The result makes your struggles worthwhile I reckon. Lovely job and SAAF too - what's not to like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil.C Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Very nice Sunderland. I love the look of those, I made an Aliteri MkI version recently. Like you I made a bit of effort with the interior but can't see any of that either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Poultney Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 1/72 scale? Very nice build. Kind of want to build a Sunderland myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Lovely job, the finished result belies the problems you've had with it. Nice choice of scheme too. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 I`m just building one of these myself and I concur with everything that you have said. All the same,.....you have done a superb job of yours, I love the SAAF markings ,...if mine turns out half as nice I will be well chuffed, Brilliant job, Cheers, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 A superb looking Sunderland and a very interesting scheme. Disappointed to hear the fit isn't so good. Not that you can tell from your build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Very nice, Keith, and great to see unusual marks. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 the first I have seen completed and I must say it looks very nice - I have the kit and trust not to suffer the same annoyances you mention. Luvly jubs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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