fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I use these builds just as photographic props for my 1/72 aircraft models, so it is always good news when you can get a period proper scale (1/72) civil vehicle to accompany your aircraft models. In this case a soviet bus used by Aeroflot during the late 30s (although the kit does not provide that specific decoration) . This very nicely detailed kit does not provide as said the corresponding decals, but there is a 1/35 version by another manufacturer on the market that caters for that version, so that makes for a good reference. The kit has parts for at least three versions that I can tell. This is most likely a short run technology kit, so there is some little flash and the fit is not sharp, but you get a nicely detailed vehicle with interior and even engine and transmission, all fairly molded for the scale. I cut a door open to show some of the interior, And also cut the parts that cover the engine to show it is if some mechanical repair was being done, for which I added a few parts to bring up more detail. The instructions have the usual blurry, indifferent indications, mostly regarding how certain surfaces meet, and completely lacks precision regarding many other parts. Each part has to be cleaned to get rid of small imperfections (flash and sprue gates leftovers) but again the build is not difficult (and the label says "for experienced modelers", fair warning), but the fit of some parts is not good. I only wish that some contemporary manufacturer will issue vehicles in 1/72 scale with the same very high standards that Jordan Miniatures kits have (used to have, now out of production). It seems incredible that a kit from the 70s is much better regarding precision and fit than one made just now, almost 50 years later! The Jordan kits had more detail on the engine, for example. Yes, I know we have now "short run" technology, which supposedly allows for more variety and low cost (i.e. prices)...but so were Jordan Highway Miniature kits, varied and very affordable -and much better than many products now, and in a smaller scale (1/87)! (the prices now that the production stopped due to the owner's passing are of course escalating due to speculation). Mysteries of the kit industry. But I am happy because I have now my Aeroflot bus to pose with golden age Russian passenger planes, which is appreciated ,even if I had to commission decals for it. 22 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Another wonderfully precise build, I like it very much. Lovely photo's too. Thumbs up! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Fantastic job Moa,love the last photo... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatW Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Superb in such a small size! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckwizard Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Sweet! 😍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfwit Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 Nice job sir. I have one of these on the workbench at the moment, your photos will I'm sure prove useful as the instructions are, shall we say, a bit bare. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted September 11, 2020 Author Share Posted September 11, 2020 Thanks, Paul As I have stated in the intro paragraph: very poor instructions that don't tell you exactly where to glue, just an area; and indifferent fit. Nice to have a model of the bus, but not necessarily a pleasant build. Cleaning, truing and dry-fitting are a must. Abler hands than mine may find it easier, but I think this is definitely for the experienced modeler. Good luck with yours, would be great to see it posted. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfwit Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 Mine will be posted in good time. I can spend weeks on a simple build... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 Beautiful job on that rather sweet wee vehicle. I like that a lot. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted September 13, 2020 Author Share Posted September 13, 2020 7 hours ago, stevehnz said: Beautiful job on that rather sweet wee vehicle. I like that a lot. Steve. Thanks, Steve! It has that flavor to it. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted November 18, 2020 Share Posted November 18, 2020 I'm always impressed with your builds and this one is no exception. 😎 I too have built one of these PST kits - likewise, to add interest to an aircraft build. As such, I concur with your view that they are rather "approximate" in their approach to precision and fit. Nonetheless, your excellent build inspires me to post my build sometime, perhaps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted November 18, 2020 Share Posted November 18, 2020 What? no inflight pictures being intercepted by a NewFlyer Voodoo? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted November 18, 2020 Share Posted November 18, 2020 Somehow missed this one, really excellent build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 18, 2020 Author Share Posted November 18, 2020 2 hours ago, kapam said: inspires me to post my build sometime, perhaps. It would be nice to see it! 2 hours ago, busnproplinerfan said: What? no inflight pictures being intercepted by a NewFlyer Voodoo? 😄 I am afraid not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 18, 2020 Author Share Posted November 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Graeme H said: Somehow missed this one, really excellent build Thanks, Graeme! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Very nice Moa. I have one of these kits too. Nice to know it can be built into a decent model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 27, 2020 Author Share Posted November 27, 2020 7 minutes ago, John Masters said: Very nice Moa. I have one of these kits too. Nice to know it can be built into a decent model. Thanks, John It only requires good sight (which I don't have), patience (that I don't posses) and perseverance (that I keep clinging to). A good, very careful (due to small/fragile parts) clean up before building is mandatory, and then to be good at guessing where parts go. It can be built into a nice model with a modicum of care, I liked it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 Excellent work well done 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 Nice work and I think GAZ is based on Ford tooling, so maybe it's possible modify something western colors too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 5 hours ago, Homer said: Excellent work well done 👏 Thanks, Homer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 4 hours ago, Vesa Jussila said: Nice work and I think GAZ is based on Ford tooling, so maybe it's possible modify something western colors too. Thanks, and thanks also for the additional information, I wasn't aware of that, if that was the case it may spawn more models in local schemes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 The GAZ chassis and cab was certainly based on a Ford original, but the bodies would differ. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 2 minutes ago, Graham Boak said: The GAZ chassis and cab was certainly based on a Ford original, but the bodies would differ. Excellent clarification, Graham, thanks for posting it. I guess it will be a case of reviewing photos and see what can be done with it then. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natter Posted December 25, 2020 Share Posted December 25, 2020 If you trimmed off and kept all the flash from the kit parts you'd have enough plastic left for one of your scratchbuilds! The final model is definitely something of a silk purse. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted December 25, 2020 Author Share Posted December 25, 2020 15 hours ago, Natter said: If you trimmed off and kept all the flash from the kit parts you'd have enough plastic left for one of your scratchbuilds! The final model is definitely something of a silk purse. I have seen worse, Dave! I call "flash" all my excess weight, I know there are parts for a beautiful model somewhere there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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