2996 Victor Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Simple question for those that know: what's the best available 1/72 scale Fieseler Fi.156 Storch? Not worried about markings/decals, just which is the most accurate. Thanks for any advice! Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bozothenutter Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Can you even see a Storch in 1/72? 😉 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 I decide for the Academy kit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/21603181@N08/34040628834/in/photolist-TS47ZG-qu11og-quaPRZ-oifEBw-aGVXok It's a Morane, but is it a Storch. The Academy kit has an option more: https://www.flickr.com/photos/21603181@N08/14635090788/in/photolist-TS47ZG-qu11og-quaPRZ-oifEBw-aGVXok modelldoc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 As far as I know, there are kits by Airfix, AZ Model, and Academy, there may be others. I'd just like to know which of these or another are best! Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 2 minutes ago, modelldoc said: I decide for the Academy kit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/21603181@N08/34040628834/in/photolist-TS47ZG-qu11og-quaPRZ-oifEBw-aGVXok It's a Morane, but is it a Storch. The Academy kit has an option more: https://www.flickr.com/photos/21603181@N08/14635090788/in/photolist-TS47ZG-qu11og-quaPRZ-oifEBw-aGVXok modelldoc Hi Modelldoc, That's brilliant, thanks! Sounds like the Academy kit is a good option. Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 The Academy is better than the Airfix, as it should be given the respective ages. I don't know the AZ but would expect it to be more difficult to assemble than the others. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 Just now, Graham Boak said: The Academy is better than the Airfix, as it should be given the respective ages. I don't know the AZ but would expect it to be more difficult to assemble than the others. Hi Graham, Many thanks for that! I'll be interested to see if anyone has any thoughts on the AZ kit, but Academy is looking good. Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 One problem with the Airfix one is that it had a choice of normal (on the ground) or extended (in flight) undercarriage legs. The short one was too large and the other was far too large. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Hugo Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 There is a Heller kit as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 8 minutes ago, Charlie Hugo said: There is a Heller kit as well. I'll second that. The Heller kit is still very decent. Got one on the bench at the moment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 I'd forgotten that. Given that there was an Academy one, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvrle Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 I think (and a quick Googling of Scalemates confirms) that the AZ kit is the Heller reboxed. A nice kit, just don't know how the moulds are holding up after all this time. I do like the Academy slightly more, though... possibly simply because it's a newer kit that looks a slightly easier build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 13 minutes ago, fightersweep said: I'll second that. The Heller kit is still very decent. Got one on the bench at the moment. Thanks, Steve! I haven't built a Heller kit in years (looking forward to the Nieuport Delage!) Have you got a WiP going? Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 There’s this one, if you want to drive yourself nuts… https://www.eduard.com/eduard/plastic-kits/other/aircraft/1-72/fi-156-storch-stripdown-1-72.html best, M. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 6 minutes ago, cvrle said: I think (and a quick Googling of Scalemates confirms) that the AZ kit is the Heller reboxed. A nice kit, just don't know how the moulds are holding up after all this time. I do like the Academy slightly more, though... possibly simply because it's a newer kit that looks a slightly easier build. Is it? That's good to know. Might be worth a punt! Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 7 minutes ago, cmatthewbacon said: There’s this one, if you want to drive yourself nuts… https://www.eduard.com/eduard/plastic-kits/other/aircraft/1-72/fi-156-storch-stripdown-1-72.html best, M. Not sure my stress levels would cope with it! Cheers, Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 9 minutes ago, 2996 Victor said: I haven't built a Heller kit in years (looking forward to the Nieuport Delage!) Have you got a WiP going? Must admit, I didn't think of a WIP! Then again, I've got about five Heller kits on the go at the moment so I wouldn't know which one to choose for a WIP. You'll enjoy the Nieuport. It's typical 70s Heller and very nice indeed. I hadn't built a Heller kit since I was a teenager, then took part in the Classic Heller GB and haven't stopped building them since. It's funny, but I really rated their kits when I was younger, but just seemed to forget that fact! 10 minutes ago, cmatthewbacon said: There’s this one, if you want to drive yourself nuts… https://www.eduard.com/eduard/plastic-kits/other/aircraft/1-72/fi-156-storch-stripdown-1-72.html That's bordering on insanity! 🤣 Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 57 minutes ago, Charlie Hugo said: There is a Heller kit as well. This kit was also produced by SMER modelldoc 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 7 minutes ago, fightersweep said: Must admit, I didn't think of a WIP! Then again, I've got about five Heller kits on the go at the moment so I wouldn't know which one to choose for a WIP. You'll enjoy the Nieuport. It's typical 70s Heller and very nice indeed. I hadn't built a Heller kit since I was a teenager, then took part in the Classic Heller GB and haven't stopped building them since. It's funny, but I really rated their kits when I was younger, but just seemed to forget that fact! That's bordering on insanity! 🤣 Steve Thanks again, Steve! Looking back, as a teenager I built Heller's Spitfire Lf.XIVe and Dewoitine D.501/510, and thoroughly enjoyed them both. My LMS in those days (Kingston's in Taunton) had a very limited range of Heller kits. I'll be looking forward to seeing your Storch in the RFIs Cheers, Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 42 minutes ago, 2996 Victor said: Looking back, as a teenager I built Heller's Spitfire Lf.XIVe and Dewoitine D.501/510, and thoroughly enjoyed them both. My LMS in those days (Kingston's in Taunton) had a very limited range of Heller kits. I'll be looking forward to seeing your Storch in the RFIs I think we're hijacking this thread! (Apologies!) The Spit XVIe was a favourite of mine back then, and I must have three or four in the stash ready to go. Me and my best mate at school were both keen modellers and practically lived in our favourite LMS. The owner enquired if we had tried a Heller kit before, and as we had never heard of them, he bagged our paper round money again. So I duly bought the Ar-196 and my mate bought the PZL P.23 and we were both hooked on Heller from then on. They just seemed streets ahead of our usual Airfix and Matchbox fare and the subjects were wonderfully quirky which suited us as we frequently tried to out do each other in the quirky subject department. This must have been around 1981/82. So when the Heller GB kicked off, it was like re-acquainting with an old friend. I decided to build them "old skool" right out the box and painted them a'la hairy stick as my 13 year old self would have done. Such a nostalgia kick. I ended up finishing 10 Heller kits for the GB and had a proper blast! So to keep the thread on topic, the Heller Storch is still a great build and I'll make sure I put in a RFI once it's done. Incidentally, Peewit do a canopy mask set for the Heller Storch which saves a lot of time (and swearing!) Steve 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 2 hours ago, modelldoc said: This kit was also produced by SMER modelldoc & is now also boxed by Mistercraft for a cheaper option. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giampiero Piva Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 See, please, my post. Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jure Miljevic Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Hello I agree with you, Giampiero Piva. I have both Academy and Heller kits, and I built the latter decades ago. Fabric on Heller kit looks slightly overdone, but is still far more convincing than Academy's rendition, on which fabric looks totally artificial. Also, congratulations on your WIP Storch build. Cheers Jure 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warhawk Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 (edited) I would also agree that Heller/Smer/AZ Storch is more accurate than Academy, please see below. On 1/29/2020 at 9:47 AM, warhawk said: There are several shape issues with the Academy, none of which are present on the Heller kit - i.e. a rather pronounced wing dihedral (original didn't have one at all!), over-sized/oversimplified smaller parts, etc. Most OOB Academy Storks I have seen built have a rather toy-like appearance to them. Clear parts are not great on either kit, but a bit closer to reality on the Heller/Smer/AZ. Heller kit can be turned into a real head-turner by some minor upgrades: Some improvement in the interior (not much needed because of the thick clear parts) Scribing-in those few panel lines the actual aircraft had Correcting the shape of the cowling intake to oval Refining the main struts a bit and replacing the smaller ones Here's a great build by Rato Marczak, highlighting what could be done with the old Heller Edited June 28, 2021 by warhawk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 9 hours ago, fightersweep said: I think we're hijacking this thread! (Apologies!) The Spit XVIe was a favourite of mine back then, and I must have three or four in the stash ready to go. Me and my best mate at school were both keen modellers and practically lived in our favourite LMS. The owner enquired if we had tried a Heller kit before, and as we had never heard of them, he bagged our paper round money again. So I duly bought the Ar-196 and my mate bought the PZL P.23 and we were both hooked on Heller from then on. They just seemed streets ahead of our usual Airfix and Matchbox fare and the subjects were wonderfully quirky which suited us as we frequently tried to out do each other in the quirky subject department. This must have been around 1981/82. So when the Heller GB kicked off, it was like re-acquainting with an old friend. I decided to build them "old skool" right out the box and painted them a'la hairy stick as my 13 year old self would have done. Such a nostalgia kick. I ended up finishing 10 Heller kits for the GB and had a proper blast! So to keep the thread on topic, the Heller Storch is still a great build and I'll make sure I put in a RFI once it's done. Incidentally, Peewit do a canopy mask set for the Heller Storch which saves a lot of time (and swearing!) Steve Hi Steve, that's a fantastic collection, all beautifully put together and finished, if I may say so! I love the D.501 in the foreground (I chose the D.510 years ago because it had the "moteur-cannon"!). I really wanted the He.112 in Romanian colours, but as I mentioned, my LMS when I was a lad had very few Heller kits, and sadly it wasn't one of them. May I ask what KF+CG is? Not a type I'm familiar with! As I said, all absolutely beautiful models - I'm quite tempted to look for some more, especially that He.112 that eluded me all those years ago Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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