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Karaya 1/72 Fairey Flycatcher and Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar Engine


2996 Victor

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Dear All,

 

Has anyone on the forum built one of Karaya's 1/72 scale Fairey Flycatchers? I've done the usual searches but nothing seems to come to light in this scale. I'm wondering how good/detailed the kit is generally, and in particular the AS Jaguar engine?

 

Also, is Karaya still in business?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Cheers,

Mark

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Hi Mark

I've got one but not built it. There's photo's of the kit contents here if that's helpful

https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Fairey-Flycatcher-eraly-version.html?partner_id=9

They also sell them and it appears they ship to the UK, but this wouldn't be cheap especially if you factor in RM fees and VAT

Karaya are still in business, but not as prolific with new kits as they used to be.

I don't know whether he was here this year but there used to be a Polish trader who stocked all the Karaya kits at SMW

The kits are generally well cast and fit reasonably well, detail is very fine though the Flycatcher cockpit is rather simplified (though to be fair you wouldn't see a great deal as the cockpit opening is quite small)

For the engine, the cylinders look good, but you're left to scratch induction and exhaust pipes, pushrods and ignition harness 

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I confirm, the Karaya is still in business. 

Fast googling result: looks that it is available in UK from here https://www.modelhobbies.co.uk/karaya-236-c.asp for example and in US from here https://www.1001hobbies.com/445_karaya 

 

Here you can see how detailed it is

https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Fairey-Flycatcher-eraly-version.html?partner_id=9

I never constructed any model by Karaya yet, but in stash I have NAF N3N3 hydroplane and it looks in box superb.

 

Regards

J-W

 

 

Edited by JWM
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Karaya kits are very, very good. Hannants sell them, FWIW. Two downsides - the instructions can be vague on interior placements, and strut identification. In 1/72nd the struts are unfortunately usually not reinforced and (as the instructions often state) best replaced with something more durable. In the 1/48th resin kits they're often cast around wires for reinforcement. I've built several of their 1/48th WW1 resin kits (and one plastic) and was impressed by overal fit and level of detail. About to mount the top wing of the Supwrmarine Seamew, a 1/72nd flying boat, and fit there is also very good, although I suspect the interior is largely generic, probably not a problem for the well-documented Flycatcher.  Karaya engines are very fine examples, and he sells some of them as aftermarket, so although I don't have this particular kit I'd expect it to be more than okay. But have fun with all the little bits of exhaust (based on experience building the recent 1/48th kit).

 

Paul.

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19 hours ago, Dave Swindell said:

Hi Mark

I've got one but not built it. There's photo's of the kit contents here if that's helpful

https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Fairey-Flycatcher-eraly-version.html?partner_id=9

They also sell them and it appears they ship to the UK, but this wouldn't be cheap especially if you factor in RM fees and VAT

Karaya are still in business, but not as prolific with new kits as they used to be.

I don't know whether he was here this year but there used to be a Polish trader who stocked all the Karaya kits at SMW

The kits are generally well cast and fit reasonably well, detail is very fine though the Flycatcher cockpit is rather simplified (though to be fair you wouldn't see a great deal as the cockpit opening is quite small)

For the engine, the cylinders look good, but you're left to scratch induction and exhaust pipes, pushrods and ignition harness 

 

18 hours ago, JWM said:

I confirm, the Karaya is still in business. 

Fast googling result: looks that it is available in UK from here https://www.modelhobbies.co.uk/karaya-236-c.asp for example and in US from here https://www.1001hobbies.com/445_karaya 

 

Here you can see how detailed it is

https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Fairey-Flycatcher-eraly-version.html?partner_id=9

I never constructed any model by Karaya yet, but in stash I have NAF N3N3 hydroplane and it looks in box superb.

 

Regards

J-W

 

5 hours ago, Paul Thompson said:

Karaya kits are very, very good. Hannants sell them, FWIW. Two downsides - the instructions can be vague on interior placements, and strut identification. In 1/72nd the struts are unfortunately usually not reinforced and (as the instructions often state) best replaced with something more durable. In the 1/48th resin kits they're often cast around wires for reinforcement. I've built several of their 1/48th WW1 resin kits (and one plastic) and was impressed by overal fit and level of detail. About to mount the top wing of the Supwrmarine Seamew, a 1/72nd flying boat, and fit there is also very good, although I suspect the interior is largely generic, probably not a problem for the well-documented Flycatcher.  Karaya engines are very fine examples, and he sells some of them as aftermarket, so although I don't have this particular kit I'd expect it to be more than okay. But have fun with all the little bits of exhaust (based on experience building the recent 1/48th kit).

 

Paul.

 

Hi chaps,

 

many, many thanks for your replies, that's really good news that Karaya are still in business! Apart from the Flycatcher, I'd also like their Ansaldo Balilla (among others!). Great to know that they are very good kits, accurate and well-detailed, thanks, Paul. Also for the info on the instructions and struts!

 

Thanks for the links to stockists, too! Interesting to know that some of Karaya's engines are/have been available separately.

 

All very much appreciated, guys, thanks you!


Cheers,

Mark

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Concerning the Jaguar engine, I've just emailed Armory.  They recently released a couple in 1/48 scale, and have inquired if they would consider a 1/72 version.

http://armoryhobbyshop.com/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=jaguar&product_id=49123

 

----------------------------------

 

Question about Karaya, how is quality compared to Choroszy Modelbud, the latter I do have experience with.

 

 

regards,

Jack

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5 minutes ago, JackG said:

Concerning the Jaguar engine, I've just emailed Armory.  They recently released a couple in 1/48 scale, and have inquired if they would consider a 1/72 version.

http://armoryhobbyshop.com/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=jaguar&product_id=49123

 

----------------------------------

 

Question about Karaya, how is quality compared to Choroszy Modelbud, the latter I do have experience with.

 

 

regards,

Jack

Much better, IMHO, although both are good, and both have bad (sometimes) instructions. Choroszy has a much larger catalogue though.

 

Paul.

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14 minutes ago, JackG said:

Concerning the Jaguar engine, I've just emailed Armory.  They recently released a couple in 1/48 scale, and have inquired if they would consider a 1/72 version.

http://armoryhobbyshop.com/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=jaguar&product_id=49123

 

----------------------------------

 

Question about Karaya, how is quality compared to Choroszy Modelbud, the latter I do have experience with.

 

 

regards,

Jack

Hi Jack,

 

Many thanks for this! I was thinking I would email Karaya and enquire whether the Jaguar engine could be bought separately. It sounds as if some of their engines have been available as AM parts.

 

Given the Jaguar's widespread use, I would have thought it would be commercially viable as an AM part.

 

Cheers,

Mark

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10 minutes ago, 2996 Victor said:

Hi Jack,

 

Many thanks for this! I was thinking I would email Karaya and enquire whether the Jaguar engine could be bought separately. It sounds as if some of their engines have been available as AM parts.

 

Given the Jaguar's widespread use, I would have thought it would be commercially viable as an AM part.

 

Cheers,

Mark

Currently 14 types of Karaya engine in 1/72nd listed at Hannants, but unfortunately not the Jaguar. The Armory Jaguars are listed as future releases, a III and a IV.

 

Paul.

Edited by Paul Thompson
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The Jaguar was available in the past from Aeroclub in white metal but now oop, and resin by Engines & Things.  The latter I've tried, but quality appears to have degraded since original owner passed away.

 

I think as modelers we expect a bit better in this day and age. For me at least, I'd rather see the the push rods separate and not cast as part of the cylinders.  So it would be interesting to see the Karaya quality.  A little search reveals they only advertise one radial engine, the BMW 801:

 

23573_1_kar-e7207_1.jpg

 

 

regards,

Jack

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I've got one of their Flycatchers and plan to get another on floats, they are very well detailed kits that seem to fit very well to boot. As noted above, the struts won't do for some parts of the kit, especially the complex landing gear.

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