Popular Post Bjorn Posted December 20, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted December 20, 2023 Due to Kitty Hawk's bad reputation, I hesitated to buy their Étendard when I wanted to add a older brother to my SuE. Instead, I went for the old (1991) Heller release. Some of you will of course wonder about the wiseness in that decision, and I will gladly join you all. But I got it cheap, and... and... Well, I got it cheap. OK, so here is the build: Of course, the Kitty Hawk release is more detailed and certainly better in many ways. But regarding that this kit is more than 30 years old, it was not that bad. Panel lines are recessed and although it is simplified compared to many of today's modern jet releases, it is far better than the Heller 1/48 releases of the 1980s, such as the Mirages. And compared to the Kinetic Super Étendard, the simpler breakdown of parts is an advantage, especially when it comes to the wings where lack of separate slats was a welcome feature... Having built the Kinetic Super Étendard , I had some parts in my spares box, for instance cockpit parts and decals. I used the Kinetic seat with belts made from whisky foil. Talisker, to be precise. Excellent in many ways. The worst part of the build was the intakes. They are somewhat too small (I did not bother about that), and Heller did not care at all to make them look decent inside. So I scratched FOD covers to hide it. Most decals are from the brilliant Kinetic SuE sheet. I also used a few from the not-so-brilliant Heller one. On the whole, an old kit that had its challenges. Not up to today's standards, and no shake-and-bake at all. But still a nice build that certainly must be one of Heller's best 1/48 releases. Thanks for watching. 81 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Hi Bjorn - you have done a really neat job - good job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vangos Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Great work and great whisky! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Super work @Bjorn! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Very nice result from an older kit, well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Well it certainly looks the part Bjorn and if my experience with KH kits is anything to go by you will have made a wise decision! Cheers Malcolm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in a shed Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Cracking result from an old kit that's a great looking Etendard. Good idea using the FOD guards to blank off the intakes. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomLover Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Always loved the (Super) Etendard.. yours certainly looks the part. Very clean build and subtle weathering! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Beautiful build! It is in the old pans that one makes the best soups... And 1991 is not that ancient. Congrats. JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin38 Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 very nice work, great job 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 That is gorgeous, Bjorn 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mynimal Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Really good job. Great SuE.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitriy1967 Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 The painting and weathering are excellent! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumBum Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 Very nice result, impressive. For info, I have built 5 Kitty Hawk kits and the Etendard is the best of the bunch and goes together really well. The worst......the Jaguar!!!! Its an awful kit. Again, great job, love your work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjorn Posted December 21, 2023 Author Share Posted December 21, 2023 6 hours ago, DrumBum said: Very nice result, impressive. For info, I have built 5 Kitty Hawk kits and the Etendard is the best of the bunch and goes together really well. The worst......the Jaguar!!!! Its an awful kit. Again, great job, love your work. Thanks! Interesting! As mentioned, I avoided the KH Étendard. On the other hand, the Jaguar is in my stash. I seem to be king of bad Kitty Hawk decisions. And thanks to you all for kind comments! They are very appreciated and inspiring! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 You got it cheap, but treated her splendidly! Great work! 🇫🇷 I have similar plans for mine... and I'd have the KH for direct comparison... 😉 One day.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basket Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 Mine is not finished yet ... building stalled a few years ago. Congrats for yours, it's very nice. BTW : what paint ref did you use for the upper surfaces ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 Bravo good sir!!! Very nice results. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 I'm nothing close to being a rivet counter and your model looks wonderful to me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjorn Posted December 26, 2023 Author Share Posted December 26, 2023 On 24/12/2023 at 14:01, basket said: Mine is not finished yet ... building stalled a few years ago. Congrats for yours, it's very nice. BTW : what paint ref did you use for the upper surfaces ? Thanks! I used Mr Paint Extra dark sea grey, but lightened it up a little, and added a hint of blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basket Posted December 26, 2023 Share Posted December 26, 2023 42 minutes ago, Bjorn said: Thanks! I used Mr Paint Extra dark sea grey, but lightened it up a little, and added a hint of blue. Thanks for your reply. You manage to capture the perfect blue !!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted December 26, 2023 Share Posted December 26, 2023 Beautiful looking Etendard, very nice work indeed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omak Posted December 26, 2023 Share Posted December 26, 2023 brillant work ! 👋 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filler Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 Wow! Another older kit tackled with the skills to make it look the best model ever produced. Brilliant! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remus389 Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 Precisely built! I like it! 😎👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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