lleo Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Mates, I'm going to buy the B-24 Liberator. I owned the Airfix when I was a kid, it was my favourite bomber beside the Savoia Marchetti SM79 (the hunchback). I would have bought the Hasegawa but I saw they produce the model D, if I remember well. I want the H or J because I like the turret on the nose. Looking around I saw a couple which I think are more suitable for me, the new Airfix and the Eduard. Any suggestion about it? If I'll go for the Airfix, I'll get the photoetches and the other bits to detail the model. I saw the Eduard have the photoetches already in the box. The only thing I don't like of the new Airfix is the modeel with its colour. The one I had in the past was all bare metal, so I should find a model I like and to check if there are the right decals to make it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 The Eduard kit is just a re-pop of the Hasegawa kit, with different decals and PE extras. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lleo Posted August 28 Author Share Posted August 28 Thanks Chris.How is it compared to the new Airfix? Did you have the chance to check it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Can't say. I don't have the new Airfix kit yet. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck1945 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 The Airfix is virtually brand new released earlier this year. I’ve not built it yet, it’s in the pile awaiting it's turn. I have built the Hasegawa B-24D and compared to it, the Airfix kit is a little more accurate (engine nacelle fronts for example) and has considerably more detail. The Airfix kit the only 1/72 B-24H kit that actually has the correct Ford nose fairing for the front turret 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 3 hours ago, lleo said: ...it was my favourite bomber beside the Savoia Marchetti SM79 (the hunchback) You like them lumpy, do you? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5huggy Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 3 hours ago, lleo said: Any suggestion about it? If I'll go for the Airfix, It's worth looking out for this one - its a B24 J at heart - and can be acquired cheaper than the new one's just released Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 20 minutes ago, 5huggy said: It's worth looking out for this one - its a B24 J at heart - and can be acquired cheaper than the new one's just released I would respectfully say that this older issue B-24 really is a product of its time and nowhere near the standard of the new Airfix kit - or either the Hasegawa or Academy releases. If you want a trouble free build in a modern tooling, I’d go for the new Airfix kit and purchase some aftermarket decals for an H-model if you want natural metal. 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TISO Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 3 hours ago, dogsbody said: The Eduard kit is just a re-pop of the Hasegawa kit, with different decals and PE extras. Chris Some years ago Eduard also repoped the B-24D Academy kit with moby dick decals and PE parts. Check before you buy. I for one like Academy kit but Hasegawa is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewerjerry Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Hi this thread maybe of interest cheers jerry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lleo Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 12 hours ago, gingerbob said: You like them lumpy, do you? I want put it next to the Hunchback of Notre Dame 😁 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lleo Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 Thank you all for the useful info. Usually Hasegawa kits are quite better than Airfix. I have a FW-190 D9 that I bought I don't remember how many years ago, and it's on another page compared to the Airfix of the same time. Still have to build it, though. I saw the Airfix still have the mistake on the nose just behind the front turret. It's something that can be solved however I'll see what to do. Right now I'm undecided between the three, new Airfix, Hasegawa or Eduard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 Personally i would go with the new Airfix kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 1 hour ago, lleo said: Usually Hasegawa kits are quite better than Airfix. I have a FW-190 D9 that I bought I don't remember how many years ago, and it's on another page compared to the Airfix of the same time. That may well hold true for many kits issued before let's say 2010. However, the Airfix B-24 is brand new, the Hase some 15 (?) years old. New Airfix kits usually are well-researched and well-designed. If I may, I respectfully disagree regarding the D-9. The mid 70s Hase kit is indeed on another page compared to the 1979 Airfix, but with the latter being much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lleo Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 (edited) I have to correct myself. I just watched a video on the tube of a guy who built the Hasegawa kit. At the start there are some shots of a B-24 J in a museum: the fuselage has those kind of indentations at the side of the front turret. So the Airfix is correct. And I agree with you, Tempest but it's obvious. Technology now is way ahead compared to the one from the old times, so the kits are better by far. Anyway when I got the FW it was... I think over 20-25 years ago. Actually it was my first Hasegawa, if I remember well. I started with Airfix then I had other brands, Matchbox, Esci (which is the worse of the worst), Revell, Fujimi, Hasegawa and others. With Airfix always being my favourite. Partially for sentimental reasons, since my very first kit was Airifix. Edited August 29 by lleo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 3 hours ago, lleo said: I have to correct myself. I just watched a video on the tube of a guy who built the Hasegawa kit. At the start there are some shots of a B-24 J in a museum: the fuselage has those kind of indentations at the side of the front turret. So the Airfix is correct. And I agree with you, Tempest but it's obvious. Technology now is way ahead compared to the one from the old times, so the kits are better by far. Anyway when I got the FW it was... I think over 20-25 years ago. Actually it was my first Hasegawa, if I remember well. I started with Airfix then I had other brands, Matchbox, Esci (which is the worse of the worst), Revell, Fujimi, Hasegawa and others. With Airfix always being my favourite. Partially for sentimental reasons, since my very first kit was Airifix. A Hase kit from 15 years ago will usually be superior to a contemporary Airfix; however, Airfix is taking their job pretty seriously and they have advanced significantly. Re the 190D-9 - I'm pretty sure Hase did a new tool in the early/mid 90s, that possibly/probably is superior to the 1979 Airfix in many/most respects. --- I wouldn't condemn Esci wholesale; their 1/48 stuff - at least the early kits - is very variable in quality, with some pretty atrocious kits; but also some really nice ones like the F.1 and UH-1, the F-4s are pretty solid, and some of their 1/72 kits are still up there at the top - the F-5 simply is a sweet kit. In the time range ca. 1983 to 1988, they appear to have used one toolmaker for aircraft, resulting in consistently good kits. After their F-15 range, it went downhill, with kits like their F-8s which is basically a clone of the fat fuselage Hase. The move to Korea by Ertl for toolmaking may not have resulted in better/more accurate kits in all cases, but at least they became quite consistent again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDriskill Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 (edited) OK I am not a "bomber guy" at all, but as luck would have it I was able to examine a friend's new-mold 1/72 Airfix B-24 this week. I was most impressed - the surface detail and quantity of interior detail being particularly outstanding. It's hard for me to imagine any predecessor can really compare. It is an "H" variant, which may not be everyone's cup of tea. But if you just want a good B-24, definitely take a look. Edited August 30 by MDriskill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDriskill Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 (edited) Not quite sure how Focke-Wulfs wormed their way into the B-24 thread, LOL...but Hasegawa did two rounds of 1/72 Fw 190's, both A's and D's. The 1970's ones are rubbish accuracy-wise, but the 1990's ones (influenced by Arthur Bentley's famous drawings) are very good. Both have been surpassed by newer kits (Eduard for A's, IBG for D's), but the Hasegawas are simpler, quicker builds and still worthwhile IMHO. If you're just looking for a quick and convincing 1/72 Dora, the Tamiya kit is also good, and the Hobby Boss is surprisingly accurate. Pass on the Academy kit though. Edited August 30 by MDriskill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 On 8/30/2024 at 12:05 AM, MDriskill said: Not quite sure how Focke-Wulfs wormed their way into the B-24 thread, LOL...but Hasegawa did two rounds of 1/72 Fw 190's, both A's and D's. The 1970's ones are rubbish accuracy-wise, but the 1990's ones (influenced by Arthur Bentley's famous drawings) are very good. Both have been surpassed by newer kits (Eduard for A's, IBG for D's), but the Hasegawas are simpler, quicker builds and still worthwhile IMHO. If you're just looking for a quick and convincing 1/72 Dora, the Tamiya kit is also good, and the Hobby Boss is surprisingly accurate. Pass on the Academy kit though. Those Doras are everywhere! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-21 Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 What about the Academy B-24H 1/72 rather an accurate but cheaper kit It is harder to obtain now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertone139 Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 8 minutes ago, T-21 said: What about the Academy B-24H 1/72 rather an accurate but cheaper kit It is harder to obtain now. The new Airfix is the definitive H variant, Hasegawa's and Academy's H models do not represent the correct fuselage shape around the nose turret. If the colors and decals are what is worrisome for the OP, there are hundreds of aftermarket decals available. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TISO Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 On 30/08/2024 at 00:05, MDriskill said: Not quite sure how Focke-Wulfs wormed their way into the B-24 thread, LOL...but Hasegawa did two rounds of 1/72 Fw 190's, both A's and D's. The 1970's ones are rubbish accuracy-wise, but the 1990's ones (influenced by Arthur Bentley's famous drawings) are very good. Both have been surpassed by newer kits (Eduard for A's, IBG for D's), but the Hasegawas are simpler, quicker builds and still worthwhile IMHO. If you're just looking for a quick and convincing 1/72 Dora, the Tamiya kit is also good, and the Hobby Boss is surprisingly accurate. Pass on the Academy kit though. Damn Wurgers will worm into anything 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lleo Posted September 3 Author Share Posted September 3 In the end I went for the new Airfix. I owned the old one when I was a kid, so this is almost a back to back. I actually wrote to a guy on Scalemates who has an Eduard but he never answered so I went for this one and I'm more than satisfied. I'll build, (when it will be 😅) the RAF version in white which I like alot. I'm waiting for the detail parts by Eduard and for the decals. It will take time though: together the B-24 I bought the Italeri Cant Z506 and the Eduard A6M2 Zero, first kit ever in 1/48 for me but I have in mind a project that I'll reveal when it will be the right time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted September 3 Share Posted September 3 21 hours ago, Robertone139 said: The new Airfix is the definitive H variant, Hasegawa's and Academy's H models do not represent the correct fuselage shape around the nose turret. If the colors and decals are what is worrisome for the OP, there are hundreds of aftermarket decals available. Big statements there. The new Airfix does appear to be the best B-24H-15 so far, but both the H and the J had several different nose shapes. See Consolidated Mess for more details. Whether any other kit provides accurate shapes for any other H block - or indeed J block,, I can't say, but from what is said and shown the new Airfix Kit is the best B-24 kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted September 3 Share Posted September 3 22 hours ago, T-21 said: What about the Academy B-24H 1/72 rather an accurate but cheaper kit It is harder to obtain now. It's just been re-released. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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