1/48th F-22 Tails query

[PaulR]

Hi there,

am building the Academy Raptor at the mo. Have fixed the nose curves, but I'm told the tails are too short, by about 4mm I believe. I've looked at the Italeri tails and they are about that much bigger, so was contemplating using those.

However, I am curious. Does anyone have any pics of the Hasegawa tails compared to the Academy ones, or has both kits and can measure the respective heights and widths? The reason I ask is that I often read of how a certain kit is inaccurate and that resin replacements are a must, and a cynical part of me often thinks that it is a case of fixing stuff that isn't actually wrong in the first place, or only marginally 'inaccurate', to generate money. Moreover, I saw alot of threads in 'other places' promising replacement tails, which, lo, have never appeared. Is it because the Hasegawa kit is the same and is actually right?

Would be interested in any informed comment reference comparisons between the two kit tails, namely Academy and Hasegawa.

Regards, Paul

[Mike V]

The Academy F-22 Vertical tails are indeed too short; just under a scale foot, which is hardly marginal even in 48th scale. The Hasegawa tails are near dead on in all dimensions. The Hasegawa verticals are only a scale inch or so short, which is marginal. The only area of the Academy vertical tails that is correct over Hasegawa's, are the rudder ISA bulges. Academy's are more accurately shaped.

We were the ones working on corrected vertical tails and stabs for the Academy kit. The Stabs are done and the tails are in the finishing stage. The problem is that there are a few other project that have taken production priority. We're projecting the Academy F-22 corrections for mid 1st quarter 11.

Mike V

Sierra Hotel Models

[PaulR]

Mike,

cheers for the reply, and you can put me down for a set of correction fins for my Academy Raptor! Good to hear that they are coming along!

Best regards

Paul