tony.t
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Posts posted by tony.t
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On 3/28/2023 at 5:41 AM, Alternative 4 said:
My hopes are on Meng bringing out... ...the RF Phantoms. Seems more likely.
My hope too.
I'd rather Tamiya produced a J or hardwing E/EJ, but next year will tell whether we get another variant or if another boxing is just something that in a decade will be a dream in the mists of time.
My other hope is with the 1/32 Red Pills Models venture, which also apparently will kick off with an F-4B.
My two Tamiya 1/32 F-4C/Ds are enough for the timebeing.
Tony
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15 hours ago, Ben Brown said:
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A pet peeve about slime lights - why do manufacturers insist on having the lighted area sunk in below the edges of the frame? While the lights on the F-4 stood proud of the fuselage, the lit part was flush with the framed area.
Ben
So you can fill them with glow-in-the-dark paint? I'm inclined to sand them down a bit and use decals
I'm hoping Aires Quickboost does a set of antennae.
Tony
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That's the best boxing for an accurate FGA.9 or export Mk.58. It has the slightly more detailed cockpit wall from the F.6 boxing as well as the corrected, constant chord, ailerons. (The original FGA.9 release had tapered ailerons.)
It hasn't been available in Europe for a few years but hopefully Revell will repop the kit, maybe with more exotic markings like Jonathon Whaley's Miss Demeanour with the snazzy meteor rainbow and starred scheme?
The panel detail is akin to the real thing and not suited to those who like filling troughs with gunge.
If I could buy a second new example I would. It's one of the prettiest fighters originating in the nineteen-fifties.
Tony
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On 12/16/2022 at 4:35 AM, GeneK said:
Deleted. My post was not in keeping with The Christmas Spirit.
Nothing personal Gene. If you like the Z-M kit, great.
The Meng looks better to me, if a little rougher and omitting some essential features like the belly strap (but I'm really waiting to see what Red Pills Models does in 1/32 scale).
I'm building the Meng F-4G next year as a stocking filler and it will need some work, including the strap and stabilator doubler plates, sourcing a long ALQ-184 pod etc.
Happy Holidays
Tony
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12 hours ago, dehowie said:
Based off the videos online everything ive seen leaves the Meng kit trailing in quality by a large margin in every aspect.
Panel lines, cockpit detail, burner cans, ejection seats to start.
Where i am and where i shop the Meng kits will be either very close in price or more expensive than ZM so i dont even see the point in a comparison where the ZM kit is so clearly superior.If Meng was half the price there might be a discussion and maybe they will dump them for that in the US but they are not that here nor where i buy most of my kits.
Modelling time is to short to waste on second tier kits when A grade ones exist.
The Z-M canopy profile, especially in plan view, is so off that it spoils the whole model.
The Meng kit looks a bit rougher in some regards (but the real plane was too!) and to my eye, at least, looks much more accurate in shape.
I honestly believe that a thoughtfully made Meng will yield a way more accurate result than the Z-M, even though the latter is probably slicker for an airliner type finish.
Essentially, we're lucky to have two such good kits to choose from: the last new F-4G came out 37, nearly 38, years ago!
Tony
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Meng have modelled the ab initio slatted wing with the thicker lower torque box skin and its noticeable lip or step along its rear edge.
A vinyl strap should fix things satisfactorily if it's not included in the kit's etched metal fret.
Sorry, but the almost parallel canopy profile of the Z-M is utterly horrible. Crisp detail isn't going to fix that, ever.
The Meng is looking a whole lot more like an F-4G and the Standard ARM is particularly cool. Shame there are no Shrikes or ALQ-184, but those are available elsewhere.
Tony
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I'm liking the look of the Meng way more than the Z-M. The canopy looks to be correctly bowed in the middle in plan view, even though the windshield might be a fraction too wide.
Thanks for posting the pic Solo. This one's getting my money.
Curious to know if any other variants will follow, e.g. Israeli F-4E with refuelling probe.
Tony
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Good to hear that you're on the mend Chris.
I'm definitely up for the Su-27 canopy correction set so hope you can work out how to deal with the UK tax system. I believe Jeffrey of Hypersonic models in Japan has worked it all out.
Best
Tony
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On 9/29/2022 at 7:16 AM, Niels said:
Prototypes are unfortunately for the specially interested, the main lot prefers operational birds. But agree it would be interesting to learn what other marking options they have included?
Agree, and the Reid Air Publications operational Clark Field PN markings are a must for me.
However, Caracal, which has released a string of early scheme sheets might cover the testbeds as they wouldn't take up much space: 697254 with the international orange and spook insignia, and 69-263 when it wore GA codes around 1977 (WW by the time the first true deliveries took place in April 1978 — though Caracal would need to redo the 35th TFW insignia for the latter, which was wider and squatter than the usual back-stabber design drawn for the F-105G sheet, which would be fine for '263).
But if the Meng kit does come in at £100 a box that's going to rein me in with just the one. £70 a box and I'll get two.
Tony
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While committed to the box top Hill Gray II offering of 232/YGBSM from the Southern Watch era, I am curious what the other two markings options are.
A Standard ARM indicates at least one from the period 1978-1985, i.e. SEA, wrap-around SEA or European 1, and a Clark Field jet would be nice for a change — although the prototype SEA scheme with international orange tail and wingtips (69-7254, first flown in December 1975) would be cool, especially if it featured the Weasel Spook insignia on the intake cheeks.
I can't believe that the Meng F-4G would be a one-shot deal: there's got to be a slatted wing TISEO Arnie F-4E coming out after this, but I'm really grateful the first is an F-4G Wild Weasel variant. Looking at the Super Hornet kits is it a fair assumption that this kit will also feature full length intake ducting?
Tony
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On 9/23/2022 at 12:43 AM, BillS said:
[Snip]...formation light strips weren't as pronounced as they appear on the drawings...
I noticed that too and wondered if we're supposed to fill them in with glow-in-the-dark paint? The terms emery paper & elbow grease spring to mind.
It's looking like a great kit. Just wondering what the other two markings will be?
Looking forward to this more and more,
Tony
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2 hours ago, Dave Williams said:
I’m curious about the correct configuration of the APR-38 low band antennas on the sides of the tail. I know about the three antennas on the sides of the nose, but there seems to be some variation on how many should be on the sides of the tail. Meng doesn’t seem to show any. Photos I’ve seen show one each side, high up near the leading edge of the tail, and others show maybe a second one.
Not sure about the arrowhead stiffener on the stabs being represented by panel lines. Hopefully they will have a PE part to go over it to provide some thickness.
There should be one low band antenna on each side of the fin (vertical stabiliser). The arrowhead-shaped doubler plates, like the missing belly strap, would be well-served by a pre-cut vinyl or etch set. (Might be in the kit?)
I'm liking this kit a lot. The windshield looks a little fat in the computer renderings — we'll have to see the actual plastic — but the canopy looks to correctly bow out laterally in the middle.
Definitely buying one. Need to source a long ALQ-184 ECM pod from Wolfpack, and need to know if the kit has inlets (and not blanked off like the ancient Hassy), but it's looking rosy.
Tony
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You'll want the different Navy Aero 5 or later LAU-118) launcher. The LAU-34 is completely different and was used by USAF F-4C/G Wild Weasels.
Tony
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On 9/7/2022 at 1:13 AM, ElectroSoldier said:
I cant seem to find a model of a MiG-25RBS in 72nd or 48th scale.
The ICM MiG-25RBF Elint version is the closest to the RBS SLAR version. Different nose panel arrangement but very similar.
The missiles & pylons would have to come from the ICM MiG-25BM boxing if you have to have them.
HTH,
Tony
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Wingtip RHAWS should be angled out at 45⁰, not fwd-facing, if memory serves me right. Cut the end off, file the lump back and at 45⁰, then glue the tiny teacakes on at that angle.
The fwd fuselage and parallel canopy sides haven't been corrected. Gives the Z-M canopy a MiG-23U look. I really hope that Tamiya follows up its B with a J and E/EJ, and Zoukei go up to 1/32 with all the fixes.
Tony
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On 4/7/2022 at 4:39 PM, jenshb said:
Caracal have done some ADTAC Eagles in both 48 and 72, but they don't 1:32 scale, whereas you do... I'd like to think that there would be a market for well printed decals of nice colour schemes. The Eagle is a fairly big and grey canvas, and needs some colour without going OTT.
Yes, I'd buy a set too. Faves are the 5th Spitten Kittens at Minot, ND, and 318th Green Dragons at McChord, WA.
Tony
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I recall there being Blue Angels cockpit parts included in the 1/32 Black Box F/A-18A backdate set for the Academy F/A-18C. Or some of them, like the gubbins on the coaming.
Tony
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There are often good deals on the Su-9U Maiden at around £22. There probably is sufficient commonality on sprues C and D to get what you need for the Su-11 Fishpot.
You could even make resin copies, or kindly ask someone who does, and have two great kits.
Tony
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8 hours ago, Blain said:
I don't understand. So you are telling me that the Reskit cockpit module does not correct anything?
The ResKit cockpit module and supplied clear parts, in particular, correct the freaky Booby Hoss windshield parts.
That the ResKit canopy differs a bit from the Academy clear part is, IMHO, a complete red herring. The ResKit parts, once installed and painted, will look totally right.
Tony
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3 hours ago, Murph said:
No they didn't. They had an omnidirectional antennae and a UHF offset to the right side of the fuselage spine.
The Arnie configuration in your link is for F-4Es and RF-4Cs.
Hth rather than hinders
Tony
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Unfortunately I have to be negative for clarity: there is such a dearth of Cold War era Soviet jet subjects coming out that we could put all of them, including multiple scales, in one thread. (And trying to shepherd cats is a bit pointless anyway.)
If Eduard do the design and tooling for "Thursday" (whatever that really means) editions of the MiG-21F-13 and -21UM then, surely, there is a higher probability of 1/72 scale editions emerging — eventually? I'm also quite certain my own wishing for more 1/48 versions of the venerable Fishbed is not going to alter Eduard's plans one tiny bit. So, panic over.
As for my preferred scale, "PayDay" 1/32, there now seems no hope of a replacement for the inadequate Trumpeter Fishbed kits. So rather than beating my head against the wall I accept that the 1/48 route gives the best choices, and Eduard's MiG-21's are delightful (as is the Bobcat Firebar, AMK Foxhound, ICM Foxbats, Trumpeter Fishpot/Maiden etc etc forcing me to think 1/48 even though it's not my preferred scale).
Eduard - yes, MiG-21 - yes, 1/72 - not much of what I had to say; but 2 out of 3 ain't bad. Actually, it's pretty good going. In a round-about way the Eduard CEO was saying, in effect, "sorry to our 1/72 scale customers, we do love you, but 1/48 scale is where it's at for us, and 1970s Cold War subjects remain a viable part of that programme". Thanks for posting the reply.
Tony
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2 hours ago, ya-gabor said:
Hi Tony T,
It is all question of individual taste.
I have the SH Mirage F1 and wish that never spent a penny on it!!!
Mind you for sure I will not get (never) the Zvezda PFM or bis. Once again fortunately we have our own choices and taste and it is not compulsory for anyone to buy any given product.
I don’t think that Eduard will ever do a 32nd scale version of any MiG-21. They will rather get the kit from any Chinese manufacturer and do the usual “repack” with some extra things (which are according to them strictly not correction but only detailing) and a big decal sheet.
The 48th scale F-13 and the two seater trainers are in the pipeline (somewhere) and will surface in few years time.
But here on this forums right now we are speaking about the 72nd scale kits! I am sure there is somewhere something for the 48th and bigger scale modellers.
Best regards
Gabor
Given that you've already posted an email extract in which Eduard say "72nd scale is a side production [for us]" and that you have dismissed SH kits as not worth a penny, there isn't anything left to discuss apart from what Eduard might do with the so-called "Thursday" Fishbeds, which are the ones that are selling.
I buy all my favourite aircraft subjects in every available double-digit scale, so I am interested in what Eduard are doing with the MiGs regardless of scale. Sadly, we do not see Cold War Soviet jet subjects coming out in vast, uncontained numbers such that we constantly get lost with choice and need to shepherd the subject matter.
Tony
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27 minutes ago, ya-gabor said:
No please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SH quality is . . .
Even the old Zvezda would be better!
Best regards
Gabor
Really? SH Mirage F.1, Super Mystère are inferior to the old Zvevda? Have you started mixing Xmas cocktails a bit early this year?
Looking forward to the SH 1/72 Mirage III/5 too but I do love the Eduard "Thursday" Fishbed kits — just wish they'd get on with the F-13 and Uchebny and seriously reconsider upscaling all of them to 1/32 ("Saturday night out"?).
That and retooling the lower wing parts to facilitate opened airbrake compartments.
Tony
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On 10/13/2021 at 10:55 AM, Andreas Beck said:
yes, it WAS. (container departure delays from China are now up to 12 weeks, I was said). Will let you know more if I get reliable information.
So, ETA is now December or January? Okay, I'll stock up the Xmas drinks caddy soon and buy my Revell in the New Year.
Tony
AMMO MiG-17F in 48th scale
in Jet Modeling
Posted
Agree 100%
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Kit looks very good. Currently
buildingfighting the 1/32 Trumpeter, so the 1/48 Ammo MiG will be a delight afterwards.Tony