Janissary

Awesome craftsmanship! Can't wait for the next steps.

I'm still so torn between the two. I like ZM's finesse with the details. But the issue with the straight cockpit sills and the spine insert are killing my enthusiasm for ZM. Sounds like ZM may also have some fit issues (see ZM thread). If I had to decide today, I think I'd go with Meng and add all the missing details (mostly rivets/fastners) myself. Can't wait for a comprehensive, side-by-side build comparison. What a fascinating time to be in this hobby.

Thank you all. In my earlier post above about the ejection seat pull handles: I have made small modifications since then, and have settled on 24 gauge nickel wire, painted both black and yellow with Testors enamel paint, then brush painted with diluted clear Elmer's glue to guard against chipping. Also working on surface prep. Just wanted to share that things get quite ugly with all the carving and deepening. I tend to do this type of deepening in all my models to make sure surface details look consistent. I use a red marker to indicate lines I have already deepened. Blue is for boo-b

Using a paper pattern to create radially even holes on drop tank caps. Since these pictures, I am toying around with the idea of increasing the number of rivets, so this may change. I am also trying a trick I found on YT. The pull handles using a single wire. Painting each half in yellow and black. Then twisting. Works alright. I have found a few extra tricks that helps, but I can detail them if there is interest.

My next build will hopefully be a 1/48 CF-104 using Kinetic's F-104G. I am thinking Turkish AF in SEA colors, something along these lines: I've been fiddling with this kit for the last couple months. I've found it to be a very enjoyable kit thus far. This is AMMO's boxing which contains a great set of instructions and decals. Working on part cleaning, surface prep and minor assemblies. I am deepening all rivets and panel lines, which will take a lot of time. For the rivets, I am trying to mimic rivets th

Fabulous!

I have built neither of the two (Meng vs ZM) F-4s. Several things: - I am of the opinion that, in this day and age, you don't need to have the plastic at hand or build the model yourself to tell if there is something wrong. All of us routinely pass judgements on things we don't physically have, and based solely on photos. - I have looked into several ZM F-4E WIP builds. There are a few on YT as well. I have to agree with EelctroSoldier that they all seem to have an issue with the spine. Here are two examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1R69oHZ16Y

Found this: https://www.activepowersports.com/tamiya-1-48-lockheed-martin-f-35a-lightning-ii-61124/?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cse&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5sm-0YfU-wIV1hvUAR0RgwqaEAQYASABEgI-8_D_BwE Doesn't say pre-order, and seems to be from CA. Didn't bother asking them via email but does this mean it's arrived in the U.S.?

Yes that cockpit looks awesome.

Will be following with interest. It would be super useful to see pictures of the build steps, what works, what doesn't work (fit and detail wise), and tricks you may use. Especially curious about how you will be closing the open bays. I have been dreading that, fearing ill-fitting doors

Like Dave, I find Meng's surface details to be underwhelming unfortunately. My first impression of their molding was with their 1/72 F-102. Since then I have seen their F-18E/F, EA-18G and now this. In all cases, the panel lines are wider and deeper than what my eyes want to see. Also, there is a general lack of rivet/fastener details even though there is some attempt at including these here and there. Both in Meng F-18 and F-4G, the pylons and flight surfaces are very similar in that respect - quite bare - to the point that I get a die-cast vibe at times. ZM is much better in the

Very exciting! Will be following with interest. Are you in the U.S. by any chance? If yes, I am curious which U.S. shops has this kit.

Really high quality video recording there. Very sharp and the soft lighting reveals all the impressive details. Also, the kit literally 'clicks' into place. I had started the Meng F-35A kit about 2 months ago. After Tamiya's announcement and the promo pics and videos, it's become impossible to continue with the Meng kit. I gave that one up.

Yes I also noticed the Japan delivery dates all the way in January. I contacted Sprue Brothers today. They said they still have not received it and did not give an ETA.

I have seen this kit available on Ebay (from Japan). All the U.S. side vendors are still in the pre-order mode though. Do we know when this will be available at Squadron or Sprue Brothers? I have seen November and Holiday season being thrown around but was wondering if there is more up to date info on this.

As an example of what is jaw droppingly beautiful is this pic. Tied to my post above, so curious about the wire material, the T-connector, and how you keep all the straight sections that straight while creating super clean bends with a consistent offset from the plastic.

I am so glad you're picking this back up Elmo. I am trying my hand at wiring too. What you have done is beyond my brain's capacity already, but can you explain a bit more how you make all the intricate connectors and sleeves? I found that you responded to a similar question here: Is that primarily how you make all your connectors? Below, I wanted to bring up examples of your incredible work, I am curious about all the connectors, sleeves, looms, and bolt nuts. They are of many different sizes, and some look to be compound structures that you have built up by stacking up different sized o

Earlier this year, I got this NF-5A boxing from Sprue Brothers. Same molds, awfully rough. I really gave it a valiant effort, but nope, I quit building it in the middle. I had in fact did a whole bunch of riveting and found good ways of dealing with the intakes. But still, the excitement never quite picked up. I'd be so excited if Kinetic redid this F-5A with their upgraded tech/suppliers. I don't think GWH, Meng, or Tamiya will ever do it.

Looks awesome! Love the weathering and photography.

This is incredible! The attention to detail, colors, weathering, that exhaust area, diorama, photography... Simply wonderful. It's so good that I will not bother getting the kit myself. Whenever I get a Su-27 itch, I will just come here and look at the pics. This is the ultimate Flanker.

So let me understand this clearly: You think all the unvaccinated deaths prior to the vaccines becoming available are thrown into the mix when reporting unvax death rates, say the 1st week of March 2022. Is that so? This right there tells me you have zero understanding how to read charts, what death rate means, what a moving average is. Even a simple glimpse at the charts would have told you what you are saying is literally impossible. You're like a flat-earther. You know it is B.S., but you also know all the talking points, so you think you make sense by throwing out words you do

There are two separate issues that you and other are anti-vaxers keep conflating. Also you keep deflecting the discussion by bringing up unrelated issues to create the illusion that pro-vaxers are peddling their unsubstantiated beliefs on you. This is not the case. (1) On the issue whether you have the right not to get vaccinated. Of course you do. Everyone does. (2) Regardless of whether you are exercising your right to not be vaccinated, there are facts you simply cannot ignore. These facts don't care about your political stance, if it is morally right or wrong for

Are there major external, cockpit, or ordnance differences between SEA, Euro I, and Hill Gray camo F-4Gs? For instance, is a SEA possible given the above Meng box? ZM offers the Euro I scheme which is also nice.

If it were me, I'd pass on the tinted canopy. It is hard to get it just right (Tamiya's is too dark). Also, many two seaters have only the front half tinted and not the rear. I'd just let the modelers airbrush a thinned clear paint. You can even add that to the instructions (something like "Airbrush a mix of Tamiya smoke:clear yellow:X-20A in 1:1:8" whatever)

I really like the surface detail. I hope it also fits well. I am desperately waiting for the D-Block 50+ (GE engines). Raymond, IIRC you mentioned over FB that this was in your plans. Any idea when we will get to that, or anything you can share regarding the order of versions you will be releasing?