swimmer25k

Have any of you picked up this kit or actually built it? The instructions say that it's easy to build, but definitely a challenge. I've forked over $$$$ for for some kits because the subject matter, detail, and quality were over the top. This kit and the New Ware rocket are about a $500 commitment. That's a lot of Academy F-4s and Eduard Spitfires. Any thoughts? Thanks for your time. Chris

Kristian, I'd buy a set, or the printing file as well!!!! Name your price! Chris

A long while back, there was a post by someone who had come up with a solution to a viable paint mix for the F-35B. I can't find it anymore. The scheme utilized Gunze enamels for gunship (36118) and engine (36081) grays. They were to be mixed with their super-metallic steel. I used a similar concoction for an F-22 I did 3 years ago and it worked great. Unfortunately, I forgot what the mixture ratios were? Does anyone remember the post or the recipe used? Thanks, Chris

That's your only option outside of the kit decals. They pop up on ebay from time to time, so bid to win. Good luck. Chris

I'm interested in building my Bone and would like to drop the slats and flaps. Has anyone done an article on how to do so? Are their any drawings available to follow along with? Thanks, Chros

Post-it notes and de-tact Tamiya tale is what I use. Be careful with the. Lack undercoat. I've had that coat crack on models over time. I don't use it anymore. I now prime with Gunze 1000/1200 out of the spray-can and give it a quick polish. Chris

Darren, Are the stiffeners vinyl? How do they stick over time, and/or react to paint (does it stick)? In addition, how do the Hasegawa stiffeners fit to the Academy kit (assuming that you've tried this)? I've been trying to unload my Hasegawa F-4s on the forums, but interest has evaporated. Any plans on developing conversions for the E/G from the a Academy kit, or would the forward fuselage be too much of a hassle? Thanks, Chris

Do the GWH B/D kits have different wheels than the C? Thanks, Chris

I'm backdating the GWH -C to an early -A and need to swap out the wheels. Thanks, Chris

I believe that Afterburner decals did a stencil sheet that gave the red areas inside of the gear doors as decals. Furball did some for the F-4 (Hasegawa and Academy) and they made my life much easier. Chris

Geno, Thanks for your reply. That would be very cool. I have the Dragon Saturn V kit, and it would look naked standing alone. How many levels would the tower be? If you are correct, this would be the configuration during a launch? A 1/72 crawler would be nice. There's the paper one out there, but that wouldn't interest me. Thanks again, Chris

I'm still a little confused. The kit "should" be the pad and the tower? Do you have a picture you can show me? Thanks, Chris

I hate to admit, but I'm not very familiar with much of the terminology associated with the Saturn V. Is/Will the LVM LUT kit consist of the launch pad and tower? All PE or will there be some resin as well? What am I missing? Thanks! Chris

Ross, Thanks for your reply. Great information. Maybe in a substantial moment of weakness I'll grab one. Chris

I've built a few and currently working on one. Their Tu-134UBL looks very good in the box. When I talk about being painless; I mean by Amodel standards.

I've been getting away from 1/48 US aircraft and have been interested lately in 1/72 Russian subjects. I saw some interesting markings and PE, and am considering getting one. One thing I'm not interested in is fighting through a build if I don't have to. So, I'm mostly interested in an easy and fun build with minimal problems. Probably too much to ask! Do you have any of the PE sets for it? Thanks, Chris

Armory.com has some new markings listed along with a few PE sets. Thanks, Chris

Double post, dammit.

Outstanding work on your Blackbird. I have a few questions for you. How were you able or obtain the cross-section for the wheel wells, and did your model have the pronounced twist in it? If so, how did you get it level? I went through the hassle of scribing the same model years ago and wasn't aware of the twist until after I glued it together. That has been the only reason why i haven't gone back to do another one. Keep up the great work. Chris

Correct. My bad.

KASL makes the following for the F-35: Cockpits for A and B New ejection seat B weapons bay IFR probe for B and C New vertical and horizontal stabs for the A and C (a must have) Intake trunks for B Exhaust nozzle for B You can buy their stuff from hobbyeasy.com. Fair prices and good service.

There are a lot of Kitty Hawk haters out there. I have the C kit and it looks good in the box. I've added the Dream Model PE nozzle, update set, and Armory wheels. The cockpit isn't so great and needs help. KASL has made some great sets for the A and B kits, and I would imagine that they would address this kit as well. Intakes have some Nast seams. I don't know if the KASL set for the B would fit the C. The B has to make room for the lift fan, so the shape can vary between variants. I'm building the B and it isn't s Tamiya P-51. Lots of engineering went into these kits, so fit can be tou

The detail is great, but an absolute bad girl to install in the Hasegawa kit. Both the resin and plastic have to be ground down to paper-like thinness. If you use it (on a Hasegawa kit), skip the side panels. It weakens the structure and you lose gluing points.

Darren, What about RAM masks for the B kit? Also, if the RAM patterns are consistent, why not a masking/decal set that can cut up by the modeler to address a particular area? Thanks, Chris

How far askew is the part? Fixable on my end or is it necessary for a completely new part.