VFA-103guy Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Ok, I know the topic title probably gave some of you a heart attack, but I do on occasion like to build some SELECT USAF birds. Anyway, what's the best kit out there for the F-117 in 1/48th? I was thinking of going for the Tamiya, but when I was a kid, I seem to remember the Mongoram kit being fairly easy to assemble. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Two Mikes Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Tamiya is the best but you will really have to fill in the panel lines to make it truly "right". The weapons bay is really nice as are th GBUs. Monograms kit is a second place kit but I believe the weps bay is moulded closed. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ipms33206 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 The Monogram kit does have the weapons bay closed. The Tamiya kit is good. Better with some PE sets from Eduard. There are some of the original Monogram issues with the photo etch sheet included that had all the screens on it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jwest21 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 So which panel lines need filled in? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Two Mikes Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 So which panel lines need filled in? All that arent control surface or bomb bay doors. The aircraft is covered in RAM so virtually no fasteners are visible. Its a lot of work but well worth it. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony9409 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 The Monogram promodeler version of the kit came with open bomb bay and came with photoetch... Still is inexpensive compared to Tamiya... regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jwest21 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 All that arent control surface or bomb bay doors. The aircraft is covered in RAM so virtually no fasteners are visible.Its a lot of work but well worth it. Mike wow...that is a lot of work. Odd, I just got the Tamiya one and was comparing it with the Monogram and thought "gee....monogram missed all those panel lines!" :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Two Mikes Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 The Monogram promodeler version of the kit came with open bomb bay and came with photoetch... Still is inexpensive compared to Tamiya...regards, I have never seen a Pro Modeler boxing. Do you happen to have a pic of it?? Interesting. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liberator24 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Why YES I Do!!! I will see if I can get to one...... -Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony9409 Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 (edited) No don't have a picture handy the kit number was 5922 and is moulded in grey plastic comes with a small photetch sheet of the grills and a few other items for the exterior, has 2 GBU for the bay...the boxtop shows a shot of the F-117 turning with the bay open for action. I built one of the regular monogram kits and it was pretty easy. I did find they skimped on details for how the canopy lifts. I haven't checked but you may be able to adapt some of the new eduard photoetch for the tamiya to use on the monogram for a low cost nighthawk. regards, Edited September 20, 2007 by Tony9409 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted September 20, 2007 Author Share Posted September 20, 2007 Well, thanks for the info guys! Since our local show is this Saturday, I may look out for both. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike J. Idacavage Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Hey Brian! :) If you see a red haired guy with a ball cap and wearing the required modeling geek aviation themed T shirt on Saturday, say hi. It would be great to get a chance to meet you in person! I am planning on attending the Huntsville show and I guess that's the one you were talking about. Mike Well, thanks for the info guys!Since our local show is this Saturday, I may look out for both. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bulldog 09 Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Tamiya. Dave Fassett Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toadwbg Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 TAMIYA. And Brian, clean out your PM Inbox so I can send you a PM. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted September 20, 2007 Author Share Posted September 20, 2007 Hey Brian! If you see a red haired guy with a ball cap and wearing the required modeling geek aviation themed T shirt on Saturday, say hi. It would be great to get a chance to meet you in person! I am planning on attending the Huntsville show and I guess that's the one you were talking about. Mike Well in that case, just keep your eye out for the short, fat guy wearing a VFA-103 shirt. :P I'm not easily missed.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skull Leader Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Well in that case, just keep your eye out for the short, fat guy wearing a VFA-103 shirt. :) I'm not easily missed.. Then I must be the worst shot in history :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modelsntoys Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Tamiya! I really didn't like the fit of the Monogram kit, but I must admit that my son was building it so some of the prep work to help with the fit may have been overlooked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RedHeadKevin Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 When I built the Tamiya kit, I filled the panel lines with Testor's Contour Putty, smoothed out with a rubbing-alcohol-soaked rag. It smoothed out the lines nicely, without having to sand the bejeezus outof the thing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 i built the revell-ogram a couple months ago, fit was ok and i didn't want to show the bomb ba anyway-i like the clean look for that jet. it was a cheap kit from wal-mart that i did just to break away from the gray jets. it also looks cool parked next to them on the shelf. it may be goin outta service, but the ol woblin goblin still looks mean to me!!!!!!!! i have no idea about the tamiya, but i hear good things....good luck!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted September 20, 2007 Author Share Posted September 20, 2007 Then I must be the worst shot in history :D ;) Better get back to the range and use that weapon instead of looking at it meatball.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dennis Buley Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 i built the revell-ogram a couple months ago, fit was ok and i didn't want to show the bomb ba anyway-i like the clean look for that jet. it was a cheap kit from wal-mart that i did just to break away from the gray jets. it also looks cool parked next to them on the shelf. it may be goin outta service, but the ol woblin goblin still looks mean to me!!!!!!!! i have no idea about the tamiya, but i hear good things....good luck!!! :blink: I built the Pro-Modeller version a year or so ago and enjoyed the build. Fit was good. There was a second ejection seat complete with photo etch seat belts and photo etch intake screens. Kit came with bomb bay, but the real negative was the ordnance. Kit came with two (crude) GBU-10s instead of the typical GBU-27s. Decals were good also. Dennis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlackThor 06 Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 If I may ask....Why isn't anyone mentioning the Academy kit? Aside from the amber-tinted clear parts, is it that worthless? BT6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 If I may ask....Why isn't anyone mentioning the Academy kit? I'd also be curious about that. I've only read one review of the kit, but it was fairly positive. (except for the tinted clear parts) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 The Academy kit is the Hobbycraft kit with a new tree for the weapons bay IIRC. Mine's in storage or I'd confirm what the extra parts are, but I'm absolutely certain about the Hobbycraft roots. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mightymax Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I just picked up an Italeri 117 at a yard sale. Good thing it was only two bucks! Looks like a real p.o.s and the kid selling it lied to me when asked if all the parts were there. Max Bryant Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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