AZ Models 1/48 Scale F3H-2M Demon

[Bobski]

Spotted this on Hannants for £49.99. It's a lot of money, but I'm thinking of treating myself after Christmas as the Demon looks cool and would be something a bit different to build. Has anyone any experience of this kit? What is it like?

[j-basset]

I understand it's a re-issue of the 1/48 Grand Phoenix F3H-2, but with new decals, and what appears to be new pylons.

Looking to buy one myself, eventhough I already bought the GP kit.

Jason C.

[Matt Roberts]

One thing to think about, over the next month or so we'll start seeing the 2008 releases from the mainstream injection molded manufacturers. Seeing that Hobbyboss has just released a nice Fury in 48th I have a suspicion that we may see a Demon from them in 2008. Nothing other than a hunch and that someone who did the artwork on the Fury said he has done alot of boxart for future Hobbyboss kits.

Just remember I am one who could not be forced to buy a limited run kit anymore even if my life depended on it!

Matt

Still having nightmares about Classic Airframes Blenheim wheelbays...three years later

[Bobski]

Cheers guys. I think I will pick one up. I saw some sprue-shots on the web (can't remember where, I Googled it) and it looks pretty good. Something a bit different for the shelf.

[Bobski]

I wanted to do a quick in-box review of this Demon, so I thought I'd revive my old thread rather than create an entirely new one. I'm no expert on any of this, so it's just my personal views on what I can see in the box (it will probably get started after I've finished my Viggie and my Sea Harrier).

I ordered the Demon and it arrived yesterday. The box is quite small, but its packed full of kit. £49.99 ($100) is a lot of money for a kit, but in the box you not only get all the plastic, but you also get a fret of PE, three bags of resin bits (including a beautiful engine nozzle) and a pre-cut paint mask. Instructions are pretty basic, but still understandable, as are the paint instructions. Decals look OK, if a little thick and there isn't a lot of stencil data. I don't know whether this is good or bad, as I'm not familiar with the aircraft.

The plastic parts look quite well moulded and have finely engraved panel lines. Hardly any flash is evident and the surface detailing looks pretty good. In the resin bags you get a number of detailing parts, including the cockpit, bang seat, wheels, engine nozzle and turbine face, tail hook and various fairings/aerials. They all look to be well made and again there is little flash evident. The PE fret includes some details for the engine and the speed brakes, as well as what appear to be vortex generators and strakes on the upper surface of the wing, all finely etched.

On the face of it, this looks like a pretty good kit. There is certainly a lot more resin than I expected, and the PE and paint mask are certainly a bonus. £49.99 is a lot of money to shell out, but when I opened the box and saw all the extras it didn't feel quite as bad. It looks like it will build up into a half-decent model, and I'll report on that once I've started it.