josh1813 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I'm sorry if this is a repost of a repost, but I've searched for two weeks on several websites, and searching for U-2 on google is useless unless you're interested in a band. I'm looking to do a U-2, and I'm not even that specific about variant. I know in 1/48 Testors is about the only thing going, but I keep seeing a lot of Airfix 1-72 kits. Has anybody had any experience with these? Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DonSS3 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 If you want to do one in 1/72 the Airfix kits (and their MPC clones) are pretty nice kits. In 1/48, the TR-1/ER-2s from Testors are pretty good, but the U-2A/C kits are the same plastic as the old Hawk kits, but with better decals. Lots of detail bits from CE can be found on eBay on a regular basis. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
josh1813 Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 Thanks, I was ready to pull what little is left of my hair out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ham Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I built the Airfix U-2C in 1984 and still have it. It's a pretty good kit for it's age. Special Hobby makes a TR-1A in 1/72. I have this kit but have not built it yet. It got mine from Roll Models. SH72024. They also have an ER-2. clicky Hi-Planes makes a U-2R as I recall, but I can't find their page now. The link I had seems to be dead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
datguy Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 There are several U-2 builds in the 2008 Recon Group Build folder here on ARC, including mine: Airfix U-2 DG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
canadadry1 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I've got one of the Italeri 1/48 boxes with the TR-1 version....I had heard horror stories about it but so far it's been a dream. I'm putting in the Cutting Edge sets and doing some scratching of my own but I really can't complain a bit about it. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 The High Planes kit is okay, but it is not easy to build as it has a lot of thick flash on it. The Italeri ones IMHO are the way to go. In 1/72, Minicraft/Academy (back when they were one company) did clone the Airfix U-2C/E a few years back and they build up nice. I think they might be due for reissue from Academy in fact. As for the U-2Rs, they pop up on eBay from time to time. The basic kit has been offered in about five versions: U-2R TR-1A/ER-2C (TR-1s were new build airframes made in the 1980s, externally they look almost like U-2Rs and today they are just designated U-2Rs along with the rest of the fleet. The ER-2 was NASA's purpose built U-2R/TR-1 airframe) TR-1B trainer (hard to find, but was issued in the 1980s) U-2R Senior Span (most recent issue from 2 years ago with the big dorsal pod on it) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
josh1813 Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 I can't thank you all enough, this has really been helpful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 (edited) I did the old MPC(Airfix) a couple years ago, its great if you don't have a lot of shelf space.Not too much sanding and filling. I added a scratch built sugar scoop to the exhaust. It has 3 options, really a nice kit in 1/72 scale and I think its available from time to time.---John Edited July 17, 2009 by john53 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 (edited) P.S. I also built the Testors, old Hawk in 1/48, fun build but wings were warped bad and little or no detail in wheel wells and cockpit. Also it takes up quite a bit space---John Edited July 17, 2009 by john53 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Julien (UK) Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 If you want an early U-2 then the Hawk kit is tyhe only way unless you get the testors Kit and use the expensive cutting edge backdate set (if you can find it) Cutting edge did lots of nice resin stuff & decals, all of which are getting harder to find and more expensive! Julien Quote Link to post Share on other sites
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I've built the Airfix U-2 three times, and enjoyed each one. U-2A SAC U-2C Nasa U-2D USAF I've never got my mits on the Academy kit, so can't comment on that. And I've built the Special hobby TR-1A. Not as easy as Airfix, but then more rewarding. Intending to fit the superpods on this one soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MikeC Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 (edited) I've built both the Italeri and Testors kits in 1:48. Given that I'm not a detail fanatic the Testors, for me, builds up to an acceptable model with a few minor enhancements: I think I replaced the pogo wheels, had to add the "sugar scoop", and do one or two other minor additions - it's a long time since I built it. The Italeri U-2R/TR-1 I built as the two-seater. Make sure you remove the "fences" on the tailplane if applicable - iirc the U-2R had then, the TR-1 didn't, or was it vice-versa? Anyway, building the kit as a twin-stick had two major problems: you need to omit the pods on the wings, which results in a lot of workas the kit is not designed to leave them off; and the rear floor is much too low, the top of the seat barely comes up to the cockpit sill if you built it per the instructions. Also some fit issues elsewhere. Doing them both in the same scale makes you realise just how much larger the U-2R/TR-1 was. Also impressive in real life - I used to live and work near Alconbury in the 80s and regularly saw them overhead in the circuit. Edit for typos Edited July 21, 2009 by MikeC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I completely forgot about the Special Hobby 1/72 U-2R! That would be the one to go for in that scale. Very nice builds there Tim! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
josh1813 Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 Once again thanks again guys, this has been more than helpful. Just hope that when I find one, I can make it look half as decent as the ones y'all presented here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I've built both the Italeri and Testors kits in 1:48. They're the same plastic. IIRC the 1/72 clone of the Airfix kit wasn't done by Academy, it was done by another Korean firm (whose name escapes me at the moment). It was actually much nicer than the original Airfix kit in that it has very petitely done scribed panel lines (Airfix's are raised). I've used the canopy from a junked Hasegawa F-104 on it, and it's a big improvement over the thick-ish canopy in it and the Airfix kits. J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
172flogger Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Adacemy = Seminar: http://www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/models/u2.htm L. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Av8fan Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 172flogger, Thats a nice site. Thanks for posting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
josh1813 Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 I agree, thanks for digging that website up, the wealth of knowledge on this forum always amazes me. Thanks again, guys. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MikeC Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 They're the same plastic. J Sorry Jennings, but oh no they're not! One (Testors) is a U-2C, the other (Italeri) is a U-2R/TR-1. Two very different aeroplanes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peebeep Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 High Planes website. They are still listing a U2/TR1 peebeep Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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