jetdx Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Hey yas, I have gotten a lot from the ARC forums. I am now in the market for a modern military aircraft model. I am leaning towards a F-15C. I am sure that someone has posted this question before but what is a good kit to go for, regardless of what type of a/c it is? When I look for a kit, before I look for a kit I look to see what has a masking kit for it. I want to get something that has quite a few after-market add-ons to think about getting (photo-etch and/or resin). I feel that I am a rather experienced modeler so skill level really isn't a factor. After building a (Academy, I think) CH-53E and currently a Sword T-38 (not made by any other companies, that I found) I am ready for something that has its easy points. Looking for suggestions! THX Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Hi jetdx, If scale (budget) is not an issue, may I suggest the 1/32nd scale F-15C or F-15E from Tamiya. The model looks like the full sized item, it goes together pretty well from what I've read and Aires has resin cockpits for the -"C" while BB has(d?) a cockpit for the -"E". In addition to that, there are aftermarket burner cans available in resin or etch. HTH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jetdx Posted October 12, 2009 Author Share Posted October 12, 2009 Hi jetdx,If scale (budget) is not an issue, may I suggest the 1/32nd scale F-15C or F-15E from Tamiya. The model looks like the full sized item, it goes together pretty well from what I've read and Aires has resin cockpits for the -"C" while BB has(d?) a cockpit for the -"E". In addition to that, there are aftermarket burner cans available in resin or etch. HTH Hmmm...checked out the price for the 1:32 F-15C by Tamiya. $151 would be about double of what I am looking to spend. THANKS for the suggestion...keep 'em coming THX Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caudleryan Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Try Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/F-15C-Eagle-1-32-by-...7243&sr=1-7 Also, if scale is not a factor, I would definatly get the Revell 1/48 F-15E. It pretty much puts itself together. RYAN. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jetdx Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 UPDATE: I have come to the conclsion that it needs to be an A-6 or an A-10. I know of the HobbyBoss A-10. Is that the best available? 1:48 scale. I REALLY would like to get a kit that would have a masking set that I could get. THX Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 UPDATE: I have come to the conclsion that it needs to be an A-6 or an A-10. I know of the HobbyBoss A-10. Is that the best available? 1:48 scale. I REALLY would like to get a kit that would have a masking set that I could get.THX Well, the Hobby Boss A-10 has a lot going for it if you like recessed panels and want something that builds pretty easily. It can be pricey though, although one could say even for what most retailers in the states charge for it, it would be within the price budget you specified. The Italeri A-10 sells for about half price, but IMHO it needs an Eduard Zoom photoetch set for the pit (if you've done the Sword T-38 with the color photoetch, you can install this one just fine) and a set of Quickboost engine faces to replace the crappy kit ones. But even then, ultimately you would still have a IMHO good A-10 for still less then a HobbyBoss kit. Fit-wise, the Italeri kit seems to fit just fine. Both the Hobbyboss and Italeri kits need a little effort getting all the panels in the engine pods to line up well though as they are sort of designed to slap a resin engine in there. In my case, I used a little strip styrene inside to help the fit of a couple of the panels. To my knowledge, both the HB and Italeri kits have canopy masking sets available. As for the A-6, that is a bit more problematic if you desire 1/48 scale. Only real good choice in this scale is the Revell A-6E, but it is currently OOP (although somewhat common on eBay for decent prices). External detailing is raised panels, but the shapes are good and fit is decent for its age. There are also a few aftermarket sets for it if you want to go to town on it. Fujimi did an A-6A, but it was tooled up in the 1970s and might not be true 1/48 (probably 1/50 scale as was common at the time) and the Revell kit came about two decades later. In November, Revell is reissuing the EA-6A, so it might be worth waiting for. The Revell/Monogram EA-6B Prowler was also recently reissued as a Stevens International exclusive, but it isn't as good since a lot of common A-6E parts were used when in reality the EA-6B has more different with it then common. In 1/72 scale, things are better. Fujimi in the early 1980s tooled up an IMHO outstanding A-6A kit (recessed panels and crammed with parts). Italeri also tooled up a great KA-6D and recently issued a limited production A-6E which is currently available (both recessed panels, lower parts count then the Fujimi kit, but still nice). Hasegawa tooled up an A-6 as well, but it is an older tool with raised panels and I hear it can be a bit of a chore in the fit department. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jetdx Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 Well, the Hobby Boss A-10 has a lot going for it if you like recessed panels and want something that builds pretty easily. It can be pricey though, although one could say even for what most retailers in the states charge for it, it would be within the price budget you specified. The Italeri A-10 sells for about half price, but IMHO it needs an Eduard Zoom photoetch set for the pit (if you've done the Sword T-38 with the color photoetch, you can install this one just fine) and a set of Quickboost engine faces to replace the crappy kit ones. But even then, ultimately you would still have a IMHO good A-10 for still less then a HobbyBoss kit. Fit-wise, the Italeri kit seems to fit just fine. Both the Hobbyboss and Italeri kits need a little effort getting all the panels in the engine pods to line up well though as they are sort of designed to slap a resin engine in there. In my case, I used a little strip styrene inside to help the fit of a couple of the panels. To my knowledge, both the HB and Italeri kits have canopy masking sets available.As for the A-6, that is a bit more problematic if you desire 1/48 scale. Only real good choice in this scale is the Revell A-6E, but it is currently OOP (although somewhat common on eBay for decent prices). External detailing is raised panels, but the shapes are good and fit is decent for its age. There are also a few aftermarket sets for it if you want to go to town on it. Fujimi did an A-6A, but it was tooled up in the 1970s and might not be true 1/48 (probably 1/50 scale as was common at the time) and the Revell kit came about two decades later. In November, Revell is reissuing the EA-6A, so it might be worth waiting for. The Revell/Monogram EA-6B Prowler was also recently reissued as a Stevens International exclusive, but it isn't as good since a lot of common A-6E parts were used when in reality the EA-6B has more different with it then common. In 1/72 scale, things are better. Fujimi in the early 1980s tooled up an IMHO outstanding A-6A kit (recessed panels and crammed with parts). Italeri also tooled up a great KA-6D and recently issued a limited production A-6E which is currently available (both recessed panels, lower parts count then the Fujimi kit, but still nice). Hasegawa tooled up an A-6 as well, but it is an older tool with raised panels and I hear it can be a bit of a chore in the fit department. WOW!!! THX Jay...that is the information I am looking for! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jetdx Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 Anything for anyone to add??? pls THX Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DonSS3 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Only thing I would add to Jay's excellent synopsis is you may want to consider the Revell/Monogram A-10. I suspect it'll be more "fiddly" than the ESCI/Italeri kit, but I think it's worth it. Nicely detailed inside and out, and if you want to update the aircraft to it's current fit, there are aftermarket bits available. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 (edited) Only thing I would add to Jay's excellent synopsis is you may want to consider the Revell/Monogram A-10. I suspect it'll be more "fiddly" than the ESCI/Italeri kit, but I think it's worth it. Nicely detailed inside and out, and if you want to update the aircraft to it's current fit, there are aftermarket bits available. Good point, but be aware that the Italeri A-10 is NOT the Esci A-10 at all. If somebody offers you an Esci A-10 kit, run away as it is not so hot. Yes, there are resin LASTE bits out there to add to the Revell kit. Edited October 15, 2009 by Jay Chladek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jetdx Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 UPDATE: OK...I have decided on the Hobbyboss A-10. Are there any engine corrections, other than the correct fan blades offered by quickboost for the Italeri kit or aftermarket kits (mainly engines)? I have located the Big Ed kit from Squadron which includes: mask, int. PE, ext. PE, gunbay PE, armament PE. I also plan on getting aftermarket white metal landing gear and resin wheels. Suggestions? Maybe something I have not thought of. Maybe I have even thought about it and have ruled it out. IDK...fire away!! :unsure: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ranakoshgelam Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Hey yas,I have gotten a lot from the ARC forums. I am now in the market for a modern military aircraft model. I am leaning towards a F-15C. I am sure that someone has posted this question before but what is a good kit to go for, regardless of what type of a/c it is? When I look for a kit, before I look for a kit I look to see what has a masking kit for it. I want to get something that has quite a few after-market add-ons to think about getting (photo-etch and/or resin). I feel that I am a rather experienced modeler so skill level really isn't a factor. After building a (Academy, I think) CH-53E and currently a Sword T-38 (not made by any other companies, that I found) I am ready for something that has its easy points. Looking for suggestions! THX Phantoms are always a good kit to do and is very popular on the aftermarket parts and decals side. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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