Gator52 Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Just looking for opinions/info on 1/72 T-33 kits. Looking to build one, but unfamiliar with how the kits are. Thanks Jonah Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Probably doesn't help much, but at this point I think I'd hold off to see what the new Platz kit looks like. The guys at Platz are very picky, and I'm greatly looking forward to their T-bird. To date the best one is Heller from the 1980s. There is a new (is it even out yet??) Czech one as well (Sword??), but I haven't seen it. I think Platz will probably be the one to beat. J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 ...There is a new (is it even out yet??) Czech one as well (Sword??), but I haven't seen it. There was one being built in the In-Progress forum. The cockpit parts looked rather clunky and didn't appear to have much detail. I haven't seen any more updates on the build to see more of the kit. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gene K Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 There was one (Sword T-33) being built in the In-Progress forum. The cockpit parts looked rather clunky and didn't appear to have much detail. The cockpit is fine for 1/72 - just needs a little detailing - like Squadron seats. I'm really surprised Eduard hasn't jumped on a cockpit set for this kit (they may be waiting for the Platz to optimize compatibility?). The rest of the kit has very good detail all around - resin as well as plastic. Line the intakes with some thin plastic card, add a thin metal exhaust tube, and you'll end up with a really nice little kit! Then we need Wolfpak to come out with a Travel Pod/Radar Reflector and an AL/ALE2 Chaff dispenser!!!!! If you're adventurous, you could make an RT-33 by grafting on an RF-80 nose, either a copy from the Sword RF-80 kit, or the spare from the Heller T-33 kit. If using the Heller nose, be aware that the slope of the nose piece is slightly different between the Heller and Sword kits, so cut the Sword kit carefully. Overall the Sword kit is much nicer than the Heller and (of course) the old Hasegawa kits - Sword's the one to get if you can't wait until December for the Platz version ..... which *may* be better. At any rate, you won't be disappointed with the Sword offering! Gene K Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Did they correct the errors and omissions from the 1/32 kit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gene K Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Did they correct the errors and omissions from the 1/32 kit? Don't do 1/32 - where's the list of "errors and omissions"? Gene K Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 If you're not a total stickler over the accuracy of every little cockpit panel in 1/72, I wonder how easily the TD 1/72 cockpit 'pit for the F-89 would work? Definitely a little gem, that set! Obviously have to remove stuff like the radar screen and such, but other than that, wonderful detail at a terrific price! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gene K Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Did they correct the errors and omissions from the 1/32 kit? I repeat, what "errors and omissions", Jennings? Gene K Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 The rudder is too narrow (which makes it impossible to do some paint schemes correctly such as the 48th FIS or Michigan ANG), the shape of the fin tip is wrong, and they totally missed the very prominent leading edge glove that's fitted to about 99% of T-birds. The latter changes the camber of the angled leading edge up next to the fuselage, and has a very unusual shape in both plan form (top and bottom) and cross-section. It's usually painted red also, which brings the eye to it. You can't just paint the l/e red and get away with it (at least in my book). The tip tanks are hosed from end to end. Proportions are all out of whack. You only get the early USAF style main wheels, not the much more common later style. There are others... J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
172flogger Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 ......if you can't wait until December for the Platz version ..... Gene K i will wait more, Italeri could rebox Platz cheaperly and with different decals. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gene K Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 The rudder is too narrow (which makes it impossible to do some paint schemes correctly such as the 48th FIS or Michigan ANG), the shape of the fin tip is wrong, and they totally missed the very prominent leading edge glove ... The tip tanks are hosed from end to end. Proportions are all out of whack. You only get the early USAF style main wheels, There are others... So what's your reference/drawings that I can check the Sword kit against? I didn't think Sword was part of the same group that put out the 1/32 T-33....? Gene K Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 Photos, not drawings. I've crawled all over a couple of real T-33s, and in drawing stuff to fit the rudder, it simply doesn't work on the kit the way it works on the real airplane. I've never seen T-33 drawings I trust. That, bizarrely, includes the decal placement drawings in the 1/32 kit, which don't even remotely come CLOSE to matching the kit that's in the box! Knowing Mr. Futagami at Platz, I suspect theirs will be excellent. J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big Kohona Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 If you're not a total stickler over the accuracy of every little cockpit panel in 1/72, I wonder how easily the TD 1/72 cockpit 'pit for the F-89 would work? Definitely a little gem, that set! Obviously have to remove stuff like the radar screen and such, but other than that, wonderful detail at a terrific price! I think you are thinking of the F-94 cockpit set. I've done that mysef, just switched out the ejection seats for the T-33 ones. May not be 100% accurate, but in 1/72, it works and looks good (better than what is there anyways). As for best overall T-33, right now, I'd have to go with several other members in the crowd here. I am waiting with for the Platz kit. I've had a chance to see the Sword kit and yes, it looks nice, especially the scribed panel lines, but some of the smaller bits looked a little 'chunky' to me and the resin bits strike me as if they could have been better (for example: I'd opt for the True Details F-94 tub & T-33 seats). I have several of the Heller kits (some in originals and others from the Pro Scale releases). I've outfitted them with the True Details bits and Airwaves photoetch sets. I just do not see replacing them with the Sword kit. It does not strike me as being worth $25. The Heller kit is still quite good. As an FYI, I just checked the price of both the Sword and Platz kits over at Hobby Search. They show the Sword kit at a regular price of 2300 Yen, while the Platz kit is only 2000 Yen. Platz just might end up being the best overall kit for value and quality - worth playing the wait and see game if you are not in a hurry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pollie Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 i will wait more, Italeri could rebox Platz cheaperly and with different decals. Bingo, my thoughts exactly!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fouga Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Just looking for opinions/info on 1/72 T-33 kits. Looking to build one, but unfamiliar with how the kits are.Thanks Jonah hi all,i have the hasegawa kit with the usaf "thunderbirds" decals...kit seems to be ok enough,but as i have not seen any other kit to compare it to im not too sure,but having said that you are normally safe enough with hasegawa kits Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Laurent Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 but having said that you are normally safe enough with hasegawa kits It depends on when the molds were tooled. The T-33, A-4 and others are old kits. Detailing isn't great and they have raised panel lines but that doesn't mean that the kits are bad of course. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fouga Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 It depends on when the molds were tooled. The T-33, A-4 and others are old kits. Detailing isn't great and they have raised panel lines but that doesn't mean that the kits are bad of course. my point exactly Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 The Hasegawa T-33 is one of their early kits - from the mid-1960s. Not quite as old as their Sabre, but pretty ancient. Still, the shape is pretty good... J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fouga Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 The Hasegawa T-33 is one of their early kits - from the mid-1960s. Not quite as old as their Sabre, but pretty ancient. Still, the shape is pretty good...J exactly...after all,it is not as bad as the airfix fiat g-91....now there is a model that is so wrong on many levels Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.