Modelmkr Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 (edited) Well, just came back from my LHS with this kit in tow. Spent an hour or so pouring over it. Here are some of my impressions: Observation 1: Holy Fark!!! Observation 2: See observation 1. Things I’ve already noticed: - A case of three steps forward and two steps back? Wings (as we already knew) have to be built folded or open, no option to change afterwards. Turns out the same is true for landing gear and control surfaces… build them up or down, no option to change afterwards. Good? Bad? I don’t know, but options are always welcome in my opinion. - This release (for export market) includes clear cowl parts to "show off" the engine... Instruction insert tells you to spray a "heavy coat" of clear to help make parts more transparent. Nice option, I suppose, but I'll stick with removeable cowl bits. - Unlike the last two kits, this one uses NO magnets anywhere. I find this a step backwards as they could have easily been employed for cowling parts, tailwheel up/down assemblies, and landing gear closed doors. - Easter eggs: On photo etch sets, they include a Sutton seat harness; so this coupled with the seperate wing tip option to have clipped wings (not included in this kit) show their “intention” to do a British FAA Corsair of some mark or other. Also, as also seen in the Mustang kit, the end rocket plates for 5” HVARs (8 of) and Tiny Tim rockets (2 of) are included on PE sheet 'b'. Lets see if they actually follow through with any of these this time. I’m sure others will pick up on more, but that’s what I see initially. Surface detail is amazing, but in dire danger of being hidden under a coat of paint.… Mist on thin smooth coats to preserve. Marc B. Edited July 2, 2013 by Modelmkr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dehowie Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Something no one with the kit has mentioned. It is one of the most complex builds ive seen. The quality involved in the components and there are lots of them in the deployed flap and wingfold option must be seen. I can easily see why there are no options in this one or magnets the engineering in the complexity of showing faithfully the flap and wing of the Corsair is truly gorgeous. No kit has got within a country mile of this level of sophisticated tooling to really show how a Corsair works. Gun bays will be difficult to install with the spar to consider. This kit is every bit as good and maybe better than the Spit and P-51 but for different reasons. However the flap and wingfold are true engineering works of art and the box is totally packed with plastic. 124 steps to completion gives you some idea how complex it is. This aint no shake and bake by a long way... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Modelmkr Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) Something no one with the kit has mentioned. It is one of the most complex builds ive seen. The quality involved in the components and there are lots of them in the deployed flap and wingfold option must be seen. I can easily see why there are no options in this one or magnets the engineering in the complexity of showing faithfully the flap and wing of the Corsair is truly gorgeous. No kit has got within a country mile of this level of sophisticated tooling to really show how a Corsair works. Gun bays will be difficult to install with the spar to consider. This kit is every bit as good and maybe better than the Spit and P-51 but for different reasons. However the flap and wingfold are true engineering works of art and the box is totally packed with plastic. 124 steps to completion gives you some idea how complex it is. This aint no shake and bake by a long way... It is a complex build with lots of fiddly bits, to be sure, but good instructions make the difference on these sort of kits. The trick here is to read and study the instruction manual several times and make your own margin notes to help you along the way. It should then make for a smooth and pleasurable build with no surprises. More like a fine 5-course meal than a shake and bake :) The complexity of the wings definitely left no option but to have them fixed up or down, but the use of magnets could still have been employed on the engine cowling, and to have the landing gear in flight mode. Most people pick one option and stick with it, so upon reflection it may not be that big a deal to omit magnets for this swap/change after all. Yup, with the main structural spar running right through the gun bay area, there was little choice but to forego the weapon bays. Even aftermarket companies may be challenged to provide this, or they may provide the parts and leave the modeller hanging in the breeze to figure out how to install them and still have structural integrity to attach the wings... someone will come up with a way, I'm sure. Marc B. Edited July 3, 2013 by Modelmkr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tracy White Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 There's been a couple of times where I've had to really look at the instructions to make sure I didn't miss-interpret something, but by and large they did a good job. There are cases where they have an additional view besides just the exploded isometric, and you want to make sure to compare the two when they present them, because it means there is something important to note. One of the sidewall switch boxes (not near my instructions or kit right now, so I can't give the number) was initially confusing, because while the previous one had fit OVER the locating tab, the next one rested with it on the bottom edge. I didn't understand that until I looked at the side-view they provided and could see that it was positioned higher in the drawing than what I initially test fit. Pay attention to the instructions and you will have a better build (not to say I'm strictly following their order, I'm just paying close attention). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Are the clear cowl parts extra or is that it for the cowl? I personally hate clear parts. Is it feasible to cut out some of the cowl panels to leave them open? Obviously without the magnets you can't place them back on but at least could have them open for inspection or whatever? Cowl flaps positionable or are they part of the cowl? This will be my first Tamiya 1/32 kit so the optional in flight or magnets and such don't concern me. What other kit has ever offered these options aside from Tamiya? Perhaps everyone is getting spoiled by how good their kits are they can't accept this one for what it is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tracy White Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 My kit (preview release sent to Skyway Model Shop) did not have the clear cowl pieces, so I can't comment on that. The cowl is fixed like everything else; you choose what you want and it stays that way. It might be possible to magnetize the cowl pieces on your own with some specialty magnets. Personally, I find a lot of the magnetized parts somewhat gimmicky. Once the thing's done, I want it protected on the shelf with as little amount of touching as possible. "Yeah man, I know I've got oily fingerprints all over the thing, but at least I can take off the engine cowl!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gtypecanare Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Sorry for the poor image quality. Here are the two sprues for the cowling parts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Is a clear cowling supposed to be an attraction? I mean, would anyone serious enough about models actually purchase and build such a kit with a clear cowling?? Odd. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
is it windy yet? Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Is a clear cowling supposed to be an attraction? I mean, would anyone serious enough about models actually purchase and build such a kit with a clear cowling?? Odd. Not this one with the injector pin marks on the inside. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tracy White Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Different people like different things. Some of the Dragon aircraft carriers came with clear decks, and some people really liked them. I never cared for them, but it was a good enough feature for some people that there were questions ans complaints when they didn't do it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) I don't get the attraction of the clear cowl either. Tamiya did that with the first release of the 1/32 F-4E, when it was the only nose, but in the F-4EJ release, they also included a solid plastic nose. I don't think I've ever seen one with the nose left clear, either all clear, or partially painted in a cutaway look. Aside from the ejector pin marks, you can't really avoid visible seams, plus having to deal with cleaning up the sprue attachments, and clear plastic being generally more brittle than colored plastic. That said, I don't really mind if they include it as an option to the included solid color cowl. You don't have to use it. Some people have talked about using the extra cowl for the Revell or Trumpeter kits, although I'd be surprised if it actually fit those kits. In the end, the clear cowl is a freebie. Edited July 3, 2013 by Dave Williams Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Modelmkr Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 My kit (preview release sent to Skyway Model Shop) did not have the clear cowl pieces, so I can't comment on that. The cowl is fixed like everything else; you choose what you want and it stays that way. It might be possible to magnetize the cowl pieces on your own with some specialty magnets. Personally, I find a lot of the magnetized parts somewhat gimmicky. Once the thing's done, I want it protected on the shelf with as little amount of touching as possible. "Yeah man, I know I've got oily fingerprints all over the thing, but at least I can take off the engine cowl!" Ummmm... not quite. The center cowl section (two pieces, parts G21, G22) snap together and apart (instructions have the 'do not glue' symbol for these parts) so are removeable to show off the engine, much the same as they did on their 1/32 A6M5 Zero kit. As for your oily fingers, lay off the KFC or put on latex gloves first :P Marc B. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dehowie Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 The guys above are right the instructions seem pretty good with excellent diagrams. From the reference manual it looks like a -4 is coming sometime as there are many ref pics. Looking forward to he rest of the fleet! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stalal Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Like their Spitfire kit, is the instruction manual available in pdf? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
razgriz Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Is a clear cowling supposed to be an attraction? I mean, would anyone serious enough about models actually purchase and build such a kit with a clear cowling?? Odd. Anything to give the impression of "added value," right? That and to try and persuade people to buy from their local distributors instead of places like HLJ. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 Okay, so what are the circular things with a bunch of circular holes in them (2 large, 8 small) in the middle of the PE fret? Looks to me like 5" HVAR and Tiny Tim exhausts, which can only mean a -1D is coming soon! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Modelmkr Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 (edited) Okay, so what are the circular things with a bunch of circular holes in them (2 large, 8 small) in the middle of the PE fret? Looks to me like 5" HVAR and Tiny Tim exhausts, which can only mean a -1D is coming soon! I had mentioned those in post #128, but don't forget those same parts were on the PE sheet for the 1/32 Mustang, and that turned into an unfulfilled option. Hopefully Tamiya will follow through this time... Marc B. Edited July 5, 2013 by Modelmkr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 I'd say there is a zero percent probability that they won't be doing a -1A/-1D, given that all of the birdcage-specific parts are on one sprue, the kit is broken down for it, and they'd be insane not to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tracy White Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 We haven't seen them re-pop much of their 32nd line in different versions, so I think that "soon" is a bit presumptuous. I would be happy to be wrong, albeit my wallet probably won't. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 How do you figure that? There are two versions of the Zero, three of the Spitfire, and two (so far) of the P-51. What makes you think there won't be another F4U (or two, most likely) release? The Spitfire variants came out months apart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 (edited) I think that the question is not if they will release a F4U-1A and/or -1D, but when. Whether they ever make use of those PE parts or not, I'm 99.9999% sure they will release a -1A/D either in one kit, or in two separate kits like they did with 1/48 kits. That said, I think they will stop there. I don't see them doing a F4U-4 or later. They usually only do two or three basic versions of a kit. Two Zeros, three Spits (although one could argue that kit-wise the VIII and IX are close enough to be essentially the same basic version), two F-16s, three F-4s (the -EJ was basically a -E with different markings), two F-15s, and two P-51s. How "soon" will the next release be? I'm thinking within a year, with a smaller chance of by the end of this year. Edited July 5, 2013 by Dave Williams Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stalal Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 Okay, so what are the circular things with a bunch of circular holes in them (2 large, 8 small) in the middle of the PE fret? Looks to me like 5" HVAR and Tiny Tim exhausts, which can only mean a -1D is coming soon! Jennings! There have been so many instances of extra parts giving a sense of some future releases. Two instances of Tamiya kits immediately come to mind. F-16 fret with a set of two seat belts made us think a two seat version is coming but it never happened. Another one is a Challenger tank which had parts for NATO version but it too never came. We would never know unless we have the -iD kit in hand that Tamiya really planned it this way :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tracy White Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 How do you figure that? There are two versions of the Zero, three of the Spitfire, and two (so far) of the P-51. What makes you think there won't be another F4U (or two, most likely) release? The Spitfire variants came out months apart. Well, in one aspect I was definitely mistaken. I've eschewed 32nd by and large for space reasons, but I thought I was still aware of when they were releasing different versions, and clearly I was not. However, my main point was that using the word "soon" was presumptuous. You may very well be right, but then again, maybe they want to ride sales of this one for a bit before announcing the version that most people are going to be interested in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 Well, in one aspect I was definitely mistaken. I've eschewed 32nd by and large for space reasons, but I thought I was still aware of when they were releasing different versions, and clearly I was not. However, my main point was that using the word "soon" was presumptuous. You may very well be right, but then again, maybe they want to ride sales of this one for a bit before announcing the version that most people are going to be interested in. There is most definitely a 1A and 1D in the works. I knew about the Corsair release well in advance. The only surprise I did get was the Birdcage was released, which in hindsight made total sense. The research that I had firsthand knowledge of was on an actual 1D. There are too many signs in the tooling that later versions are being released. I'd say the next versions will be out in 6-12 months. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 Jennings! There have been so many instances of extra parts giving a sense of some future releases. Two instances of Tamiya kits immediately come to mind. F-16 fret with a set of two seat belts made us think a two seat version is coming but it never happened. Another one is a Challenger tank which had parts for NATO version but it too never came. We would never know unless we have the -iD kit in hand that Tamiya really planned it this way :)/>/> I know for certain a 1D will be released. The two seat F-16 never came to fruition due to poor sales of the kit. The 1/32 WWII kits have been selling well and have not slowed down. In regards to 1/32 Tamiya kits, I bought one F-16. I have three Zero's, four Spitfires, and three Mustangs. I have three Birdcages on order. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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