sharkmouth Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Well, I got the model and am very excited! I hope to build one of the French or Portuguese armed T-6G Texans as flown over Africa. I know Zotz mentioned a future release. This means that the decals in this kit will not be used (maybe the stencils). I want everyone to help me find out what may need tweaking to get an accurate model. I already plan to replace the barrels on the weapons. Hopefully, Eduard (or similar) will do a PE replacement instrument panel (with film or pre-painted). If not, I may need to make my own with Reheat Bezels and AirScale dials. However, when armament is carried, there should be ways to aim, arm the weapons, release and/or fire said weapons. Please don't post opinions on the manufacturer. Focus on this kit and, if you had it, what would you consider working on. Whenever possible, post photos (or mention where to find them) of what you are pointing out. Let's keep this constructive. Without further ado, here are the first set of images: Above and below, both sides of sprue A. Above and below, both sides of sprue B. At the upper edge, note the spade grip and the two piece spinner. Above and below, both sides of sprue C. Above and below, both sides of Sprues D & E. Above, the box containing Sprue GP (Glass Parts?). More to follow... Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Below are the very thin and clear parts. A second frame-less canopy is included of the type sometimes used on the T-6F. Above is the tiny PE fret with belts. I would prefer if the hardware were included separately as I would used them with tape to make better belts. Also note how tanned Popeye is! Below are the other two very large decal sheets. Using a magnifier, I was able to read the stencils but they do include some misspellings. As stated, I do not plan to use them so this doesn't bother me. The rest of the images are are random detail shots: One of the two spinners. This one is not mentioned at all in the instructions. The bases of these propellers are too thick. I will splice and blend in appropriately sized rod. The inside of this cowling arch has a scribed cut line. Perhaps for a future release? The inner sides of the fuselage near the rear canopy. More to come... Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Continuing the detail images... This is the second spinner, it is in two parts and the one to use (according to the instructions). Spade grip but I took the photo from the reverse side! Sorry. Above is the scribed cut line and below the MD blister part to add. Close up of the seat. Last set coming... Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Last set... The long exhaust... Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve N Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Hard to tell from the unassembled parts, but it doesn't look like they fixed the landing gear issue. The mounting hole for the strut is still much too far inboard. SN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FCM Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) The landing gear bay is poor for 1/32 scale... However it can be solved with aftermarked parts or scratch, looking the old but perfect Monogram 1/48 kit gear bay (but I hoped KittyHawk could have done a better detailing just considering the excellent work already done in 1/48 scale) But the worst detail is the landing gear position. Just to make a view for the mistake, I prepared these images: The kit: What we should see Edited January 16, 2014 by FCM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Thanks for posting all this. Seems like this kit might be a bit rough but it has some real potential. If the aftermarket crew steps in, there should be some very nice Texans being built. As a semi-related gripe, I wish that these guys had provided decals for a true USAF T-6 instead of a "warbird". A Korean war FAC would have been a nice choice. Regardless, I'm sure we will be seeing plenty of decals coming out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FCM Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) Regardless, I'm sure we will be seeing plenty of decals coming out. More tham 40 countries used the T-6, Kittyhawk could help themselves to boost the kit sales, just adding an alternative clear parts for T-6D standard... :( Edited January 16, 2014 by FCM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gene K Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Thanks for the great pictures! Where did you get your kit? Gene K Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aweber stoofan Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Hard to tell from the unassembled parts, but it doesn't look like they fixed the landing gear issue. The mounting hole for the strut is still much too far inboard. SN I agree. I will build several of these and figure out a fix. It looks like I will have hours and hours of fun cleaning up injector pin marks as well! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrGlueblob Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 At 75 bucks, I'll only buy one. I think oob it'll build into a fine subject. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcaf_100 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) I've been away from ARC for a long time, but I had to post this.... Even though the level of detail blows me away, I still shake my head at the many, many errors in the kit. (outside of the landing gear issue) They have left themselves with no room to market the many different variants of the T-6/SNJ/Harvard family. The one piece they leave non-interchangeable on the upper fuselage (the rear canopy fairing) is the biggest thing that has to be changed to make a proper Harvard. The Mk II, Mk IIb/AT-16 and Mk 4 all have the rounded rear canopy. (The RCAF, RAF and Luftwaffe examples included in the decal choices all have this canopy) I hate to be one of those 'rivet-counters' but even somebody who has ever been close to a Texan/Harvard knows there are not ribs on the OUTSIDE of the control surfaces. Or perhaps Dzus fasteners are FLUSH with the skin? Not all variants had the 5-sided bagaage door or machine gun installed in the rear cockpit. The foot trays do not extend between the front and rear cockpits. They are 4 separate pieces. There is no 'floor' to the cockpit...it's the top of the center wing section! And according to the markings diagram they ALWAYS have a drop tank fitted...not! Most variants don't even have the capability for a drop tank. It's been said on this forum (and most others) many, many times that there are hundreds of enthusiasts that are willing and able to assist in the research that goes into tooling a kit (most for free!) yet are ignored. Simply browsing through the illustrated parts catalog and maintenance manual for any of the variants (easily obtained online in PDF format) would have helped immensely! I know I'm biased because I get to work on 8 of these aircraft almost every weekend, but it doesn't excuse the fact that even a casual observer can spot some glaring issues. Okay...I'll get off my soapbox now... :whistle:/>/> It looks like a great kit, but until someone comes out with a correction and/or conversion set (including new canopy, gear bays, control surfaces, etc) I probably won't be picking one up. Edited January 16, 2014 by rcaf_100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 (edited) Well, I got the model and am very excited! I hope to build one of the French or Portuguese armed T-6G Texans as flown over Africa. I know Zotz mentioned a future release. This means that the decals in this kit will not be used (maybe the stencils). I want everyone to help me find out what may need tweaking to get an accurate model. I already plan to replace the barrels on the weapons. Hopefully, Eduard (or similar) will do a PE replacement instrument panel (with film or pre-painted). If not, I may need to make my own with Reheat Bezels and AirScale dials. However, when armament is carried, there should be ways to aim, arm the weapons, release and/or fire said weapons. Please don't post opinions on the manufacturer. Focus on this kit and, if you had it, what would you consider working on. Whenever possible, post photos (or mention where to find them) of what you are pointing out. Let's keep this constructive. I still shake my head at the many, many errors in the kit. (outside of the landing gear issue)They have left themselves with no room to market the many different variants of the T-6/SNJ/Harvard family. The one piece they leave non-interchangeable on the upper fuselage (the rear canopy fairing) is the biggest thing that has to be changed to make a proper Harvard. The Mk II, Mk IIb/AT-16 and Mk 4 all have the rounded rear canopy. (The RCAF, RAF and Luftwaffe examples included in the decal choices all have this canopy) I hate to be one of those 'rivet-counters' but even somebody who has ever been close to a Texan/Harvard knows there are not ribs on the OUTSIDE of the control surfaces. Or perhaps Dzus fasteners are FLUSH with the skin? Not all variants had the 5-sided bagaage door or machine gun installed in the rear cockpit. The foot trays do not extend between the front and rear cockpits. They are 4 separate pieces. There is no 'floor' to the cockpit...it's the top of the center wing section! And according to the markings diagram they ALWAYS have a drop tank fitted...not! Most variants don't even have the capability for a drop tank. While I appreciate the knowledge, I am asking for help in building a Texan, not the Harvard. Unless someone posts an image of the Harvard with a sharkmouth, it wouldn't interest me. Omission of Harvard specific parts are not errors for the scheme I am aiming for. I actually believe the problem is that the decal sheets include the Harvard schemes but none for the armed variants which can be built using the kit contents. Had the Harvard schemes been omitted, it would simply mean another item to purchase to convert this Texan to a Harvard. Since I have the Texan kit, I don't want to bemoan what isn't in the box but work with it. I am the one who wants to take this kit to a higher level so it is up to me to make the additions and modifications for the scheme I want. In Aviation High School, I worked on T-6 and SNJ Texans. They were beat to Hell by the students. Driving out to Republic Airfield, we would see SNJ-2s from Sky Typers which I would take images of once they landed. Even though I have all this previous involvement with the Texan, particularly in every Latin American country I visited, I will still be modeling a French or Portuguese dog (Texan with a dog mouth on it) over Africa. Regards, Edited January 25, 2014 by sharkmouth Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 First off, an apology to RCAF_100. After reading what I posted, I did come on too strong. I am sensitive about this post making me feel like I need to defend my purchase (I've had enough of that in another thread). Again, I simple want pointers on how to build the scheme I mentioned using the kit I have (plus any available aftermarket that may help). If anyone wants to use my photographs to illustrate a point in another thread, feel free to do so as long as the credit is not removed. Back to this kit. I cut off some items and taped them together. I worried about the wing to fuselage fit and, while I was at it, I wanted to see the details and location of the landing gear trunnion within the main gear well. Here are some images: While turning it over, the tape got loose. The trunnions are indeed too far inboard but the detail is not as plain as it first seemed. These images are from an SNJ-2 Other things I have noticed... I seem to have short shot trailing edges to the upper and inner wing halves. The scoops are solid as well. Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 Wow, five days later and not a reply other than my own. It seems that there isn't interest. Could it be because it is not a Harvard? Or that I don't want anyone posting anything which will make me feel uncomfortable for having this kit? I must state thank you to Spook who, on another forum, confirmed that the Portuguese armed T-6 Texans came from French Tomcat stocks. He even provided links to references on the gun sight, armament panels and so on. I won't bother continuing in this post although the build is going well. No hard feelings, I leave with a gift. Here are 31 photographs of an SNJ-2 I photographed on film in 1992: more to follow... Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 Two more set to go... Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 Last two coming... Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 I am done with this thread! Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 What's with that clear panel on the upper center section just outboard of the wing walk anti-skid? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
norbert Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Hi Sharkmouth Many thanks for the pictures I did not participate in the discutions, and was not interested in polemics. However, knowing what is good and bad is interesting, and how to solve what is bad even more. but so far, except the bad landing gear location that can be solved with little work, and the propeller blades with too thick location struts, I do not know what is good or bad. So, except what turns around the markings options, can I understand from the discutions that the other areas are good for a texan ? Norbert Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayfarer 30 Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Excellent pictures Saul, Thank you very much for posting and good luck on your build. I will be looking for one of these kit's eventually. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoFo Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Saul, are you sure these are from '92? I'm kind of shocked that a business would be putting a(n) URL on the side of their aircraft back then. PS: awesome pics. Thanks a bunch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
famvburg Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 They are the windows for MLG downlock indicators. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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