CKLoo Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Its done, after 4 and a half weeks...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Apparently MegaHobby has already shipped theirs Hope this is not considered discussion of shipping problems... but I got a notice that my airplane is supposed to be delivered by 8pm tonight (from MegaHobby). We will see! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
goondman Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Hope this is not considered discussion of shipping problems... but I got a notice that my airplane is supposed to be delivered by 8pm tonight (from MegaHobby). We will see! Crossing figures for you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 And CLLoo, that is one really cool airplane! Nice work!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 (edited) Well, everybody, I got my airplane from MegaHobby today! YEA!!!!! 😊 And, frankly, after all this time, waiting for this model, it seems like a dream....can it actually be here, in my hands? Is it really possible? I hope it's still here tomorrow and doesn't vanish in a puff of magic dust overnight! Edited October 10, 2019 by Curt B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Nice!!!! What are your thoughts about nose shape, waist, and panel lines compared to the Tamiya cat? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 (edited) Nice!!!! What are your thoughts about nose shape, waist, and panel lines compared to the Tamiya cat? Tell you what...I'll give you all some feedback sometime tomorrow evening. I've had a long week at work so far, with one more long day ahead. No energy at all to pull the boxes apart. And...I haven't even broken the cellophane seal on my Tamiya F-14D yet. I had been kind of hoping to wait until I was actually going to build it to break into the box. However, I guess I can't think of a better reason/motivation to rip the cellophane off the Tamiya box before I'm ready to start it. As far as the AMK box is concerned, no external seal...the box isn't even tapes with those round circular pieces of tape that seem so popular. I can tell you that the box is packed just like the AMK MIG-31, with separate inside-the-box boxes for various parts, like the forward fuselage and nose cone, and it looks like separate boxes for the huge variety of bombs and missiles. The top of the box, when first opened, the instructions great you first, and under that are the first sprues you see, which are wings parts. It's really nicely packaged, again, just like the MIG-31, and when I do tear into the box, I will for sure document how it was packaged originally, as I doubt you will fit everything back into the box if you don't take note of how AMK did it! Edited October 10, 2019 by Curt B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CKLoo Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Now that a few of us have finished the kit, it is fair to say that there is no major issues with the kit that cannot be fixed. Hey, no kit is perfect and this kit has a lot going for it. While a lot of euphoria was generated by the first look and the discovery of some unorthodox designs and production method, the only issue with the kit, is somehow, there is a lack of sharpness in the production of the mating edges of the parts in the sprues. That could just be from my experience building it. You might need to spend a bit of time making sure the little bit of trimming, cleanup, etc that you think is not neccessary, will definitely be needed to turn this into a gem. I spent more time cleaning up, dryfitting, adjusting and finetuning the complex putting together of the parts, especially at the fuselage and air intake ramps area. A lot of us discovered that you cannot apply force when putting the kit together as once the cements cures, it tend to pull the parts and sometimes with undesirable results. Might be the plastic or just my poor unrefined skills.... So treat the kit with love to bring out all those wonderful details. Shape and profile accuracy wise, I will defer to the experts like Zactoman, though I do not see anything major. Looks and feels like a Tomcat any which way you see it. Is this an easy built? It would have been, if you are not too particular about shaving, cleanup, puttywork and adjustments. Design wise, top notch work. Be very careful with the decals. They are so beautiful but thin and fragile, they tend to curl up once they leave the backing paper. Work with a lot of water, but do not let them float in water that will just give them room to curl, no matter how big the decal is. A few areas to spend a bot of time checking: Nose wheel door hinges, wheel well actuators, slide mold bumps cleanup, ejector pin marks to fill, fuel probe short cast. Areas to marvel: Panels details, cockpit, jet nozzle, undercarriage details, payload, decals, spoilers, flaps, ramps, ladder, good kit design concept and approach Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CKLoo Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 And CLLoo, that is one really cool airplane! Nice work!! thanks Curt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dehowie Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Nice build and very much like the paint well done CKLoo.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ya-gabor Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 I know some have already built and finished the kit, still . . . Speaking of the AMK kit, here is a little box opening. The box is huge and it is crammed full with parts and sprues. Not a millimetre is left for the parts to move around. I don’t know who designed the box interior and the way the sprues are placed in it but it was quite a job! It is a classic case of a can of worms, you could never get them back in once you have opened it. The decals look excellent with fine details, legible text and do I remember right that someone had a problem with the lines on Phoenix should be yellow and not gold. Well they are yellow on the decal. Best regards Gabor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DIO Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Looks awesome! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 It drives me crazy when they pack the boxes like that. As Gabor says, once you open the can of worms you can't get them back in. I just know that after opening and looking at everything and (hopefully) admiring the work done, I will spend hours trying to fit everything back into the box again. Trying it over and over. Maybe if I turn this sprue this way and put that down there. No, that doesn't work... and on and on. Years from now, someone will open up the long buried basement where I worked and there will sit my desiccated corpse, bent over a dusty box of sprues with one clutched in its bony claw. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Solo Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 I remember right that someone had a problem with the lines on Phoenix should be yellow and not gold It was me, but it was all about decals for F-14D GWH 1:72, not AMK. I will spend hours trying to fit everything back into the box again. Trying it over and over. Maybe if I turn this sprue this way and put that down there. No, that doesn't work... and on and on. Oh yes, especially my favourite kits: F-15s from GWH, with engine tubes molded in vertical… Really nice play to put it right into box. 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ya-gabor Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 It drives me crazy when they pack the boxes like that. I think you misunderstood me. It was not a complaint (although this is normal on this forum unfortunately) but more an observation. Packaging is an art on its own and I admire those who design and make such packaging! I think the Tomcat kit packaging is excellent. It perfectly protects all the parts during transportation / delivery. This is the job of packaging. The sprues are all individually in plastic bags, some of them, the more fragile and worth extra protecting are placed in smaller boxes within. They also act to hold all the sprues in place, they don’t move around which can cause surface damage. Actually it is possible to put all the sprues back without a problem, they fit like a jigsaw puzzle. Of course if the postman jumps on the outer box “some” damage will be incurred on the kit. :) :) Best regards Gabor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ya-gabor Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 It was me, but it was all about decals for F-14D GWH 1:72, not AMK. If so, I am sorry! It is my mistake! I remembered it to be here about the AMK kit. Sorry! Best regards Gabor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tapchan Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Maybe they should include instruction how to put things back into box 😄 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 I think you misunderstood me. It was not a complaint (although this is normal on this forum unfortunately) but more an observation. Hi Gabor, I was just having some fun with the whole idea of being unable to put the parts back in the box right. Not a complaint, though there have been times when I just couldn't get the sprues to fit back in the box the way they originally came. I can always tell which kits those are in my stash as the lid never fits all the way down on the box. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Maybe they should include instruction how to put things back into box 😄 Now that's an idea! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Haha yeah. Or just take a photo of the whole thing each time you take a bag out. And number them with a sharpie marker. Or maybe do a video recording to celebrate the occasion at the same time : ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Hi Gabor, I was just having some fun with the whole idea of being unable to put the parts back in the box right. Not a complaint, though there have been times when I just couldn't get the sprues to fit back in the box the way they originally came. I can always tell which kits those are in my stash as the lid never fits all the way down on the box. The first Mig I bought was the same way. It took two or three attempts to get it done. Now it's a piece of cake. The hardest kits for me are RFM and Meng armor kits. I got Tacom figured out on the first try! Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Haha yeah. Or just take a photo of the whole thing each time you take a bag out. And number them with a sharpie marker. Or maybe do a video recording to celebrate the occasion at the same time : ) Oh, now you're taking all the spontaneity and joy out of the moment. For me, opening up a kit is like Christmas. The anticipation followed be the unveiling. If I have to take pictures or number bags, well, that's just making it work, and that won't do... not at all. On the other hand, maybe not such bad ideas after all Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 The first Mig I bought was the same way. It took two or three attempts to get it done. Now it's a piece of cake. The hardest kits for me are RFM and Meng armor kits. I got Tacom figured out on the first try! Gary I guess some people are just born with the knack of being able to rebox a kit. A special skill. Reserved for a special few modelers who will rise above us all. I salute you, you are a beacon to us all, a shining light showing us the way 💡 (to put the sprues back). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 Mine arrived today along with the weapons set. Preorder from Hobbyeasy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vaildog Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 So if I order it now do I need to order the weapons set too if I want any ordinance? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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