Sebastian Haff Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I'm wanting to do a 1/48 A-10 build, and have been doing some research online about the various kits out there. From what I've seen opinions are pretty much split down the middle between HB and Monogram being the best. The main gripe I've seen about the Monogram kit is that the speed brakes can only be posed open. I don't know much about A-10s, so is that really that big of a problem? I do prefer engraved panel lines in general, so I'm leaning a little HB at the moment. On the other hand, I have a nice Black Box cockpit set for the Monogram Kit. Anyway, I'd love to see what you guys think about this. Thanks and happy modeling. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Well, to be fair, I have seen the Mono 'Hog built with the brakes closed; they are a clamshell design, and so you'd just have to clip the middles. I will say that if you really detest raised lines you might not like the Mono 'Hog, although I must say the (raised) riveting is really nicely done, considering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Monogram Hog all the way. Especially since you have the Black Box pit for it. I've built a couple and have a couple others in the stash. Not even interested in the HB kit. :thumbsup:/> Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a4s4eva Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I vote for the Hobby Boss kit. Not perfect but it builds up well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boom175 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 The Monogram A-10 is the way to go if you want shape accuracy. However please be advised even with the Black Box cockpit you can only do a relatively early A-10 as the cockpit air conditioning ducts were moved from the side of teh cockpit wall to under the instrument panel. The Hobby Boss kit is easier to assemble. But the Hobby boss kit has some of teh DNA of teh 32nd scle kit and teh nose area proportions on that kit are way bad. But The HB kit corrected most of those problem areas, but siome still exist I've been told. If you can get teh Shaun Hill A-10 update set that will help you a bunch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fulcrum1 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I like and have a couple of both. Since you have the pit why not try an earlier bird and go with the Monogran kit? I don't think I've ever paid more than $20 for one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fulcrum1 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 If you want recessed panel lines the Monogram kit is also an easy kit to learn the ropes with. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skyhawk174 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 .... But the Hobby boss kit has some of teh DNA of teh 32nd scle kit and teh nose area proportions on that kit are way bad. But The HB kit corrected most of those problem areas, but siome still exist I've been told. Like you say, the Hobby Boss kit is a scaled down version of the Trumpeter 1/32nd kit. I had not heard about Hobby Boss correcting those nose shape issues. I do not have the kit so I cannot comment on the changes if they were done. There is also a problem with the ground fuelling point on the port pylon. The Hobby Boss kit has it as a vertical panel when the nose cone is open when it should be angled back. Update sets exist to correct this. I do have the Trumpeter 2 seater kit as I love that version. Then the Hobby Boss 2 seater came out so I should have waited since I normally build 1/48. As others have said, I think the Monogram kit is the way to go if you desire accuracy in shape. The rear end has many raised rivets just like the real aircraft so probably better in that respect than the Hobby Boss kit which I believe has recessed rivets (not 100% sure though). I have two Monogram kits in my stash and I have even built the Tamiya kit which took some work to bring it up to production standard. Maybe I should look for a Hobby Boss kit if I can get it cheap. Or not :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boom175 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I should have said I have heard that HB had fixed a lot of the nose shape erros. I do not actually own a HB kit, but looking at some builds it does look like some work was done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crlandrum Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 My alternative view is that while the Monogram may have the better shape, but it is a beast to build, with steps and gaps. Mine has been on my workbench for 15 years and I finally have it ready to paint. In the process I lost a lot of detail. Fitting the Black Box cockpit into the Monogram kit is no small task either. I recommend Hobby Boss or even Italeri for an easier build. I know the Black Box cockpit will fit in the Italeri kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-ONE27 Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 My alternative view is that while the Monogram may have the better shape, but it is a beast to build, with steps and gaps. Mine has been on my workbench for 15 years and I finally have it ready to paint. In the process I lost a lot of detail. Fitting the Black Box cockpit into the Monogram kit is no small task either. I recommend Hobby Boss or even Italeri for an easier build. I know the Black Box cockpit will fit in the Italeri kit. Good to know, I guess I'll be getting a HB Hawg to put my Shull A-10 update set on! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solher1 Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 I prefer Hobby Boss, easier to do and recessed panel lines. I just don't have the time nor the passion to scribe kits anymore and I just do it when it is necessary after excessive sanding. Shape errors are no that critical as with other HB kits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebastian Haff Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll build the Monogram kit, and then do a HB. I also just got the Master PE cannon which really looks good. Does anyone have the instructions for the Black Box set? I lost mine somehow. Thanks again and happy modeling! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 I vote for the Hobby Boss kit. Not perfect but it builds up well Fine looking "Hog" sir gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gene K Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 . I recommend Hobby Boss or even Italeri for an easier build. So what's the verdict on the Italeri kit versus the HB and Monogram? Gen eK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Benner Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 (edited) So what's the verdict on the Italeri kit versus the HB and Monogram? Gen eK I've had all three. Personally, I'd rank Italeri 3rd, I didn't like the detail given. 2nd Monogram, it looks good, but personally the raised detail is work I don't want to put time into So, I give 1st to Hobbyboss for relative accuracy, and ease of build. Here are a couple of my Hobbyboss builds. Edited April 11, 2016 by Benner Quote Link to post Share on other sites
admiralcag Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Is the Italeri the Esci kit? I have an Esci in my stash. Vern Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Petarvu Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Is the Italeri the Esci kit? I have an Esci in my stash. Vern Nah, ESCI is oldest mould, and it is not worth mentioning P Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebastian Haff Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Thanks everyone. Does anyone have a copy/scan of the Black Box instructions or know where I could get one? Thanks again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Yankymodeler Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 (edited) I'm a Monogram fan, as others have said above it has a very good shape. I too prefer scribed panel lines over raised but that and a few tweaks are easily done. Here is a build of the Monogram from probably ten years ago. Raised panel lines were removed and replaced with scribed. I left as much of the raised rivet detail as I could in prototypical areas. The fit of the kit was a bit of a challenge, shimming, trimming and filling was often required! The only after market part used was a resin seat, much easier than detailing the kit piece. The kit represents an early A-10, the additions and modifications to circa 2005 fitment done with various bits of styrene. With just a little bit of work the venerable Monogram kit can be built into a fairly accurate looking model. Eric aka The Yankymodeler Edited April 15, 2016 by Yankymodeler Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cyrus Tan Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 (edited) I built the Monogram A-10 and went to town with it. To be honest it was a lot work but the finished model was well worth it. Here is a link to my build from 4 years ago. Hope you like it? Monogram A-10 Edited April 16, 2016 by Cyrus Tan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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