is it windy yet? Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 Not as much out there on the GWH F-15E as I thought there might be. Looks like that kit is currently the top of heap, and the most current configuration of the jet. My question is if the Eduard Striking Eagles release of the Academy kit is a worthy competitor to the GWH kit? No so worried how current the configuration is, as it will the one and only F-15E on the shelf. Both kits are loaded up with weapons, which is what I want. Eduard kit has nice nozzles, decals, seats and wheels which is about the only details that will be visible on the shelf. I can get a second hand boxing of the Eduard kit for about the same money or perhaps a bit less than the GWH boxing. Opinions, thoughts, ideas or suggestions? Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modelingbob Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 I do NOT have the 1/48 GWH F-15E. I was really excited about buying it (it was on my must have list), until I started building the 1/48 GWH F-15C. And I now, will not be buying their F-15E. The F-15C and F-15E have the same basic construction sequence. A warning about the F-15C (which will also apply to the F-15E) is that you must build the fuselage, intakes, intake trunks, and wings in a complicated multi-step construction sequence, in which any errors will compound down the line and could prevent an easy assembly process. I could not get the intakes, intake trunks, and fuselage to line up correctly and to fix the many alignment issues I had to do some serious cutting with a razor saw, serious clamping, and much putty work to get things together. It is bad enough that I am going to buy intake covers and use them to hide all the alignment issues. So a general warning about the GWH 1/48 F-15 series is, it's a complicated assembly fraught with many perils, at least for me. As usual, YMMV. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 How concerned are you about accuracy? While Eduard tarted up the Academy kit with a lot of PE and some nice resin exhausts and seats, they didn’t really fix many of the problems with the Academy kit. Problems such as missing the bulged main gear doors, missing gun clip load fairing under the belly, only two side CFT pylons instead of the correct three per side, only two bottom CFT stations instead of the proper three (although when missiles were carried, as well as some of the longer bombs, only two stations could be actually used), and having the A-G loadout carried underwing on the MERs that were only used on the F-15B Demonstrator that was sort of the Strike Eagle prototype, instead of being mostly carried on the CFT pylons. For accuracy, the Academy kit is little better than some of the boxings of the old Hasegawa kit. If you want an accurate F-15E, GHW is the way to go. For a cheaper accurate alternative, I’d recommend the Revell Strike Eagle (boxing with the bombs). HTH. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 I don’t have the Eduard rebox but, as Dave mentioned, if it is the same as the original Academy kit (which I do have) it is just a D model with CFTs of dubious accuracy. The Revell E kits are outstanding IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 (edited) I haven't built the GWH E model yet but I can talk about the C. Unlike modelingbob, I really thought the C kit was superb. I think it was one of the best F-15's I've built. The GWH E model is on my list to buy but I'm still balking at the price. If the price doesn't go down, I will still buy it. Like habu2 and Dave Williams, the Revell F-15E is a very good alternative though dated. IMO, I can't compare the Academy to the GWH or Revell under any circumstances. Edited February 7, 2019 by airmechaja opinion Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foxmulder_ms Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, modelingbob said: I do NOT have the 1/48 GWH F-15E. I was really excited about buying it (it was on my must have list), until I started building the 1/48 GWH F-15C. And I now, will not be buying their F-15E. The F-15C and F-15E have the same basic construction sequence. A warning about the F-15C (which will also apply to the F-15E) is that you must build the fuselage, intakes, intake trunks, and wings in a complicated multi-step construction sequence, in which any errors will compound down the line and could prevent an easy assembly process. I could not get the intakes, intake trunks, and fuselage to line up correctly and to fix the many alignment issues I had to do some serious cutting with a razor saw, serious clamping, and much putty work to get things together. It is bad enough that I am going to buy intake covers and use them to hide all the alignment issues. So a general warning about the GWH 1/48 F-15 series is, it's a complicated assembly fraught with many perils, at least for me. As usual, YMMV. I have built GWH C and J and did *not* use any putty at all. Fit was great. Maybe somehow you had a lemon. About GWH vs Academy since I never had an academy one so my comment will be just about GWH. I think it is one of the best kits out there. At the same level with kinetic Su-33, AMK Mig-31 and tamiya f-14. If money is not an issue, go with GWH F-15 + KA models exhausts. They are work of art. Edited February 7, 2019 by foxmulder_ms Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Whether the Academy kit is or is not an accurate or up to date E (or D or C), it still has that prominent (IMO) shape/contour error on the engine fairings on the upper fuselage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
is it windy yet? Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share Posted February 8, 2019 Ok thanks. Looks like I’ll pass on the Eduard boxing and go for a GWH. Which is better for me as I don’t actually have buy the kit now because it isn’t OOP. Might have a look for a Revell kit. As I said I don’t care if it is current, just reasonably accurate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
adamitri Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 (edited) The GWH Strike Eagle isnt accurate either.... Wheels are wrong Rear cockpit is wrong And other things... its been discuss here before but cant find the thread. In my opinion... revell-o-gram is still better, but its for the Desert Storm era. Edited February 8, 2019 by adamitri Spelling Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jester292 Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 I’m building the Academy C now. The intakes are a bear, but overall fit is generally good. The shape issues are noticeable when compared to another kit like Hasegawa, Great Wall Hobby, and Revell (E). I’m in the same boat you are, so I nabbed a Revell F-15E, and this limited edition F-15C for all the great weapons. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
adamitri Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 31 minutes ago, jester292 said: I’m building the Academy C now. The intakes are a bear, but overall fit is generally good. The shape issues are noticeable when compared to another kit like Hasegawa, Great Wall Hobby, and Revell (E). I’m in the same boat you are, so I nabbed a Revell F-15E, and this limited edition F-15C for all the great weapons. Probably the best way to go.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jonathan_Lotton Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 As of right now...the best Strike Eagle is still the Revell kit, it'll just need updated. The best F-15C is still the Hasegawa, as the GWH has errors as well (intakes being very undersized) Overall the best shape is still the Monogram F-15A/C...like a lot of the old kits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 5 hours ago, Jonathan_Lotton said: GWH has errors as well (intakes being very undersized) Wow, I didn't know that. I haven't heard of that problem before. Any more info on this? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 I have not built the Academy kit but the GWH F15I is very close to their F-15E and it is a superb kit, excellent fit and detail. As a matter of fact after I completed the F-15I I ordered their F-15C and F-15E 🙂 Arnaud Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 13 hours ago, Jonathan_Lotton said: GWH has errors as well (intakes being very undersized) I just measured my Academy intakes. They are 5/8"in width. My GWH intakes are 11/16". That makes the GWH 1/16" wider than the Academy. I didn't measure the length but I will if I have to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 2 hours ago, airmechaja said: I just measured my Academy intakes. They are 5/8"in width. My GWH intakes are 11/16". That makes the GWH 1/16" wider than the Academy. I didn't measure the length but I will if I have to. Great info, thanks. By length, do you mean from top to bottom? That would good to know too. Now if someone could measure a Hasegawa F-15's intakes. I have no built F-15s at this time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strikeeagle801 Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 (edited) Also, unless I completely missed it, the GWH kit does not contain a centerline pylon, which is kind of a glaring error, as the F-15E pretty much always carries the C/L pylon, especially in combat. And (this is just a personal observation rather than an actual shortfall) I don't like how there are no positive location holes for the LANTIRN pylons on the fuselage bottom. Aaron Edited February 9, 2019 by strikeeagle801 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 (edited) 25 minutes ago, strikeeagle801 said: as the F-15E always carries the C/L pylon. Are you sure? Source: US Air Force website That being said, 95% of the pictures show the pylon in place 🙂 Edited February 9, 2019 by arnobiz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 2 hours ago, Mstor said: By length, do you mean from top to bottom? Yes. Top to Bottom. Now you made me do it. The Academy is 1 27/32". The GWH is 1 15/16". GWH is 3/32" taller. My C model GWH has the center line pylon and fuel tank. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 1 hour ago, airmechaja said: Yes. Top to Bottom. Now you made me do it. The Academy is 1 27/32". The GWH is 1 15/16". GWH is 3/32" taller. My C model GWH has the center line pylon and fuel tank. Well then, the GWH intakes are smaller compared to the Academy ones. Don't remember seeing any complaints that the Academy F-15's intakes were too small. Need someone who has a built Hasegawa F-15 to measure theirs. Set this to rest. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 18 minutes ago, Mstor said: Well then, the GWH intakes are smaller compared to the Academy ones. Don't remember seeing any complaints that the Academy F-15's intakes were too small. Need someone who has a built Hasegawa F-15 to measure theirs. Set this to rest. No. The GWH intakes are larger. Wider by 1/16". Longer by 3/32" . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strikeeagle801 Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 3 hours ago, arnobiz said: Are you sure? Source: US Air Force website That being said, 95% of the pictures show the pylon in place 🙂 Edited. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 No Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 7 hours ago, airmechaja said: No. The GWH intakes are larger. Wider by 1/16". Longer by 3/32" . Dyslexia kicked in. I said the opposite of what I meant. Thanks for the correction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foxmulder_ms Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 On 2/8/2019 at 6:44 PM, Jonathan_Lotton said: As of right now...the best Strike Eagle is still the Revell kit, it'll just need updated. The best F-15C is still the Hasegawa, as the GWH has errors as well (intakes being very undersized) Overall the best shape is still the Monogram F-15A/C...like a lot of the old kits. Sorry for aggressive language BUT GWH's intake's being under scale is complete BS. They are perfect. If you mean intake "trunks" being too skinny then maybe but they invisible once the kit is build. There is nothing wrong with the overall shape and curves on GWH either. When it comes to details GWH beats anything out there. However, it has two flaws (nothing is perfect): 1) Horizontal tails are too thick. Hasegawa ones are thinner (more accurate for the thickness) but they lack reinforcing plates hence detail that GWH has. 2) Exhaust are about 2mm too long. But others offer much worse details anyway. With these two flaws GWH offerings are still by far the best if money isn't a factor. Ultimate eagle is GWH + Ka models exhausts + HAS horizontal tails. 😄 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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