Curt B Posted October 15, 2020 Share Posted October 15, 2020 (edited) Hi All, I want to ask the opinions of those who are really in the know, and have probably built, the Great Wall Hobby L4817, the 1/48 F-15C MSIP II. I would like to know what you would suggest as the best aftermarket items and upgrades to really deck out this model. I already have a Quickboost QG 48 003 seat and a KA Models F-15C P&W Exhaust Nozzle Set (Closed). I am planning to get an Eduard TFace canopy mask set, and the Quinta QD 48039 cockpit set. What other aftermarket items or sets would you suggest to really jazz up this plane? I am not going to display it with equipment or avionic hatches or panels open, so I don't need any details for those types of things. What else should I consider? Aftermarket wheels/tires, maybe a different exhaust and afterburner? What other details? An Eduard exterior upgrade set? Anything else? I just want this airplane to have the best of everything 😊 Thanks for any help! Edited October 15, 2020 by Curt B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted October 15, 2020 Share Posted October 15, 2020 All you need is the seat (I used Quickboost) and the exhausts (I used Aires), it's a fabulous kit which I've built twice and will build twice again 🙂 Enjoy, Arnaud Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blain Posted October 15, 2020 Share Posted October 15, 2020 I am nearing the end of my first GW F-15C. I am using exhaust cans from the Revell F-15E. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted October 15, 2020 Share Posted October 15, 2020 Standard grays have been done to many times If you really want to add a punch to your F-15 your decals and paint scheme can make or break your plans. Afterburner Decals 48081 1/48 F-15C/D 65th Aggressors Decals has great plans for blue/brown and blue gray splinter for adversary squadrons. Pre cut airbrush masks work great http://www.advmodprds.com/f1548.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted October 15, 2020 Share Posted October 15, 2020 5 hours ago, Curt B said: What other aftermarket items or sets would you suggest to really jazz up this plane? Are stock parts that inaccurate and will need to be upgraded with aftermarket items? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 15, 2020 Author Share Posted October 15, 2020 38 minutes ago, RichardL said: Are stock parts that inaccurate and will need to be upgraded with aftermarket items? Not that that is the case, it's just that oftentimes, though far from always, aftermarket manufacturers come up with very focused development of specific aspects of an airplane. Photo etch parts, for instance, may be finer, more true to life, than the plastic parts supplied in a kit. And, for instance, I already know that the aftermarket ejection seat I got is better, more detailed, and perhaps more accurate, than the kit part, and the aftermarket exhaust nozzles are HUGELY more detailed and accurate than the kit parts. My point was asking if anyone happened to know if there are other parts of the kit that have been improved upon by aftermarket manufacturers. Not all aftermarket items are 'better' than kit parts, but some are. Depends on the kit, and what aftermarket companies have chosen to create for those kits. So, my post was not to imply that I think the Great Wall airplane model is a bad or inaccurate model. As far as I know, that plane is the best F-15C airplane model in 1/48 scale, which is why I bought it. Just looking for any nuanced improvements that anyone might be aware of. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 15, 2020 Author Share Posted October 15, 2020 1 hour ago, Night Owl Models said: Standard grays have been done to many times If you really want to add a punch to your F-15 your decals and paint scheme can make or break your plans. Afterburner Decals 48081 1/48 F-15C/D 65th Aggressors Decals has great plans for blue/brown and blue gray splinter for adversary squadrons. Pre cut airbrush masks work great http://www.advmodprds.com/f1548.html I was considering one or more of these mask sets, honestly, but haven't been able to find any model shop that carries them. Do you know where they can be purchased? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sideshow Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 (edited) I try and build collect kits that I worked in my career as an air traffic controller. I bought this kit based on all the great reviews. I also found the twobobs decal set for the airframes that the California Air National Guard got from the 65th Agressors out of Nellis. They retained the Aggressor paint scheme.... http://www.twobobs.net/contents/en-us/p679.html I got the Eduard PE set with cockpit and engine parts. https://www.super-hobby.com/products/F-15C-MSIP-II-S.A.-Great-Wall-Hobby-L4817.html Which sadly seems to be discontinued. Watching a build video on you tube of this kit, it also seemed the landing gear was a bit flimsy, so I bought a metal set.... http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?KIT=554 Reading this thread makes me want to put together another package for another complete kit. I will look into the seat and nozzles..... Edited October 16, 2020 by sideshow Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sideshow Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 (edited) Edited October 16, 2020 by sideshow Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 Try this it would look awsome JASDF F-15J Eagle 303rd TFS 60th Anniversary (digital camouflage). https://the48ers.com/f-15j-60th-anniversary-digital-camo.html Better if you can mask and paint it yourself large decals are bound to tear and frustrate you. I did a GWH Mig-29 the same way it was a challenge but achievable. Do some reserch and it improves your modeling skills learning difficult techniques. Let me know if you want to go this route. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rt4957 Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 6 hours ago, Curt B said: I was considering one or more of these mask sets, honestly, but haven't been able to find any model shop that carries them. Do you know where they can be purchased? Purchase Directly from His Website. You send him an Email of what Masking kits you require and he`ll send you the reply with the amount. I`ve use many of his maskd for my Aggressor F16s and they are a Gem to work with. Hope this Helps Phil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 16, 2020 Author Share Posted October 16, 2020 1 hour ago, Rt4957 said: Purchase Directly from His Website. You send him an Email of what Masking kits you require and he`ll send you the reply with the amount. I`ve use many of his maskd for my Aggressor F16s and they are a Gem to work with. Hope this Helps Phil Oh, it DOES!!!! Thank you!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 16, 2020 Author Share Posted October 16, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, sideshow said: I try and build collect kits that I worked in my career as an air traffic controller. I bought this kit based on all the great reviews. I also found the twobobs decal set for the airframes that the California Air National Guard got from the 65th Agressors out of Nellis. They retained the Aggressor paint scheme.... So you were/are an Air Force controller? Stationed at Nellis? I've lived in Las Vegas for 20 years, and never made it out to Nellis for any of the air shows. If they ever do another show of any kind, I should try to go. It's cool to think of modeling aircraft that have actually been here in town. Was it just the blue one, or the tan/brown one also? Oh, while I have been a big fan of the Eduard prepainted cockpit PE, I'm planning to take the next step up in cockpit aftermarket, with the Quinta sets. If you haven't seen these, not only are they full color, they are also 3D printed with switches and knobs. About the same cost as the Eduard stuff, perhaps a bit more, but from the photos I've seen, blows Eduard away in terms of realism and accuracy! Edited October 16, 2020 by Curt B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 16, 2020 Author Share Posted October 16, 2020 3 hours ago, Night Owl Models said: Try this it would look awsome JASDF F-15J Eagle 303rd TFS 60th Anniversary (digital camouflage). https://the48ers.com/f-15j-60th-anniversary-digital-camo.html Better if you can mask and paint it yourself large decals are bound to tear and frustrate you. I did a GWH Mig-29 the same way it was a challenge but achievable. Do some reserch and it improves your modeling skills learning difficult techniques. Let me know if you want to go this route. I have to say that I love those digital camo schemes, and I can only imagine the improvements in skills one would gain by doing those via masking instead of decals! I'll consider it and contact you if I decide to do one of these...thank you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sideshow Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 17 hours ago, Curt B said: So you were/are an Air Force controller? Stationed at Nellis? Civilian at Oakland Center, worked the Nellis guys in the northwest refueling track mostly during Red Flag. Worked the Fresno based interceptors a lot, especially during 9/11. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sideshow Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 17 hours ago, Curt B said: Oh, while I have been a big fan of the Eduard prepainted cockpit PE, I'm planning to take the next step up in cockpit aftermarket, with the Quinta sets. If you haven't seen these, not only are they full color, they are also 3D printed with switches and knobs. About the same cost as the Eduard stuff, perhaps a bit more, but from the photos I've seen, blows Eduard away in terms of realism and accuracy! I cheked those out, they look really good......ordering a set. Thanks for the tip! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 17, 2020 Author Share Posted October 17, 2020 33 minutes ago, sideshow said: I cheked those out, they look really good......ordering a set. Thanks for the tip! You're most welcome! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sideshow Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 I blame all of you.... I was excited to see the cool new parts, I ordered sets of metal landing gear, the Quinta 3D printed decals and two more kits..... ....I accept no responsibility Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted October 18, 2020 Author Share Posted October 18, 2020 10 hours ago, sideshow said: I blame all of you.... I was excited to see the cool new parts, I ordered sets of metal landing gear, the Quinta 3D printed decals and two more kits..... ....I accept no responsibility No, no, no, no..... Not me, I didn't do it! However, such as it is, I ALSO ordered a metal landing gear set. I haven't ordered the Quinta set for the F-15C yet, but I suppose I have no choice but to do it....I'm sure I won't be happy with my F-15 unless I do... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 I hope you didn't get the SAC white metal landing gear because those are soft and will bend easily under the weight of the complete aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sideshow Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 5 hours ago, RichardL said: I hope you didn't get the SAC white metal landing gear because those are soft and will bend easily under the weight of the complete aircraft. Ummm...that's exactly what I bought. You have experience with them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
seawinder Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 1 hour ago, sideshow said: Ummm...that's exactly what I bought. You have experience with them? For the most part (at least) the SAC stuff is nothing more than kit parts duplicated in soft metal. They often have softer detail than the kit parts as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sideshow Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 2 hours ago, seawinder said: For the most part (at least)....... I guess I don't know what this means. I got them to be stiffer than the stock plastic. I'm good with them being kit duplicates in metal....I don't expect titanium. Looks like I need to do a test..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
seawinder Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 22 minutes ago, sideshow said: I guess I don't know what this means. I got them to be stiffer than the stock plastic. I'm good with them being kit duplicates in metal....I don't expect titanium. Looks like I need to do a test..... I wrote "for the most part" because I don't know for sure that all the SAC sets are duplicates of the kit parts, although I can't recall hearing about any that aren't. I'd say a test would definitely be in order. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 There was a recent thread on SAC gear describing the good and bad points, unfortunately I was unable to find it. The forum search engine is, umm, lacking...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.