viking73 Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Hi, I've been thinking of doing a post-war P-47N build. I found some interesting Puerto Rico ANG decals on eBay. The only trouble seems to be that the best "N" in 1/72, the Sword kit, is impossible to find. Is this kit currently out of production? Anyone know for sure? Thanks, -Derek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve N Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 I've been looking for one since it first came out, and have never found one. Admittedly, I was looking in vendor rooms at shows and haven't checked any online sources. But even at the IPMS Nationals none of the vendors have ever had the kit..even the ones who carry the really obscure stuff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
duck Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 This is where I got mine when it was released, http://www.westcoasthobbys.com Not in stock currently. Send them an email, he responds fairly quick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DonSS3 Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 If West Coast Hobbys has it, I highly recommend getting it from them. Fast and reasonable shipping and great email communications. I've gotten a couple of 1/48 Special Hobby and AZ Model kits from him and I've been very pleased with the whole process. http://www.westcoasthobbys.com/ The search function on the site works great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viking73 Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 Thanks gents. You are 100% correct about Rob and West Coast Hobbys. His service is top notch. I have bought several kits from him in the past and it's been great every time. I don't know why I didn't think to email him before now... -Derek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
breadneck Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Oh i don`t know about west coast hobbies. I wanted to buy some resin from him, but he felt less then inclined to follow my shall we say "userfriendly" shipping directions. As far as the Sword P-47 kit goes, you`re not looking hard enough. I found one on ebay uk for 10 gbp. These kits are indeed scarce, but do pop up on ebay from time to time, you just have to be persistent. A great kit indeed and well worth the hunt ! Auctioned off to the public, be prepard to pay upwards in the high end $20s. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Boyer Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) Certainly the best N in 1/72, but beside being based on the Tamiya D (and quite obviously, too), the fit of the wing to the bottom of the fuselage is horrid. I built the review model for FSM and this was the main problem with the build. As you may know, the landing gear of the N was further outboard from the fuselage than that of the D. Sword converted the Tamiya wing properly for its master, but not so much the wing stubs at the fuselage. Prepare to use epoxy putty and sandpaper. Edited July 24, 2016 by Paul Boyer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thegoodsgt Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Keep an eye on eBay. One sold earlier this month for only around $20. Steven Brown Scale Model Soup Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DonSS3 Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Is it that much better than the old Heller kit? I know the Heller kit does have those "dreaded" raised panel lines... <_< I built one decades ago and it seemed like a pretty nice, if basic kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Boyer Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 The Heller kit by comparison is rather toylike. The Italeri kit is misshapen. The Sword seems to have it right. Except for the lower fuselage/wing fit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viking73 Posted July 25, 2016 Author Share Posted July 25, 2016 Thanks for the comments gents. I have been keeping an eye out on eBay, must have missed it of course Steve. Putty and sanding doesn't bother me Paul! I confirmed with Rob Stevens of West Coast Hobbys that this kit is currently OOP. Perhaps I will find one on eBay or at the Ft. Worth IPMS show in a few months. -Derek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DavidRezabek Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 The Heller kit is bad. Among other things the airfoil of the wing is molded upside down. Quite noticeable. The Italeri wing is too narrow in chord. A lesser problem is the ventral fin strake is rather thick. HTH, David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viking73 Posted November 4, 2016 Author Share Posted November 4, 2016 Thanks for the comment David. I'm still on the hunt for one of these kits... -Derek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
don f Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 Drifting a bit off topic, since we are talking about P-47N's, what about the 1/72 High Planes P-47N? Better than the Sword kit? Don Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DavidRezabek Posted November 19, 2016 Share Posted November 19, 2016 Word on the street is the High Planes is a very good option shape wise but, I guess true to most High Planes kits, requires a little scratch building. That took it out of the running for me. I have a hard enough time putting a model together when all of the pieces are included. - David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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