Looking for some models

[ehasler]

Despite having a backlog of models that I'm trying to find time to build, I've got an urge to buy a few more

What I'm after is a good quality kit of the SR-71 Blackbird, and also a wooden model of the Wright Brothers first aircraft, plus a wooden static model of a Mosquito.

I've seen a few on various websites - most of which seem to be available from the US, but as I've not seen them in the flesh I don't know what quality is like.

Can anyone recommend any?

Also, while I'm in the model buying mood - what's the general consensus for the best scale plastic aircraft kits? I'm a fan of Tamiya as they seem better than most, but what other good ones are there?

TIA

[Eric Mc]

Tamiya are often regarded as the best - even their stuff from the 1960s is looked on as pretty much unbeatable. Hasegawa kits from the 1970s onward are also pretty good.

Personally, I like a lot of Italeri models and the most recent new issues from Revell are pretty spectacular.

The key to whether a newly released model is going to be good or not really depends on whether it is a brand new tooling or a re-issue. Revell can be a bit of a "pig in a poke" if you are not familiar with the background to their kits. At the moment, they are re-issuing older Revell kits from the 60s amd 70s plus re-issues of what once were Matchbox kits. Two welcome ex-Matchbox re-issues are the 1/72 Handley Page Halifax bomber and the Supermarine Walrus flying boats. Although it is great to have these kits available again, they are nowhere near the standard of the brand new Revell kits such as the Hawker Hunter - which is a stunner.

As for SR-71s, I would suggest the Italeri or Hasegawa kits as being pretty good. If you want to go slightly offbeat on "Skunk Works" aircraft, Italeri also made a model of the fighter version of the SR-71, the YF-12 (including hypersonic piggy back drone).
I think the Italeri models are available in both 1/72 and 1/48 scale.

>> Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 28th April 15:46

[Mr Beckerman]

Some good info on this site;

www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/

for aircraft modelling.

[apache]

Trumpeter make some good 1/24th scale kits with etched metal parts

[chris watton]

apache said:

Trumpeter make some good 1/24th scale kits with etched metal parts

I did a search on our works website, and I found all of the above, although the Wright Brothers and Mosquito kits are plastc, not wood.

[redwedge5]

You might find what you're looking for on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SR-71A-B-Blackb

I've bought model kits from the states and because plastic kits are relatively light postage costs are often very reasonable, although always best to get a quote in advance. Or wait till one comes up in the UK.

[speedchick]

I have the Testors 1:48 Blackbird, the vast majority of the main body is done, but the project has come to a standstill as I am fed up of filling to make the joins fit. It really is crap and wouldn't recommend it.

My OH said it was down to my crap modelling skills, till he tried to get them together and saw just how bad the fit is, we have glued it, and like I say, got as far as the filling and got pee'd off with it!

[Eric Mc]

The Testors model is the Italeri model in disguise. To be honest, Italeri kits generally go together fairly well.

It's nice to see a member of the distaff side having a go at this plastic lark .

[speedchick]

I just get this strange pleasure from melting bits of plastic together with plasticweld!

(until I knock the bottle over and spill it all over the newly painted USS New Jersey deck .....)

[Eric Mc]

The joys of plastic kit bashing.

Liquid polystyrene cement has a habit of doing this. Best thing is to place the bottle in an upturned kit box lid. In that way, any spills will be contained. Humbrol liquid poly cement (which I use) is in a squat bottle with a low centre of gravity so is less likey to tip over.

[shadytree]

Eric Mc said:

The Testors model is the Italeri model in disguise. To be honest, Italeri kits generally go together fairly well.

the 1:48th Testors Blackbird is a very nice model.



Here's a few more of my old mans collcetion

>> Edited by shadytree on Tuesday 2nd May 08:52

[chris watton]

Eric Mc said:

The joys of plastic kit bashing. Liquid polystyrene cement has a habit of doing this. Best thing is to place the bottle in an upturned kit box lid. In that way, any spills will be contained. Humbrol liquid poly cement (which I use) is in a squat bottle with a low centre of gravity so is less likey to tip over.

When building plastic kits for my stepson (and son proper), I use medium viscosity superglue, especially if there are shut/panel lines near to where the glue is to be applied, liquid poly can melt some of the finer detail, no matter how good the grade of plastic is. (never use it on clear plastic though!)

[ZR1cliff]

speedchick said:

I just get this strange pleasure from melting bits of plastic together with plasticweld! (until I knock the bottle over and spill it all over the newly painted USS New Jersey deck .....)

Or dont do what i do and super glue myself to the model

[ehasler]

Thanks all - I'm going to order the Testors 1/48 scale SR-71, and will probably end up getting the Wright Flyer and Mosquito from this place in the USA.

Now I just need to remember how to put these things together (time for another thread!)

>> Edited by ehasler on Tuesday 2nd May 12:48

[shadytree]

Ed, try here.

They are really good, ordered quite a few for the old man from here (including the SR-71)

[ehasler]

shadytree said:

Ed, try here. They are really good, ordered quite a few for the old man from here (including the SR-71)

That's where I found the model - glad to hear they give decent service.

My VISA card is getting very nervous though - I'm just browsing all the other kits they sell!

>> Edited by ehasler on Tuesday 2nd May 13:01

[ehasler]

shadytree said:

Here's a few more of my old mans collcetion

Fantastic collection - I can't imagine how many hours have gone in to building all those!