Latest acquisitions

[papa 695]

Just got this through the post from John in the shop. Thanks John.
[ATTACH]306220[/ATTACH][ATTACH]306221[/ATTACH][ATTACH]306222[/ATTACH]
I'm sure I'll be able to get this one finished. I'm planning a sea scape for this one. I'm just going to have a look at some of the camo schemes for this ship.

[Guest]

Hi this has just come :smiling3:

Pete.

[Gern]

I couldn't resist it! The Cosford Massive know I have the breaking strain of a Mars Bar wrapper when it comes to big boxes - and this is bigger than most!

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Open the box and remove the fuse' halves and top wing:

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According to the box, this thing is 806mm long with a wingspan of 514mm. I've included a couple of Universal Standard Measures (Imperial and Metric) for comparison:

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Surface details look good although the recessed panel lines and raised rivets in this scale look huge - certainly not something I would care about though. There is very little flash - I had to look hard to find any - and mould seams don't look at all bad considering the size of some of the parts

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The canopy looks crystal clear and free of blemishes. It's also packaged in its own bubble wrap bag so no scratches.

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Tyres are rubber and have mould seams which are almost invisible. I have no idea how they have done it, but the jet outlets appear completely seamless inside and out, and have the vanes built in!

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Engine detail is almost non-existent. A pity because the hatches can be installed in the open position. At this scale though, the scratch builders could have a field day detailing it up!

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Cockpit and wheel bay detail is a bit basic, but the IP looks quite nice. It has raised details and separate decals for each section so there shouldn't be a problem getting a good fit - and hand painting the detail would be feasible for anyone with moderate painting skills due to the sheer size. The seat is also very basic and no seatbelts are provided. Considering that it will be highly visible through the large canopy, this is really disappointing.

Any AM manufacturers reading this 'cos their FW 190 and Dauntless have the same problem?

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There are screws connecting some of the larger components with large holes in the surface for which plugs are supplied. It remains to be seen how well this works and how much clean-up will need to be done to hide them. The load-out is quite basic with two fuel tanks, two Rockeye Mk 82 bombs and two AIM-9L missiles, but there are all sorts of pods and bulges which doubtless represent other variable equipment which could be carried.

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The undercarriage and miscellaneous parts shown in the last picture are moulded in a different sort of plastic. Hard to tell without opening the bags, but it looks sort of polythene-like. I hope I'm wrong 'cos some types of polythene are impossible to glue together - but they wouldn't do that would they? There are springs and peg connections supplied so it looks like the undercarriage, including the scissors, can be made fully articulated.

The instructions are the usual well-illustrated sort that Hobby Boss provides (though colour call-outs for detail parts seem few and far between) and decals are included for two aircraft.

For such a large kit, the parts list is small - which is reflected in the sparsity of detail in places. I also noticed the fuselage in front of the intakes is split into three sections, so perhaps there are plans to release other variants.

Maybe not for the Harrier fans who might find all sorts of accuracy issues, but for someone like me this builds up into an impressive model which, to my eyes, looks remarkably like a Harrier! If it wasn't for the lack of seatbelts, I'd give this 10/10.

Apologies as usual for the (lack of) quality of the pictures. My photography is pants at the best of times, and it doesn't help trying to take pictures through the polythene bags!

[Guest]

Wow!! Dave!!!
This is a monster!!!!

It remember me the Stuka 1/24. Maybe hasn’t a super detailed parts....but still being one of my favourites :upside::upside::upside:

[Gern]

Wow!! Dave!!!
This is a monster!!!!

It remember me the Stuka 1/24. Maybe hasn’t a super detailed parts....but still being one of my favourites :upside::upside::upside:

I believe these kits are based on the Merit kits which were sold already assembled. As far as I know at the moment, only the FW190, Dauntless and Harrier have been released as kits for us to build, but Merit did do a 1/18 Stuka. I have the FW190 (which my mates conn... persuaded me to buy at Cosford last year) and now the Harrier. I'm looking for a Dauntless but haven't found one under £200. I will be watching for other releases in this series.

[Steve O]

Wow nice one Dave this will keep you busy pal.

Steve.

[Guest]

I’m thinking about this scale.....
The 1/18 is one of the most habitual scale for the Diecast models. You have an unfinished range of vehicles and a good stuff, like figures and other complements, for a diorama....

[Gern]

I’m thinking about this scale.....
The 1/18 is one of the most habitual scale for the Diecast models. You have an unfinished range of vehicles and a good stuff, like figures and other complements, for a diorama....

Yes, there does seem to be plenty available but I'm not a fan of diecast. still, the opportunites for large scale dios are certainly there.

PS Found a Dauntless while looking around for less than £130. Ordered!

[BarryW]

I do like these 1/18 scale kits but for a big kit I am saving my space for a 1/32 four engined 'heavy' maybe the Lanc, maybe the B24, maybe both....

[peterairfix]

Got my victory copper tiles today so at some point in the near future I will start tiling once I have found the plan's[ATTACH]306357[/ATTACH]

[Gern]

So when we hear of the notorious axe murder in Taunton, we'll know your neighbour got REALLY fed up with your constant "tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap ..........."):angry:

PS Anybody got fed up reading all those 'taps'? You'll know how Peter's neighbour felt!:smiling:

[Steve O]

So when we hear of the notorious axe murder in Taunton, we'll know your neighbour got REALLY fed up with your constant "tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap ..........."):angry:

PS Anybody got fed up reading all those 'taps'? You'll know how Peter's neighbour felt!:smiling:

No mate you missed one out, wll let you off.

Steve.

[peterairfix]

So when we hear of the notorious axe murder in Taunton, we'll know your neighbour got REALLY fed up with your constant "tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap ..........."):angry:

PS Anybody got fed up reading all those 'taps'? You'll know how Peter's neighbour felt!:smiling:

Got some bad news they are stick ones and that's bad enough.

[Gern]

I do like these 1/18 scale kits but for a big kit I am saving my space for a 1/32 four engined 'heavy' maybe the Lanc, maybe the B24, maybe both....

I know you like your super detailed kits Barry, but here's a chance to show off your scratching skills. I'm sure you could produce something amazing with such a large canvas. Go on! You know you want to!

.... and these are much cheaper than your usual fare!

[Gern]

Got some bad news they are stick ones and that's bad enough.

You mean you're NOT going to nail them on!!!