Scale Model Shop

**Guest** · 22 May 2013, 20:15

tell me about it I started a academy tiger 3 yrs ago then give up on it until 4weeks ago got to the final stage only to be beaten by the tracks and internal panels being to high so top panel would not fit.....arghhhh, put it in draw (again).

jeff.

**Guest** · 22 May 2013, 20:40

Until someone has attempted to build a Merlin Models kit they have not experienced what a bad kit is, just the thought of one brings on the tremors.

Malcolm

**Guest** · 22 May 2013, 20:48

I'll keep away from Merlin! thanks!

**john i am** · 22 May 2013, 20:57

I have found all brand of models have good and bad fits sometimes they go together sometimes they need some or a lot of patience a bad model will improve your skills and patience so stick with it and see it through I always treat myself after a bad build by doing something I know won't cause problems read reviews etc before buying anyways good look with the rest of it :goodluck:

**mossiepilot** · 22 May 2013, 21:15

I feel for you Jim. I'm doing some old tool airfix aircraft and they are awful compaired to the new stuff. But I'm not going to give up on them, just get them done the best I can and move on to something better.

Tony.

**Guest** · 22 May 2013, 21:51

Yes all kits Jim are subject to a few problems some more than others. The latest new models seem much better.

So far I have found Tamiya the best. But Revell & Airfix new kits seem much improved.

One of the difficulties is sometimes not lining things up. Not being quite accurate in our construction. This can lead to problems further down the line. I have built models where I have had problems & others building the same model have not have not had my problems & vice versa. Think in the end it is part of model making to be able to put things right when they go wrong & gaining the expertise to do so.

Laurie

**flyjoe180** · 22 May 2013, 22:04

I enjoy an old tool kit, turning it into something half decent. I have re-learned many skills and honed new ones on these old kits. But I don't like buying a 'new' box to find an old kit inside, as Airfix have been guilty of doing. I have enjoyed building kits from the Italeri range, and have a few nice looking Revell, Academy and Tamiya kits in my collection. As John said, the best way is to look at the online reviews before charging out and paying for a kit.

**Guest** · 22 May 2013, 22:07

Just to put Merlin kits in perspective they were one of the very earliest short run kits being released in the early eighties. I had a go at building their Scimitar and Skyrocket, at that time there was no alternatives other than vacuform or scratch building.The fuselage of the Scimitar was made up of four large sections in a very soft plastic each differing in size by anything up to 1cm also differing in shape and profile. The wings had no aerofoil section being just planks with square leading and trailing edge while each wing had a different shape and size in plan view,in fact no part came close to matching or fitting to it's neighbour and I haven't got to the smaller parts! it would have been easier to carve the model out of wood.I've built many kits since I attempted to build that Scimitar but it is the one kit that has always stuck in my memory,when someone mentions poorly fitting kits it's the one that always springs to mind. I know a number of very experienced modellers and to a man I can say they would agree with my view. One of them actually flew Scimitars and desperately wanted to model “his aircraft” but even with this added determination he failed in his attempt to complete the kit.(you will be glad to know he is now has both a CMR and Xtrapart Scimitars in his collection)If anyone wants to test their modelling metal and also extend their modelling skills they could do no better than having a go at a Merlin kit ,they do come up on E-bay quite often but all I will say is you have been warned. :smile:

Malcolm

**Guest** · 23 May 2013, 08:03

Originally posted by \

But I don't like buying a 'new' box to find an old kit inside, as Airfix have been guilty of doing.

Yes that is very annoying Joe.

Unfortunately I have forgotten the name of the company but it is similar. They buy up job lots, end of the line & bits & pieces from all the manufacturers then re-package & sell them under their own name. Problem there is unless you can delve a bit you do not know what you are buying in quality & age.

Laurie

**Guest** · 23 May 2013, 11:00

I don't think you can point a finger at Airfix in particular for reboxing kits,all manufacturers do it.Kits are produced in production runs which can vary from a few thousand to tens of thousands depending on their projected sales.Kits may go out of production for years or even decades.(I think the Airfix Banshee,an excellent kit was last produced in the early eighties but I could give examples from all the main stream manufactures).When a kit is reintroduced it will be packed in the packaging design that the company is using at the time of reintroduction.You mention Revell,Italeri and Tamiya they all have kits in their present ranges that date from the sixties/seventies but don't indicate their age.The Revel P-26 and Kaydet which have only recently been rereleased,I built in the early sixties.Italeri released the Horsa,Me321 and He111 in the seventies while the Tamiya Buffalo also dates from this period. I guess I am fortunate havin gbeen building models since the late fifties and therefore have a knowledge of which are old moulds and which are new.I agree with Laurie check reviews and if that fails,if you can look in the box.

My particular gripe is when amanufacture releases a short run kit as mainstream, Revell andItaleri are particularly bad having reboxed such MPM kits as theHudson,Havoc Wellington and Meteor. The review of the MPM Hudson byRev John McIllmurray in MAI is well worth a read if you want to hearhis view on the kit not exactly suitable for an average modeller but Revell have recently reboxed it as amainstream release.

Malcolm

**Guest** · 23 May 2013, 11:22

Regret I forgotten where available but there was a web site which gave details on models. There date of origin & if they were an old repackaged model.

Can any member remember.

Also on this matter a good check is to find if any member has posted a build diary on a model. This gives a good idea. When posting a final photo reportage of a model it would be a great idea if the builder couldgive a short report on how the build went major problems etc.

Laurie

**Guest** · 23 May 2013, 11:54

Kits should be marked with some form of date of manufacture I think. If this AE86 was my first model when I re-introduced myself to the hobby, I don't think I would have pursued it! (Well, I may have had another go..) to some people though, a bad experience first time round can be the end....

**BarryW** · 23 May 2013, 12:32

I do sympathise with your problem. As someone said all kits have their issues, some being worse than others.....

This site is good for reviews: MODELING MADNESS: The Finest Review Site on the Web

This one is good for getting a lot of information on kits including if they are new tool Scalemates - Scale Modeling Community

**flyjoe180** · 24 May 2013, 00:22

Originally posted by \

Regret I forgotten where available but there was a web site which gave details on models. There date of origin & if they were an old repackaged model.Can any member remember.

Also on this matter a good check is to find if any member has posted a build diary on a model. This gives a good idea. When posting a final photo reportage of a model it would be a great idea if the builder couldgive a short report on how the build went major problems etc.

Laurie

That would probably be this one Laurie, Scalemates. Put your make of model in the bottom search section, e.g. Ju52, and it comes up with a history of the kit from various manufacturers under the Products tab. Scalemates - Scale Modeling Community

Scalemates - Scale Modeling Community

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Bad Kit or Bad Skills???

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