discussion Special Hobby

[Waspie]

Anyone have any opinions on this kit manufacturer? (Special Hobby)
Looking at my next buy/build and have a 1/48 AH1G Cobra in my sights but I have never heard of them. (Remember I've only been at this less than a year). The instructions, courtesy of Stalemate's look excellent. But so was the quote for my double glazing in my last place and that ended up a right saga!!!!

Any views, opinions, insights gratefully accepted.
Cheers me dears!!
Doug

 

[boatman]

WELL Doug like you i have never heard of them either so SORRY cant help you but im sure Jakko or someone will be able to help you
chrisb

 

[Waspie]

WELL Doug like you i have never heard of them either so SORRY cant help you but im sure Jakko or someone will be able to help you
chrisb

Thanks Chris. :thumb2: Not just me then!!

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Well,I have actually heard of them, but can't help as I've never built one,nor do I have any in the stash :unamused:

 

[davecov]

I have only ever built one of their kits, about nine years ago. It was the Special Hobby 1/72 Heinkel He 178 V2 (72192):

The plastic was rather thick and clunky and reminded me of old Frog kits:

However, the engraved lines weren't too bad:

Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Special Hobby are a Czech maker that used to produce limited run models - but now have moved more mainstream. Some of the older models are a bit crude by todays standards, but the later ones are good. Scalemates will tell you that several other companies have reboxed SH products ( Hannants' Xtrakits are SH reboxes ) - I made the Revell reboxing of the Special Hobby 1/72 AH-1G here https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/dave-ws-revell-1-72-bell-ah-1g-cobra.39035/ a very nice model - Their website is pretty good https://www.specialhobby.eu/?fbclid=IwAR1idSy3r_NWPMfzFbzsZTLrlQUn3YjjBI4nGtkK46ZzK9bdaks_qr9vGCI - they helpfully allow you to download instructions, as well.
If you stick with the later models, you should be OK
Dave

 

[rickoshea52]

I have a few of their kits in my stash but am yet to build any. The ones I have include resin, brass and maybe masks. My understanding is they are often limited run kits and maybe lack a bit of finesse in ease of build so perhaps better suited to more advanced modellers. I wouldn’t let that put you off though.
My recommendation would be to find some build reviews, scalemates sometimes has links to the particular kit. YouTube is another useful research source.

Noting Dave’s comments added just as I posted mine.

 

[Waspie]

Thanks Dave and Rick. Useful info. I’ll dig out any reviews later today.
The kit I’m looking at contains masks and PE harness/intake grills etc.
much appreciate you taking the time to post. :thumb2:

 

[Guest]

Doug,
Now I am saying this very quietly so that the armour guys cannot hear me...
I have their SH48041 Fairey Firefly Mk.4/5/6 "Foreign Service" Which at the time was the nearest to a RN one, apart from the vac-form PP Aerokit, was the only decent one on the market. As for the kit itself, the panel lines are recessed and detail is as good as you get today. There are aftermarket items for it, mine came from Hannants, although the etch set I will be using came from the PP Aerokits vac-form which I made a bit of a melting pot (spilt a bottle of Mek over it) of it but kept the resin and etch parts and instructions.
Question - Would I be pleased with the kit - Yes, worth building straight from the box and if you want add the extras.

 

[Guest]

Doug,
Now I am saying this very quietly so that the armour guys cannot hear me..

Excuse me Doug.
I heard you Wibble !!!!! :unamused:

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Isn't there a build on here of the SH 1/32 Westland Whirlwind? Stona did it?

 

[Waspie]

Isn't there a build on here of the SH 1/32 Westland Whirlwind? Stona did it?

Cheers Chris, I'll have a search.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Doug
I have the 1/48 Blackburn Skua in my stash but have not yet had the mojo to build it. Looks fine, if a little less refined than the major manufacturers. I’d get the Cobra if you want one, look at it, then if your are a little intimidated, perhaps leave it a little while until your skill set increases so you can do it justice. It won’t take long….l.l

 

[Ian M]

They make some interesting subjects, a bit off the normal. Generally OK. Some need more effort than others. Like any kits, check a review befor you buy one if unsure.

 

[David Lovell]

Does it matter if its a subject you wish to build and thats the only choice on the market so be it. Dave's just shown it might not be the best kit out there but he's ended up with a nice little addition to his collection a little bit of fettleing goes a long way . Dave