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Azur 1/72 Loire 130 - Limited run kit - Inbox review

Dave Ward

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For those of you unfamiliar with limited run kits, these are produced by small manufacturers, who do not have the capitol to invest in high quality steel moulds, so moulds are made from lesser quality ( cheaper ) materials, that may not need expensive injection equipment. These will not have a long life cycle - hence - limited run. They may not have a lot of detail, but the subjects usually attract experienced modellers. The packaging will not be glossy, instructions photocopies, but the basics will be there!
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The Loire was used on large French Navy warships in WWII. Model dates to 1997. Flimsy box, with the picture on the front only.

Sprue shots..................
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Typically, a vacuum formed canopy:
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PE details & film for instrument panel
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Decals by Propagteam - rather nice
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Instructions - on A5 flimsy paper
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I would normally post some detail shots, but there isn't a great deal - most will have to be rescribed - like the control surfaces
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This is an average limited run kit of late last century- the modeller needs to add a lot to the model to get a good result.
Nowadays, the gap between mainline manufacturers & small makers is narrowing, the traditional short run makers, like Special Hobby Valom & MPM are beginning to produce highly detailed models, which aren't as difficult to make as the old models, Resin parts, whether cast, or printed give added detail easily.
Azur seem to have vanished - in consequence, the pre-owned market generates silly prices. A look on ebay, at this model will show that - I certainly wouldn't dream of paying that! ( Mine isn't worth as much, 'cos a lot of parts are off the sprue )
Dave
 
Thanks for that Dave. If those instructions are A5 then I reckon I'd need the magnifiers on just to read them!
Nick
 
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Thanks for that Dave. If those instructions are A5 then I reckon I'd need the magnifiers on just to read them!
Nick
In the past, I've had to scan the instructions & put them on my ancient tablet - at least I can zoom in on them!.
Nowadays you can find instructions on the internet, that cuts out the scanner - you can put them on the mobile phone - even easier........
Dave
 
A Nice little review that.
I must admit I rather like the look of that.
Interestingly unusual.... Or is it unusually interesting...
 
Is it just me, or does it remind anybody else of the Supermarine Walrus ? the fuselage looks almost the same..
 
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Chris & Pete,
the Walrus & the Loire were designed for the same function - a flying boat to be carried & catapulted from cruisers & battleships - roughly the same weight/size meant one engine - mounted away from the spray - pusher engine on pylons. However, the Loire was a monoplane, and a flying boat only.The Walrus was a biplane, and an amphibian. Although the Walrus would seem to be more old fashioned, it was more flexible.
The Loire had a water-cooled engine - for tropical use, a larger radiator had to be fitted, the Walrus an air-cooled radial. At first glance, they do look similar, but represent different takes on a basic purpose............
Dave
 
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I dont even like the thought of £70+ for a new tooled super Buccaneer. So £110 for a garage kit... Meh.
Makes me wonder what the Azur I have in the stash is worth.....
Ian,
It'd have to be in perfect condition - mine isn't, parts off the sprue etc.........
Thinking about the value is on the brink of a slippery slope! You'd see the stash as an 'asset', and 'investment' - then suddenly you've become.................a collector! :tongue-out3: . Never building, never even opening boxes, for fear of reducing the value- lowest form of life, apart from working in a cold call centre :tongue-out2:
Dave
 
Hi Dave
Most interesting.
Are these Limited Run kits readily available from model shops or are they only to be bought direct from the manufacturer. I assume the ebay offerings are from private sellers.
Jim
 
Thread owner
Hi Dave
Most interesting.
Are these Limited Run kits readily available from model shops or are they only to be bought direct from the manufacturer. I assume the ebay offerings are from private sellers.
Jim
Jim,
I don't buy from the manufacturers, as generally their p&p prices are too high ( Brexit etc etc ). Some of the larger retailers do stock them, John stocks quite a few Special Hobby kits. Model Hobbies seem to hold the most. There are one or two smaller specialist outlets, but they don't seem to carry much stock.
All of these are at retail price................. Ebay items are a mix of private and mainline sellers, some of the retailers sell stuff that isn't advertised on their websites. Costs do vary, just a matter of watching & waiting ( like fishing only at home, and more comfortable! )
Dave
 
Thinking about the value is on the brink of a slippery slope!
Oh it will get either built or sold. It was in a boxed lot I got from a clearance....
Just had a look it's a ...

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Bags un opened and just a tiny squish on the corner of the otherwise good condition box..
 
Y'know, it's a thing about French Marine aviation from the 1920s/30s, and in to the '50s; the 'planes are so UGLY... But in acharming way
Except for the Alize, which has no redeeming aesthetic qualities at all. But then, we had the Avro Bison
Still trying to work out what the poor sod in the open top cockpit of the Le.130 is doing

BTW didn't Azur change into Azur-Ffrom a while back?
 
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Y'know, it's a thing about French Marine aviation from the 1920s/30s, and in to the '50s; the 'planes are so UGLY... But in acharming way
Except for the Alize, which has no redeeming aesthetic qualities at all. But then, we had the Avro Bison
Still trying to work out what the poor sod in the open top cockpit of the Le.130 is doing

BTW didn't Azur change into Azur-Ffrom a while back?
Chris,
yes, I've seen the name around......................
The French Airforce Bombers between the wars were just as bad, they didn't seem to have heard of aerodynamics!
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Potez 540 - the designer must have been proud!
Dave
 
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