discussion BarryW's 1/48 'multi-engine aircraft' Review Thread

[BarryW]

in-box review no5 Tamiya Bristol Beaufighter MkVI

This is one of my favourite aircraft and I would love Tamiya to produce a 1/32 Beau but, sadly, I think this might be too much to expect so it is over to 1/48.

Wingspan 370mm
Length 270mm
No part count on box

This is a 1997 tooling in good quality plastic, cleanly moulded, well it is Tamiya.....

This version is sold out in SMS (I probably got the last one) but there is a nightfighter version. 1/48 Bristol Beaufighter Night Fighter 61064 Tamiya – Scale Model Shop

This must be one of the smallest model boxes I have opened in quite a while... Here it is along with some sample pages from the instructions:




There are markings for three versions:


Personally I rather like the Malta scheme.

Nice clear transparencies. I have not spotted any significant issues with the mouldings.

Fine surface detail, clean, no flash or burring despite the age.



The decals.


I am no fan of Tamiya decals but, as yet, I have not found an alternative that I am happy with. I might end up getting some generic masks for roundels/flashes and codes.

I did source these aftermarket sets. I have used the Yahu i.p. sets before and I rather like them.




I will need to sort out the markings and will first check my spares box as I might have suitable generic masks already.

Well, its Tamiya and despite being an 'oldie' it is a golden oldie and is still the best Beau around.

Recommended.

Incidentally with my reviews I have previously filtered all the kits I buy for the stash and, as a result, I will only give highly recommended or just recommended unless on looking at a kit I decide I made a mistake in buying it, in which case I will say why!!!

My next review will be the Aifrfix Bristol Blenheim Mk1.

 

[boatman]

HI BARRY any chance on a B-29 as its one of my fav aircraft ?
chris

 

[BarryW]

HI BARRY any chance on a B-29 as its one of my fav aircraft ?
chris

As far as I know the only B29 in 1/48 scale is an old Monogram kit now produced by Revell if you can get one. I have to say that its not an aircraft or model that appeals to me. Here is a review of the kit that I found, it has a lot of shortcomings.
Building Revell's 1/48 B-29 - Non-LSM 'WIP' and Completed - Large Scale Modeller

 

[boatman]

YES Barry ive just read through that build an i see what you mean as you want a model to enjoy building not one that gives you problem through ill fittin parts :crying:
chris

 

[Defiant911]

Nice selection Barry, reminds me I also have 1:48 models to build of the black widow, b17 & b29. Been taking a break whilst I have a few other things to sort out but sure I’ll get back to them in due course. Carl

 

[Defiant911]

As far as I know the only B29 in 1/48 scale is an old Monogram kit now produced by Revell if you can get one. I have to say that its not an aircraft or model that appeals to me. Here is a review of the kit that I found, it has a lot of shortcomings.
Building Revell's 1/48 B-29 - Non-LSM 'WIP' and Completed - Large Scale Modeller

That’s the one I have but annoyingly it does not come with very good cockpit detail and to my knowledge they never come with any etched parts unlike the revell who did a kit including all this. I emailed revel in Germany and they sent me all the revel etched kit which included everything. Think it cost about £50 that said but itll be worth the extra I think. Being same scale I’m sure I can use most if not all of the etched parts.

 

[BarryW]

In-box Review no6 Airfix Bristol Blenheim mk1

I think all of us of a certain age have a soft spot for Airfix, after all we can remember those classic Airfix kits that got us into the hobby. Indeed Airfix is to modelling what the Hoover is to vacuum cleaners. To the uninitiated all plastic model kits are Airfix. I remember not so long ago a business associate who I know to be a member of the Royal St Georges Golf Club remarked rather snootily, 'oh you are into building Airfix kits then', clearly thinking about how he may have crudely glued kits together back in the '60's as a child. My response was 'all to their own, you like batting little balls through hoops and around obstacles on Margate seafront'. I don't think he liked his golf being likened to a round of crazy golf but it made the point.

Since getting back into the hobby I can count on one hand the number of Airfix kits I have built and thought that working on this 1/48 project might enable me to get a few more under my belt, but this really is the only 1/48 Airfix so far to find itself in my build list. Perhaps I will add to it in due course.

Since Hornby bought Airfix they have certainly transformed the brand, improving quality and bringing it back from its dark days with some excellent new releases but they still have a few issues and still have room to improve.

Back to this kit.
Wingspan 357mm
Length 258mm

The box has some nice box art and I quite like the look of the Blenheim in this camo.


I rather like their new style instructions. A few example pages.







They offer two schemes. First a pre-war scheme.


And a scheme from the Greek campaign.


The transparencies are very nice and on this kit they need to be.


Airfix still pop all the sprues in one bag, though the clear parts have one of their own. Most companies take a lot more care over their presentation and packing these days, it is such a small thing but this immediately gives out a message of Airfix being a 'low end' manufacturer.


The parts though are nicely moulded but again, they just don't seem to have the refinement that Tamiya, HKM, GWH, ICM and others bring to their mouldings.


The surface detail looks a little soft to me in comparison to the other kits reviewed in this thread. Don't get me wrong, they are not bad at all, just not quite up there with the others.

I think the soft plastic has something to do with it but I don't think that is all the story. The main problem with this Airfix plastic is it being prone to warping and shrinkage which is a big problem for their large scale planes. My Hellcat ended up in the bin, I remember, because of this. Incidentally, Airfix have a great replacement part service and if you get warping I would strongly recommend getting the parts replaced and not to try a 'fix' like I did with the Hellcat. If I had not tried to be clever I might have a great Hellcat model on my shelf. Hopefully this small scale 1/48 should not give me such an issue.

Some sprue shots:


Overall the parts are nicely moulded with no big issues. I have to say though that this is the first kit reviewed on this thread where I have seen some 'burring' and touches of flash. You can see hints of this in the photos above, on one of the props and part of the wheel bracing in particular. Again this is not a major issue and is easily dealt with, but it does show how Airfix are not quite up there with their competitors.

The decal sheet is very nice and if it is like their BP Defiant, are actually better than what Tamiya produce....


But, of course, I don't plan to use them, at least not for the major markings. Instead I have some masks, a brand I have not used before. Two sets, one for the markings and one that I consider particularly import for this kit, a canopy masking set.


I also have a seatbelt set.


I might in due course get more a.m. stuff for the inside given that canopy.

Now some people may think that I am being picky and hard on Airfix but I need to describe what I see and compare with the other kits reviewed. The fact is that I rather like this kit despite my criticisms that I hope are constructive.

I recommend it.

Next up: Zvezda Pe 2.

 

[boatman]

i remember not so long ago a business associate who I know to be a member of the Royal St Georges Golf Club remarked rather snootily, 'oh you are into building Airfix kits then', clearly thinking about how he may have crudely glued kits together back in the '60's as a child. My response was 'all to their own, you like batting little balls through hoops and around obstacles on Margate seafront'. I don't think he liked his golf being likened to a round of crazy golf but it made the point.
(Barry qoute )
:thinkingoint well made Barry :smiling3: as i have had some people say oh he's playing with toy boats at the pond AN ive said they are not toys they are models of the real ships an very complex that shut them up
chris

 

[Tim Marlow]

I sometimes play this the other way….basically agreeing with them and saying how much I enjoy playing with my toys….they really don’t know what to say next if you get that right….I used to use my broad Wiltshire accent to the same ends because it can make people underestimate your ability when you need to outmanoeuvre them.

 

[boatman]

I sometimes play this the other way….basically agreeing with them and saying how much I enjoy playing with my toys….they really don’t know what to say next if you get that right….I used to use my broad Wiltshire accent to the same ends because it can make people underestimate your ability when you need to outmanoeuvre them.

WELL DONE Tim :thumb2: :thumb2: :smiling: :smiling:
chris

 

[BarryW]

In-box Review no7 - Zvezda Petlyakov Pe-2

My first ever look at a Zvezda kit and I must say it looks better than I expected.

Parts: 435 - which seems quite a lot for a small aircraft compared to the Lancaster previously reviewed.
Length: 257mm
Wingspan: not specified

The box:

There is an end opening outer sleeve into which an inner box slides. Nice strong packing.


Inside the plastic is split between a few plastic bags.


Some examples of the instruction pages.




They seem fairly clear.

Three schemes are in the kit.


The transparencies don't seem very clear to me, not quite cloudy, with blemishes, but they are just about usable.


The grey plastic is on the soft side, more Airfix than Tamiya, but the mouldings are nicely detailed and clean. I would say they are better than Airfix.








If I was to be very picky I would say that the sprue gates could be smaller, at least on smaller parts, but I have seen a lot worse. No real issues spotted with the plastic to worry about.


Decals look OK but I will not get a chance to see how they perform as I have this:


I also have a Quinta Studios 3D decal interior set that includes seatbelts.


If you have not had a chance to try the 3D decal detailing sets yet, do give them a go. I really do expect pre-painted p.e. sets to become a thing of the past. The 3D sets are a lot easier to use and are much more effective.

I have to say that overall this seems a decent kit. Pity about the transparencies though.

Recommended

Next up: Trumpeter SM.79

 

[Guest]

My first ever look at a Zvezda kit and I must say it looks better than I expected.

I don’t know what Zvezda’s aircraft kits are like, but if they’re like their military vehicles, then old kits are probably best left alone, while new ones are very good.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Shame about the transparencies on the Zvezda PE 2. Doesn’t look like something that will polish out either. The rest looks pretty good though. Might be worth contacting the manufacturer?

 

[BarryW]

Shame about the transparencies on the Zvezda PE 2. Doesn’t look like something that will polish out either. The rest looks pretty good though. Might be worth contacting the manufacturer?

Others have found the same issue Tim. It is their manufacturing process. Yes it’s a pain but when painted up in this scale it will be satisfactory. If it was 1/32 now that really would be a downer.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Perhaps Russian Perspex was the same Barry :tongue-out3:

 

[Nicko]

Thanks for this one Barry. I have the Eduard boxing of the kit in the stash...

Nick

 

[BarryW]

In-box Review no8 Trumpeter Savoia-Marchetti SM.79-11 Sparviero

I remember getting the old Airfix SM.79 when I was a child back in the 60's and I loved that kit but I remember that the rear gunners position was an empty detailess void and it just did not look right. So I found half of a fuel tank in my spares box, cut it to shape and fitted it over that void. It may not have been 100% accurate but to my eyes looked better than that gaping hole. Funny thing is, perhaps it was not so inaccurate after all, seeing how this Trumpeter kit version is not unlike what I ended up with!

I hummed and erred about getting this kit having read some reviews. However, when I thought about it I don't think all the criticism is necessarily a killer blow and I really cannot see another SM79 being released in this scale or in 1/32. So when I managed to track one down via eBay for a decent price I snatched it up. So what exactly did I end up with and it is worth getting?

Wingspan 422mm
Length 337mm
Parts: 195

The box - rather nice box art.


Some pages from the instructions

These demonstrate one of the criticisms, a lack of internal detail.



There is no doubt that the detail is lacking but just how much can be seen. Looking at the amount of glazing and the limited view of the inside I have concluded that, in this small scale, that it is not a problem. I won't be opening up any panels anyway and if you want to do so then I am sure that you can have a great time detailing it up.


One colourful scheme is provided:


The transparencies seem fine. No blemishes that I have found that will mar the finish.


Wing surface detail is OK, perhaps slightly under detailed but I am not sure that its a problem once painted up under an interesting camo.


Sprues are clean with no big issues, typical Trumpeter.


The fuselage will need some sanding and toning down. This, for me is perhaps the biggest issue but, again, after some work and a coat of paint it should be OK.


The decals, well they are Trumpeter. They look OK but we all know how badly they tend to perform, I don't think I have ever found a set that is usable.


I, of course, will not rely on them. I have this Montex set with three great looking, very colourful, schemes.


I am planning to do the bottom scheme and will need to source the correct MRP shades from their Italian AF range. Having bought some of these colours I will just have to build more Italian aircraft..... I will have a lot of research to do on the paint schemes.

I have not yet found any more aftermarket sets worth getting but clearly I will be keeping a look out, particularly for seatbelts.

So what is the verdict? I have not commented on matters of accuracy, as I am not an expert, but it does look like a SM.79 to me. I also don't think the lack of detail or incorrect fuselage detail are killer blows. Yes, this is a simple kit, but there can be virtue in simplicity.

All in all I feel I can Recommend this kit but, if you are a 'rivet counter' perhaps you should stay clear.

Next up: Trumpeter FW-200 Condor.

 

[BarryW]

In-box Review No9 - Trumpeter FW200 C-4 Condor

I remember back in the late 60'se seeing picture of the old 1/72 Revell Condor and I really liked the look of it, but somehow, I never did get to build it. I was pleased to see that Trumpeter produced this kit so it just had to be part of my project.

Wingspan 684mm - significantly longer than the Lancaster and B17!
Length 488mm
Over 300 parts

The box


As usual a selection of pages from the instructions




It looks to be a fairly straightforward kit.

Two schemes but they look pretty much the same...


So, to the plastic.

Transparencies looking good.

Nicely packed and nice surface detail.



The plastic is cleanly moulded. No burring or flash apparent.


There is a film for the i.p.


The decals. They always take care to pack them carefully, pity they are worthless....


The only a.m. that I have are Montex masks.


I will need to sort out seatbelts and, maybe, a better i.p. if there is one available.

Overall I do like this kit. I see no issues at all for the build and it will look great alongside the Lanc and B17. Recommended

Next up: Trumpeter Wellington.

 

[Gern]

In-box Review No9 - Trumpeter FW200 C-4 Condor

I remember back in the late 60'se seeing picture of the old 1/72 Revell Condor and I really liked the look of it, but somehow, I never did get to build it. I was pleased to see that Trumpeter produced this kit so it just had to be part of my project.

Wingspan 684mm - significantly longer than the Lancaster and B17!
Length 488mm
Over 300 parts

The box


As usual a selection of pages from the instructions




It looks to be a fairly straightforward kit.

Two schemes but they look pretty much the same...


So, to the plastic.

Transparencies looking good.

Nicely packed and nice surface detail.



The plastic is cleanly moulded. No burring or flash apparent.


There is a film for the i.p.


The decals. They always take care to pack them carefully, pity they are worthless....


The only a.m. that I have are Montex masks.


I will need to sort out seatbelts and, maybe, a better i.p. if there is one available.

Overall I do like this kit. I see no issues at all for the build and it will look great alongside the Lanc and B17. Recommended

Next up: Trumpeter Wellington.

I read some reviews of this some years ago and quite a few mentioned problems with the wings. Apparently the plastic is very thin, so the joint between them and the fuselage is weak and had a tendency to split. So much so that someone (can't remember who I'm afraid) manufactured an aluminium reinforcing beam that runs through the fuselage into both wings as an AM accessory. Might be worth looking into.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Going to need a big shelf for that one Barry.