discussion Kit makers

[Alan 45]

If you find a kit you like and when finished your build do any of you good folks look for other kits by that company even if you've built onesby a different kit maker ?

I've started to move away from the airfix and revell makers and I've found I'm looking at kits now I've already built so I can compare the detail of the kits

I have also been looking at improving a build with pe so I get a more complete build

Is this a natural thing that happens to all builders or are do you like a particular kit maker and stay wth it ?

 

[stona]

Alan, I reckon just about anything is natural in this hobby

This sort of crosses over with another post I made in another thread, but we all adapt the hobby to suit ourselves. I went through a phase a while ago of chucking all sorts of resin and PE at kits. I sometimes spent more on the extras than on the kit. I don't do this anymore but I don't regret that phase one bit. One result is that I don't have any fear of a "multi media" kit today

As far as kit makers are concerned, I'm more interested in the subject than who makes it. I don't remain loyal to any particular manufacturers but then neither do I avoid any. I do read reviews and other modellers experiences and I will avoid a kit which is a real howler. Apart from that the only things that really scare me are SWMBO and resin kits.....Oh, and the standard of driving on our roads these days.

Cheers

Steve

 

[eddiesolo]

Most of my models have been scratch built or adapted on the cheap, no fave makers as it is if you like the look of something just go for it. Quality can be an issue at times but you work around that, although it can put you off if you have struggled.

Si

 

[Guest]

I don't go for just one manufacturer like Steve if I like the subject I will get it. The only thing I tend to stick with is the scale that said I do have one 1/72.

 

[Alan 45]

In many ways I'm the same as what's been mentioned and I've notice with using pe that not every piece improves the detail of the kit , some pieces are so small that it won't look any different to the naked eye if you use the plastic piece provided I've also noticed that not all more expensive kit makers does not meen the kit will be more detailed , this is something we can't avoid unfortunately as we don't know until we build the kit

 

[Dave W]

I go for the subject and not the manufacturer.Though I do stick to one scale,1/48.

 

[stona]

this is something we can't avoid unfortunately as we don't know until we build the kit

You are absolutely right Alan, On my recent Tempest build I used some alternative plastic parts around the rudder assembly which is now completely invisible in any case! I nearly used the plastic side consoles but went for the etch in the end. They looked great until I joined the fuselage halves.

Nowadays you can benefit from someone else's experience of a kit. It doesn't have to be by a reviewer who gets the kits for free and might be (though not necessarily) a bit biased. Sites like this often have builds by mere mortals who don't have a dog in the fight so to speak. Of course you might choose to be a pioneer and bravely go where no man has gone before

Cheers

Steve

 

[Andy2035]

I'm in the same boat as Si, I tend to just go for the cheapest, normally it's kits that have already been started, so it's no particular maker, although I have enjoyed doing kits made by ATM, they do make some nice car models...

 

[Guest]

I go for the kit that appeals to me. But not necessarily for the aesthetic look of the model. I like something you can get your teeth into something which is different. Latest Swordfish, Lysander & the Wessex Helicopter.

Models like these which stretch your ability. The Wessex which had lots of rigging & bit & pieces hung on the outside of the craft. The Swordfish which is a little devil to construct in so many ways a conglomeration of rigging & detail. Both the Lysander & Swordfish you can see all the internal bits that you have carefully constructed. The Wessex with it's rotor blades putting all those bits together. The Catalina with its floats & multitude of bits & pieces wing supports & cockpits. Just look at the radial engine of the Swordfish & the open cockpit with three crew.

That is what I want. Not now worried about if it is Airfix Revell Tamiya etc. yes some have more faults than others, I moan like hell, but there is a satisfaction in amending bending modifying to get it as right as my skills will allow. I put 100% effort into getting it right some times it comes off some times not so good. But when I have finished a model I look at it, not perfect, but I think I did that & I did it as best that I could & I am proud.

That is the pleasure of model making or me.

Laurie

 

[Guest]

I've been known to look at some cheapo/sale kits and wonder how I could fit them in with my Korean obsession .... Other than that if I like the look of it and its within my budget at the time, I buy it.

Picked up a couple of charity shop jobs just in case the subject comes up in a SIG.

 

[Ian M]

For me its the subject and not the brand. There are some that i will give a wide berth though and try to find one from another maker. One thing to be aware of these days: tool swapping, or more correctly called Co-operation. You can often find EXACTLY the same plastic in a different box. To name a few the Italeri Tamiya coop. The excellent Tamiya Stukka is in fact an Italeri tooling. The Italeri hunter is the academy tool (with the wrong scale cockpit et al!)

The ONLY difference is the price. It pays to look into that!!!

As a side point I am the same with paint. As long as the colour is what I want, I'm pretty relaxed about the brand but have a taste for Humbrol and Vallejo.

Ian M

 

[yak face]

Any maker, any scale , i'm just a bit of a floozy ,i'll have a go at anything!! Some of my most satisfying builds have come from old kits by makers that are generally regarded as not very good , so dont discount something just on hearsay , it might turn out to be ok . tony

 

[Gern]

Any maker, any scale , i'm just a bit of a floozy ,i'll have a go at anything!! Some of my most satisfying builds have come from old kits by makers that are generally regarded as not very good , so dont discount something just on hearsay , it might turn out to be ok . tony

Beats me how you know who made some of the kits I've seen you buy from the remnant bins at Cosford! We've seen you dancing in the aisles after finding a little bag of plastic bits with no instructions or decals just 'cos it's an old Russian 'plane!

Gern

 

[BarryW]

For me it is the subject and scale. I primarily do 1:32 scale WW2 aircraft but I have done a few 48 scale Plus Korean/Vietnam war birds and will certainly do so again. Used to do armour 'back in the day' and have a Centurion in my stash for when I fancy a bit of a change.

I select kits based on reviews and reputation as well. Most of my builds are out on the box, apart from seatbelts, but now and then I will do different schemes so I like decent levels of detail rather than get loads of a.m. stuff.

 

[yak face]

Beats me how you know who made some of the kits I've seen you buy from the remnant bins at Cosford! We've seen you dancing in the aisles after finding a little bag of plastic bits with no instructions or decals just 'cos it's an old Russian 'plane!Gern

Half the time i dont know dave ! thats what makes it all the more fun LOL!!

 

[Guest]

I have preferences for the Dragon brand ones... But is not this for what I'm looking for.

I open the door of my model shop, take a long sight and start to think. The model have to wake up my curiosity!!

At the moment, my two dioramas, start like this. I found a nice kit and then search different possibilities for a dio.

Well...not many days ago I have been in the big city, and impressive Bleriot was crying me!! Take a look at his history and yeaah! Have been in WWI!! So now, I have my model for the S-SIG.

If just liked, is enough.

Cheers

 

[PaulTRose]

i like trying old or hard to find brands

ive currently got a thing for trying to find kits of stuff i made as a kid 35+ years ago.....so thats matchbox, frog,novo and some truely ancient revell.....and that makes me look at other stuff by this brands to

but it works the other way too.............i had never done an Eduard kit until about 2 years ago,.....always supposed to have this reputation so when a biplane gb came along i picked up a 1/48 PZL by eduard,........thought to be an awful kit and ive not even looked at any thing by eduard since