discussion Monogram kits, any feedback

[Guest]

I'm looking at an old Monogram kit and wondering what kind of quality they are as i've never had or built one

Any views would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[AlanG]

Any kit in particular? Some of them are re-boxed Hasegawas and some are just purely Revell.

 

[Guest]

If it is a fairly old kit you may have a few issues but with a bit of patience and care, mixed in with lots of dry fitting and touching up, they make good kits. A builders build rather than a 'shake & make' like Tamiya... whoops, not that I am saying Tamiya kits are too easy.... I will shut up before I dig myself too big a hole....

 

[stona]

I only remember making one,it was a large scale P-51. I've been to see if it's still in my loft but sadly I suspect it has found its way to model Nirvana.

I paid quite a lot for it and remember it being quite a challenging build,but it was one of the first models I made after I came back to the hobby. I remember the undercarriage was supposed to go up and down (eat your hearts out Tamiya!) but it didn't work too well on mine.

I suspect it was one of those models that kept unopened would be worth a bit on evil bay today.

I've got a Monogram DC3 in the cupboard which I've eyed suspiciously from time to time. I've heard bad things about it but it looks okay to me. I think Graham's right,some of the old kits need a bit of work but can make very nice models.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Guest]

A lot of Revell's current output are reboxed Monogram kits, and for good reason - they are still selling in their current state. as far as I recall, there are a few - not many - proper DOGS out there, but for the most part, as mentioned above, are still very decent kits to get working on as long as you're not expecting it to fall together.

Apparently the B-24 has quite a few shape issues, but the B-17F and G are good kits. In fact the only one I've been proper warned off has been the P-47N in 1:48 scale.

HTH

Stuart

 

[yak face]

Hi mike, as stuart says alot of the old monogram kits are quite good and still being released under revells name, but there are a few really old ones that are quite a challenge (ie. the fw 190 i did for the spring GB!) The main thing about the monogram kits is that they usually have raised panel lines and the fit of the parts sometimes needs a bit of fettling but in their day the level of detail and choice of subjects were regarded as very good, the larger 1/48 kits in particular having good interior detail and features like detailed gun bays and exposed engines. Which kit is it youre considering, maybe someone will have had first hand experience or at least seen one in the box? cheers tony

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys, it's a moot point now as I didn't win it, I wasn't prepared to pay the same as the winning bidder.

It was an old Hawker Typhoon kit in (i think) 1:48 scale, the box said 1/4? I seem to remember reading something about old labelling for size and 1/4 being 1:48 and 1/8 being 1:72, maybe I just dreamed it though, who knows,

The Typhoons another of those aircraft I always liked the look of, (I used to thing of the intake at the front as a big mouth)

 

[yak face]

HI mike , if it was an old USA boxing it could have had the scale as 1/4 , (1/4 inch to one foot) In which case it would be quite an old mould (like my fw 190 -circa 1974) and probably one of the dogs we were on about so maybe its no bad thing you didnt win it!!! Cheers tony

 

[Guest]

Aah, but now i'll be beating myself up for not bidding that bit more in case it was a really nice mould

Bugger, will have to console myself by looking at the stash of unbuilt kits i have

 

[yak face]

If you want one in 1/48 ,i know hasegawa do one ,which will be excellent (their stuff always is) but its about £20-£25 , cheers tony

 

[Guest]

Weeeell, as it happens I stumbled across a couple of 1:72 scale Academy kits.

Hawker Typhoon Mk1B and a Hawker Tempest V for a bargain price so i'm quite happy with those, especially one of each as I can model them side by side displaying the differences.

I think this'll be the first bash at Academy kits too.

 

[yak face]

Nice one, in my experience of academy kits theyve always been great- good detail, excellent fit and decals and great value too.Looking forward to seeing them, cheers tony

 

[Guest]

Out of curiosity, was this the awful one?

MONOGRAM Fw190 FOCKE-WULF #PA107/100 NEW & BOXED on eBay (end time 23-Aug-10 17:16:21 BST)

I contemplated a bid on this one but decided against it due to getting the other two hawkers

 

[AlanG]

I like Academy kits on the whole. I've built two of them now (B-17F and the GB Stuka). Only thing i've noticed with both builds is the fragile decals. But maybe i've just been unlucky. Other then that they've gone together good.

 

[Guest]

I agree about the Academy decals flounder, I found a coat of future over them before you use them helps.

 

[AlanG]

Ray... if you read my GB Stuka i had three coats of klear over them. And they still lifted

 

[Guest]

Could you post your link flounder, started to get an interest in the stuka, sorry about the decals, maybe a bad batch, did you future the decals while on the sheet before you soaked them.

 

[yak face]

Out of curiosity, was this the awful one?MONOGRAM Fw190 FOCKE-WULF #PA107/100 NEW & BOXED on eBay (end time 23-Aug-10 17:16:21 BST)

I contemplated a bid on this one but decided against it due to getting the other two hawkers

Yes mike that was the one but in a newer boxing , have a look at my GB thread and completed article posts youll see what it was like, cheers tony