Do any of you have a kit that is your nemisis?

I have alot of unfinished projects ranging from the Maus (stalled while making the Eduard PE interior) to a Borgward (stalled while building the tiny tracks), but the one that's giving me most grief is my Zvezda Panzerjäger I. Between the poor quality of the kit itself and the way-beyond-my-skills Aber photoetch I got for it, it's been giving me grief for quite a while. I dusted it out today just to check on it, and I was surprised at how far along it is, I might have to try to give it a bit of interior painting done and see.

On the other hand, there were a couple of nice bits too, such as me successfully bending the toolbox and ammo box assemblies with only a pair of pliers and guts. The suspension I-girders too, but I dropped one and rolled a chair over it, warping it beyond repair, so I'm back to the plastic ones.

The RPM Minenraumer I bought yesterday would be a candidate as well, but I'm making it into a wild Warhammer 40,000 conversion as opposed to an accurate scale model, so I should be good.

I'm surprised Dragon's AC kits haven't featured more prominently.

For me it has to be their Fw190D. Complete pain in the arse, with nothing fitting where it was supposed to.

It's now a paint and decal mule.

Their 262 is not much better, but I did at least manage to complete that. Not the best choice for 3rd kit on returning to the hobby.

Karl

I am completly bogged down in building my Hit-Kit 1/48 MiG-3, I started it about 3 years ago. Al major building has been done but every component needs al lot of preparation. It's just a huge load of work.

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jadgpanther302 wrote:

all revell kits are like that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not all of them!  I mean, their F-15C is alright.  Has decent fit, detail...i probably sound crazy.....

-Red

I know what you mean.  That kit was designed by lucifer himself!  Now, if tamyia would come out with a decent 1/48 Tomcat, many prayers would be answered...

-Red

revell tomcat 1/48.  turned me off AC forever.  still half built in it's box, radiating beams of hate at me.

grrr

Dragon's 1/35 Sdkfz 251/7.

Don't get me wrong here. I LOVE this kit with a passion reserved for my family. Thing is.... It just never comes out right for me. I currently have 3 of these kits. The latest incarnation will be loaded with PE.... Just like the last one. Hopefully things turn out a lil better next time.

I'll keep pluggin away til one turns out just the way I want.

SST

bondoman wrote:

I can't make much out of the Monogram P-61. I've tried it three times. The frustrating part is I really want one and there are no alternatives.

I've built that one at least four times... What's the problem(s)? Glad to help if I can...

 Anything Fonderie Minatures. Did a build thread here on their 1/48 Halifax. Fought me all the way to the end! Loads of fun!

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Mine is still in the box. Waiting to strike. The ICM 1:72 Tupolev "Zveno" SPB. I know once I get rolling on this thing, I'l probably lose what little marbles I have left.

Revell 1/96 USS Constitution.

Three times I stalled out during the rigging stage where it would sit for years only to have it eventually destroyed by brother (throwing a football in the house), wife (dusting/cleaning), children (horseplay immediately after I told them to be careful).

Never did get to attach the sails or paint the little sailors.

I have a fourth one still unbuilt in the box but honestly cannot ever see myself building it.

Yes, I do have a nemesis.  Not sure if I should admit which kit it is, as most people who build it praise it for ease of fit, accuracy, and such.

The 1/48 Tamiya P-51D.  Tried three times (at least) so far and have yet to display one in my case.  Had no problems with the P-51B, but that "D" is killing me.  I must admit it's not the kit's fault, it just doesn't like me apparently.

Go ahead, tell me how easy yours was to build.  How much you enjoyed it, etc etc.  I can take it.

two come to mind: 1) Heller 1/35 AMX-30, I have an ADV/Azimut conversion kit to modify it into a Gulf War AMX-30B2 variant, and between the basic kit and conversion, this is a years long project.

2) Maquette 1/35 T-34/76 Model 1941, STZ variant. The less said here the better my frustration level. Another project over two years old.

On both when frustration kicks in, they are shunted aside for a build that restores my joy in model building. But I am very stubborn and will not be defeated...

bondoman wrote:

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Aaron, I really recommend the C-46. It's a little bit of a challenge, but it looks great!

I've built the Commando, too. And had my share of issues with it. The Boeing looks good, it just doesn't go quietly. One day ...

The Williams Bros. Boeing 247. I've built two. The first was pretty rough. The second time, I thought I knew everything that could go wrong and be prepared. Instead, I got tripped up at the last minute by the windshield piece, and runined what, at that time, one of my better models. I saw a couple of the kits at Nats and almost took the bait. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger – I'm not willing to take that dare.

The old 1/72 Testors B-2 kit was horrible.

The wings were warped and I never could get them level! Overall, the kit was garbage..

A few left over 4th of July fireworks, sent that piece of junk into the great beyond!

To this day, I never tried another B-2 kit.

Haven't found one yet.

n my opinion, if a kit "defeats" you more than the first time through, then you might either be rushing it or not planning the build correctly. 

There have been builds where I've finished it and said "Hmm; I wish I'd seen that detail before", or thought of a better technique for a particular finish, but I've never felt like I've been "bested" by a kit. IMHO, what it comes down to is patience, research, and dedicating time and atention to sub-assemblies ---and did I mention "patience" yet?