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What is better?

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  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Chicago area
What is better?
Posted by modelmaker66 on Monday, October 14, 2019 11:17 PM

What is better in your opinion, using kit parts and modifying them (like an ejector seat for instance) with scratch techniques, Photo etch, or a resin replacement part? Is there a preferred method? How about shortcuts or techniques? I try all of it but I stink at pe, no good at self modifing and I have a hard time with paining the small resin detais as they are so subtle. What do you do?

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Monday, October 14, 2019 11:25 PM

I really like the resin ejector seats.  I'm so / so with PE.  Looks great when done right, I just get frustrated with it.  Scratch building is fun and rewarding.  I mostly build box stock though.  

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Chicago area
Posted by modelmaker66 on Monday, October 14, 2019 11:29 PM

If they include say pe harnesses do you go for it or not?

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Monday, October 14, 2019 11:45 PM

I do.  My f84 came with pe belts.  

 

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 2:00 AM

For simple seat belts like WW I and WW II aircraft, I like fabric belts with PE buckle hardware. It’s hard to beat the look they give when done properly.  But threading the buckles can be maddening.  In 1/72 I sometimes cheat and just crimp the belts and glue the buckles directly on.

For jets, I prefer a resin seat with the belts molded on.  Painting can be challenging, but I think PE belts look too stiff in comparison.  Plus I have had no luck keeping the colored Eduard PE belts from chipping.

If the kit comes with a nice crew figure, I tend to use it to simplify the whole seatbelt issue.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 9:03 AM

When asking which of something is better, it would help to know your criteria for "best."  To me the choice between modified kit parts vs aftermarket is cost. If the kit was a cheap one, and the aftermarket stuff is very expensive, I will modify kit parts. If it is an expensive kit and the aftermarket stuff is reasonably priced, I will pop for the aftermarket.  Your criteria may not include cost, however.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 9:31 AM

Politely , I disagree with the premise of the question. There is no “better”.

 

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 10:46 AM

I think a better phrase would be ‘which do you prefer?’. AM stuff is usually a time saver. But properly made scratch built details can be superior in detail. 

I do like pre made resin seats as replacement parts, especially for older simplified seats. And some new tool kits have beautiful seats, but no harness, only a decal for the harness, so it’s a question of how to deal with that- enhance or replace? 

 

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

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