1:48 Kinetic A-6E complete - why I hated this kit, but also loved it - FineScale Modeler - Essential magazine for scale model builders, model kit reviews, how-to scale modeling, and scale modeling products

Slingshot

Member since
February 2016

1:48 Kinetic A-6E complete - why I hated this kit, but also loved it

Posted by Slingshot on Monday, February 8, 2016 3:00 PM

Countless hours.

Terrible terrbile terrible plastic casting. The 4 piece canopy - I pretty much gave up on it. Masking just didn't work so I freehanded it - terribly, I might add.
I bought two kits, as they were on sale. One I am assembling with wings extended. This one with wings in storage mode. The extended wing version is terrible. So much customization required and it still doesn't look right.

Also, one of the kits is missing an inner main gear wheel that I've emailed the company about with no success.
So many little pieces involved in this build. The cockpit was a nightmare. The instructions for build, paint and decaling are incredibly vague.

I can't say the build process was much of a treat. The finished product I am happy with after so much customization and time.

Also, Nose weight not listed but I added 22 grams of fishing weight and it barely sits flat!!! 22!!!

I will start another thread about my other build....

I'll try and host some pictures.

Cheers

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mississippivol

Member since
November 2003
From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)

Posted by mississippivol on Monday, February 8, 2016 10:48 PM

Props for getting through it! Mine usually end up meeting AAA if they get to that point.

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allan

Member since
June 2003
From: Cavite, Philippines

Posted by allan on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 2:10 AM

So, any pics?

No bucks, no Buck Rogers

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Slingshot

Member since
February 2016

Posted by Slingshot on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 2:13 PM

A-6 A-6 " alt="A-6" />

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Toshi

Member since
March 2015
From: Streetsboro, Ohio

Posted by Toshi on Thursday, February 11, 2016 10:33 AM

Love to see some pics on such a difficult build but it sounds like you did great!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world. Mrs. Toshi

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Slingshot

Member since
February 2016

Posted by Slingshot on Thursday, February 11, 2016 10:47 AM

still trying to work the bugs out of posting photo's in here.

having to wait 24hrs so my content can be reviewd is a pill as well.....

I digress,

I'll have another crack at trying to post some shots.

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if that doesn't work, I give up.

perhaps the knitting forums will be less of a process :-P

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Buckeye

Member since
February 2007
From: Brunswick, Ohio

Posted by Buckeye on Thursday, February 11, 2016 11:18 AM

Thanks for the heads up on this kit, it's one of my favorite aircraft.

Mike

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DiscoStu

Member since
January 2006
From: Earth

Posted by DiscoStu on Thursday, February 11, 2016 1:21 PM

H-A-T-E-D this kit. Everything you mentioned I agree with completely. It was just an awful kit. So bad that I eBay-ed every other Kinetic kit I had in the stash. I kept the EA-6B but I am not so sure I ever want to start it.

"Ahh the Luftwaffe. The Washington Generals of the History Channel" -Homer Simpson

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cnq

Member since
March 2013

Posted by cnq on Thursday, February 11, 2016 4:12 PM

Not a fan of Kinetic after I built the F5 Freedom Fighter. I would never buy kits from them again.

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tomwatkins45

Member since
February 2013

Posted by tomwatkins45 on Thursday, February 11, 2016 7:43 PM

First, I salute you for actually completing The Kinetic A-6.

I bought one a while back. After I looked at it closely, read the reviews on it and on the at that time just released Hobby Boss A-6A, I bought the H.B. kit. It builds up very nicely. The Kinetic kit is still stashed somewhere.

Tom

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Slingshot

Member since
February 2016

Posted by Slingshot on Friday, February 12, 2016 8:00 AM

tomwatkins45

First, I salute you for actually completing The Kinetic A-6.

I bought one a while back. After I looked at it closely, read the reviews on it and on the at that time just released Hobby Boss A-6A, I bought the H.B. kit. It builds up very nicely. The Kinetic kit is still stashed somewhere.

Tom

Right,

I pretty much did it out of being stubborn. One of the kits was missing an inner wheel that somehow never made it into the box/plastic.

After a bunch of email exchanged with Kinetic, I finally got an answer and they will see about sending me a replacement. (((holds breath)))

The pic posting process here is tedious. I'm on "probation" for posting so admin's have to approve my content. Thus making any attempt at showing progress on the second unit or my completed one a complete pain in the you-know-what.

I have a bunch of other subjects that I'd like to get feedback on....... at this rate, it will take months!

:-)

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tempestjohnny

Member since
November 2003
From: Naples, FL

Posted by tempestjohnny on Friday, February 12, 2016 9:46 AM

Posting pics isn't that hard. Have the direct link from the pic on t he hosting site you use. Photobucket etc. Click on the pic icon and paste link to your post then hit submit. Done

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templar1099

Member since
December 2015
From: providence ,r.i.

Posted by templar1099 on Saturday, February 13, 2016 6:17 AM

Having recently finished a bad kit myself, I've noticed a recent trend in comments about the state of some plastic kits that seem to run the spectrum of manufacturers, are they switching to a new process or material, or just a coincidence, like buying a new car and noticing that everyone drives one now?

"le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile"

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Slingshot

Member since
February 2016

Posted by Slingshot on Saturday, February 13, 2016 9:57 AM

Well, Chinese New Year is over... so Kinetic is now answering emails again.

I did get a reply from "Elsie" regarding her sending my missing inner wheel for the main gear - fingers crossed.....

but wait!

there's more (expletive expletive expletive....)

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The 4 piece canopy, which is terrible.... is even more terrible. The second kit I got has it's front glass not completly formed from the casting process.

ugh.

I just want to give up.

I emailed "Elsie" again, asking for a new canopy - and a replacement kit....

holding my breath for what will happen.

So that's 4 kits in a few months, each with issues. I'm gun shy to buy the more expensive stuff now for fear it'll just be the same issues with more money out of pocket.