Minicraft kits

Makes me afraid to do that MD-80 on my shelf.

Academy is a mixed lot, I've had kits which have the 'zoxed' instructions like you describe and I've had kits with well-printed instructiions. I've yet to come across the funky plastic you mention, but the levels of detail, accuracy and buildability of their kits are somewhat inconsistent.

This is because some of their kits are totally original, some are reboxings of other manufacturers' kits and some seem to be reverse-engineered from other manufacturers' kits, in part or in whole. Also, they still produce much of their older products and alotta those, original or not, ain't the best out there.

I dunno too much about their small scale stuff like the KC-97, but I do have one of their DC-3's in that scale and it's giving me only slight problems as regards fit and overall buildability.


Fade to Black...

I can't speak for the aircraft mentioned. But, their 1/48 H-60 series of helo's is top notch.
I may catch some flak on this. But I have, knock on wood, so far had very, very little fit or assembly problems. Detail is very good and the instructions are top notch.
But, as I said, this is my only experience with Minicraft kits.
There is no doubt in my mind that they could very possibly do some bad projects. Nearly every company has.

Randie

QUOTE: Originally posted by blackwolfscd Academy is a mixed lot...

Heh...did you mean Minicraft?

Well, yes and no. I always associate Academy with Minicraft because they used to be affiliated as Academy/Minicraft. Minicraft has been sort of a manufacturer/importer/agent (or whatever you wanna call it) over the years for several model manufacturers, including Hasegawa.

They've always had a few of their own products, though. As an example, Minicraft released a 48th F4U-4 Corsair after they and Academy split. Some folks seem to think that this is the same kit as the Academy Corsair. Uh-uh. They are similar, though, and the Minicraft kit looks to be a very poor attempt at copying the Academy kit, but it's a piece of garbage.

Nevertheless, even though Academy and Minicraft have 'parted company' and most folks consider them separate entities, Minicraft still manufactures kits which came out under the Academy/Minicraft label and I still consider the two to be one and the same. That's just me, though...


Fade to Black...

Ahh, ok. Learn something new everyday.

Thanks.

yeah, but where else are you going to find a Piper Cherokee, Piper Cub, Cessna 150, and Bonanza V-tail in 1/45??!! I agree the kits and directions need tuning, but for $12.00, it's kinda hard to pass up, especially when no one else seems to touch civil aviation. I'm building the Bonanza right now, so I'm right there cursin these kits with ya!!!!

Well, that's true. I only payed $15 for this kit.

I finished up filling and fixing seams on the fuselage last night. Tonight, it'll be the wings and those cowling gaps. YUK!!