Early War 1/48 P-38: Hasegawa or Academy?

Agreed Eric..Tamiya decided we need another 109 G-6 instead of tackling an important subject like this. Here's the link to my current P-38 J build.

 

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/176943.aspx

Unfortunately Finescale's search engine is hopeless - I'm not sure I'll find your thread on the P38. (I did see the AM SBD - that's a kit that's high on the list.) Judging from the other reviews out there - not many are full builds - I would have had the impression that the Hasegawa was the easier build. Doog did the Academy and said it was a "destination" kit - something a WWII fan needed, he said there was no joy in the build. (Good question really - the 38 was a major WWII FIGHTER and it badly needs a new 1/48 kit. I look at my new and incredibly neat Tamiya Ki-61 and simply think "why not?" But I'd take Trumpeter if it was new tool - or ICM. There'd be a market for a good one. Eduard's box is an Academy. BTW: Eduard has announced another version of a B-24 for 2018 - but this one will be Coastal Command and made by Hasegawa. Makes sense - the Hasegawa is I think twelve years newer than the Minicraft.) Anyway, I'll take build over detail any day unless there's something really wrong. Eric

The Hasegawa kit is better detailed, but quite challenging fit-wise (see my current P-38 J thread). The Academy is somewhat easier to build, but far less detailed. I suppose its a matter of which evil to choose. I personally prefer Hasegawa.

Here is one review for Academy's F "Glacier Girl":

https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/aca/kit_aca_12208.shtml

Here is one for the Hase F/G/H:

http://hsfeatures.com/features04/p38rj_1.htm

http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2000/p38flk_1.htm