SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

1/72 Early Jet Recommendations please

838 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2005
1/72 Early Jet Recommendations please
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 5:21 AM
Hi folks

I'm just getting back into this fantastic hobby after an absence of over twenty years. Back in the 'good 'ol days' I built mostly 1/72 twin prop WW2 stuff and early jets in the same scale. Anyways, I have been reading the forums for a while, and buying a few mags, and today I went out and bought my first kit in many many years.

I got a Hasegawa 1/72 Lightning F Mk6 - my kinda plane! According to the nice man in the shop - a new shop, all the old ones are gone (sob) - it is a "... state of the art kit ..." and "... I won't know myself building this one..."

Maybe my memory is letting me down, or maybe I expected too much, but the kit in question is not what I expected. It's as bad - or worse - than the el-cheapo kits I built as a kid. The panel lines are still raised, not recessed. There are ejector pin marks - no, there are bl**dy great ejector pin HOLES - absolutely everywhere. I could fill air-holes in a cheap resin kit faster than I could fix this up. The Ejector seat has got a hole practically right through it. Even a cursory glance at the decals shows them out-of-reg. I haven't tried the fit, but first impressions do not bode well. I could go on, but you get the picture...

I am sorry to be such a grump, but can folks in the know please recommend a well-tooled kit for a 1/72 scale 1950's - 60's US or British jet, or should I be moving to 1/48? I certainly don't mind paying for quality (the Lightning was just about the dearest 1/72 kit in the shop) but I'd hate to shell out the bucks they want for 1/48 and be stuck with the same sorta thing I got this morning.

All advise (including 'shut up and stop whinging') gratefully accepted Smile [:)]

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 10:33 AM
You could try Tamiya's F-4D skyray, F-84G thinderjet or Fujimi's F-7U cutlass or Academy's F-2H Banshee, all are well tooled early jets in 1/72. If you go with Tamiya, you can count on the fit being first rate. Good to know about that lightning, I was eventually going to get that one.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 11:20 AM
Also look around for Fujimi's F-86F and Hasegawa's F-86D Sabres. Heller makes a not-too-bad F-94B (and T-33). Look to Hasegawa again for good F9F-2 Panther and F9F-8 Cougar and F11F Tiger.

Don't know what your "early jets" cut-off point is, but there's a good F-100 from either Italeri or Esci, and a new F-8 Crusader is about to arrive from Academy, all in the "king of scales" -- 1/72 scale!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 12:22 PM
Andy, that Hasegawa kit was first tooled in the 60's, then retooled in '89. If it has a RHAG hook at the back then you've got the retooled version, but it still has accuracy faults. The sad news is that there isn't a decent 1/72nd lightning kit, though yours can be crosskitted with an Airfix kit to make an F Mk 1. The Airfix 1/48th Lightning kits aren't too bad, & there are lots of extra bits you can buy to make a really good model, it'll cost you though.
If you want a really good a/c model mag, look up sampublications on the net, Scale Aviation Modeller International is probably Englands best seller, huge range of subjects & good, honest reviews, plus adverts for good suppliers. International subscription shouldn't be too bad.
Hey, don't stop whinging, it keeps it lively on here! (plus i work with Aussies, No worries!)
There are some good kits coming out of Eastern Europe nowadays, you'll probably have to mailorder though. Try wonderland models in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Do beware of East Europe reissues of Frog kits, the price is a clue usually. Though having said that, I've had fun updating a few, it costs little & tests your skills. In fact, if you're a bit rusty it could be a good idea.
Keep the questions coming, email me if you wish.
Pete
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
Posted by djmodels1999 on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 12:36 PM
Tamiya's F4D Skyray, or Fujimi's F7U Cutlass. Both are great kits.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 1:38 PM
Paul, if you're still watching this thread, what do you know about that academy F-8? I'm waiting and hoping it's a new tool and not another Hasegawa rip-off like the Esci and Revell kits. I'd love to see a well done FJ Fury and F3H Demon in 1/72.
  • Member since
    August 2003
Posted by triumf on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 9:27 AM
Would just add that the F 104G and F86D of hasegawa are exelent as well
life begins at 200 On the bench: RAF Ventura Tomcat 1\32 for my son Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 9:35 AM
The Hasagawas are a little sparse in interior detail, but make up for it in overall quality. I love em.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Canada / Czech Republic
Posted by upnorth on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 5:14 PM
I know its not in the British or American categories as you're asking for, but if you ever come across Heller's 1/72 SAAB 29, do yourself a favour and pick it up.

Its a bit old (raised panel lines), but the cockpit is great for the scale and the age of the kit as are the landing gear details. The one I had practically fell together with no need of fillers ( I wish I still had it to post a picture for you).

You'll probably have to go through e-bay or some shop that deals in estate sales to find a kit of it, but I'd say its worth the trouble if you're really into the early jets.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.