ESCI 1/12th scale cockpits...

They only made the two kits. My best guess as to why they stopped is lack of sales.

Fade to Black...

The F-16 Cockpit has been re-released, and the F-104 is coming out soon too...

Hey, I think I have One of those in the attic somewhere.

I heard recently that someone made a 1/12 scale seated F-16 pilot specifically for that kit. Was I hallucinating?

Shame the kit is of an older F-16. The cockpit is very different on the block 50s and 60s now.

Any one ever been brave enough to scratch build the rest of the 16 or 104 around one of these? I know i dare'nt do it but i would love to see one...Gregers

Guess there's no chance they'll do any other types? I'd love to see an F/A-18, F-15 or even one of a 2-seater, especially the "Double-Ugly" F-4...ok, you Tomcat guys can have one too!

Unless Italeri is more successful at marketing and selling the F-16 and F-104 than ESCI, I'd think you'll never see those ever!

I seem to recal some photos in a British modleing magazine a number of years ago. The guy had two Esci F-104 cockpits and was in the proccess of scratchbuilding an F-104D around them. The photos were taken at a show and he was showing off what he had done to that point. Hope he got it done, it was impressive enough only partially done.

I also seem to recall an aftermarket outfit offering vac formed 1/12 F-104 and F-16 canopies as an interesting way to keep the cockpit models dust free.

I just bought one of the Italeria F-16 cockpit kits. It looks pretty good in the box, but I haven't tried the fit of the parts yet. I'm always apprehensive of Italeria kits - they don't exactly have a good track record for fit.

If the kit works out, I might try fabricating the exterior panels and canopy for it. There's just something unnatural about a cockpit without sidewalls or a canopy. I think a full-blown scratchbuild of the entire a/c would be a bit too much to take on though.

Scooter, those were originaly marketed by ESCI, not Italeri. ESCI kits were hit or miss, but all in all great quality for the price you paid. Never heard anyone say anything bad about those cockpits though! Keep us updated on your progress!

I think Verlinden made a set of intruments for the F16 cockpit, and maybe the set had other PE details too? There was a chapter in one of 'The Verlinden way' books on the kit.

I saw a 12th scale F-16 wrapped around that cockpit (which I also have residing in a cupboard somewhere.. Some genius decided to mold the helmet´s visor in clear orange.. Gaagh!! What is this? An X-wing??).

It looked HORRIBLE! Such a bad job. Worst thing was that it was a showpiece in a museum! What were they on? (And where can I get some :P )

I have both the esci and the italeri and they are not the same. In fact the italeri cockpit looked like it was an older version of the esci.

regarding the rest of the 1/12 frame you can buy a frame that is typically used for R/C which will save you a lot of trouble scratch building - (if you don't mind moving to fibre glass instead of resin and plastic :)

PS I did buy the resin 1/12 aftermarket F-16 pilot off eBay he looks pretty good and when he's done someday he'll look alot like me (lol)

(worth mentioning that all three are still unopened on the top shelf of a cupboard waiting for time to stand still :)

I own a F-104 cockpit from ESCI which is realy worth every penny. The Instructions are loud and clear and tell you exactly what to do. I bought an Verlinden F-104 in detail and you have everything you need.

Take your time to build this cockpit and you will be a happy men. Think over and over every step you want to do, and at the end you will have a master piece.