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Worst fitting kit ever!

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  • Member since
    November 2005
Worst fitting kit ever!
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 1:14 AM
Good god, people! You will not believe the hellishness of this kit! It's the Revell 1/48 F-22. It's a re-box of the Italeri kit that came out a little bit ago, so I expected it to be decent. Well, it isn't. I have never used so much putty in my life. I'm doing the whole thing with all the doors and crap open, and it's a good thing because the fit of this kit is terrible. It supposedly has options to build it gear up and weapons bay doors closed, but good luck with that because just getting the fuselage to fit together right has been a nightmare. Tails, fuselage, flaps, intake, NOTHING fits right.

I read a few reviews of this thing (after I bought it, lucky me.) and this seems to be the norm. I just hope after all the sanding and putty I can make it look decent. It's a damn shame. There are very few options for this awesome airframe. Italeri brought out two kits, a 1/72 and a 1/48 then Revell re-boxed both of them. From what I gather there are absolutely no differences between the revell and the italeri.

Hey Academy! Build me an F/A-22, F/A-18 style, eh?
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
Posted by djmodels1999 on Monday, June 2, 2003 1:43 AM
The fit on Italeri's F-18E/F (1/48) is as bad...
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Pominville, NY
Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Monday, June 2, 2003 4:09 AM
I tell 'ya, some of Italeri's more recent aircraft kits look GREAT in the box. Then you go to actually build one...

More often than not I've been disappointed whenever I've worked on an Italeri kit. I can't comment on their 72nd line, I don't build little scale. But very few of their 48th kits will find their way into the dungeon again. Some of the old stuff is nice, though.

And as far as armor goes, I'm still a casual armor modeler. All I have to go by is the advice of the track heads in my club, and I shall stay away from Italeri armor as well!

Wait, this is the Aircraft forum... Shame on me...

Fade to Black...
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 5:14 AM
My vote for worst has to go to
the Bilek Mig 19 -
there are no two parts that fit together, the nose and fuselage is a matter
of glue together, cover with putty and sand to shape

but the decals are good....
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Monday, June 2, 2003 8:24 AM
Worst fitting kit ever? Starfix Spitfire! 'nuff said.

Oh, the decals sucked too. Still, I enjoyed working on it and gave it to my dad, who loved it.

Regards,

-Drew

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Joisey
Posted by John P on Monday, June 2, 2003 8:25 AM
I started that F-22 and put it back on the shelf until I feel more masochistic.

It's my impression that many of Italeri's kits are reboxed Svezda kits. Anybody know if that's so? (which makes Revell's reboxed Italeri kits doubly reboxed Svezda kits? [:0] )

It's a dang shame that Italeri's new kits suck so much, they seem to be the only ones doing kits of the more modern aircraft.
-------------------------------
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
Posted by djmodels1999 on Monday, June 2, 2003 8:37 AM
You're right, John, some Italeri kits are indeed Zvezda kits... Ad I've yet to meet someone who can praise a Zvezda kit...

Usually, pure Italeri kits are great!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 8:42 AM
The Italieri 1/72 kits seem to be all bad. And watch out! Tamiya is reboxing some Italieri 1/72 kits for the asian market without any improvements. Still says made in Italy. Some wind up on ebay. Tamiya's 1/72 WWII plane are astounding though.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Canada / Czech Republic
Posted by upnorth on Monday, June 2, 2003 12:07 PM
When the Iron Curtain first went down and products from the East started coming West, Italeri did indeed rebox Zvezda kits and Bilek ones. Usually it was clearly stated on the box what the kit origins were.

I learned my Zvezda lesson from their 1/72 SU-30, I won't say anything more about that kit because I can't say it without serious profanity.

Italeri, sadly is becoming hit and miss. Pure Italeri kits are good, but its so difficult to tell whats in their boxes these days. A whole load of old Esci has found its way into their product line and I'd say that's not exactly for the best.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 12:13 PM
The Italeri 1:48 GR3 Tornado was great.. Wasn't too sturdy, mind.. Then again, I think it ended up under something heavy..

As for worst fit? Airfix 1:24 FW 190.. Worst I have ever had the displeasure to dupe myself into buying..
  • Member since
    February 2016
Posted by eaglecentral on Monday, June 2, 2003 12:52 PM
Can't say this is the worst of all times, but Monogram's 1/48th scale Huey gunship was a real bear to get together, not so much because the fit was bad, but because the engineering left a lot to be desired. It was bad enough for me to have to break out the Eurosoft putty, something I don't often do for aircraft.

Tom
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 1:21 PM
Revell-Mono's P-40B! Had me so frustrated, it's back in the box and on the shelf.

I also have the P-51D kit and am afraid to open it!
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Everett
Posted by markuz226 on Monday, June 2, 2003 1:52 PM
I built the P-40B... It wasn't that bad. I just loved the wing-to-fuselage connection EXCEPT the underbelly. Other than that, I still I would still build that kit for accuracy.

My vote would go to Monogram's 1/48 F/A-18 (the white one with the prototype markings -- their first issue, I believe). I used alot of putty and there sre still parts that i can't figure out how to close up!


~~~MarkY
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 3:46 PM
Worst fit I have had so far was the ex-Ocidental/MPM Spitfire Mk. IX.... I had gaps 5 mm wide at the wing to fuselage joint!! Used a ton of styrene and super glue to fill those.... And use a lot of putty on the rest of the aircraft. Fit on most of the 1/72 Italeri kits is not that bad usually. I have the F-22 on my shelf, so I guess I will have to prepare for some serious bodywork on that one.... Sad [:(]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 4:20 PM
My nominee is the 1/48 scale Hobbycraft, Canada CF-105 Arrow. The fit was so poor I was having flashbacks to Hawk and Lindberg. If filler putty were
metallic based, I could never get the completed model through airport security. But since I am obsessive-compulsive (like most modelers) I persevered and ended up with one of my better efforts. In the words of the old wise men of the clan,"Builds character, son." Yeah, right.
Tony Ryan
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Iowa- USA
Posted by toadwbg on Monday, June 2, 2003 5:22 PM
I remember some old Testor's stuff from the 80s being awful- like their "fictional" Soviet Stealth fighter.
"I love modeling- it keeps me in the cool, dark, and damp basement where I belong" Current Projects: 1/48th Hasegawa F-14D- 25% 1/48th Tamiya Spitfire- 25%
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 6:07 PM
TOGA!! TOGA!! TOGA!!
This manufacturer has to be the worst. I got the Russian Torpedo Bomber as a raffel prize. Holy Mother Pearl...there ain't enough filler in the world for this mess. But they got the torpedoe right...nice tight fit...go figure.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 6:50 PM
Well, after hearing some of the other stories, perhaps it ain't all that bad! But really, I just expected better. My biggest complaint of all is the top of the aircraft where the front of the fuselage meets the rest of the body, which is right along the wingspan axis at the wing root. What a terrible place to join on this airplane. It creates a joint that shouldn't be there. That is where all my attention is going now. The tails suck, too. But like I said, if one wanted to excercise the gear up, bay doors closed option, (which I did) it would be a real pain.

Just to kick myself in the head I'm going to get the 1/72 version of this thing. I love this airplane, and in time more of them will hit the shelves. I don't know what the hold up is, it's been flying since '97!
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Monday, June 2, 2003 7:59 PM
Monogram 1/48 F-101B. The nose section is round and where it joins the fuselage is oval. The main landing gear struts just mount into the top of the bay with no way to support them. The lower wing where it joins the fuselage doesn't fit flush and requires sanding down part of the fuselage. There is also a large gap where it joins but it is hard to use putty because of the operating weapons bay door. Compared to their F-100D, F-102A. F-104C, F-105D/G, and F-106A, it was a big let down. I have tried to build two and finally gave up.

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 9:40 PM
Revell 1/32 P-40, no really, it's horrible...welll...wing to fuselage and cowl panels are, everything else is ok for a 30 year old kit.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 2, 2003 10:32 PM
Welcome to the club my man! Know that others share your pain! I have been working on the Revell 1/48 F4J Phantom II Mig Ace since OCTOBER, and have not even fully painted it yet because I have had to do so much body work - its incredible! I haven't done this much body work since I molded the frame on my chopper. This is the sole reason that I now invest in the more expensive kits like Haswega, Kangam, or (my most recent favorite) Tamiya. The details are there in the stock kit and engraved panel lines are usually the norm. While on the subject of lousy - fitting kits, also avoid the Revell P-40B Flying Tiger as well. Nothing against Revell of course - they do put out a decent product - but I learned quickly the vast difference between a $15 kit vs a $25 - $40 kit in the same scale. The bottom line is you get what you pay for.

Good Luck and Keep The Faith - ill fitting kits are a real challenge but make us better modelers - BT
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 3, 2003 1:49 AM
QUOTE: I don't know what the hold up is, it's been flying since '97!

Well, to be fair, it isn't really a production aircraft yet. Still, your point holds water. Panda's latest releases of the F-35 are awesome, awesome, awesome! I am building them now and everything seems just where it should be. They're not Tamiya kits, of course, but definitely good. I would look to them for an F-22, and maybe even Trumpeter.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 3, 2003 4:51 AM
I don't think anybody mentioned Mach 2 kits..... Definately recommended for the modeler VERY experienced with fit problems!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 8, 2003 9:00 PM
1/72 Monogram A-10. I have cut off enough flash to build another model, and I have yet to find two parts that fit together without the need of putty, superglue, or both. I should really throw it away, but I'm too proud...

flyguycaa
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Niagara Falls NY
Posted by Butz on Sunday, June 8, 2003 9:52 PM
Whaz up,
There have been a few planes that I have done that almost became lawn darts. I said almost..!!!!
One that comes to mind is the first edition Pro-Modeler P-40. The gap betwwen the wing and fuselage looked more like a canyonTongue [:P]Tongue [:P].

Also from what my dad has said the fitting of the greenhouse section to the fuselage of the B-25 by AM is a bear. This is not the only time I have heard this.
Good greif Charlie Brown. Cant wait to start my AM's 25Tongue [:P]
Flaps up,Mike

  If you would listen to everybody about the inaccuracies, most of the kits on your shelf would not have been built Too Close For Guns, Switching To Finger

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 9, 2003 6:43 AM
Ok here is my horror story in progress... I'm building the Revell Vought F4U-1D corsair. You have probably heard of it. Raised panel lines you could use for speed bumps. Fit gaps that would make a buck toothed girl say "Damn". The cock pit, which is completely inaccurate, doesn't even fit inside the fuselage with out a ton of sanding. I can honestly say I have lost it on this one. I have scored all the panel lines so they are recessed. Cut apart the cock pit and after a ton of styrene and going blind with minute details scratch built the cock pit so it would make a vetran who flew it want to climb back in and fly again. But as you can guess im still not finished. Fitting the bottom wing to the fuselage doesn't seem to be in the cards for me with out pulling out one of my butane torch lighters and heating the plastic to the point of bending it. I have come to believe that I will finaly finish this model by the time i have been married 25 years. I'm only hitting the 2 year mark in june.

Happy modeling
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 6, 2003 12:54 PM
(and now for a truly original reply:) A Hasegawa (!!!) 1:200 JAL Boeing 747-400! I'd swear each one of the two fuselage halves is of a different scale (1:200 and 1:201?). I've built several Hasegawa B747's, but have never encountered this problem. And the funny thing is: I bought four of these JAL 747's, just because they were a special offer at LHS in the Netherlands, and all four have the same problem. Now I know the reason for the low price...
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by 72cuda on Sunday, July 6, 2003 1:56 PM
well you think the Italeri F-22 was bad try the Modelcraft's F-82's I spent at least 2 1/2 hours sanding the fuselage seams just to get the right fuselage depth and the trailing edges to be correct then the wings kicked in I swear the the owner of modelcraft must have stock in 3M's sand paper corp. and to add insult to injury, the cockpits had to be trimmed too, what a complete nightmare it'll give Freddy Krugger the run for his money and Micheal Myres run and hide, but we all know the old saying" if it didn't kill you then it made you stronger!!!" as for the Monogram P-40B it was a walk in the park, just a little scratch work and she and ausome peace of art compaired to the Hobbycraft P-40's they only have one advantage over the Monogram their recessed panel lined that's all


We came, we saw, we kicked his butt, now where did he go?

84 of 795 1/72 Aircraft Competed for Lackland's Airman Heritage Museum

Was a Hawg Jet Fixer, now I'm a FRED Fixer   

 'Cuda

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 6, 2003 2:29 PM
Hey man, thanks for the tip! I don't think I'll waste my money!
  • Member since
    June 2003
Posted by gbarnes on Sunday, July 6, 2003 8:15 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Michaelvk

The Italeri 1:48 GR3 Tornado was great.. Wasn't too sturdy, mind.. Then again, I think it ended up under something heavy..

As for worst fit? Airfix 1:24 FW 190.. Worst I have ever had the displeasure to dupe myself into buying..


Great, I just started on my 1/24th scale Airfix FW-190 last week, but at least I've had a warning. Seems that I heard someone else say the same thing before!
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