MS-406

Built one a couple of years or so ago, shortly after the kit was released. Biggest problem is getting many of the cast resin parts to fit inside the plastic. Especially difficult is fitting the wheel wells inside the wing. Out of the box, it simply won't fit and the wing halves won't come together. I recall spending several hours trying to thin the upper wing halves and filing down the resin inserts just so I could get the wings together. Would have been easier to toss the resin and scratch build the wheel wells. This has been a problem with several of the CA kits, the resin castings are great except they won't fit into the injection parts. Other than that, no more trouble than your average limited run kit, but don't expect Tamiya/Hasegawa quality. The MS-406 is not one of Classics' best as the fuselage profile is highly suspect.

Rick

Thanks for your reply.......

I've seen several on-line comments about making minor adjustments on improving the CA MS-406......... Namely reshaping the cowling and shaving off about a 1/16 or so aft of the cockpit fuselage....... And thinning the fin a bit.....

I went with the CA bird, because I'd heard so many terrible things about the Hobbycraft version....... Besides, after buying all of the aftermarket stuff for the HC, one might as well have the CA.

Too, the kit instructions are not very specific on the placement of the resin gear parts........ Guess I'll have to check my resources for photos......

As well, the PE for the kit seems to be even harder to find than the kit itself........

Did you use the kit decals??? Or invest in aftermarket ones???
They seem nicely done, but a little on the thick side......

But, despite being new to the hobby, if I can scratchbuild cockpit and wheel wells for a Monogram P-40, let alone even assemble said kit (lots of filler and sanding, polishing) I guess I can tackle the MS-406......

Regards,

footcav42

Good luck on the MS-406, I didn't make the corrections to the fuselage profile but I did thin the fin. I used the kit decals which worked fine although I had one of the Aeromaster sheets as backup. I was never totally happy with my effort but I have seen a couple built-up that were impressive. Certainly a better kit than the Hobbycraft. If you made a decent build from the old Monogram P-40 then you can handle the CA MS-406.

Rick

Thanks for all of your advice on the MS-406.........

I think I'll put it off until after I finish my Tamiya Dewoitine, which looks to be an easy kit to build.

Regards,

Desmon

Don't forget to post pics of those birds!

DJmodels1999

I haven't quite figured out how to post pics on the finescale site....... Maybe you could give me some pointers????

I have made not-so-great photos of the P-40 that I finished, that I wanted to post just for input and criticism.........

footcav42