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MRC/GALLERY 1/350 U.S.S. INTREPID AIRCRAFT CARRIER KIT 64008
I have recently received my order for this kit, and even though it really is an excellent it overall, but it does have some real issues that I addressed to MRC/Gallery. What I wrote them (This is really my personal kit review), is as follows:
I have been an avid modeler for over 55 years, so I have seen the plastic modeling world grow from hard plastic toy-like kits to the highly accurate complete offerings of which your kit of the 1/350 U.S.S. Intrepid falls. I consider myself an experienced modeler and I research and build each of my kits to the highest level of accuracy that books, photos, walk-Arounds of actual subjects and technical manuals will allow, often having to fabricate my own parts and make my own decals to assure the finished project meets my personal high standard. I have been awaiting an accurate model of the U.S.S. Intrepid in 1/350th scale forever, and I now have your kit in my possession. It is a beautiful kit and will allow me to eventually build it into a masterpiece.
Seeing how much work must have gone into you and Gallery being able to finally produce this kit, I have some comments that I feel are necessary to air for a kit that retails for $329.98.
INSTRUCTIONS
- I just can not fathom how this kit (which I feel is for the experienced builder only), does not include painting call outs for the parts on each page, clearer placement of small plastic and photo-etch parts, and decal placement. You reference, on the first page, standard symbols for various gluing and assembly operations. It is well known that photo-etch to plastic assembly requires Cyanoacrylate (Super) Glue, but you show no symbols calling this out throughout the kit assembly. I have already read the Instructions about 15 times, and am just now digesting where parts should go. The structure of your Instructions makes it really difficult to picture where parts actually might go when you have bundles of lines directing various parts to within a small area on the model.
DECALS
- Although you provide a nice decal sheet, you just did not go far enough. 1) No 'Beware of Props and Jet Blast' markings are provided, 2) The kit, as issued, would represent the U.S.S Intrepid during her 2nd and 3rd (1967/68) Vietnam cruises. She would not have A-1H markings for the very popular VA-176 Thunderbolts which was deployed only on her 1st 1966 Vietnam cruise. I feel you should have gone a little bit farther in providing serial numbers, squadron markings, jet intake warnings for the A-4s, etc. More than one A-4 squadron was deployed during the 2nd and 3rd Vietnam cruises, so markings should have also been provided. The RF-8G Photo Crusader and EA-1F Skyraider were also deployed at this time, so markings should have been provided. (See Airwing below)
AIRWING/Aircraft Carrier Deck Equipment
- CVW-10s Airwing also deployed RF-8G Photo Crusaders, and EA-1F Electronic Countermeasure Skyraiders during her 2nd and 3rd Vietnam cruises. These aircraft should also have been included in the kit. (Along with appropriate decals). Also, on your color supplement sheet; it does not correctly call out the fact that all, but the Seasprite Helicopter, had glossy white undersides, and flat white control surfaces on the upper surfaces. I can not understand why you have not provided any Aircraft carrier Deck Equipment? e.g.: Tow Tugs, Fire Trucks, Fork Lifts, Tilly Crane, etc. Every Aircraft Carrier kit, (And I probably have them all in my collection), comes with a few vehicles!! Even the 1/800 scale kits! Again, these vehicles are offered by YOU/Gallery, but the kit should have included a 'Tilly', and a few 'Tow Vehicles' at least.
PHOTO-ETCH PARTS
- A separate instruction sheet should have been provided to address the required bending, folding, and placement of the extensive photo-etch sheets you have provided. What you completely missed, was the placement of the railings. Your color sheet really does not address this issue which makes the modeler who does not have an extensive reference library or plans of the carrier have to guess on the railing type and placement.
I am one of the modelers who has obtained every bit of research available and have visited the U.S.S. Intrepid Museum also, so what I have left to do is to make my own decals, fabricate and cast the EA-1F Skyraider, (the RF-8G is already available through 'Corsair Armada', the 'Aircraft Carrier Deck Equipment' is offered by YOU/Gallery, of which I have already purchased and received both. I guess we'll see what else is in store as I start to build?
Overall, you have provided a great kit, but unfortunately, with the issues I have called out, it will be impossible for anyone, (not even an experienced modeler), to be able to take all that you have provided and still be able to complete a full replica of the U.S.S. Intrepid during her Vietnam years. (This kit, as issued, will demand a lot of extra, I feel, unnecessary work) If only you and Gallery had taken this kit a little farther before release (especially with a price of $329.98), the modeling world would in seventh heaven.
Sincerely,
Steve
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