Accurate Miniatures

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Accurate Miniatures

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 16, 2003 9:59 AM

I did a search for this and was unable to find anything.

Does anyone have any experience with these kits? I was under the impression that they were no longer in business but I saw a kit the other day, I believe a Dauntless for $45 at the local "hey we aren't really a hobby shop but we do sell kits but if you want a bunch of fake flowers and picture frames we have tons of those!" Sorry frustrated with the local stores around here.

What is the story behind Accurate Miniatures and $45 for a kit? Is it worth it?

Steve

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 16, 2003 10:22 AM

I have never built one of thier kits....however they have a few Ive been keeping an eye on they have also come highly recommended from others.....so I may be picking one up in the future.....

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 16, 2003 10:43 AM

Hi,
I know that the ompany went out of buisiness not so long ago, but I did an Avenger, and now I'm doing an IL-2 Stormovik. The detail was very high on their kits and I was very happy with the results. I did very little scratch building on their kits because they were quite good. I would suggest if you guys haven't tried them yet, them try them in the close future.
Thanks.

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tempestjohnny

Member since
November 2003
From: Naples, FL

Posted by tempestjohnny on Sunday, November 16, 2003 11:29 AM

I heard that AM is trying to come back. Working out the red tape. Their kits are very nice did the Mustang Mk IA great kit. $45 seems kind of high for a Dauntless $25 is OK

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jridge

Member since
April 2003
From: West Des Moines, IA USA

Posted by jridge on Sunday, November 16, 2003 4:00 PM

Go to: www.accurate-miniatures.com and read about their resurrection and thier product line. The quality of their kts is top notch.

Jim

Jim The fate of the Chambermaid http://30thbg.1hwy.com/38thBS.html

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 16, 2003 4:05 PM

I have built their Mustangs , Yak , and am currently in the middle of the IL2, and I have a Duantless kit waiting to be started.
they have very high detail, very nice packaging, very minor fit problems.[may have been me]. 45 bucks is a bit high, you may try finding it for a lower price.
I think you will really enjoy building this kit, I know I have and look forward to building more of them.

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John P

Member since
February 2003
From: Joisey

Posted by John P on Sunday, November 16, 2003 4:12 PM

The company is back under new management. They're reissuing all their kits and coming out with a few new ones while they build up again.

The kits are some of the best 1/48 aircraft kits ever made, PERIOD.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 16, 2003 5:25 PM

Ive had my eye on the IL2....how's the build so far.....any major problems? The LHS has it on clearance.....so I think I may have to pick it up

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Sunday, November 16, 2003 5:48 PM

Chris, run, don't walk to the LHS and buy that sucker before someone else realizes it's there. AM's kits are accurate, build up well and are reasonably priced. $45 is a bit steep for a Dauntless kit, however, jetav8r, so check elsewhere before you buy that particular one. Hope this helps.

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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leemitcheltree

Member since
January 2003
From: Washington State

Posted by leemitcheltree on Sunday, November 16, 2003 8:02 PM

Steve,
Don't let a high price tag fool you - they're better than other 1/48 scale kits. That's why they're expensive.
But you'd be a fool not to shop around. There's lots of places (online stores, too) that sell Accurate Miniatures stuff.
I've got quite a few of their models, Yak, Stormovik, B-25, A-36, P-51A, McLaren M8B and I'm waiting for the Corvette Grand Sport to be re-released.
I'll pay the money for them because I know they'll build into a great model.
Cheers
LeeTree

Cheers, LeeTree
Remember, Safety Fast!!!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 16, 2003 8:18 PM

Sounds great! I am off to Squadron right now to look for a good AM aircraft.

Thanks a lot,
Steve

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 16, 2003 8:23 PM

I'm glad to hear the Avenger kit built out well. I bought one at Hobby Lobby that they had on clearance shortly before AC closed down. It sure appears to be a high quality kit though.

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nsclcctl

Member since
May 2003
From: USA

Posted by nsclcctl on Monday, November 17, 2003 8:24 AM

These really are gorgeous kits and the avengers come in many versions. The only difficulty I have are the instructions. They are simply impossible to navigate, especially in the avenger models. If you have a problem, subtle as it may be, you are going to get absolutely no help from the instructions. They are poorly illustrated. Nice history included and superb painting instructions, but, the 3D aspects that become important with the detailed cockpit are missing. I am working on my second one right now and had to pout it away for a month or so. I was about to slam it into the wall. But, once together, stunning!

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John P

Member since
February 2003
From: Joisey

Posted by John P on Monday, November 17, 2003 10:19 AM

If you're interested in the Sturmovik, here's mine:
http://www.inpayne.com/models/sturmovik_skis1.html

I.... may have gone a little overboard with the weathering :D

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wildwilliam

Member since
December 2009
From: West Grove, PA

Posted by wildwilliam on Monday, November 17, 2003 11:49 AM

Jetav8tor,
not sure why you could not find them on a search.
their website is:
http://www.accurate-miniatures.com/

there is always AM stuff selling on eBay.
prices vary wildly, so i recommend watching and getting a feel for how
the kits sell if you are thinking of going that way.
for instance, the Stormovik on skis seems to go cheap (around $10).
the two seat IL2M3 commands much higher prices (sometimes over $30).
None of these kits seem to be super rare, so don't over pay.
there always seems to be more for sale. Smile [:)]

and, as some others have mentioned, the company is back in business,
so check for availability from hobby & online sources before paying a premium for something that you THINK is OOP and is actually back in production.

their site has a few on-line builds that are quite interesting.

and i have heard few good things abt the instructions.
can't have it all, i guess.
i don't find Eduard's PE instructions to be all that enlightening at times either. Evil [}:)]

ed.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 1:49 PM

I'm sorry, I did a search on this forum for AM so that I wouldn't ask the same question that someone else had asked.

Thanks again,
Steve

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wildwilliam

Member since
December 2009
From: West Grove, PA

Posted by wildwilliam on Monday, November 17, 2003 3:10 PM

ooops!

i was thinking in a totally different way.
(pretty much the norm for me!)

ed.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 3:27 PM

Steve,
Sign up for that store's("hey we aren't really a hobby shop but we do sell kits but if you want a bunch of fake flowers and picture frames we have tons of those!" ) email coupon. Abt a month ago they had 50% off ALL models.

I picked up one of every AM kit they had in stock along with some others Smile [:)]

Good Luck,
Greg

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 5:06 PM

I am sooooooo lucky. A couple of years ago when AM was going out of business, I was able to purchase, on clearance, an IL-2, a Yak-1 and the Dauntlas for $5.95 ea.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 6:06 PM

Yeah, those early destructions were pretty awful, but the good news is that the Avenger and early Mustangs are in the very final stages of a total overhaul...new illustrations, clearer language, a spot more historical info.

The RAF Mk. 1A will be shipping this Friday, but will have the old crappy destructions. The forthcoming TBM-3D and F-6B Mustang will introduce the new booklets.

While you're looking around at Squadron, you might be able to get a real good price on a Yak. There are also some of the old "White Box Special" Avenger kits (2 for 1) around, so keep your eyes open.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 6:07 PM

i got my p51 for $14 CD. it retails for $29USD. thats like almost $40 cd. I loved that kit. fit better than most "shake box and kit comes out" tamiyagawa's... but their wing roots are still a pain in the @$$ (at least mine)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 6:52 PM

I'm putting the finishing touches on my Avenger right now.
I've done the Yak on ski's and have the Dauntless waiting in the wings.
The kits are top knotch.
As for them trying to comeback...I can assure you they ARE back.
My Avenger was missing a rear lower gun window.
1 email to AM and they sent a replacement right out.
Not only are the kits top of the line, so are the employees.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 7:34 PM

Greg,

Are you talking about Hobby Lobby? 50% off is a good deal considering they wanted $45 for an AM Dauntless. By the way your Camaro looks sweet.

Steve

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 7:45 PM

I just bought the TBF-1C Avenger from Squadron. I am really looking forward to getting into this kit. Thanks for the help everyone.

Also, has anyone built any of their B-25 kits?

Thanks again,
Steve

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 7:58 PM

There kits or of the highest order i would recommend them to anybody.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 11:31 PM

The only problem I have had with the IL2 is the right wing root fit, but it may have been me, it left a slight gap that closed up just fine with a couple applications of white out.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 8:48 PM

QUOTE: Greg,

Are you talking about Hobby Lobby? 50% off is a good deal considering they wanted $45 for an AM Dauntless. By the way your Camaro looks sweet.

Steve

Steve,
Yes Hobby Lobby. I think they only do it twice a year but I don't know because they just recently moved into my state, North Carolina.
BTW AM is located in Concord,NC, kinda close to Charlotte so that's another reason for me to buy and build their product Smile [:)]

There's a link on Hobby Lobby's web site to sign up for the email coupon.

The Camaro is a blast. I really enjoy working on it but I think I enjoy driving it more Big Smile [:D]

Good Luck in your search

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wildwilliam

Member since
December 2009
From: West Grove, PA

Posted by wildwilliam on Thursday, November 20, 2003 7:11 AM

Thomas Myers,
any chance AM would/could make the new, better instructions available on the website as PDF or printable web pages?

there are a lot of the older kits kicking around. i'm sure folks would be
grateful if they could upgrade their instructions!

and this way would be less labor intensive for AM. Big Smile [:D]

no mucking about w/ self addressed stamped envelopes, etc.

just a thought.

ed.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 21, 2003 12:18 PM

Actually, that's been discussed, but I have just not had time to get to it. I have had to spend a tremendous amount of time overhauling the instructions for both the Avenger and the Allison Mustang, but now that the end of those projects are within sight, I might go ahead and post them in.pdf form on our web site.

IF that were to happen, they would post to the On-Line build section. I have a modeler of some note and considerable talent building an Avenger to add to that section of our web site. Details will be forthcoming.

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wildwilliam

Member since
December 2009
From: West Grove, PA

Posted by wildwilliam on Friday, November 21, 2003 2:04 PM

just the fact that you are discussing it is great news!
i will cross my fingers.

i hope to see it on the site, but i will still thank you now for the upgrade of the instructions w/ the new kits.
you will save a lot of modelers a good deal of frustration.

but what will they find to complain of next? Wink [;)]

the online builds on your site are first class.

ed.

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