What are the differences between SH Tempest Hi-Tech and the basic kits

[Brad-M]

Guys,

 

Seems the Hi-Tech kit is very hard to find in North America, so I'm wondering if the basic kit is good enough, or is the Tempest Hi-Tech kit worth the expense of overseas shipping?

 

TIA

 

Brad

[Theo]

Just some resin and photoetch, nothing to worrie about

 

Theo

[David66]

The Hi-Tech kit has a lot of resin parts to replace/enhance what's in the basic kit, it also has some masks and a completely different selection of marking options. As to whether it's worth the cost of overseas shipping is a hard call to make especially as a lot of the resin upgrades are now available separately from CMK. I can't give you a full run down of the differences as my kit is currently being ogled by one of my friends. I think both kits have been reviewed here so might be worth having a look and making a decision based on the reviews, I know one of my friends went with the basic kit as he will be making it as an 'in-flight' model and he preferred the decal options in the basic kit. Hope this helps !

[Iain]

The 'Hi-Tech' version of the Mk.V sold out pretty quickly at Special Hobby - and they were scarce at Telford - so getting one is becoming difficult.

 

My personal take is that the standard version is excellent - with some very fine tooling. The only thing I'll probably add to mine is some decent belts as that's the only obvious thing the kit is lacking.

 

If you've seen our reviews the Tempest II review will give an idea of some of the extras in the Mk.V 'Hi-Tech' kit (although that version doesn't include the resin gun bay).

 

I like these kits - they really are very well done - whichever version you go for. Of course I haven't built one yet, so my verdict could change... 

 

Iain

[Padraic Conway]

Like Iain, I've intentionally gone with the basic version for the same reasons he has ( as well as, if I am honest, cost being a factor). Kit detail looks great in the box. CMK sell all upgrades separately, so in the unlikely event I change my mind an upgrade is no problem. I have upgraded the wheels to Barracuda as this avoids any seams (and the CMK wheel detail looked a bit overdone to me, although that's from pics and I've not seen them in the flesh). Toyed with a seat upgrade, but the kit seat looks fine to me being sharply moulded and an excellent canvas for my entirely mediocre painting skills . I actually prefer the marking options in the basic kit to the HI Tech version; I think they have more variety.

 

HTH

 

Padraic

[Troy Molitor]

Excellent observations from Iain and Padraic.

 

I kicked myself for not picking up the basic kit offering at a nice discount by Spure Brothers in the original thirteen colonies. With the temptation of the individual CMK aftermarket sets, it's even more enticing. Mind you, I still have the excellent PCM box in my attic full of plastic insulation. I truly love this hobby.

 

I wish you all more bench time.

 

Regards

 

Troy

[Brad-M]

Thanks all, I'll have a think on it.

 

Brad

[LSP_Ron]

Thanks all, I'll have a think on it.

 

Brad

 

I just got my basic kit in the mail last week and it's very nicely done.  All I added was RB seat belts.