1to1scale

It really is a great kit, it took longer to build and paint the cockpit than the whole rest of the airframe, I probably have about 25 hrs into it to this point. After decals, I maybe have 4-5 hours left. It’s a fast builder.

Dave, I cant argue that, the sets are a bit expensive for two seat sets, however, you are getting every single switch and panel pre-painted, there is no sanding and grinding resin, and there are only the top 1% of model builders that can produce a cockpit that rivals these. For average modelers like me, I can produce a cockpit that is 300% better than what I did before. If you really do the math, the Eduard PE set for the Mirage 2000N is $26.95 USD, it does not include seat belts, they are 22.95 extra. If you get the BigEd set, that goes down to $44.95. The Quinta Studios set is $55, you get IP, side panels, sidewalls, seatbelts, and seat pads. And everything is truly 3D. Yes, I know I am self promoting products I sell, but I was buying these when Quinta first started offering these for sale middle of last year, I specifically sought out Alexandr at Quinta and just about begged to become a dealer for his products. So, I really am a believer that you get what you pay for. Specifically, for the Mirage 2000N, you pay a little more, but get a little more. Another little known benefit of these, items that can be seen from both sides like levers, actually are colored on both sides. Plus, you can find deals, I offer them in my store, I have a discount code listed, and that comes with free US shipping on Quinta (see my post under Hobbynut Models in the Vendors section).

What I have noticed so far...the fit is superior to PE sets, since they have a little bit of flex, they conform beautifully. I have a feeling I’m going to be completing a lot of cockpits ahead the the actual build.

They are coming, Quinta has many sets in development and already has the files for the set, so it’s just a matter of time. I’m making an effort to carry most of the 32 and 48 sets in my store. I have the SMT set on order and it should be in stock within a week, I also stocked up on most 1/32 sets, they have been really good sellers so far. https://www.hobbynutmodels.com/collections/3d-print-detail

Just a quick update on this, its been clearcoated and I have been procrastinating on putting the decals on. Hopefully I get my butt in gear and get it done soon.

For me, life is pretty much the same as I worked remotely before, and still do now. What I miss the most if model shows and contests. My local club was one of the very few to actually put on a show last year in November, and nobody died! but since then, everything within 500 miles of here has cancelled.

Thank you, it was my original intention to build this a learning kit, I wanted to learn how to do specific weathering techniques, it started turning out nicer than I expected. I ended up adding lots of AM to it, rescribeing and re-riveting the whole thing, at one point it was looking so nice, I almost didn’t do my planned weathering, but carried on. I went too far and screwed up the paint job with some oils that didn’t play nice, I had to stop and re-spray parts of the wings, and I ended up re-weathering it again. This is now in it’s second life, but not it’s last, my eventual plan is to strip all the paint down to bare plastic, fix the canopy seams, then repaint the whole thing again. When I started it, I went into the project with the attitude that I didn’t care, I wanted to learn scribing and riveting, play with weathering techniques that were experimental in nature, and play with alternate materials. I learned a few things about what works and what doesn’t, it didn’t turn out as I wanted it, but my original investment was under $50 with rein wheels, cockpit, and Vac canopy, and I ended up with a fun build. I also never built it to compete, I entered in a show on a whim, how it won 3rd was beyond me, but I’ll take it. I guess what I’m getting at, this kit is a great starting point since it’s so cheap, and it looks like a Mig-15, the only part that has to be replaced was the canopy, if you do that, it looks ok.

FYI, I finished my Mig-15, heavily weathered, it won 3rd it it’s category.

Maverick and Goose!

Scroll up two photos...big hint...also the title.

Paint progress, need to paint some details, then ready for decals.

I started working on another 1/48 aircraft on September 9th. Tamiya’s F-14A has been a dream, I literally took this from a box of sprues to a ready to paint aircraft in 7 days, maybe about 20 hours total working time. This included converting the landing gear from extended to stowed. I had to make supports for the front gear bay to hold up the gear doors, and as there were 5, it was a little bit of a pain, fit was mostly good, but some small gaps on doors 3/4. In the rear, a little bit more work because the doors were not designed to fit into the fuselage. I had to make a new set of doors to fit because the original set were not finished, it was easier to make than fill and sand. My biggest disappointment with this kit is the lack of IP gauge detail, no Decals, nothing, just blank circles. Unfortunately, the Quinta panels didn’t come out until after I had closed up the fuselage and started paint, way too late. But I already started working on the second F-14D, and it is getting Quinta panels. my helper

Oh come on...trumpeter promised to bring it out this year...you don’t believe them?

Very nice, a model I always wanted, but will never get. Great build.

Mike, I am also coming to the end of my first P-51 build, and i had so much pleasure, i now have 2 more planned. I had very similar issues you did, however I left all features working, I found the fit of all the moveable features working very well, and did not experience some alignment issues some had with a few pieces, but I also understand how tolerances stack, and I just got lucky. As I said, I built my first with ALL of the features working. However, I did have issues with removing the lower cowl and with the ailerons, unfortunately, they both droop down, I may see if I can put a little glue in the hinges to tighten them up. If I make the cowl removable again, I will slip the two bushings that hold it in. I added considerable detail to the cockpit, engine, and guns, so my next build will be the opposite. But on my next two builds, I am definatetly gluing the cowl panels on, gear up, and flaps up on me f them, the other will be gear optional, so I can display it either in-flight or on the ground. I am making an in-flight model and will assemble things to the minimum extent externally. The other will only add landing gear detail, but both will have pilots. I am also itching to do a Korean War plane too, thankfully Tamiya accomidated me me as I was planning to do a conversion, now I don’t have to worry about that either.

Typically, Korean War planes varied a bit, but most all had black from the side switch panels up. The bottom of the cockpits were some type of chromate green paint, colors varied by manufacturer a bit. That sky raider looks like everything was black, but usually you would see chipping with green and aluminum showing through. And as t8me went on, they painted the whole cockpit black. https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/458010

I still prefer Tamiya as the best acrylic paintFor airbrushing, they are alcohol/water based, so they have some smell (alcohol), but it’s not harmful and it dissipates fast. You CAN brush paint Tamiya, but you will need to add retarder, but you have to get the part coated first time, as it can pull up the dried paint when you brush a second coat. My favorite for brush painting is Vallejo, by far the best I have found.

I would wait, I thought I read that they were going to honor orders before they shut down the ordering. PayPal usually gives you 90 days or more to file a claim, so you might as well wait until the last day, as you will never get that kit for $129 again.

Very, very, very well done!

or, how about an RF-4E or F-4G?

It can be fixed to make a nice kit, I did it with my MIG-15. This was just sanding and dry fit, no glue.

This is one of the ones I have been waiting for, I want to do mine in French trainer scheme.

Love it, every once n a while I get the urge to pull this out of the stash.

This is way too complicated...

So, if I understand correctly, does this mean that any aircraft by NATO or Soviets until 9 November 1989?