RBrown

Wow you guys in the US get great prices on Revell USA.
Interesting that Revell did not delay the U.S. release one minute which is I think different from many of the other recent releases.
Has the 109 been released by Revell USA or only the EU section?
Glad to see Revell returning to them JU-88 style releases.
Accurate..cheap..good aircraft.
Nice..

Having looked the kit over, I really don't think the kit's gear legs are an issue. They look right, and attach to the door in no less than 5 different, rather stout places which will add all the strength required.
 
Having built a couple of the new-tool Hasegawa Fw 190A and F kits, just a quick look at the parts reveals some apparent advantages that this Revell kit has over the Hasegawa kits (aside from the well known full engine, 'hollow' exhaust tips & gun barrels, and 'pinched' canopy parts) from a buildability point of view:
 
1) The Revell prop blades are one piece with the hub. The separate blades in the Hasegawa kit naturally lean aft, and considerable care is required to get the blades assembled to the hub properly.
2) There are different flap parts for either up or down in the Revell kit. Hasegawa expects the builder to cut off tabs and fiddle with fitting the flaps up if desired. 
3) The gunsight in the Revell kit is correctly positioned, and the hand-hold holes in the coaming are open. Both are issues in the Hasegawa kit.
4) The Revell kit's tail wheel is separate from the fork on the gear-extended parts (still one with the fork on the retracted parts). Hasegawa's are one with the fork.
5) Separate elevators, ailerons and rudder in the Revell kit. All molded in place in the Hasegawa kit.
6) Price, at least here in the US. Revell's kit is almost half the average price of the Hasegawa '190 kits.
 
Although, the Hasegawa kits still has the following advantages:
1) TRAY AND LID BOX into which the kit actually fits nicely. Why Revell of Germany insists on using those damned end-opening boxes that are twice as big as they need to be is beyond my comprehension.
2) Simplified engine compartment (an area which is almost invisible when it's all buttoned up, anyway).
 
I haven't dug into the kit far enough to do any hard core measuring or parts comparisons, yet. I am very curious to eventually compare the fuselage gun cover against the Hasegawa 'extra cleavage' part and against reliable references. In fact, I'm curious about how the whole airframe of the Revell compares to the Hasegawa.
 
And yes; the Revell engine fan now looks very nice indeed.
 
D

Here is a link to a video review by Sam Portal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y23MQpWRC2w

The Revell Fw 190 kit is now available from Sprue Brothers Models for $23.99 http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/rvg04869.htm

Here is a link to a video review by Sam Portal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y23MQpWRC2w

The Revell Fw 190 kit is now available from Sprue Brothers Models for $23.99 http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/rvg04869.htm

Oh, I have no doubt that there is a massive gulf in the experience from the cockpit and from those of us in steerage.
 
As a passenger, flying sucks. And it sucks even more because it takes one of the single coolest accomplishments in human history and makes it soul-crushing and awful.
 
I actually really enjoy the flying part. It's the security, delays, boarding, more delays, tiny cramped seats, inconsiderate co-passengers and the like that suck the joy out of it. And I can't look at an airliner without thinking about all of that. 

Im not sure what part of the aviation industry you are talking about but I don't see any drudgery in Cat3 approaches..flying in weather that would find the military guys tucked in bed or drinking at the O club talking about how glad they are they don't have to fly in that!

 
But I guess if you have only ever seen it from the back it might look a little boring but I can guarantee you flying an approach surrounded by thunderstorms to minimums is every bit as challenging and dangerous as most anything in aviation as can be attested to by the wreckage of the many airliners scattered around airports around the world.

 
Drudgery for a passenger with no knowledge of whats at stake..just a touch more exciting for those on the inside.
 
 
Now back on track regarding the 190 and its gear legs are they going to be strong enough to deal with the load?
I think James Hatch noted they are quite thin and given the angle the 190's gear legs rake forward and inward is a replacement going to be shall we say required?
Eduard have quite a good sale going at the mount and it may be a chance to grab some for a good price.

Just for you guys, the best 190 fan ever made : the real one. Pictures courtesy of myself. (Praha Kbely museum near Pragues, CZ)
 

Agreed and thanks for the link. The Bf 109, like all fighters, was  a series of compromises,  and the landing gear design was definitely problematic.  But its reputation for  lethality in the circuit has been grossly exaggerated.

Mine arrived yesterday, and it really is a beautiful kit. The pinched and un-pinched canopies are a nice feature.
 
Builds real well without fit issues, and perfectly captures the lines of this aircraft. I built the test of this for Tamiya Model Magazine, and this was the result:
 

 

Jerry,
 Try a piece of sprue under the cockpit to push the fuselage and wing fairings out a touch. This should eliminate a large gap.
        Mike Horina

I am building the "other one" right now.  I sure hope they did a better job on the wing to fuselage
attachment.  Mine was horrible with a large gap on each side.  Other than that it will be an F-8 when
I finish.
 
Cheers,
 
Jerry 

I am really curious as to why the pre war types, particularly USAAC and USN, have been so neglected in 1/32 scale injected molded kits . Granted WWI and WWII types will remain the most popular, but I suspect there is significant interest in this period also. In fact, from a revenue generating perspective, I would rather have one hundred percent of the Curtiss P-6 market than fifty percent of the Do 335 market.   Am I missing something?

There is strong evidence for silver lacquer initially and subsequent (1938?) transition to interior green. The sales brochure for the Hawk 75 states,  "The interior of the fuselage is finished with one coat of aluminized zinc chromate primer (green color) in accordance with U.S. Air Corps practice."  Reasoning that if it was USAAC practice then the P-36 would be painted in a similar fashion.
 
Additional info at this link http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1307594234/Curtiss+P-36+interior+color+part+3+%28per+the+sales+brochure+it+is+green
 
Here is an additional link discussing the color of the scallops on the Hawk 75 http://modelingmadness.com/review/allies/cleaver/tmchawk75.htm

Hi guys,
 
I picked up my model at Swindon Model Centre yesterday shortly after it arrived at the shop. I had other things to do yesterday so this morning I'm watching the TV for the Royal Birth and trimming and taping parts of the kit, coffee cup full but still in my dressing gown!
 
First impressions: the usual chaotic Revell sprue layout with one significant change; slide moulding for gun barrel and exhaust tips.
 
No rivets, add them if you want to but as an ex Raf technician I'll be leaving them. If you can't see them on a painted real airframe you certainly won't see them when they're on a model.
 
Panel lines are very fine. The airframe surfaces are sort of matte finish so will benefit from a few minutes buffing with a finishing stick.
 
The engine looks good, obviously you'll want to add ignition harnesses, but that's about it. To my eyes the exhausts seem a little bit anaemic, maybe a couple of coats of Mr Surfacer to add some bulk?
 
I've got an Arado 196 half assembled as well as a Bf109. They are both nice kits but this is very good. As to accuracy, haven't run a vernier calliper over it yet, Mk 1 eyeball says it looks about right.
 
So now we just wait for the inevitable nit pickers, armchair experts and ne'er sayers to sling mud at it. Me? I'm waiting for the follow up A-8, A-5, etc.
 
Regards,
 
Bruce Crosby

There is strong evidence for silver lacquer initially and subsequent (1938?) transition to interior green. The sales brochure for the Hawk 75 states,  "The interior of the fuselage is finished with one coat of aluminized zinc chromate primer (green color) in accordance with U.S. Air Corps practice."  Reasoning that if it was USAAC practice then the P-36 would be painted in a similar fashion.
 
Additional info at this link http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1307594234/Curtiss+P-36+interior+color+part+3+%28per+the+sales+brochure+it+is+green
 
Here is an additional link discussing the color of the scallops on the Hawk 75 http://modelingmadness.com/review/allies/cleaver/tmchawk75.htm

The Rashomon Effect is a term used to explain how people have different perceptions, or even contradicting realities, based on their life experiences and expectations.  Like the blind men examining the elephant, everyone's interpretation of things and events is different, sometimes a lot different.
 
 I try to keep this in mind and be appreciative of the opportunity this forum provides to communicate with others who share a mutual passion for aviation history and modeling.

The Rashomon Effect is a term used to explain how people have different perceptions, or even contradicting realities, based on their life experiences and expectations.  Like the blind men examining the elephant, everyone's interpretation of things and events is different, sometimes a lot different.
 
 I try to keep this in mind and be appreciative of the opportunity this forum provides to communicate with others who share a mutual passion for aviation history and modeling.

I don't know if it is hyped salesmanship or real passion that inspires ZM, but I fell for it and bought the first ZM Ta 152.  When I opened the box I was utterly unimpressed.   I have to agree about the Matchbox comment,  as that was exactly my first thought too.  In addition to the crude surface detail  there was a lack of sophistication about the kit that was reflected in the poor design and fit. 
 
I am somewhat ambivalent at the prospect of a series of Fw 190s from ZM.  If they focus on producing accurate kits and concentrate on the basics first, I'm all in.  If they continue with this notion of crude surface detail at the expense of internal details ,at Tamiya prices, I'll take a pass.

The Rashomon Effect is a term used to explain how people have different perceptions, or even contradicting realities, based on their life experiences and expectations.  Like the blind men examining the elephant, everyone's interpretation of things and events is different, sometimes a lot different.
 
 I try to keep this in mind and be appreciative of the opportunity this forum provides to communicate with others who share a mutual passion for aviation history and modeling.

No doubt those ZM kits have been made into masterpieces,  as have some Matchbox kits.  Here is one example by Brett Green, he also wrote a book about the experience.
 

I don't know if WNW is a viable business model or the whim of an eccentric millionaire who has the resources to indulge his predilections.  If the former I wish them more success, if the latter then expanding beyond WWI would not be a bad thing, and perhaps make the entire venture more robust.    Keep in mind  it is the robust that are the most likely to survive and prosper.
 
WWI was neglected until the advent of WNW, but things have changed for the better.  However with sixty 1/32  kits released by WNW alone, and more on the way,  WWI seems like one of the most well represented eras.   

I am really curious as to why the pre war types, particularly USAAC and USN, have been so neglected in 1/32 scale injected molded kits . Granted WWI and WWII types will remain the most popular, but I suspect there is significant interest in this period also. In fact, from a revenue generating perspective, I would rather have one hundred percent of the Curtiss P-6 market than fifty percent of the Do 335 market.   Am I missing something?

I don't know if WNW is a viable business model or the whim of an eccentric millionaire who has the resources to indulge his predilections.  If the former I wish them more success, if the latter then expanding beyond WWI would not be a bad thing, and perhaps make the entire venture more robust.    Keep in mind  it is the robust that are the most likely to survive and prosper.
 
WWI was neglected until the advent of WNW, but things have changed for the better.  However with sixty 1/32  kits released by WNW alone, and more on the way,  WWI seems like one of the most well represented eras.