ade rowlands Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 So in rebuilding my 1/32 stash from my oh so brief journey in to the lands of 1/48 I have come to realise my new stash is disproportionate with its lean towards jet types. Actually apart from my 2 Tamiya Spitfires and Mosquito, Hasegawa 109G-6, F-4 and A6M5c it’s all jets. The props are outnumbered 3 to 1. I’m quite in to the Air war over Vietnam at the moment and quite fancy adding a Skyraider to the pile. So the question is which to get ZM or Trumpeter? I’ve looked at a few builds of each and haven’t really come to any conclusion. So I’m looking to those who have the kits, who have built them as to the pros and cons of each. I’m also not decided on Navy or Air Force versions as Navy offers you some snazzy paint schemes but Air Force offers you the Sandy missions and Napalm. The price point isn’t the deciding factor either. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotsman Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 In summary , and other people will fill in the details, but in summary ,for ease of build the Trumpeter, for absolute accuracy , ZM The Trumpeter needs a new prop, thanks Harold, and the canopy is too big , but it does look the part , not counting the misshapen cowling The great achilles heel of the ZM kit is the wing foldm its far too flimsey to support the weight of the wings , and to be honest its just a faff For refence , I've built one ZM A-1J from the box, a Tumpter A-1H also from the box, and 2 A-1E's using he fisher conversions and the Trumoter kits John1 and thierry laurent 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ade rowlands Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share Posted April 11, 2020 (edited) You say the wing folding is too weak on the ZM version, even if it’s glued in the folded up position as I would likely do i I went for the Navy version of the kit? And does the Trumpeter kit offer a folded wing option? Edited April 11, 2020 by ade rowlands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 Currently the ZM kits are sold with the weapons sets included. And they are far better than the Trumpeter weapons. So, if you have the choice, get one ZM kit. BTW, there is (was) an instruction sheet addendum dedicated to the wing folding system on the ZM website. D Bellis and phantomdriver 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotsman Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 The trumpter kit does indeed provide a wingfold option , build it extended or folded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottsGT Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 On my bench right now. Decals next..... Had to shoot Harold an email. Those prop blades just don’t look right. Martinnfb and Darren Howie 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloorwestSiR Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 3 hours ago, ade rowlands said: You say the wing folding is too weak on the ZM version, even if it’s glued in the folded up position as I would likely do i I went for the Navy version of the kit? And does the Trumpeter kit offer a folded wing option? I didn't have any issues with the wing fold on my ZM kit. On my build they still fold and haven't collapsed after 2 1/2 years in the up position. I did have a drop tank fall off though. The build thread should be on the site somewhere. Carl phantomdriver, Martinnfb and Uncarina 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottsGT Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 Are y’all saying the ZM wing can be moved after building it? I have the kit, never dug into it though. I’m using the Trumpeter kit as the donor for my fat face builds. Martinnfb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloorwestSiR Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 Mine still do. I can't get to it at the moment but if I can I'll try to take a pic of the wing fold joint in action. Martinnfb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloorwestSiR Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 12 minutes ago, ScottsGT said: Are y’all saying the ZM wing can be moved after building it? I have the kit, never dug into it though. I’m using the Trumpeter kit as the donor for my fat face builds. Here you go, I managed to get it down and take a couple quick pics. A bit dusty though. Close up of the wing fold joint I think the gap is fairly acceptable. Carl Martinnfb, Landrotten Highlander and Uncarina 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottsGT Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 Awesome! thanks for that info. I’m going to use the kit decals for that build since the bumble bee is one of my favorites ever since I was a kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ade rowlands Posted April 12, 2020 Author Share Posted April 12, 2020 Thanks guys. I’m going to go for the ZM kit. Still to decide on Air Force or Navy. Only room for one. Navy has folded wings, colourful markings I’m thinking Bumble bee tail (plus I’ve visited the USS Intrepid several times where it flew off) but the Air Force appeals with its Sandy missions. Did the Air Force versions retain the folded wing and was it used often? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloorwestSiR Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 I think all the Air Force Spads were ex- Navy so would have retained their wing fold mechanisms. Whether they would have been used I can't say. Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 AFAIK, the Air Force did not use the folding mechanism except when planes where having heavy maintenance in hangars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunwinglow Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 The Air Force kit is a USN kit, PLUS all the extra stuff, decals as well! It is quite a boxful... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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