This is definitely the
"kit from hell"...maybe that is because I do not build too many jet models. The fit is pretty marginal and the level of detail is pretty poor.
However Testor's provides you with a great instruction booklet and excellent
decals. The three view drawings are superb and very helpful while re-escribing
the panel lines. The large fuselage assemblies need to be reinforced, as they
are very easy to compress and break your glue seams. I used a 3/4" Birch
plywood
beam and epoxied it inside the fuselage.
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I re-scribed every
panel line, and I had to add and relocate some. It took me a while, but I think
it was well worth it. I replaced the kit's cockpits and wheels with resin
replacement parts from True Details. The seats are very nice and the tubs look
good, but the manufacturer warns you that they are not accurate, as when they
made them these parts of the airplane remained a secret and their product is
just an "educated guess". They look good, much better than the
ones provided in the kit. The cockpit and seat details were first primed with
Modelmaster's Dark Gull Gray and the detailing was done using Modelmaster's
acrylics. I will detail my cockpits from now on only using these acrylic paints.
They just flow from the brush to where you want them with such ease!
This model has a lot of fit
problems and very large gaps are the obvious result. I filled them using
automotive glazing putty and spent about 50% of the total construction time wet
sanding the entire model. I painted it with Testor's gloss black enamel
mixed with a little gloss white to give it a faded appearance. I then shaded the
panel lines with straight gloss black. I applied the decals on the gloss finish
and sealed them using Modelmaster's Metalizer Sealer. Once it dried I applied a
dusting of "Dullcote" ("Doughnutcote" as I call it) to give
it a satin finish. I am very satisfied with the model. I made a diorama setting
for it to top it off. Once again happy modeling,
Ed
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