Clunkmeister

Do.17 is certainly high on my list, but the kit maker that keeps popping into my head for no apparent earthly reason is ICM for that one. As for Infinity, today should tell the tale. I’m anxious to have a peek at it.

Either way, King Airs are a great ticket as well. Fixed wing is fixed with. And, not to be a cynic, buuuut,… civilian job prospects are many times greater as a fixed wing pilot than for chopper jocks. And yeah, when the lead is flying, being a cowboy is a good thing. On a routine haul to a secure LZ, not so much.

The Val and Kate will be goldmines for HPH/Infinity. I’ve wanted these right up there with the Helldiver. I’d dig a Beau, but a Firefly is my FAA gotta get I would also love an L-39. To me, it and the L-29 are the most important Czech designs to come out, after the CZ75 and Bren Gun. The L-39 and the upgraded L-139 are flown literally everywhere in the world, including the USAF as an aggressor. And it’s bloody gorgeous! The BAE Hawk is about the only jet even close to the L-39.

Rog, nice thoughts. You hit the nail on the head. But HPH’s main business is aerospace. They produce components for Boeing, Airbus, and various other manufacturers, as well as produce and sell their own complete line of full scale sailplanes. https://hph.cz The entire model business is a sideshow. I tend to differ in opinion on the Helldiver. It, quite simply, is not a bad kit, and other than the one huge mistake with the rear canopy, it’s pretty buildable. But you need to go in with a short run mindset, and dammit, you better have built a few short run kits already, or you’ll be caught short. You know on these types of kits: treat them like a resin kit that’s already had the parts trimmed off their blocks. Prefit EVERYTHING and sand to fit. Don’t assume a single, solitary thing. Do that, deal with the canopy, and you’ll have a decent representation of a parked, closed up Helldiver. Which, by the way, is the only mid to late war US carrier based bomber we didn’t have in 1/32. The Helldiver, in prototype form and in a model, is an extremely complex aircraft keep that in mind just adding an open rear gun position is a major job Smitty built the Vampire and had no difficulty. His looks stunning. I have the kit and will eventually build it. The feedback is coming in on the Val, and so far, it appears to be a game changer for Infinity. The word is that it needs little to no AM, although I’ll throw the book at it just because I enjoy that stuff. I’m hoping they don’t give up on the market. If the Val is as good as it sounds, it’ll be a good seller, and I expect the Kate will be just as good. Only time will tell.

I built the GWH kit. It was,…. Interesting. I’m expecting the pantograph edition, honestly. But, like others, if you want it bad, and I do, you’ll do what you gotta do. I know someone in Ridgeway, SC who might just be asked to do a build review on it, depending on how hideous it actually is. 😬

Phil, you got the screens, and the money we all paid him went to his Solicitor. When he gets out he might have changed his name to Francine. But Ol’ Jay will be singing soprano like a bird.

Should be a good read. T-28 and A-26 Air Commando operations in Laos are still shrouded in secrecy. But those guys, Ravens and Zorros, punched far, far above their weight class. As fearsome as a gunned up T-28 was, there was absolutely nothing in the inventory, anywhere, short of C-47 or C-130 gunships that could bring anywhere near the devastating firepower that a B-26K could.

I’m certainly glad we are here as an alternative to TOS. I’ve never quite grasped their animosity over there. I’m even very good friends with one of their long-standing serving Mods over there, and he just throws his hands in the air and says, “good grief it’s just little plastic airplanes”. He’s mystified by the moronism that thrives there. I’ve always held that there is room for two really good large scale forums on the web, and I know most here belong to, and post on both. That’s how it should be, IMHO. Personally, I can’t even bring myself to join again. Ever. I’m done. During the big web shitshow over the Helldiver kit fubars and the fixes we figured out here, I contacted them directly and offered outright my descriptions, pics, and workarounds. Not to puff anyone up, but to help modelers who may not look in here alot. I heard nary a peep. As in radio silence. I think someone from here eventually posted a link to the fix in their Val thread, which is good, but it wasn’t someone on staff, it was a member. I just don’t get those guys. Anyway, y’all, welcome (again). I know we’re not as busy as them, but most of our content is meaningful and there is zero hate and discontent. Tomorrow, the Val should be here and I’ll give it an in depth look with a review and thoughts. So far, comments are that it may be a game changer for Infinity.

If I remember correctly, Labour reneging on the F-111 deal royally pissed off a lot of people over here who had poured a metric ton of gold into that system. In the end, US and Australia only. SMH. The 111 was desperately needed at the time, if I remember. Now I’m surprised the RAF hasn’t had an air to air victory since War 2. I would have thought Iraq or Afghanistan. FAA gives a good accounting of themselves when allowed to mix it up with their fangs out. Damn Harriers mauled the Argentinians pretty badly.

Are they getting the Bombardier Globals? That’s probably the most capable executive jet in the world today. The biggest Gulfstream and Falcons are no slouch either, but the Globals are the cat’s ass. That’s a dream ticket for an Army pilot. 99.999% of Army pilots go rotary. Matter of fact, I’ve been told that every Army pilot is a helicopter pilot first, and anything else is a bonus. He’s one lucky kid. Keeps him out of Blackhawks at least, where he’d simply be one of multiple thousands of pilots.

Hubert, that’s very good to know. Plus, this is the -1, a very early war D3A, so yes, they were lightweight. All Japanese aircraft were lightweight. I’d assume that yes, if it’s like Mitsubishi, they were much lighter at the beginning of the war. And just taking a look at how Japanese aircraft literally moldered away into the earth after the war goes to show you how light they were. I’d expect some serious oilcanning. Very heavily built German, British, and US aircraft certainly oilcanned.

A couple noted modelers in Germany have received theirs today. They both say they are very pleasantly surprised, and that this may be a game changer for Infinity. If the kit can simply assemble like a typical new Special Hobby kit, with a bit of trimming and sanding as is normal for short run kits, I’ll be thrilled. I actually really enjoyed the Helldiver. It was a challenge, but in the end, very rewarding. If I can get similar here, but not have to fight the canopy, I’ll be thrilled.

So it was a time saving thing.. OK. In that case, I’d say polyurethane resin would have been a much better option than waiting 6 months to do 500 of those.

I’m in the mood…

Hey folks, I’ve been doing some looking, and so far the opinions are quite positive. It looks like a huge leap forward from the Helldiver and even the Vampire. I lifted these pics from Britmodeler, who had gotten them from HPH, so they show a well detailed cockpit, lots of detail, separate control surfaces and dive brakes. I have a funny feeling I might have wasted money on AM that might not be needed. Judging by these pics, this is going to be one amazing model. Looking at that panel, I think Airscale decals will snuggle right in there. The stressed skin looks a bit overdone, but it’ll tone right down under primer and paint. I wish the cowl flaps were provided separate, but I expect the aftermarket might step in there… If this is as good as it looks here, this may be what Infinity needs to finally hit the numbers: nice subject, unique, and well detailed. I haven’t wanted to build a kit so much since I built my Helldiver

I see they are planning their next release to be the LET L-13 Blanik. Anyone even slightly into aviation in this country knows the L-13. It served in the USAF Academy for decades as THE basic glider trainer.

I’m looking forward to see how it looks OOB. Just the model with no extra goodies. When I get mine I’ll tape the airframe together to see how it looks

Oh yeah it does! Nothing boring about that one

The two schemes offered in the kit look great in profile. I’m really looking forward to giving this kit the treatment. If the kit builds well, I can see doing both of these schemes

Yes, I understand all the reasons to not buy AM, and yep, most everyone on this site has more than enough ability to perform the same quality of work as most AM will provide. I like the 3D printed machinegun, folded wings, resin exhaust, and the extra PE set. The external PE, despite my original thoughts, really added to the quality of my Helldiver build. I'm really unsure that much at all will be able to be seen of the cockpit once it's all closed up, as those openings look mighty small. Wheels are hidden behind spats as well, so they aren't needed. One thing I've never understood are mask sets for canopies. Most of the commercial ones don't fit at all, and an hour with Tamiya tape, a bright light, and a sharp knife does the same thing for free.

I hope R2D might do some 3D cockpit stuff for it. It should build up nice. but 300 bucks. With extras!

Smitty let me know yesterday that they’re in at SB. The kit is almost $150.00 😵‍💫. Plus any accessory goodies you may desire. So, like a good Serf, I obeyed the siren’s call and ordered it. Thin borscht and black bread for me for a month, especially after coughing up almost the same again for the accessory packs. Oh well, I sold a couple Wingnut kits, so easy come, easy go. First thoughts seem positive so far, and as soon as it arrives I’ll open it up and write a little blurb on it. Anyone else here planning on building it? I know it’s a tough pill to swallow at that price, but it IS a 1/32 Val, y’all. As soon as it and the goodies arrive, on the bench it goes. I’ve heard rumors that the Val may be their last IM kit? I, for one, truly hope not. The Helldiver did have its issues, but as many have shown, it’s definitely buildable. Assuming that the Val is basically accurate, it should be a good seller for them. They have some great ideas for future kits, and I for one have been an HPH fanboy for years, and Infinity opens up new possibilities for them.

Harold is a good man. I met him years back, and keep up with him and a few others from out there on FB. I’m surprised he waited this long, actually. His health has been deteriorating for years. I’m super excited for him now that he can take a much needed break and kick back.

Thanks Carl. Reviews aren’t really my strong point, but someone’s gotta do them, and I try to be 100% objective. Quite honestly, I expected more refinement from a $300 kit, but I also understand the limitations of current Print technology. Maybe resin would have been a better choice for the main fuselage? Mr Surfacer 1000 might be a bit lightweight, but 500 might dent it. I’m a fan of automotive primer simply because it sticks like glue to resins. I wouldn’t be hard as worried about the fuselage texture if the Lear 35 had a military paint scheme like the Viggen. Surface marks don’t show on the Viggen like they do here As far as the decals, I’m not sure. I tried to take a picture of all the tail markings, so have a close look.