Matt_

Bevan Hasegawa do an F-2. I think apart from stiffeners, a smaller turbo intake is biggest difference (though I'm not sure if the larger turbo intake came with the 'plain' F-4 or the 'pimped' F-4z?), that's why that side of cowl is separate part... Matt

Nice. This is going to be a fine Spatz when you've finished. Matt

Beauty! First good photos I've seen of a built up example and it certainly captures the look of the Erla... hmmm... maybe I shouldn't have bothered cutting mine up.. Matt

I would mirror Dave's view. These kits are so finely engineered that I can see no other way you'd have that issue.. Matt

What did Matt (Doogs) use for snow on his Challenger dio? Have a look here. This is where he starts with the base, similar to yours to start so I reckon this'll be useful. http://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/1907-tamiya-challenger-1-mbt-finished/page-3 Matt

Yep, octagonal... A great review James as it should put most well and truly off purchasing. Better off with Eduard, Barracuda wheels and rads and a nice RB aerial array.... Matt

Interested to see what you do with this kit Jeroen. I think the arm rests on the ejector seat were folded up in normal use and only brought down when ejection was to be executed (the arms get in the way of rear of consoles etc). Not a biggie of course... Matt

Nice work, gotta love it with that unit badge.. Matt

Looks cool, nice review James. Isn't HpH's 'day job' making real gliders? Matt

Love the weathering of the camo on upper wings... really does look battered and faded by sun and sea. Matt

They do look very good. I recall Moskit exhausts which must have been created the same way, I was always disappointed they folded, let's hope REXx manage to stay around and produce a good sized range... Matt

Very nice, like Erik, I am impressed at your finishing and weathering, both very smooth and subtle. I particularly like the effect you get on metallic surfaces... lokks very scale.. Matt

A little late, but for interest... Wooden seat. Matt

Hi Beychevelle Looking good so far. Good looking scheme as well.. Matt

Happy birthday James Hope you have a great day. I recall 44 as a decent enough age to be.... Matt

Tracks'll be fun.....

Good review Mike I've got the Tomy one and I'm hoping the aftermarket comes through with some parts to fit into it now. The Tomy kit has really nice surface detail, but I doubt it'll be as easy a build as this one looks. Matt

Nick Here's link to LuckModel http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=HK-01E06 £82 inc p&p too rich for me..... this is another 'wait 'til Revell do it' for me.... Not like I haven't got two lifetime's worth already... Matt

Good point wadoux.. I think you're right... maybe it wasn't all the time? Matt

Very impressive. I like the way the resin and bronze parts of the brake line meet... Just having two parts for the leg and door instead of 6 in the kit (and that's without any representation of brake line) is a boon. Matt

What a beauty! Looks very good... Matt

Good review Ben. Is it just me, but isn't £71 over valuing such a simple kit? I'm not knocking the quality or approach, but if you produce something basic to allow the AM to supply the finesse... then shouldn't the price match? Can't help thinking Revell would do this for about £30... I'd have liked one but certainly not at this price, especially with the apparent inaccuracy of the intakes... Matt

Mal To be fair to Paul, his price is the best you'll get in the UK. Hannants have it at £189.99 + postage. He almost always has the best prices for HpH and Silver Wings amongst others. I think you'd need to factor in HpH's not insignificant P+P rates to get a more reasonable comparison (I think Nick was quoted £20+ for just a Spitfire detail set).... Just saying.... Matt

Well, this isn't exactly scientific, but the Eduard looks more like they took Revell parts and detailed them (which isn't likely as this was all probably done in CAD and 3D printed) while Aires looks more original and slightly better detailed in the more visible areas. So I think Aires' parts look busier and therefore I suppose, more accurate. Compare the left sidewall, detail above and behind the fresh air vent on Aires that Eduard haven't bothered with... why you would ask..? I personally prefer photo etch and film of Aires approach... colour PE is tricky to properly integrate with rest of pit due to colour diffs... Aires provide 3 types of engine cannon cover - nice touch... 'pit floor has wires leading to the radio boxes beside the pilot, Eduard don't. Does look like Aires mean you to use the Revell oxygen line (not on sidewall and no parts... shown but not mentioned in the instructions...? I also like the look of their gunsights over Eduard's. Eduard probably has a more representative set of electrical boxes on the right sidewall behind the panel, some nice structural detail on the forward bulkhead, and they've provided a complete set of 'bicycle chain' links for the handwheels (Aires seem to have missed the rearmost run). Neither is going to look shabby... let's face it, the kit 'pit isn't too bad... but for my money I'd buy the Aires set. Of course, one killer aspect we don't know is how well either fits.... Aires certainly has the less desirable reputation in that respect.. One sad thing is that neither set has tried to address (as far as I can see) the awful seam line around the cockpit sill that Revell 'built in'. A little clever engineering could have made a really significant difference to how easy it is to get a good finish on an open cockpit - and if you buy either I presume the canopy is going to be open... Finally neither appear to have offered any advice on how to attach the canopy in the absence of the (horribly wrong and clunky) Revell 'door hinges'.... Matt

Good review James For the money, AIres look to have bettered Eduard - unless you have to have coloured PE, which I'm not fussed over... Matt