Zimi Models at SB

[CANicoll]

I have not seen too much lately about the demise of Kitty Hawk and the apparent resurrection by Zimi Models.  I don't know if Zimi has done anything to improve the quality of some of the problem kits (like the P-39Q) or if they simply bought the molds and inventory.  SB has the full range it seems like.  

BTW, SB is having some sort of sale on 1,500 items.

[Count0]

3 hours ago, CANicoll said:

some sort of sale

Understatement of the week. lol. Huge sale. They should change their name to Enabler Brothers.

[HubertB]

14 hours ago, CANicoll said:

I have not seen too much lately about the demise of Kitty Hawk and the apparent resurrection by Zimi Models.  I don't know if Zimi has done anything to improve the quality of some of the problem kits (like the P-39Q) or if they simply bought the molds and inventory.  SB has the full range it seems like.  

BTW, SB is having some sort of sale on 1,500 items.

Zimi just bought the molds off, and are progressively releasing the line …

Although not released the first, the P-39 was KH’s first kit design and it shows, in many areas … The first released, the T-6, had a few issues of its own as well, although not all of them as visible as the P-39. Things got better as they expanded the range. Although not outstanding, many later releases were good, like the T-28, the Kingfisher, the F5-E, the OV-10 or the Mirage 2000 …

Hubert

[CANicoll]

Hubert,

Thanks for this.  I soured on KH early after I had to butcher the P-39 once the nose armament would not fit, nor any of the wing panels.  The KH folks came to our local model contest shortly thereafter and I asked the owners about the kit telling them about the problems I had run into and the response, in short, was "well, that was one of our first kits".  I remember paying something like $85 for the kit and they just shrugged their shoulders at it.  I was/am pissed that they kept selling the kit, and not trying to go back and fix the issues.

I heard the F-5E and the Kingfisher were much better, but I just can't bring myself to buy another Kitty Hawk kit.

[ScottsGT]

Chris, I get it!  But if you’re wanting a T-6, T-28, F-86D or Kingfisher or……, they’re the only game in town.  The only kit of theirs I’ve built so far is the T-6. Has a few minor issues that can easily be corrected with some Evergreen stock as shims. The cowl is a booger to assemble in four pieces.   It doesn’t help when you transpose the parts arrangement and glue it together all wrong either.  🤪

[HubertB]

Chris,

The ones I mentioned yo can buy with some confidence (the assembly of the engine / cowling area of the Kingfisher is still better suited for an octopus though)

As for the F-86 D or K; as Scott mentionned, it's the only game in town, so if you want it badly ... but brace yourself for some annoying issues.

Hubert