Anthony D'Agostino Hey guys, I haven't even started to build these kits yet, my negative views are based on multiple accounts of fit issues from modellers of extraordinary talent, far beyond the beginner level. This was not a one off bad review, it is multiple reviews from different sites. I hope you guys are correct, as I love the subject so much, it breaks my heart (and my bank) if these turn out to be the horror I keep reading about. And no, it is not the wrong version/kit, I can tell easily the difference between a C and the F aircraft, the intakes and sheer size make it impossible to mistake one for the other.
Here are the links to the build reviews that I am referring too, all of which are linked above, that is how I knkw about the reviews in the first place.
ipmsusa.org/reviews/Archive/.._FA18F/Hasegawa_48_FA18F.htm
https://modelingmadness.com/scott/mod/us/f18f.htm
I also came across at least one more review with the exact same issues, and apparently, once the fit issue begin, they progressively get worse because many parts go on without the aid of interlocking/alignment points, where the builder just rough estimates the location based upon matching lines. Any degree off, will certainly begin such a cascade event, leading too giant gaps later on. Plus they all mention the bottom insert of the flaps is ridiculously small for the space it is supposed to fill. How can that even be? Having a seam to fill is one thing, but if their right, and only when I begin to build the flaps will I know, that is inexcusable.
At worst, I have a kit that leaves me with very low expectations. Sadly, the kit arrived already with damage, lots of parts are broken off the sprue, which is why I have two kits. The store sent me a replacement, which also arrived damaged in the very same way. I was hoping to make one as a finished airframe, the second as the cannibalized aircraft, since that is how the navy has been coping with budget cuts, sacrificing one plane to allow others to keep flying.
Add in the aftermarket additions though, and my investment is pretty steep. I hope these will at least build ONE decent kit, as with the fit issues, I won't be starting this kit any time soon. I will work on my MH-XX series of helos to sharpen my skills with all black birds (hard to mess that up) while giving me a chance to work with both PE and resin, before I tackle these expensive kits.
Thanks for the input, I hope you guys are right, only time will tell.
Anthony Stalker6recon D'Agostino
4. April at 09:14:51