[1250ships]

With the Hobby Master/Corgi Preditors Hellcat now out we have Hellcats galore. Dragon was first though- how is theirs? First I should note that I did not install the tail antenna part. Way to small for my fingers. They should have moulded that sucker on!

The gear demands glue as usual. The antenna behind the cockpit needs some too. The drop tank once you figure out how to install it is really solid. No glue needed there at least.

I have been rough on the Hobby Master mould because it has that horrible tail seam. The Dragon clearly wins there. But the Dragon has a horrible seam behind the cockpit. You can best see it in the 4th photo below but from some angles it is worse- easily as bad as the Hobby Master tail. I presume it was done that way so you can do the cockpit open display.

Unfortunately both moulds have issues. I guess you have to pick your poison. I'm sure I'll end up with at least the Fleet Air Arm Hellcat from Hobby Master but it won't be because I find it clearly superior to Dragon's effort. I will say that Hobby Master gives you more armament if that is important to you.

And your grain of salt warning- I sell the Dragon Models cruise ships but don't stock their other stuff.

[hworth18]

Nice pics 1250.. I have both HM and dragon Hellcats and although I don't care for the "fiddly bits", I do think Dragons Hellcat is "just a little better" than HMs version, and I can't comment on Corgi's version since I haven't seen it yet..

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by hworth18

Nice pics 1250.. I have both HM and dragon Hellcats and although I don't care for the "fiddly bits", I do think Dragons Hellcat is "just a little better" than HMs version, and I can't comment on Corgi's version since I haven't seen it yet..

I have this model as well. I rate it as Dragon 1st, HM 2nd and then Matchbox 3rd. Nice pictures, btw.

[skysurfer808]

I have the Matchbox VF-17 and Minsi II, and Dragon's VF-27 and Minsi II, as well as the Cyberzone Minsi III. I have yet to get the Hobbymaster Minsi, but that one and Corgi Predator's are on the way. I will probably use the Predator as a reward for the Autistic student I work with, as for the others, I intend to keep them, and possibly model one of them into a specific airplane. I'd agree with the assertion that for a fit and finish Dragon's is probably the best, though I have a soft spot for the Matchbox VF-17 and Minsi. Dragon's has some of the best details, but I will reserve true judgement till I can do a ramp check comparison of the planes.

Skysurfer808

[leeG]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

With the Hobby Master/Corgi Preditors Hellcat now out we have Hellcats galore. Dragon was first though- how is theirs? First I should note that I did not install the tail antenna part. Way to small for my fingers. They should have moulded that sucker on!

I just received both the Dragon Minsi II and the Hobby Master Vraciu. They replaced identical EasyModel F6Fs that were serving as place holder on the USN shelf. Your are absolutely right about the Dragon tail antenna! Went to push that puppy in with a pair of tweezers and it launched off into never land (as in never to be found again). I sort of like my hand carved toothpick replacement, but that should be molded in. I have had real problems with Dragon fiddly bits in the past, and this one was no exception.

Originally Posted by 1250ships

The gear demands glue as usual. The antenna behind the cockpit needs some too. The drop tank once you figure out how to install it is really solid. No glue needed there at least.

My main gear went in with no problems. The tail wheel was a nuisance, and doesn't look right. Hobby Master and Easy Model have much better tail wheels.

Originally Posted by 1250ships

I have been rough on the Hobby Master mould because it has that horrible tail seam. The Dragon clearly wins there. But the Dragon has a horrible seam behind the cockpit. You can best see it in the 4th photo below but from some angles it is worse- easily as bad as the Hobby Master tail. I presume it was done that way so you can do the cockpit open display.

I like them both, but prefer the Hobby Master to the Dragon. I agree on the seams. I guess the fiddly bit issues influences my preference.

[Shawn 507]

I have Dragon's 1st "00", Cat Mouth and Minsi III, the Catmouth and "00" had the better cockpit fit. I shimmed a piece of painted card plastic in Minsi III and you can hardly tell. The antennas never gave me much headache on the Dragon birds.
I also have the HM Vraciu bird, much better with the wash than the Corgi 3 tone Cat Mouth Hellcat. I'm no fan of the cockpit assembly or the seperate tail section. The tail just worries me as a potential weak spot. I'm waiting on the Dragon 3 tone "00" to come in.
I like them all, and look forward to more. Like a 3 tone with large red outlined insignia from HM/Dragon.

[1250ships]

I just got my first Hobby Master Hellcat, the FAA one, so now have Hellcats from Dragon, Hobby Master, and MRC. Perhaps when I get a spare moment I'll do a comparison of them.

[lanslide]

I think Dragon angled the "Minsi II" nose art the wrong way on the port or starboard side ( I can never remember which angle is correct for which side) of the model. I think "Minsi II" should be angled differently on either side of the fuselage. HM is the first company to get this right. Can anyone confirm this?

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by lanslide

I think Dragon angled the "Minsi II" nose art the wrong way on the port or starboard side ( I can never remember which angle is correct for which side) of the model. I think "Minsi II" should be angled differently on either side of the fuselage. HM is the first company to get this right. Can anyone confirm this?

Didn't you confirm it yourself with this post?

[lanslide]

Hmmm - I guess I did. But I may be wrong.