[Tedongganas]

My next purchase would be these two planes. As i have not seen Easy Models in the flesh, are they really good in terms .of built and paintwork ??

[Captain Eddie]

I like mine very much. Many here have posted that you can't tell the difference between Easy Models and diecast sitting on the shelf together.

[Acklington]

Originally Posted by Tedongganas

My next purchase would be these two planes. As i have not seen Easy Models in the flesh, are they really good in terms .of built and paintwork ??

In my opinion (and I'm quite fussy for accuracy) some are very good. The FW-190D is probably the most accurate model available in 1/72. Other good ones include the Bf-109G, Corsair, Wildcat, P-47D Thunderbolt, and Hellcat.

Bad ones include the Spitfire, Mustang, and P-39 Aircobra. The Hurricane is not too good, but can be improved with a bit of work, as can the MS.406.

Most require a bit of work after purchase, sometimes to correct wonky parts. How much you do is up to you, but if normal modelling skills are applied, some very good replicas can be produced. With extra detailing work, they can look brilliant, and the finesse of the mouldings is far better than most metal diecast, where the parts are usually too thick and chunky. All the Luftwaffe types require swastikas to be added, but sheets of these can be obtained from Hannants.

A common problem with all the Easymodels, is the canopy. The canopy frames are nicely painted (far better than most can do at home), but they only use one coat of paint. If it is a dark colour it usually looks OK, but lighter colours are just too thin, and 'see through'. I've repainted quite a few canopies, and on a white winter-camo Bf-109G I gave up, and bought the identical Hobbymaster kit, just to obtain a new canopy so I could start from scratch with a black undercoat. The Hobbymaster kits have two canopies, one for the open-position, so you can still complete the kit.

For me, the major plus point with these models, is the quality of the paint finish, including the markings. They are far better than any finish I've ever achieved on a plastic kit, and I've been trying for 40 years! Some say that the Easymodels are too glossy. I don't agree. Most have a very nice semi-matt finish, just like the real things (which were painted for maximum speed). I think that a completely matt finish looks wrong.

Some of the camouflage schemes are a bit iffy. The RAF ones seem to be the worst for using inaccurate shades, The German ones are probably wrong too, but I'm no expert on Luftwaffe colours, and they look good to me! Improving all of the models can be difficult when it comes to matching the shades of colour that Easymodel have used. I've become quite an expert in mixing and matching paints.

Is it all worth it? At only some £6 each, and only a couple of days modelling work on each, definately! I have all the 109s, and there is no way that I would have made 25 Messerschmitts from kits.

[Tedongganas]

Thnx for the thorough explanation Acklington.I kinda like the BF109G Finland camouflage paint.I i totally agree with you,at 5 quid a piece what more can you expect ?

[Epapazian]

I concur with the comments, above, but would add that the MRC models are very hard to weather due to their probably correct but lightly indented panel lines. The BF-109G-2 ( "Finland" ) is nicely detailed, except for the missing swastika, but it looks like it just arrived in a museum after a brand new paint job and has never been flown. The Yak-3s are also nicely done, however, I suspect that the darker blue/gray on the upper surfaces is much too light. In my opinion, the F4Fs and BF-109 Es are the best of the lot, with the F4Us coming in a close third. I have most of the current series and plan to add many more of the WW II and modern era models they are planning. All in all they are a very good value for the money.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

I concur with the comments, above, but would add that the MRC models are very hard to weather due to their probably correct but lightly indented panel lines. The BF-109G-2 ( "Finland" ) is nicely detailed, except for the missing swastika, but it looks like it just arrived in a museum after a brand new paint job and has never been flown. The Yak-3s are also nicely done, however, I suspect that the darker blue/gray on the upper surfaces is much too light. In my opinion, the F4Fs and BF-109 Es are the best of the lot, with the F4Us coming in a close third. I have most of the current series and plan to add many more of the WW II and modern era models they are planning. All in all they are a very good value for the money.

Not until recently did I give these much attention. Kind of like that they do fill in for some of the gaps in livery. It would be nice if these did have a little bit of a weather appearance, but shoot most of the other companies opt for the factory fresh look too.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Tedongganas

Thnx for the thorough explanation Acklington.I kinda like the BF109G Finland camouflage paint.I i totally agree with you,at 5 quid a piece what more can you expect ?

Kind of wish they would have done one of their Bf 109s with Finnish Air Force paint scheme.