[Berkut76]

Originally Posted by Elmer

It doesen't appear to me that HM can produce a Finnish livery without some mods to its mold. Too bad. I really want a Finnish livery. If anyone has information that can correct the info I have posted here, please post it.

You are absolutely correct. I have a Finnish book on Brewster Buffalos in Finnish service and indeed the Finns only used Model 239.

Regards,

Sergey

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I agree with ya Card... I picked up mine today from Onmark and it is a really nice little plane with a cool scheme, but the subject itself is pretty darned fugly...

It's amazing that the thing could actually fly - it looks like the aerodynamic equivalent of a bumble bee

[Canucklehead]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

It's amazing that the thing could actually fly - it looks like the aerodynamic equivalent of a bumble bee

I may just be tired, but that comparison is confusing the hell out of me. Way to go Cardo, you just broke my brain.

[Captain Eddie]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

It's amazing that the thing could actually fly - it looks like the aerodynamic equivalent of a bumble bee

Cardinal, as Canucklehead already implied....Bumble bees FLY!!!

[Phantom Phan1200]

Originally Posted by FormerViperDriver

Me too. I'm getting one from Big Guns Collectibles when I go there in person at the end of next week. Top of my list of models to buy while in the States for a few days.

FVD

Thanks FVD, I have plenty in stock for you, you wont be let down, great model.

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by Captain Eddie

Cardinal, as Canucklehead already implied....Bumble bees FLY!!!

Really? Now, who would've thought - next you'll be saying that the earth isn't flat and is actually round as per what those global warming folks would have us believe ...

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by Elmer

HA7001 USS Saratoga

I received my F2A yesterday and had on opportunity to pull it out of the box and play with it (so to speak) last night. My impressions (pro and con):

Its bigger than I anticipated; I thought it might be overscale, so I did some quick comparisons to other 1:48 models and looked up dimensions/specs in a source book I have. It appears to be correct (I didn't measure it and do the math). The wingspan is roughly the same as a FW 190D. The nose is massive! I can't wait to compare it's cowling to a 1:48 T-Bolt. Anyway, it is very impressive at 1:48.

The fit is spectacular, one of the best I have seen. No unsightly gaps or seams on this baby. In fact, I had a difficult time finding any join lines.

The panel lines are terrific. HM molded them just right, not deep and not wide, they are delicately done. I also love the wash, they enhance the lines well and give the model nice contrast. The wash also gives the model a bit of a "used" look. The paint job is first rate, so are the pad printed decals.

All the working parts work as they should. The gear retracts well, looks great, and it is also VERY stable on its feet. You will not need to worry about using glue on this baby, you can roll it all over the floor (rubber rolling wheels) and it will not collapse on you. Gear up or down, you choose, it looks great and works great. The stand is wobbly (as are all of the HM stands I have). The canopy opens and closes well (with only a slight gap where it meets the windscreen). The rudder has a decent amount of throw in it, it is hinged nicely (a nice touch I think, I love positionable control surfaces). The prop spins well also.

There is some nice detail incorporated into the model. The plexiglass underside looks great, and you can peer through it when looking through the cockpit. Cockpit detail is there (control panel, stick, rudder pedals, seat, headrest). There is also clear plastic (I assume landing lights) lights under each wing. The wing tip lights look terrific (wings molded with notches with lights in them). The recessed intakes and gun ports in the front of the cowling also look terrific--intricately done.

Now here are my quibbles:

Hobby Master put some nice detail into this model, but also left what could have been nice detail out. The engine appears to be black plastic, not super detailed. It would have been a nice touch to have a better molded plastic (or better yet, metal photo-etched) engine painted in a metal tone with a black wash applied to bring out highlights of the heads and fins. This has been brought to the attention of Hobby Master.

The prop is plastic, as are the pitot tube and antannae. Although better than wonky rubber, it would have been a nice touch to do these details in photo-etched metal. The 1/48 planes will start coming with die-cast propellers, it might take a few releases before they show up but they are coming. Again Hobby Master listened to your suggestions that I had forwarded to them.

The wing guns are painted on , why oh why? I don't know. Perhaps there is a good reason, but recessed ports would give the model a more realistic presence. This was brought to their attention and engineering said that there is a problem doing this because by making a hole in a wing that isn't that thick increases the chance of the metal breaking around the hole. Also they mention that when they do a new mold with this type of gun they will try very hard to find a solution.

Finally, HM could have, and should have, provided an optional rubber plug to plug that ugly exposed (yet recessed) screw head (Hey Hawk... can you send this suggestion on to Hong Kong?). They probably figured why bother since it serves as the insertion point for the stand. But if you want to park your model on a mirrored surface, that screw head will glare back at you. I wish it would become accepted industry standard that all new molds would be designed to conceal all screw heads. They just look awful. Again I forwarded this to Hobby Master and they will start to provided a plug for the stand hole and make every effort to cover all screws.

Still, given the price, this model is a beauty at a terrific bargain. Nevertheless, I would pay more for the added detail, and feel more satisfied with the result.

On a side note, there are only a few rivets in this molding and they are delicately done and look terrific. Yet, I have not seen an HM subject with lots of rivet detail. I don't know if they are choosing subjects that do not have/require much rivet detail, or if they are choosing as a policy to limit rivet detail. I hope it is not the later. If the new Spit mold appears with minimal rivet detail I will be terribly disappointed. I simply cannot get excited about a 1:48 Spit that has less detail that Dragon's or GA's 1:72 Spits. I know overdoing/overscaling rivets looks awful. Yet, HM has demonstrated that the intracately molded rivets on its models are first rate. They should not be afraid go for the gusto with detail. If it is a price issue, I say, bring on the detail and I will gladly, willingly, happily, eagerly, pay more.

Your entire post was sent to the people at Hobby Master with some extra input from me and they will do everything thing they can to make a great model within a reasonable price range. To me this means it will be a good model. I hope this is what you were hoping for.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

Your entire post was sent to the people at Hobby Master with some extra input from me and they will do everything thing they can to make a great model within a reasonable price range. To me this means it will be a good model. I hope this is what you were hoping for.

Hov,
I don't see how HM could make this better for the price!!! I understand Elmers gripes, but this is a $35 plane, not a $90 one, so I think there are some concessions to be made.. If HM continues to produce 1/48 scale A/C for about the same price range, I think they will have a winner, even without the "smaller details" expected from the pricier range..
Just tell HM to keep up the good work!!!!

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

Your entire post was sent to the people at Hobby Master with some extra input from me and they will do everything thing they can to make a great model within a reasonable price range. To me this means it will be a good model. I hope this is what you were hoping for.

Wow! What a terrific company! It feels terrific that they will seriously listen. I couldn't ask for more, even if some of the detail items I mentioned cannot be fixed. Thanks Hawk!

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

The wing guns are painted on , why oh why? I don't know. Perhaps there is a good reason, but recessed ports would give the model a more realistic presence. This was brought to their attention and engineering said that there is a problem doing this because by making a hole in a wing that isn't that thick increases the chance of the metal breaking around the hole. Also they mention that when they do a new mold with this type of gun they will try very hard to find a solution.

This is curious, given that there are several 1:72 models on the market from companies that successfully accomplished this.

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

Finally, HM could have, and should have, provided an optional rubber plug to plug that ugly exposed (yet recessed) screw head (Hey Hawk... can you send this suggestion on to Hong Kong?). They probably figured why bother since it serves as the insertion point for the stand. But if you want to park your model on a mirrored surface, that screw head will glare back at you. I wish it would become accepted industry standard that all new molds would be designed to conceal all screw heads. They just look awful. Again I forwarded this to Hobby Master and they will start to provided a plug for the stand hole and make every effort to cover all screws.

This is a beautiful thing! A million thanks HM!