[Louie]

I saw 2 of these today at Big Guns and in person they are 100 times better than the pics. The early war yellow,black, and metallic is perfection. I do not collect 1/48 but OMG this plane is sooo beautiful. The markings are crisp, beautiful paint scheme , and the canopy is perfectly clear and unblemished. Alot of small details. I only saw it through it's box but from what I saw it is a total winner. The camo one is also really really nice. From what I saw it is just as nice although I was partial to the yellow winged version. This has truly got to be one of the nicest 1/48 model planes I have ever seen in person. I hope one day to see one out of box up close.

[stalag8611]

Originally Posted by Louie

I saw 2 of these today at Big Guns and in person they are 100 times better than the pics. The early war yellow,black, and metallic is perfection. I do not collect 1/48 but OMG this plane is sooo beautiful. The markings are crisp, beautiful paint scheme , and the canopy is perfectly clear and unblemished. Alot of small details. I only saw it through it's box but from what I saw it is a total winner. The camo one is also really really nice. From what I saw it is just as nice although I was partial to the yellow winged version. This has truly got to be one of the nicest 1/48 model planes I have ever seen in person. I hope one day to see one out of box up close.

The two I ordered were Fedexed today and I can hardly wait for them to show up by Tuesday. Now if McCain's A-4 and the A-1 turn out as well, HM will move to the top of the diecast producers. I'm still a Corgi and Gemini fan, but you gotta give the devil his due.

[Cardinal]

I've got the RNZAF version (camo.) on its way and am really looking forward to it . I was also considering the pre-war 'yellow' version but thought that two of these ugly little beasts would be too many ...

[ZS-VAN]

Well I don't collect 1/48 either but would be eager to hear your reports after getting them in the flesh. I'd hoped HM would bring these out in 1/72. Say Cardinal, weren't you more into1/72s before you got into the 1/32s?

[aeroeng]

The RNZAF version (camo.) is my favorite.

[FormerViperDriver]

Originally Posted by aeroeng

The RNZAF version (camo.) is my favorite.

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

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by ZS-VAN

Well I don't collect 1/48 either but would be eager to hear your reports after getting them in the flesh. I'd hoped HM would bring these out in 1/72. Say Cardinal, weren't you more into1/72s before you got into the 1/32s?

True ZS-VAN. I used to collect 1/72 WWII aircraft and am still prepared to buy the occasional special one such as the Taranto Swordfish due in December. I've packed away all my Corgis (except the silver Swordfish) and only display some Dragon & HM (& a few IXO) 1/72 Warbirds. I moved my focus away from 1/72 as I was feeling 'swamped' and wanted to focus on quality (& 'presence') over quantity. As I had some 1/48 and liked the scale, this became my first choice (with 1/35 GMP & 1/32 Corgi). One of the driving factors was seeing the superb 1/48 castings from Eagles International and Carousel 1, which totally outclass any of the 1/72 I've seen . Now that Hobby Master is making 1/48 I'm a happy collector indeed .

(Another advantage is that I can now be more selective and can space my purchases more evenly given the fact that good 1/48 releases tend to be less frequent than those in 1/72 e.g. I'm now waiting for the EI Texan/Harvard and will appreciate it more after the long but worthwhile wait.)

[hworth18]

I will be picking up the RNZAF version Monday from Onmark.. I am not a big fan of the postwar stuff, but if it looks as good as I hear, I might consider it..

[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. 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 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.

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.

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.

[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. 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 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.

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.

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.

I'll pass on the comments about the engine and the hole plug. As for the photo etched parts, these add too much to the cost and the results just don't justify the extra expense. An expense that would like everything else be passed on to the collector. I totally agree, don't just paint the guns on, I have mentioned this to Hobby Master and I'll do it again tonight.

This is only my personal opinion, Hobby Master is approaching the market like the Japanese did with their cars. At first they come on the scene with an inexpensive model and everyone takes notice because of the price. As time goes on and more people find out about the company the more they can improve their product detail and quality. So far I think you will have to agree that Hobby Master quality has always been pretty good and is constantly getting better with time. Yes I think the price will creep up a little but it wouldn't just be a money grab. We will get more quality and finer detail along with pilots and weapons and other nice features. But I still think Hobby Master still gives you the best bang for the buck.