A mixed bag today
Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 3:10 am
Five new models came today but the Carosel Fly Boys Nieuport 11 is not for me so I didn't open it.
My first two Eagle International planes came, both P-51Bs. One is the Don Gentile "Shangri La" and the other is an RAF with Malcolm hood. Both came from Historic Airplanes and both had missing parts. Fortunately I decided to display one with gear down and one with gear up so I was able to make up the missing parts. BTW, Don Gentile is MIA, he was not in the box. One of the plastic bags had been torn open so if he was packed with the drop tanks that's what may have happened. His plane also needed the most assembly which left several outrageous gaps along the wing root and raditator. The canopy will require glue. I may take this one apart and see if I can improve the fit because it stinks now. My first thoughts when I opened the box was WOW, but it went downhill from there.
Next was a Gemini Jets 1:200 C-17. I went modern because 1) I have worked on them, 2) I have flown on them (though this model came from Charleston it's tail number was not one of my freedom birds), and 3) it is the same scale as the very few commercial models I have. The model is very nice but I was shocked at how small it seems compared to my commercial models of the same scale. The opeining cargo door and cargo ramp are a nice touch but the ramp can be a mother lover to get closed. And for what its worth the stand...well the stand isn't worth a darn. That will require major rework.
Last but not least came the FM PBY Black Cat. H O L Y C O W! Easily the biggest and most impressive of my young collection. With the wingtip floats up the wingspan is 26", a full 2" more than my next biggest, the Ju52. I have no idea what this beast weighs. Only one negative: the RH wingtip float strut broke or came broken. I will have to glue it either up or down. Not sure which way I want to go there yet.
My first two Eagle International planes came, both P-51Bs. One is the Don Gentile "Shangri La" and the other is an RAF with Malcolm hood. Both came from Historic Airplanes and both had missing parts. Fortunately I decided to display one with gear down and one with gear up so I was able to make up the missing parts. BTW, Don Gentile is MIA, he was not in the box. One of the plastic bags had been torn open so if he was packed with the drop tanks that's what may have happened. His plane also needed the most assembly which left several outrageous gaps along the wing root and raditator. The canopy will require glue. I may take this one apart and see if I can improve the fit because it stinks now. My first thoughts when I opened the box was WOW, but it went downhill from there.
Next was a Gemini Jets 1:200 C-17. I went modern because 1) I have worked on them, 2) I have flown on them (though this model came from Charleston it's tail number was not one of my freedom birds), and 3) it is the same scale as the very few commercial models I have. The model is very nice but I was shocked at how small it seems compared to my commercial models of the same scale. The opeining cargo door and cargo ramp are a nice touch but the ramp can be a mother lover to get closed. And for what its worth the stand...well the stand isn't worth a darn. That will require major rework.
Last but not least came the FM PBY Black Cat. H O L Y C O W! Easily the biggest and most impressive of my young collection. With the wingtip floats up the wingspan is 26", a full 2" more than my next biggest, the Ju52. I have no idea what this beast weighs. Only one negative: the RH wingtip float strut broke or came broken. I will have to glue it either up or down. Not sure which way I want to go there yet.
