BarryW's 1/48 'multi-engine aircraft' Review Thread

[BarryW]

Thanks Tony.

[GerryW]

Very nice reviews, thank you.

[Tim Marlow]

Good to know what’s in the boxes. Thanks Barry.

[BarryW]

In-Box Review no4 Tamiya Mitsubishi G4M1 ‘Betty’

This is one of the older kits among my reviews, the first release was in 1996 but this one is a much later release of the aircraft on which Yamamoto was shot down in.

https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/product/tamiya-1-48-g4m1-yamamoto-with-5-figures-61110/

Wingspan 416mm
Length 518mm
No part count stated.



The instructions are typical of Tamiya.


There are some extra sheets for this version.



The plastic is Tamiya so it is cleanly moulded and sharp but it is the slightly more brittle plastic that we don’t see these days with their new tool kits.

Typically nice surface detail



As you can see transparencies are clear.

But, this kit includes pre-painted frames what I understand were available for separate purchase for the initial release. I am not sure just how useful these will be as there has to be a question mark over colour matching and, besides, they will need masking anyway for a varnish coat.



Some more sprue shots.



Some figures to wave off Yamamoto


The decals


but, of course I won’t use them as I have these

The masks, as I found, are for the original release and as it has a more interesting camo scheme I will download the scheme instructions from Scalemates and do that.

Seatbelts.


I always love a Tamiya and despite its age this looks like a good one.

Recommended.

Next review Tamiya Beaufighter.

[Guest]

the aircraft on which Yamamoto was shot down in.

“He realizes something: The Americans must have done the impossible: broken all of their codes. That explains Midway, it explains the Bismarck Sea, Hollandia, everything. It especially explains why Yamamoto—who ought to be sipping green tea and practicing calligraphy in a misty garden—is, in point of fact, on fire and hurtling through the jungle at a hundred miles per hour in a chair, closely pursued by tons of flaming junk. He must get word out! The codes must all be changed! This is what he is thinking when he flies head-on into a hundred-foot-tall Octomelis sumatrana.”
—Neal Stephenson, Cryptonomicon

[BarryW]

in-box review no5 Tamiya Bristol Beaufighter MkVI

This is one of my favourite aircraft and I would love Tamiya to produce a 1/32 Beau but, sadly, I think this might be too much to expect so it is over to 1/48.

Wingspan 370mm
Length 270mm
No part count on box

This is a 1997 tooling in good quality plastic, cleanly moulded, well it is Tamiya.....

This version is sold out in SMS (I probably got the last one) but there is a nightfighter version. 1/48 Bristol Beaufighter Night Fighter 61064 Tamiya – Scale Model Shop

This must be one of the smallest model boxes I have opened in quite a while... Here it is along with some sample pages from the instructions:




There are markings for three versions:


Personally I rather like the Malta scheme.

Nice clear transparencies. I have not spotted any significant issues with the mouldings.

Fine surface detail, clean, no flash or burring despite the age.



The decals.


I am no fan of Tamiya decals but, as yet, I have not found an alternative that I am happy with. I might end up getting some generic masks for roundels/flashes and codes.

I did source these aftermarket sets. I have used the Yahu i.p. sets before and I rather like them.




I will need to sort out the markings and will first check my spares box as I might have suitable generic masks already.

Well, its Tamiya and despite being an 'oldie' it is a golden oldie and is still the best Beau around.

Recommended.

Incidentally with my reviews I have previously filtered all the kits I buy for the stash and, as a result, I will only give highly recommended or just recommended unless on looking at a kit I decide I made a mistake in buying it, in which case I will say why!!!

My next review will be the Aifrfix Bristol Blenheim Mk1.

[boatman]

HI BARRY any chance on a B-29 as its one of my fav aircraft ?
chris

[BarryW]

HI BARRY any chance on a B-29 as its one of my fav aircraft ?
chris

As far as I know the only B29 in 1/48 scale is an old Monogram kit now produced by Revell if you can get one. I have to say that its not an aircraft or model that appeals to me. Here is a review of the kit that I found, it has a lot of shortcomings.
Building Revell's 1/48 B-29 - Non-LSM 'WIP' and Completed - Large Scale Modeller

[boatman]

YES Barry ive just read through that build an i see what you mean as you want a model to enjoy building not one that gives you problem through ill fittin parts :crying:
chris

[Defiant911]

Nice selection Barry, reminds me I also have 1:48 models to build of the black widow, b17 & b29. Been taking a break whilst I have a few other things to sort out but sure I’ll get back to them in due course. Carl

[Defiant911]

As far as I know the only B29 in 1/48 scale is an old Monogram kit now produced by Revell if you can get one. I have to say that its not an aircraft or model that appeals to me. Here is a review of the kit that I found, it has a lot of shortcomings.
Building Revell's 1/48 B-29 - Non-LSM 'WIP' and Completed - Large Scale Modeller

That’s the one I have but annoyingly it does not come with very good cockpit detail and to my knowledge they never come with any etched parts unlike the revell who did a kit including all this. I emailed revel in Germany and they sent me all the revel etched kit which included everything. Think it cost about £50 that said but itll be worth the extra I think. Being same scale I’m sure I can use most if not all of the etched parts.

[BarryW]

In-box Review no6 Airfix Bristol Blenheim mk1

I think all of us of a certain age have a soft spot for Airfix, after all we can remember those classic Airfix kits that got us into the hobby. Indeed Airfix is to modelling what the Hoover is to vacuum cleaners. To the uninitiated all plastic model kits are Airfix. I remember not so long ago a business associate who I know to be a member of the Royal St Georges Golf Club remarked rather snootily, 'oh you are into building Airfix kits then', clearly thinking about how he may have crudely glued kits together back in the '60's as a child. My response was 'all to their own, you like batting little balls through hoops and around obstacles on Margate seafront'. I don't think he liked his golf being likened to a round of crazy golf but it made the point.

Since getting back into the hobby I can count on one hand the number of Airfix kits I have built and thought that working on this 1/48 project might enable me to get a few more under my belt, but this really is the only 1/48 Airfix so far to find itself in my build list. Perhaps I will add to it in due course.

Since Hornby bought Airfix they have certainly transformed the brand, improving quality and bringing it back from its dark days with some excellent new releases but they still have a few issues and still have room to improve.

Back to this kit.
Wingspan 357mm
Length 258mm

The box has some nice box art and I quite like the look of the Blenheim in this camo.


I rather like their new style instructions. A few example pages.







They offer two schemes. First a pre-war scheme.


And a scheme from the Greek campaign.


The transparencies are very nice and on this kit they need to be.


Airfix still pop all the sprues in one bag, though the clear parts have one of their own. Most companies take a lot more care over their presentation and packing these days, it is such a small thing but this immediately gives out a message of Airfix being a 'low end' manufacturer.


The parts though are nicely moulded but again, they just don't seem to have the refinement that Tamiya, HKM, GWH, ICM and others bring to their mouldings.


The surface detail looks a little soft to me in comparison to the other kits reviewed in this thread. Don't get me wrong, they are not bad at all, just not quite up there with the others.

I think the soft plastic has something to do with it but I don't think that is all the story. The main problem with this Airfix plastic is it being prone to warping and shrinkage which is a big problem for their large scale planes. My Hellcat ended up in the bin, I remember, because of this. Incidentally, Airfix have a great replacement part service and if you get warping I would strongly recommend getting the parts replaced and not to try a 'fix' like I did with the Hellcat. If I had not tried to be clever I might have a great Hellcat model on my shelf. Hopefully this small scale 1/48 should not give me such an issue.

Some sprue shots:


Overall the parts are nicely moulded with no big issues. I have to say though that this is the first kit reviewed on this thread where I have seen some 'burring' and touches of flash. You can see hints of this in the photos above, on one of the props and part of the wheel bracing in particular. Again this is not a major issue and is easily dealt with, but it does show how Airfix are not quite up there with their competitors.

The decal sheet is very nice and if it is like their BP Defiant, are actually better than what Tamiya produce....


But, of course, I don't plan to use them, at least not for the major markings. Instead I have some masks, a brand I have not used before. Two sets, one for the markings and one that I consider particularly import for this kit, a canopy masking set.


I also have a seatbelt set.


I might in due course get more a.m. stuff for the inside given that canopy.

Now some people may think that I am being picky and hard on Airfix but I need to describe what I see and compare with the other kits reviewed. The fact is that I rather like this kit despite my criticisms that I hope are constructive.

I recommend it.

Next up: Zvezda Pe 2.

[boatman]

i remember not so long ago a business associate who I know to be a member of the Royal St Georges Golf Club remarked rather snootily, 'oh you are into building Airfix kits then', clearly thinking about how he may have crudely glued kits together back in the '60's as a child. My response was 'all to their own, you like batting little balls through hoops and around obstacles on Margate seafront'. I don't think he liked his golf being likened to a round of crazy golf but it made the point.
(Barry qoute )
:thinking:Point well made Barry :smiling3: as i have had some people say oh he's playing with toy boats at the pond AN ive said they are not toys they are models of the real ships an very complex that shut them up
chris

[Tim Marlow]

I sometimes play this the other way….basically agreeing with them and saying how much I enjoy playing with my toys….they really don’t know what to say next if you get that right….I used to use my broad Wiltshire accent to the same ends because it can make people underestimate your ability when you need to outmanoeuvre them.

[boatman]

I sometimes play this the other way….basically agreeing with them and saying how much I enjoy playing with my toys….they really don’t know what to say next if you get that right….I used to use my broad Wiltshire accent to the same ends because it can make people underestimate your ability when you need to outmanoeuvre them.

WELL DONE Tim :thumb2: :thumb2: :smiling: :smiling:
chris