Forum: Scale Models - F-16, F-35, F/A-22, F-2

Mike,it sounds like you already have the kit the kit if you are doing a review,am I right?

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That was just ascertained by looking at the sprue shots. The ones on HS were pretty detailed. Whether they were tests shots or not doesn't matter much. Test shots are done mainly to test and see if there's good flow, that there's no short shots, and to generally test the texture of the finish. Rarely, if ever do they retool the mold. They'll rearrange what they can, if they can, and maybe polish up the finish. But for the most part, what you see is what you get. And it's not looking too good.

Ok,just wondering,but doing a review only by pictures and not the plastic in hand will open a big ol' can of worms.Mike mentioned fit of kit so it made me think he already had the kit in hand.

Also,looks like the Tamiya F-16D won't be the next Viper kicked out by them:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10080260

Yeah, heard about that. Funnily enough, I have one converted to an N already, ha! Habout that! Oh well, guess I can wrap thatone up now. But I'm noticing something....they're loosely following the early Hase Viper releases! They jumped ahead with the CJ, but since have done a Block 25/32, TBird, and now an N. What does Hase have in it first 10 releases? A Block 25, a TBird, and an N. Sign of things to come? I hope so!

Well,now I won't have to buy a bunch'o 50's and 25/32's to get my NSI Block 30's,too late for the builds I have already converted though!I guess I'll have to grab one or two for the build pile.I'm focusing more on F-4's right now and only doing minor stuff to my F-16 builds so it'll be nice to have them on hand when I get back in full blown Viper mode again.

ViperEnforcer wrote:

Both Tamiya kits include ordinance appropriate ordinance for those F-16 variants, though I would have preferred JDAMS in the CJ kit. If I need to add anything else, I am more than willing to pay for a “quality” aftermarket store. Then again, rarely do I muttle up a modern jet model with a bunch of junk under the wings, as I prefer to preserve most of the aesthetic lines of the aircraft. So, no need to buy more of something I wont use.

Well, here depends of the project that i want to do, with the Kinetic D model i'm thinking to make a second F-16 D Block 50M of the Chilean AF, so, the kit comes with Litening pod, JDAMs and the GE exhaust and air inlet, so, no aftermarkets needs for that items; so, i agree with you, it depends of the project in mind Smile

ViperEnforcer wrote:

BTW, I think you missed a key point of mine; “subpar quality and fit of the Kinetic kit”, which includes the ordinance. While the ordinance options are nice, you can drive a truck through the panel line detail. The AIM-120s and AIM-9s look strange with the heavy detailing, not to mention there’s quite a bit of mold shift evident. There is just no finesse or crisp detail aspect to the stores!

Yes, i agree about that Kinetic's Viper may be has no a superior (or equal) quality mold as Tamiya; i'll receive this kit on next week, so then i could give a more realistic opinion about that.

Regards

Lucky Models shows the MLU and the DJ in stock! I wonder how long it will take to get them on this side of the pond? I have had a pre order with Sprue Bros since I can't remember!
Finally we will get some definitive looks at these long awaited kits! Not Worthy

RacerCrewChief wrote:

Mike,it sounds like you already have the kit the kit if you are doing a review,am I right?

Yes, just came in. I haven't got a chance to look it over thoroughly, but plan to take a detailed look this Sunday or Monday. My oldest has his JV Football game play-offs this weekend and I won't be back till late Sunday.
So far, pretty much everything I've seen wrong with the sprue shots and built up models is in the production kit. Man, this has a little déjà vu to it.
I've dry fitted the fuselage and intake parts, which is not all that great. The fore avionics doors have bad contour issues and poor fit. The worst issue so far, is the aft fuselage strakes which are perpendicular to the ground; thus no anhedral at all! When you consider that this is a Tamiya clone of sorts and a brand new kit of this era; this major error is pivotal.

RacerCrewChief wrote:

doing a review only by pictures and not the plastic in hand will open a big ol' can of worms. Mike mentioned fit of kit so it made me think he already had the kit in hand.

Yeah, I know all about that. Even when I was 99% on in calling out the errors in the Academy 32nd F-16, I still got ripped for it.

RacerCrewChief wrote:

Also, looks like the Tamiya F-16D won't be the next Viper kicked out by them:

True, but I am still pushing for a 48th bus Viper. The back channels haven't really showed any signs of an impending Tamiya F-16D release, but some reference request months ago are promising.

WOLF wrote:

with the Kinetic D model i'm thinking to make a second F-16 D Block 50M of the Chilean AF, so, the kit comes with Litening pod, JDAMs and the GE exhaust and air inlet, so, no aftermarkets needs for that items; so, i agree with you, it depends of the project in mind Smile

Yeah, if the kin kit has everything you need, then you should be set, though the GE exhaust may need replacement, as crude as it is. Wink

WOLF wrote:

Yes, i agree about that Kinetic's Viper may be has no a superior (or equal) quality mold as Tamiya; i'll receive this kit on next week, so then i could give a more realistic opinion about that.

The reality is, the Kinetic F-16 does not live up to the hype generated by the over zealous, and is now turning out to be somewhat of a disappointment.

I have this beauty on my hands...what can i say...Impressive Cool

A new guy is on the block definitely Twisted Evil

Yeah, someone must have snuck the Tamiya sprues in your Kinetic box, LOL Laughing

Impressive? Confused

If you consider Kinetic’s tooling impressive, I’d hate to see what you think’s mediocre! I think it’s safe to say that there will be differing views with this kit. That’s the case with most kits that have so much controversy when there’s major shape and quality issues brought o light.

Let’s face it; there are just differing standards amongst everybody, including modelers. If you’re happy with the Kinetic product, then have fun building it. Some of us will not find the kit mediocre, but that does not mean it’s not buildable or a terrible option to Tamiya.

I plan to build at least two Kinetic F-16s for review purposes, though I can tell it’s not going to be fun. Having already built the Tamiya kit, I know the Kinetic F-16s are going to be a quite a regression in fit and clean up.

Mike V

My DJ just arrived from Lucky Models. The amount of sprues is impressive! OK, its a weak knock off of the Tamiya Kit, the plastic is heavy compared to Tamiya, but I was impressed with the overall look and options of the kit. I heard all the drawbacks but any decent F-16 modeler should be able to get this kit to look good. I'll let you know as I build it. I am currently building 3 Tamiya's at one time for the guys in the desert (see Block 50's to the desert post) and just giving the Kinetic kit a cursory look, I'm looking forward to building it! It has the R/H Chin HTS pod, if you want to build the correct current OIF loadout. The only armament missing is the BRU-57 for the GBU-38's, but who's complaining. Well here's one, where is the paint color table? They use 3 pages to show the parts and armament locations, but no color table! Stay tuned. Whistle

Alrighty then! I look forward to your in-progress build.

The instructions tell you to use Mr. Color paint references, easily found on-line. I have built enough of these things, I don't even need a color chart!!! Shocked

Yeah, I don't even look at those for Vipers anymore.

Had some time this morning to start on the Kinetic DJ. Figured I'd start on the Tail. I think I'll end this thread and start a new one in "Works in Progress" Come on over! Confused

Forum: Scale Models - F-16, F-35, F/A-22, F-2

Kinetic 1/48 F-16's