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Posted

Saw it at Modelzone, tempted to buy it but decided to wait until next week.

Has anyone had a go at it yet? I'm a bit annoyed that it's of the "snap-fit" variety but as long as detail is good, I might get a bunch of them.

Posted
Has anyone had a go at it yet? I'm a bit annoyed that it's of the "snap-fit" variety but as long as detail is good, I might get a bunch of them.

Haven't seen this one but guided by the quality of the Yak-3 in this series I'd be seriously tempted.

Don't let the snap-fit put you off, these are well moulded and well detailed kits - at least the Yak-3 is (easily the best WWII Yak fighter in 1/72nd scale)!

Wez

Posted

Got one today, very nice only let down by the solid carb intake. The cockpit detail is good and gives two instrument panels, one for a decal the other with details. Crisply moulded and very delicate panel lines. I think anyone will be hard pushe to tell the difference from a F/M one once built.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted
Got one today, very nice only let down by the solid carb intake. The cockpit detail is good and gives two instrument panels, one for a decal the other with details. Crisply moulded and very delicate panel lines. I think anyone will be hard pushe to tell the difference from a F/M one once built.

I got mine yesterday. Excellent little kit! Very easy and quick to built.

I compared it with the FineMolds kit and in my opinion Zvezda is even better! Look for example the cowling piano hinge! Worst pitfalls of the FM have been avoided (narrow oil tank after the prop and a little low fuselage on wing trailing edge) so the minor issues with Zvezda are easy to accept (a couple of panel lines missing on top of the wings, closed air intake). If only flaps have been dropped and there would be other sub-types available...

Greetings from widely smiling AaCee :thumbsup:

Posted
Panel lines on the top wings might not be missing if it's the Bf 109F-2, it didn't have them like the later F-4

I noticed the 'missing' panel lines but wasn't sure which kit was right and which was wrong.

Just by looking at the sprues I won't like to say which is best of the Zvezda and Fine Molds kits.

The Fine Molds kits for me have several advantages - as someone mentioned the supercharger intake is solid on the Zvezda kit, which doesn't look too good and I think the exhausts are much nicer on the Fine Molds kits. In addition Fine Molds provides decals for the camouflage. For modellers like me, who haven't mastered the intricate side camouflage patterns with an airbrush, I can't say enough about how good the decals are for this camou, the decals have certainly fooled people into thinking it was done with an airbrush.

Lastly, you can get Eduard mask for the Fine Molds F's, which I know won't bother all but again, it makes lilfe a lot easier.

The big advantage for the Zvezda kit is obviously the price, less than half that of the Fine Molds kits. You can of course get a Quickboost supercharger intake that could be made to fit the Zvezda kit and of course they also do Exhausts which may possibly be made to fit as well.

The big test for me will be building the Zvezda kit. If it builds well then it will be a great kit for the price, I'll be building mine shortly, so I'll find out soon enough!

thanks

Mike

Posted
Lastly, you can get Eduard mask for the Fine Molds F's, which I know won't bother all but again, it makes lilfe a lot easier.

Are the canopies that different? I use the Eduard masks for the Hasegawa Spitfire IX for Airfix and Sword kits.

Posted
Are the canopies that different? I use the Eduard masks for the Hasegawa Spitfire IX for Airfix and Sword kits.

They look similar but then they should! Whether it's similar enough is another matter, might try that out as well!

thanks

Mike

Posted
Panel lines on the top wings might not be missing if it's the Bf 109F-2, it didn't have them like the later F-4

Ok, I stand corrected. Tnx!

Before no-one understands me wrong I have to say, that both Zvezda and FM are excellent kits based on pretty different design principles. Zvezda has taken an unorthodox approach and succeeded with it very well. Also, extra parts from various FM kits might be utilized with Zvezda.

Cheers,

AaCee

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

The big test for me will be building the Zvezda kit. If it builds well then it will be a great kit for the price, I'll be building mine shortly, so I'll find out soon enough!

thanks

Mike

..parts just snap together and/or plug in....no glue required ..and no gaps either. Is this the end of modelling as we know it ?

ZvesdaFriedrichmodelblog.jpg

Posted

..parts just snap together and/or plug in....no glue required ..and no gaps either. Is this the end of modelling as we know it ?

ZvesdaFriedrichmodelblog.jpg

How does that work then? Surely there would be a join along the middle of the fuselage, for instance?

Posted

How does that work then? Surely there would be a join along the middle of the fuselage, for instance?

There was on the real thing.

IIRC,they were built as two separate fuselage "shell" halves which were then joined.

Hence there is a joint line along the spine and underside of the rear fuselage.

Posted

That's a nice looking kit, I might well be tempted to get one, just to check it out.

Cheers

Posted

There was on the real thing.

IIRC,they were built as two separate fuselage "shell" halves which were then joined.

Hence there is a joint line along the spine and underside of the rear fuselage.

Yes, but it wasn't centred.

Either way, hardly the end of modelling.

Posted

..parts just snap together and/or plug in....no glue required ..and no gaps either. Is this the end of modelling as we know it ?

Hello Falke!

No, not the end. But this is very easy kit to built. Mine is waiting painting after less than two evenings used for building it. Parts fit almost like dream and drying to clean them will cause problems. Quess, who could I know? :banghead:

Seams and especially shallow places on wings and cockpit sides needed some filling. Two applications of Mr. Surfacer 500 was enough. And some things are missing, namely gunsight and aileron balances. Cockpit is one of the best, if not best, I have seen in this scale. If canopy is left closed addition of the sight and etched seat belts are definately enough. If those missing parts and closed compressor intake are forgotten this is a piece of jewel!

Cheers,

AaCee

Posted

Hello Falke!

No, not the end. But this is very easy kit to built. Mine is waiting painting after less than two evenings used for building it. Parts fit almost like dream and drying to clean them will cause problems. Quess, who could I know? :banghead:

Seams and especially shallow places on wings and cockpit sides needed some filling. Two applications of Mr. Surfacer 500 was enough. And some things are missing, namely gunsight and aileron balances. Cockpit is one of the best, if not best, I have seen in this scale. If canopy is left closed addition of the sight and etched seat belts are definately enough. If those missing parts and closed compressor intake are forgotten this is a piece of jewel!

Cheers,

AaCee

That's all good to hear - thanks, AaCee! It sounds like the Messerschmitt has some minor shrinkage on the wing surfaces like Zvezda's Yak-3 kit.

I hope Zvezda releases many more of these detailed but easy-to-build kits, including another Yakovlev and other Russian fighters!

John

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