AnonymousER99 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi all I was lucky enough to have one of our own Brit Modelers, Rich Cullen be kind enought to grab one of the limited run, PJ Productions 1/48 Alpha Jets for me at Scale Model World in Telford last November. When the box arrived at my door I was very excited to get my hands on it and give it a good look over. The original photos on the net made this kit look very promising and PJ did not disappoint! The box is a bit small but then again, the Alpha is not exactly an F-14 Tomcat in size either!! Upon opening the box I was overwhelmed by the odor of fresh resin and mould release. I have had the kit for 45 days now and it still reeks!! LOL Once the box is opened and poure out, I began by looking over the pieces and taking an inventory. The resin quality is first rate. The parts all have finely engraved lines with absolutely no moulding issues other than a couple very small bubbles and voids here and there. These "problems" only reall exist on the trailing edges of the wings and a couple of the thinner pieces and pose absolutely no problem to clean up and fill. I was doubly impress by the absolute lack of warpage that you sometimes get with a hollow cast resin fuselage. Here are a couple of shots of the plethora of resin parts included. Also included ar TWO (thank you PJ) superbly rendered vac canopies...... .... as well as a nice little photo etch fret with instrument panels for both early and late, French and Belgian jets Lastly you get white metal landing gear and wheels. The biggest letdown of the kit for me are the wheels. The mains seem clunky and the nose looks weird but until I get paint on them, it is hard to really tell Oh, I almost forgot the decals! PJ provides markings for four aircraft: 1. Alpha Jet B, Groupement Ecole 314, 6e Escaudron, Tours France, 1985 2. Alpha Jet B, ETO, Cazzaux, 2007, French 3. Alpha Jet B, 9 Wing, Advanced Training School, Brustem, Belgium in the 1980s 4. Alpha Jet A+, 9 Wing, ETO, Cazaux, 2007, Belgium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 Here are some shots of the kit dry fitted and some close ups of some of the various parts. The kit has had ZERO trimming other than the few pour nubs on the fuselgae and is held together with Tamiya tape only. I am absolutely AMAZED at the fit and finesse of detail! I cannot say how impressed I am with this kit enough. It is a click fit!! I also love the fact that PJ gaveboth types of seats, a MB Mk.4 for the early and a MB Mk.10 for the later versions. I will also make a comment on the instructions if I may. They are quite comprehensive and very, very clear as to what one needs to do with each different version. Think Hasegawa with less clutter on each step. The wing fit is really amazing as well. The wings themselves are solid cast so no fretting about with two halves. They literally nearly click fit, same with the horizontal and vertical stabs. I also like how they did the lower fuselage insert. A quick swipe with the scalpel and the gear bays are oened up and you get a nice insert for the bays themselves. Anyway on to the pics!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 more Well there you have it. To say I am impressed would be an understatement. This kit is a winner on all accounts and frankly is quite possibly the best full resin kit I have ever owned (minus the Fisher Sea Fury). The fidelity of detail and attention given to each version, coupled with excellent fit makes this kit a must have if you like Alpha Jets!! Sell those old clunky ESCI kits as this one blows it out of the water!! My hearty congratulations to PJ Productions on a superb release. Some may be put off by the price but as a resin caster myself, I am in the unique position to know just how much rtv and resin costs as well as replacing worn moulds and tossing short shots etc not to mention research, development, PE , vac form and white metal costs. At the end of the day this kit is a bargain!! Go buy one and support this company!! Cheers Mike Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneheadff Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Thanks a lot for the great review Mike! I hope there will be a German version or conversion in the future. Cheers, Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalguru Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Pinch me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Nice, I am still trying to justify the cost before I buy it. I too am hoping for a pointy nose. Julien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fmk.6john Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Pinch me! Only whilst one is wearing rubber gloves!!!! JB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz greenwood Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Looks nice Mike. I have a few pics of French Alpha's taken at RIAT '07 if you would like to see them later? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 Looks nice Mike.I have a few pics of French Alpha's taken at RIAT '07 if you would like to see them later? feel free to post em here Daz to whet peoples appetites more!! Cheers Mike PS...hows the wrist?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz greenwood Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Ok sure will Mike thank you. They may not be good quality though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz greenwood Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 (edited) Right as Mike gave me permission! Here are some pics of an Armee De L' Air Alpha Jet taken at RIAT '07. I hope they are of some use! Edited November 26, 2010 by daz greenwood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz greenwood Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 (edited) And some more of the Alpha Jet. Another French one, and a pointy nose Quintec one! And the wrist is ok Mike thank you. The bruise is coming out now so the wrist and hand are a nice purple and yellow shade. So hopefully (soon) I can get back to plastic tickling again. Edited November 26, 2010 by daz greenwood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 Cheers Daz!! That first one looks very similar to one of the markings in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz greenwood Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 (edited) Glad you like the pics, sorry about the quality, as they were taken on a compact as I didn't have my DSLR then Edited January 12, 2010 by daz greenwood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skii Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Really good review there Mike, as you say it really looks like a top drawer kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Really good review there Mike, as you say it really looks like a top drawer kit The only problem with it is that it's in Mike's top drawer, rather than mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 The only problem with it is that it's in Mike's top drawer, rather than mine Quit your whining!! Why don't you start that Alpha Flight Sunderland that you HAD TO HAVE?? Huh?? I dare you!! I triple Dog Dare You!! Don't be a pansy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousFY21 Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Nice kit isn't it, shame about your masking technique . rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 They won't let him have glue at the home. So he has to use tape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 They won't let him have glue at the home. So he has to use tape Idiots!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Idiots!! You only just noticed! Now try and paint this one! Julien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Very nice review, Mike, tahnks for that. I hope you won't mind if I post those pics, from another review in a French forum: Just to show that surprise is always possible with resin. I have to say that the reviewer quickly solved the problem, without a bath in hot water, as the resin is thin and could be easily worked on: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Quite a banana, that one, eh? Idiots!! Compliments fly when monkeys chatter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Quite a banana, that one, eh? Yes, but not a real problem in the end, that's the main thing. [O/T] And way better than what's happened to me this morning: Opening a newly acquired wolfpack set for an IDF/AF F-16C block30/40 barak, I've found myself in front of an empty box! Matter solved with my dealer, but that was a shock! Sorry for the O/T. [/OT] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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