Airfix Tomahawk

[thx6667]

We're free to share an opinion now? Why thank you, you're too kind

Well its Friday and I was feeling generous, although in fairness I don't think I said you were not free to share an opinion and in fact I think I did specifically prefixed my observation with the conditional that it was just my opinion.

Don't take it all so personally Gary, its only a hobby - a bit less time tippity tappity and bit more time cutting plastic will work wonders for your outlook.

In my opinion of course.

Edited September 16, 2011 by Jonathan Mock

[rotorheadtx]

Well, it looks like a Mohawk to me.....

Funny as heck too!

[thx6667]

OK, settle down class, let's get back to the topic for discussion which was this kit:

So here is the cockpit stuff - seat, floor, stick and instrument panel (decal yet to be applied) with some sidewall detail, Quick blast with Vallejo and a dark wash.

Edited September 16, 2011 by Jonathan Mock

[thx6667]

We can close the fuselage halves together without installing the cockpit, so while its drying here's how the nose has been broken down to get the shapes right and minimise awkward seams.

This pic is some x8 actual size, the only panel lines that are a little on the leery side are on the fin, the rest are nice and sharp - sorry lads, we won't need your trench jokes today, thanks.

Edited September 16, 2011 by Jonathan Mock

[venomvixen]

Anybody else remember how, only short months ago, we were regularly asked, by one of the Trumpeter/Hobbyboss management, for our help and comments? Now, we hear nothing, and, please, none of that crap about them not caring, otherwise they'd never have asked in the first place. You can only have your face slapped so many times, before the message sinks in.

Edgar

Never a truer word Edgar.

The same question was asked somewhere else a few weeks ago and the same thing was noted.

One of the chaps who's opinion is worth something noted that no self respecting manufacturer would

come near the place because of the antics. The following page had a topic that turned into a bitch fest

about some plastic atrocity that could not have proved the point any better.

So jack of being told what is and what isn't a good kit by frack heads who wouldn't know their butt from a

Beaufighter! I recently wrote a in box report for the AZ Vengeance, not a world beating kit by any ones standard

but I said a few nice things about it and got hammered (Not here or AMI cause you guys are gents) I'm rapidly finding

AZ is on a few peoples poo list as well (don't know much about them so no comment).

I pointed out some major screw ups in the CA Sea Venom and Gannet and guess what? I got effing hate e mails because I dared

to critize CA! I mean he's a good honest chap just making a living (unlike those evil commie's) and who the hell am I to make

such outrageous claims.

When I mentioned that I do know a little bit about Sea Venom's and Gannet's I got more of the same. Keyboards commando's

I made comment once that I wasn't in love with the Fisher Sea Fury (still not, I hate the thing) You think I'd made a rude comment about the pope

the way they carried on.

I like some Trumpy kits, the SeaHawk and the Wyvern are a treat. The 262 was fun but the Swordfish hates me.

I don't have a problem with pointing out a kits issues, thats an excellent way to learn stuff.

The Airfix Seafire has a dodgy prop, I know this because Gents who know about such things pointed it out and unlike a lot of "experts"

backed up their points with evidence and offered a fix.

That's how a debate should be, not "I say this kit is the devils wee wee and if you dare say anything your stopping my right to free speech"

Damn, I really should have my morning cup of tea before coming near a keyboard!

I'd best go buy some Airfix Tommyhawks

[3DStewart]

I don't have a kit to look at, but from pictures posted here and elsewhere on Britmodeller I can see evidence of slide moulding on the tool! A very welcome development in a Series 1 kit!

Look at the top right hand corner of the frame for the cowling top decking, you'll see that the runner doesn't go round the corner. in Jonathan's picture above you can also see hollowing out of the air intake which is perpendicular to the direction of pull in the tool and what looks to me like a seam line over the top of the decking. All of this indicate the incorporation of a slide action in the tool.

I'm very impressed.

Stewart

Edited September 17, 2011 by 3DStewart

[gioca]

This pic is some x8 actual size, the only panel lines that are a little on the leery side are on the fin, the rest are nice and sharp

Terrific trenches ! Watch in:

I think Airfix needs this to make trenches properly:

I like this Airfix Hawk !

Ciao

Giovanni

[Duncan B]

I see two fatal flaws with it already.

It doesn't have folding wings nor does it have an

arrestor hook!

I'm both shocked and outraged that Airfix would have the temerity

to release such a thing.

I believe the only way they can possible atone for their sins is to immediately

release a Fairey Firefly MK5 in 1/48Th scale!

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

I might buy two or three cause I really like P-40's but dont tell anyone

[Paul A H]

I\'ve been photographing my review kit this morning and thought I ought to take some comparison shots of the upper wing of the new Airfix kit alongside some other kits I\'ve either reviewed or bought recently. I know the Hasegawa He111 could be seen as being a slightly unprepresentative comparison as it has uncharacteristically heavy surface detail for a Hase kit, but on the other hand 1. it is a Hase kit and 2. it has engraved surface detail so its fair game. All pictures were taken with my Nikon D50 SLR and Sigma 50mm f2.8 DG Macro lens. All were shot at 1/250 f.8 and at the same distance from the surface of the kit.

[Enzo the Magnificent]

I'm very impressed.

Okay, that's it! I'm in!

I might use it as a side project while bigger things are stalled. Looks like it could be fun. Haven't built a 1/72 WW2 fighter in decades.

[Pat C]

I can see evidence of slide moulding on the tool

Forgive the ignorance and the but what is slide moulding and what does it allow that other forms do not? I think Cyber-Hobby were making a play that their forthcoming Sea Vixen features it.

Pat

[Enzo the Magnificent]

Forgive the ignorance and the but what is slide moulding and what does it allow that other forms do not? I think Cyber-Hobby were making a play that their forthcoming Sea Vixen features it.

Although it is not a new technique, the use of slide molds allows more accurate reproduction of details than traditional two-piece molds. This is done by using injection molds with moving parts (known as "slides") that are inserted into the mold to form parts and then removed so the part can be extracted from the mold. It helps increase the authenticity of the model and reduce the number of parts by molding details onto larger parts. Weld patterns between plates, gratings, one-piece hull and turret interior are common features included in Dragon kits. The usage of slide mold technology has caused Dragon to rely less on photo-etched parts

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Models...d#Slide_Molding

[Pat C]

Thanks Enzo! Sounds jolly clever stuff!

Pat

[stevehnz]

Never a truer word Edgar.

The same question was asked somewhere else a few weeks ago and the same thing was noted.

One of the chaps who's opinion is worth something noted that no self respecting manufacturer would

come near the place because of the antics. The following page had a topic that turned into a bitch fest

about some plastic atrocity that could not have proved the point any better.

So jack of being told what is and what isn't a good kit by frack heads who wouldn't know their butt from a

Beaufighter! I recently wrote a in box report for the AZ Vengeance, not a world beating kit by any ones standard

but I said a few nice things about it and got hammered (Not here or AMI cause you guys are gents) I'm rapidly finding

AZ is on a few peoples poo list as well (don't know much about them so no comment).

I pointed out some major screw ups in the CA Sea Venom and Gannet and guess what? I got effing hate e mails because I dared

to critize CA! I mean he's a good honest chap just making a living (unlike those evil commie's) and who the hell am I to make

such outrageous claims.

When I mentioned that I do know a little bit about Sea Venom's and Gannet's I got more of the same. Keyboards commando's

I made comment once that I wasn't in love with the Fisher Sea Fury (still not, I hate the thing) You think I'd made a rude comment about the pope

the way they carried on.

I like some Trumpy kits, the SeaHawk and the Wyvern are a treat. The 262 was fun but the Swordfish hates me.

I don't have a problem with pointing out a kits issues, thats an excellent way to learn stuff.

The Airfix Seafire has a dodgy prop, I know this because Gents who know about such things pointed it out and unlike a lot of "experts"

backed up their points with evidence and offered a fix.

That's how a debate should be, not "I say this kit is the devils wee wee and if you dare say anything your stopping my right to free speech"

Damn, I really should have my morning cup of tea before coming near a keyboard!

I'd best go buy some Airfix Tommyhawks

Thats what I like about our cousins across the ditch, they tell it like it IS. I have to say I agree with the sentiments 100%, I can see at least a couple of the Airfix Tomahawks heading into my stash to nestle alonside the Spitfires, Hurricanes & Me 110s & similarly accuracy challenged offerings. I'm equally quite sure that each & every one of them will build up into a model that makes me happy & gives me pleasure. I really can't think what else is expected of them. Its got so I cringe every time I see a new kit reviewed & the knocking begins.

Steve.

Edited September 17, 2011 by stevehnz

[Dave Fleming]

I'm equally quite surne that each & every one of them will build up into a model that makes me happy & gives me pleasure. I really can't think what else is expected of them.

Then that's what's important - what it means to you!

Its got so I cringe every time I see a new kit reviewed & the knocking begins.

Steve.

I really struggle to see why people get upset about criticism of an inanimate piece of plastic. If you like it, buy it and build it, doesn't make your view any less valid than anyone elses.

I don't have a kit to look at, but from pictures posted here and elsewhere on Britmodeller I can see evidence of slide moulding on the tool! A very welcome development in a Series 1 kit!

Look at the top right hand corner of the frame for the cowling top decking, you'll see that the runner doesn't go round the corner. in Jonathan's picture above you can also see hollowing out of the air intake which is perpendicular to the direction of pull in the tool and what looks to me like a seam line over the top of the decking. All of this indicate the incorporation of a slide action in the tool.

I'm very impressed.

Stewart

I hadn't noticed that, but it is rather nice! The depth of the intake is several mm. Cleaning up the seam around the gun fairings will need a little care, but worth it! The depth on the chin intake is quite impressive too.

One other point I noticed is the way the cockpit side wall detail is done - rather than the ribs and strinngers bieng proud of the surface, they are moulded at the same level as the rest of the inside of the fuselage, and the 'skin' panels between them are recessed into the plastic - hold them up to the light and you can see through them - makes for a more realistic 'scale thickness' rather than having ribs sticking into the cockpit.

I like this kit a lot - now, does anyone know the correct cockpit color for an RAF Tomahawk?

[Moofles]

I fear imay have to buy at least 2 of these now, a RAF one and the flying tigers one...bugger, there goes my no more kit purchases. Will try and pick one up today.

[Edgar]

I really struggle to see why people get upset about criticism of an inanimate piece of plastic.

But that's the point; it's not the kit, it's the company (or, rather, the name.) How often do you see Hornby mentioned? It's always Airfix this, or Mr. Airfix that, as though the company still exists, and still in its money-first-customer-second mode.

Edgar

[MikeR]

Regardless of what other people think, this is one kit I'm getting. Probably at least two!

So there!

As regards Hornby, I'd think they view criticism as part and parcel of any release. I can't think of any of their OO trains that hasn't provoked some form of gurning when it's appeared in the shops.

If people think Hasegawa prices are excessive, you should see some of the complaints about Hornby's!

Mike.

[Smiffy]

One other point I noticed is the way the cockpit side wall detail is done - rather than the ribs and strinngers bieng proud of the surface, they are moulded at the same level as the rest of the inside of the fuselage, and the 'skin' panels between them are recessed into the plastic - hold them up to the light and you can see through them - makes for a more realistic 'scale thickness' rather than having ribs sticking into the cockpit.

That is a really neat touch.

Think I'm gonna have to get the RAF boxing and then the Pearl Harbour Dogfight Double, too.

Edited September 17, 2011 by Smiffy

[Enzo the Magnificent]

If people think Hasegawa prices are excessive, you should see some of the complaints about Hornby's!

I think complaints about Hasegawa's prices are justified. Not so for Hornby. I've just checked. A OO Gauge Black Five, with a DCC chip already fitted. £119

That's a very reasonable price.

[Dave Fleming]

As regards Hornby, I'd think they view criticism as part and parcel of any release. I can't think of any of their OO trains that hasn't provoked some form of gurning when it's appeared in the shops.

And look at how much they have improved since the current management took over.

I said at the time they took over this was what to look at to compare their operation of Airfix - a start releasing older toolings, then buy in some stuff to generate sales and income then invest that into new tooling, that progressively improves with each release.

And maybe they look upon comments as feedback, after all if you don't improve the product to do what the customer wants, then you will loose sales. Same is true in any walk of life.

One final comment - I think this kit puts to bed that the current Airfix development team regard 1/72 as a less than serious scale - decent interior detail, an instrument decal, optional radiator cooling flaps, reasonable wheel well detail.

Minor criticisms are panel lines could be a little less deep, and on my kit at least, there is a lot of flash and some bits are a little 'fuzzy' but I suspect that might just be an issue with this one kit.

I hope in a few years they re-tool the Spit 9 to this standard! Bring on the Gnat!

The Starter set is only £2 more, with (apparently) two decals sets and the glue etc (when it comes out)

http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/gift...&sortorder=

[MikeR]

I think complaints about Hasegawa's prices are justified. Not so for Hornby. I've just checked. A OO Gauge Black Five, with a DCC chip already fitted. £119

That's a very reasonable price.

Warning: post!

I'm inclined to agree to a point, but I see the same complaints about Hornby and Bachmann pricing as I see about Hasegawa's. To me it's getting monotonous.

See these threads from the ModelRail and New Railway Modellers forums. Sounds familiar doesnt it!

Mike.

[andym]

I pointed out some major screw ups in the CA Sea Venom and Gannet

I'd be interested to know what these are as I have both kits and have no problem with such flaws being pointed out. Drop me a pm sometime.

Andy

[occa]

I have seen enough.

This is a real winner IMO means this is the first kit where I am going to buy three, one for my collection, one to build and one in reserve in case I manage to mess something up ...

[Giorgio N]

So if a magazine got people to write reviews by looking at photos and or peeking inside a box in a shop, you'd be happy that that was comprehensive, constructive, honest and fair comment?

Sorry Giorgio but... nah. The whole point of this hobby is building and how something looks in a box as a set of unassembled parts to how it looks as a constructed, painted and decalled model are two different things. Jonner's Hobbyboss Tornado posts told me more about the kit than a bunch of guys behind keyboard having third-hand opinions ever would. If I wanted to know what its like to climb Everest, I'd ask someone who did it, not someone who just read it in a book and thinks they're Edmund Hilary.

Its illustrative right now that about the only negative comments about this Tomahawk have come from places where the kit isn't even on sale yet and are based on perceptions from photos while those who have the kit to hand report a different story.

But hey, like I said, personal preference, feel free to follow that kind of stuff if you get something out of it - I don't but cest la vie.

A magazine review has nothing to do with the decision of a single modeller: the modeller has to buy the kit with his own money, if he doesn't like it he's perfectly right not to buy it ! And he has every right to come on a forum and say why something is not worth buying in his opinion !

A magazine gets the kits for free 99% of the times, and anyway they are in the business to make money, I expect or better I pretend them to analyse properly a kit, build it and report on it. I pay for the magazine, in return for my money I have the right to pretend certain things. If these are not provided then the money will stay in my pocket and the magazine will stay on the shelves.

But I also want from a magazine that the review addresses all points ! Now as you mention the HB Tornado, yes, Jonners build was great and it would be good to see more articles of that kind. However several magazine reviews made by people who built the model just said "yeah, great model. buy it with confidence!!" without ever mentioning any of the issues that Jonner and other modellers here mentioned. So were these the kind of comprehensive, constructive, honest and fair comment that you imply only come after building a kit ??? How many reviews in magazines pointed out the shape of the trumpeter lightning exhaust area ? Yet some of the guys here who know the lightning well pointed that out immediately.. are those reviews better than the comments of the enthusiasts here ? I see they are for you (they built the kit) and I'm not trying to change your mind. However they are not for me and I'll keep doing so.

Of course none of the above has nothing to do with the P-40, that someone I know and is quite knowledgeable told me looks good from the pictures (and I'm going to trust him more than the reviews on certain magazines...)