SPA Modeler

jkim wrote:You should throw the Tamiya IXc into the mix too... state of the art Tamiya molding plus a full engine that's displayable via magnetically attached cowling.

http://www.hyperscale.com/2009/reviews/ ... ewbg_1.htm

You can get it shipped from Japan for about $97, which probably isn't that much more than the Pacific Coast kit.

Great points, John. With shipping a new PCM kitset is $78.00, so yes it is not much more to spring for Tamiya. (Where did you find that price?)

I was thinking about form over detail; lowest parts count because I am so used to garage kits, but I dunno if this is the correct way to think about things.

Things I like about the PCM:

• low parts count/simplicity
  great styrene from Sword moldings
  great resin cockpit components
  great PE in the 2007-8 “O.G.” Eduard tradition
  decals for six subjects from Cartograf

For whatever reason, Tamiya as a brand it not a big attraction for me. I know they are good but there is something about their kits that doesn't appeal to me but I can't put my finger on it. Much prefer Hasegawa over Tamiya. So I might also pick the Pacific Coast kit based on what you listed. A pile of resin cockpit parts always gets me excited.

The prices for the Tamiya IXc were found from Japanese sellers on EBay...

$101 w/ free shipping
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamiya-60319-1 ... Swa9xakLuk

$97 w/ free shipping
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamiya-60319-1 ... 0507.m3226

My first build coming back was a Tamiya Emil. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

My second build was a Hasegawa Warhawk. Enjoyed that too.

It’s interesting because as I was building my Warhawk, there were several times where I noted how differently both mfg’s seemed to do things. I can totally see how people would prefer one over the other.

I found a build thread of the PCM kit where the fit issues experienced were... well... like...

Awful.

Yikes! You won't find that on a Tamiya kit!

That does look a bit rough. But in all fairness to PCM, their kits are short run. Not quite the same level of engineering finesse as anybody’s basic large run injection molded kits when they are new releases.

I agree with you both. It is a short run kit; it's not Tamiya.... and the builder of that project stated that in the end he was extremely happy with the aircraft. He was able to manage all of the heavy cleanup and adjustments needed.

Before going on, I want to state that this conversation does concern the wing root gap issue. I started to wonder if with a Spitfire (Revell, PCM) that it makes sense to attach the upper wings to the fuselage first. Someone (John, probably) already mentioned this I think... maybe this is common knowledge, but it's certainly giving me something to think about. And it was Carlos who stated that upper assembly was more critical in response to a Kenny X question (again, I think so, probably).

Thank you guys for the interesting discussion ongoing.

I will try to get some benchtime tonight, as goal closing the fuselage, aka finalising the cockpit... to see if and how big the gap actually will be on this Revell kit...

I’ll be back!

- Kari

Good luck with her, Kari! I’m sure you’ll be able to get that resolved without too many hassles.

I don't think I mentioned gluing the upper wings to the fuselage first but that is another option if you can get a good glue connection. I was thinking that the putting the cockpit assembly in place might resolve/improve the wing gap issue.