Ah, so now we're ok paying a premium price for a model knowing that we will have to take it apart and paint it? I hope its fixed on the production model. Might not be a deal breaker for me, just making the point that is such an easy fix for the manufacturer of a "premium" model.
the stand is crap and there's absolutely no instructions whatsoever as to what goes where. the loose bits are all packed in a plastic bag. packaging goes back to basics but the price!
Looks nice.
Four issues, the engine nozzles look BAD. Especially with the thick end petals. YUK.
The gun port has an arrowhead shape. Should look like this:
The antenna up top is still in the wrong place, should be farther back towards the air brake.
Back seater is too low. The ejection seat should be almost up to the canopy. I think most manufacturers do that for the tolerances of closing the plastic canopy, it really should not be an issue but it is.
Looks nice.
Four issues, the engine nozzles look BAD. Especially with the thick end petals. YUK.
The gun port has an arrowhead shape. Should look like this:
The antenna up top is still in the wrong place, should be farther back towards the air brake.
Back seater is too low. The ejection seat should be almost up to the canopy. I think most manufacturers do that for the tolerances of closing the plastic canopy, it really should not be an issue but it is.
Yeah that Gun Port...is just horrible. Looks good other than a few defects. Is this the Pre-Pro or Production Mudhen?
First impressions are excellent! Tail Hook fairing has been removed as requested and the Bureau Number has been correctly added on top of the port intake.
Finally, a F-15E without that lousy Witty Canopy and an accurate weapons load!
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomcatter
the stand is crap and there's absolutely no instructions whatsoever as to what goes where.
By the way, the Witty F-15 stand fits as if it were built for it.
Here is a link to Hawkone's website with a photo showing where to place the ordinance.
ACpilot - the serial above the port intake is co-located with the aerial refueling receptacle, which also is displaced to port. It's placed there so that the boom operator can read the serial for tracking/accounting purposes - the USAF tracks fuel purchases 'made' by each aircraft, whether on the ground or in-flight. Likewise in the maintenance forms for the receiver.
Of course, that it's painted there for that express purpose doesn't stop the boomer from asking the receiver over the radio or boom interphone what their serial is.
You may have known that, but if not there you go. Most any USAF aircraft should have the serial there.
ACpilot - the serial above the port intake is co-located with the aerial refueling receptacle, which also is displaced to port. It's placed there so that the boom operator can read the serial for tracking/accounting purposes - the USAF tracks fuel purchases 'made' by each aircraft, whether on the ground or in-flight. Likewise in the maintenance forms for the receiver.
Of course, that it's painted there for that express purpose doesn't stop the boomer from asking the receiver over the radio or boom interphone what their serial is.
You may have known that, but if not there you go. Most any USAF aircraft should have the serial there.
Yeah that Gun Port...is just horrible. Looks good other than a few defects.
Not sure what you are expecting in this scale.
As can be seen in this magnified close up the Gun Port is completely acceptable. In fact the opening is about the same size as the letters on the U.S. dime (shown for scale).
I know that if some of you had bricks out there to throw at me for what I'm about to ask, you would, but....is there no love for the Dragon F-15E? I'm looking at these pictures of the HM version, and I've yet to see anything truly superior to the Dragon outside of the front of the canopy. The Gatling gun looks like it's oversized and the wrong shape, the engine nozzles look a bit wonky, the gear is too simple, and it's a little gappy in places. I know the Dragon has its faults, but could someone illustrate them for me, since I really can't see them (outside of the missing pylons on the CFTs)? Plus, I got the Dragon model for $25. Spending over $100 on a model of marginal superiority seems a little...well, not so economical, I'll say. Don't get me wrong, I have a huge respect for HM, and the majority of my models are their products...it just seems the hype on this particular model is a bit excessive for what we've seen so far.
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I know that if some of you had bricks out there to throw at me for what I'm about to ask, you would, but....is there no love for the Dragon F-15E? I'm looking at these pictures of the HM version, and I've yet to see anything truly superior to the Dragon outside of the front of the canopy. The Gatling gun looks like it's oversized and the wrong shape, the engine nozzles look a bit wonky, the gear is too simple, and it's a little gappy in places. I know the Dragon has its faults, but could someone illustrate them for me, since I really can't see them (outside of the missing pylons on the CFTs)? Plus, I got the Dragon model for $25. Spending over $100 on a model of marginal superiority seems a little...well, not so economical, I'll say. Don't get me wrong, I have a huge respect for HM, and the majority of my models are their products...it just seems the hype on this particular model is a bit excessive for what we've seen so far.
The Dragon models don't have the nav & targetting pods. They also don't come with any pylons and air-to-ground ordnance. These are key elements to what makes a Strike Eagle a Strike Eagle. If the Dragon models had these, I think nobody would have been pleading HM for Strike Eagles.
First impressions are excellent! Tail Hook fairing has been removed as requested and the Bureau Number has been correctly added on top of the port intake.
Finally, a F-15E without that lousy Witty Canopy and an accurate weapons load!
By the way, the Witty F-15 stand fits as if it were built for it.
Here is a link to Hawkone's website with a photo showing where to place the ordinance.
I'm not a Witty apologist but bearing in mind the respective ages of the molds is th HM one so superior? Looks to my eyes that the HM is gappy, with overscale panel lines and looks considerably more toylike because of it.
Each to their own but at the price being asked, no thanks.
__________________ The Billy Goats Gruff had it right
At anyrate I have only one Witty F15E and thats the Lakenheath release....and to be fair, when it comes to panel lines for the F15E (for me it depends on the aircraft) I prefer Witty's.
Regardless Witty...or HM, they will look good together.
yeah... i referred to the pre-production photos to get the correct placement, not only for the ordnance but also the weapons stations. i must say hm really paid attention to this model. it's one of the rare models where every bit fits in perfectly (you don't even get that from cw)! only thing lacking was a quality stand. gotto go get some witty's now...
Re: Hobby Master HA4501 USAF McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, 391st FS, Afghanis
