Tag Archives: model

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Kit Bashing & What Economic Recovery? United States to help Japan’s economy by dropping illegal tariffs, pay back Japan $26 million in illegal tariffs

“We have finally put these burdensome and potentially damaging trade disputes behind us.”-Ron Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative

For decades the U.S. has imposed high tariffs on imports (so much for free trade), claiming the tariffs were “anti-dumping” fines.   The problem is that some of the foreign products affected by those U.S. tariffs were actually cheaper in the country of origin (like plastic model kits from Japan, and some from Europe).

Even after the U.S. created World Trade Organization ruled against the U.S. (five years ago!), regarding the anti-dumping tariffs, the United States continued the unfair trade policy.

Now, in an effort to help Japan’s, and Europe’s, ailing economy, and because Japan was about to levy a similar tariff on U.S. products, the United States will end those tariffs.  The U.S. has also agreed to pay back $26 million in illegal tariffs collected on Japanese products.

The end of the anti-dumping duties also affects European countries.

Unfortunately for us model kit builders, the ending of the tariff might not help our wallets, as the Yen and Euro have gained in value against the U.S. dollar.  The Euro now worth more than the U.S. dollar, but, the Yen is still far cheaper so lets hope those prices come down on Tamiya, Fujimi, Hasegawa and coveted Fine Molds kits.

International, Technology

Huge model Starfighter stolen from museum, owners fear it could be sold for scrap

In Netherlands, the aviation museum on Deelan air base had their huge model of an F-104 Starfighter stolen.

It’s made of aluminum and other metals, and the owners are fearful it will be sold for scrap.

Just how big is the model plane?  It’s bigger than a small Fiat car, and could weigh more than 1,000 pounds (reports vary from hundreds of kilos to 500 kilos)!

Kit Bashing, Reviews

Kit Bashing: PJ Production has new pilot figures: 1/32 Soviet, 1/48 Modern U.S./NATO & 1/72 SAR

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For the second time this year, PJ Production has released three new PUR (polyurethane resin) cast figure kits.  Philippe Jacques (PJ) has just recently issued a 1/32 scale Soviet or Modern Russian pilot, with optional helmets.

1/32 mig pilot1/32 mig pilot parts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A new 1/48 scale modern U.S./NATO pilot joins the growing number of 1/48 PJ pilots.

1/48 u.s./nato1/48 u.s./nato parts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally a set of four 1/72 scale helicopter SAR (Search And Rescue) figures.  Two are seated pilot/co-pilot figures while the other two are crew figures (one standing, one kneeling).

1/72 sar1/72 sar parts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PJ PRODUCTION HAS NEW FIGURE KITS

Idaho, Kit Bashing, U.S.

Kit Bashing & Education Reform: Idaho Students Building Model Kits

Buhl Middle School, in Buhl, Idaho, is using model car kits to help students with reading and researching.

6th graders are not just putting together models, they’re spending time doing historical research about the cars they’re building.  They’re also learning about different styles of customizing cars.

The building of model kits has made some huge progress in the past 4 decades.  Many builders don’t just slap the kits together; they spend lots of time researching their subjects to create the most accurate representations they can.  If you want to compete in the big time model contests it’s a necessity that you’re historically literate.

When it comes to the history of cars, it’s not just the technical history that kids can learn, it’s also the cultural history, especially when it comes the “fads” of car customizing trends.  So don’t think of model kits as “toys” (especially when you realize how expensive they’ve gotten over the decades), think of them as “educational tools”.

Kit Bashing, Reviews

Kit Bashing: PJ Production has new figure kits

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PJ Production has released three new figure kits. Two in 1/72 scale, and one in 1/48 scale.  The kits are polyurethane resin, so you’ll have to use cyanoacrylate (super type) glue.

F-16/F-18 Pilots Sitting

F-16/F-18 Pilots Standing

 

 

 

 

 

Philippe Jacques (PJ) has issued two 1/72 scale “F-16/F-18” pilots, one set sitting, the other set standing/boarding.  They’re basically present day U.S./NATO/European pilots, so if you want up to date pilots for your present day ‘western’ aircraft better get ’em while they’re hot out the silicon mold.

USN Bomb Crew

The other set is 1/48 scale World War 2 U.S. Navy bomb loading crew.  It comes with four figures and a little bomb dolly.

The figures have nice detail, unfortunately the pics don’t show it.

 

Little Bomb Cart

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kit Bashing, Reviews

Kit Bashing: Italeri P-51 Mustang 1 Out of Box Review

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Unfortunately this kit is not what it should have been.  I read some positive reviews about some of Italeri’s 1/72 scale kits, but I don’t think having nice decals and recessed lines qualifies as good.

Initially this Mustang 1 kit looked good to me, until I did some research on the actual aircraft.

The overall shape of the fuselage looks okay, but the wings are for the P-51D.  This kit comes with a sprue of parts for the P-51 Mustang 1, which include the fuselage.  The sprue with the wing on it is actually from Italeri’s F-51D Mustang kit.  The Mustang’s wing shape changed as each new model came along, so how could Italeri think their F-51D wing would suffice?

Also, since the wings are for the F-51D it has wing tip lights, which is incorrect for the earlier model Mustangs.

Oddly, considering a lack of concern over accuracy, Italeri molded a deep recess line around where the air scoop is, I assume because the actual Mustang 1 air scoop could open up for more air flow.  The instructions don’t mention this.

The canopy is lacking canopy framing.  The cockpit interior is typical of most 1/72 kits; there’s detail, but it’s not accurate.

The decals look good.

You get markings for one USAAF in North Africa, and one RAF recon aircraft.  The box art depicts the USAAF version as a recon aircraft, with a camera behind the pilot, but of course there is no camera in the kit, nor is the canopy right for a recon version (recon variants used anything from bulged clear panels to panels with holes cut in them).

I recommend this kit if you’re looking for a quick build, and are not concerned with contest winning accuracy (that would require a lot of correcting, scratch building & kit bashing).