Kit Recomendations Needed

AeroplaneDriver · November 21, 2007, 07:08:15 AM

Hi All-

Earlier this year Donna sold a house to an older gentleman who had served as a WSO in F-111s in Vietnam. He moved here from Las Vegas and has no family so he has 'adopted' us as his own. For Christmas I would lke to build him a nice F-111 as an inflight model with the wings back and a big load of bombs. I'm going to mount it on a stand with a set of USAF WSO wings on the base.

So, what are the best options out there for an F-111? I'd like a nice kit with good detail, recessed lines, etc. I'm open to 1/72 or 1/48 since he has plenty of room to display it.

Thanks!

ysi_maniac · November 21, 2007, 07:28:21 AM

Just my opinion:

Hasegawa 1/72
Absolutely amazing, detailed, etc ,,, Difficult to find as it is OOP. Probably expensive.

Italeri 1/72
Less detailed than the former, but still a very good kit. Not expensive and easy to find.

Academy 1/48
Incredibly cheap for that big bird. I would say it need some detail work. See good review in modelingmadness.

AeroplaneDriver · November 21, 2007, 07:36:31 AM

Thanks fellas. One of my local shops has all of the Academy kits, and one has a Hase 1/72, though I cant remember if it's an "A" model. I'll check out the Academy review.

kitnut617 · November 21, 2007, 07:47:18 AM

The Hasegawa kits are amazing but if you're going to display your model with the wings swept back you might want to consider one of the cheaper kits. Reason I'm saying this is because a lot of the WOW factor of the Hasegawa kit, is all the deployable slats and flaps, which in your case would all be wasted.

My opinion for what it's worth.

Cheers....

B777LR · November 21, 2007, 08:07:34 AM

The Hase kit is in my opinion the best, but wings dont fold. Stay away from the airfix kit if you want details... :dum:

upnorth · November 21, 2007, 11:27:11 AM

For what you wan't to do with it, try to track down the Esci kit.

As stated above, its currently in Italeri boxing, but it has also been reissued by AMT Ertl. You'll definitely want to get aftermarket decals if you find it in AMT boxing. AMT decals were total crap. As I recall, the Esci kit build into an F variant of the F-111. If your picky about making a Vietnam one, you'll need an A version. I'm not sure exactly what would be involved in that sort of backdating project.

I'll also echo the sentiments that if you want the wings swung back, the Hasegawa kits are not the way to go. Not only are they designed to not have the wings swinging, they are clearly engineered to have the wings full forward with slats and flaps deployed.

I don't know for sure, but I have heard that there are the parts to make an F-111A in Hasegawa's EF-111A kit. If you could combine the Hasegawa and Esci kits, you might come close to what you want. From what I recall, the parts breakdown was similar.

Here's a review I wrote up for one of Hasegawa's F-111 kits if youwant some insight into what they're like:

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/port...f-111g-raaf.htm

Shasper · November 21, 2007, 03:24:03 PM

If you're looking to do a 72nd F model you'll have better luck finding the Hasegawa kit instead of the AMT offering (due to the GBU-28 Deepthroat thats in it).

Shas B)

Jennings · November 21, 2007, 06:32:40 PM

If you find a Hasegawa F-111A, I'll buy it from you! Those are rare as hen's teeth...

J

GTX · November 23, 2007, 05:43:29 PM

QuoteEarlier this year Donna sold a house to an older gentleman who had served as a WSO in F-111s in Vietnam. He moved here from Las Vegas and has no family so he has 'adopted' us as his own. For Christmas I would lke to build him a nice F-111 as an inflight model with the wings back and a big load of bombs. I'm going to mount it on a stand with a set of USAF WSO wings on the base.

Given there weren't too many F-111s operated in Vietnam, you should be able to even give him an aircraft in exact markings - does he have any photos? Do you know what deployments he was with - I have some photos of the F-111 deployments to Vietnam, if you PM me his details, I might be able to find something for you to work with.

Regards,

Greg

AeroplaneDriver · November 23, 2007, 05:51:54 PM

Quote
QuoteEarlier this year Donna sold a house to an older gentleman who had served as a WSO in F-111s in Vietnam. He moved here from Las Vegas and has no family so he has 'adopted' us as his own. For Christmas I would lke to build him a nice F-111 as an inflight model with the wings back and a big load of bombs. I'm going to mount it on a stand with a set of USAF WSO wings on the base.

Given there weren't too many F-111s operated in Vietnam, you should be able to even give him an aircraft in exact markings - does he have any photos? Do you know what deployments he was with - I have some photos of the F-111 deployments to Vietnam, if you PM me his details, I might be able to find something for you to work with.

Regards,

Greg

Thanks for the offer Greg, but I think I have all the info I need. He came by our house today and happened to mention that he had been looking through his logbook and had flown 69 different 111s, including some tail #s for the ones he flew in VN.

elmayerle · November 24, 2007, 01:03:47 AM

You may be able to find more info here. They've got quite an extensive collection of information.

devil505 · November 24, 2007, 05:06:38 AM

I concur. The Hasegawa 1/72 is tops!!

Kit Recomendations Needed

B777LR