Scale Model Shop: Model Kits and Accessories Online
Scale Model Shop: Model Kits and Accessories Online
Relative newcomer plastic model kits is nothing if not eclectic in its subject choices. So far, it has released sci-fi ships and vehicles, cartoony Titanic and World War I planes, and mechanical insects. In addition, there is a line of 1/48 scale armor, including this Panther with a with a full interior, photo-etched metal (PE) details, a turned-metal barrel, and Zimmerit decals that demands to be taken seriously.
Construction opens by applying those 3D decals to the hull and turret. This was the first time I had worked with this type of Zimmerit decal, so I experimented a little. First, I applied them with just water as the instructions stated. It worked OK, but some of the more complicated shapes didn't want to settle completely. I applied Microscale Micro Sol and the decals softened and conformed perfectly.
However, the Zimmerit looked too perfect and I wanted to see if it was possible to damage it a little without pulling up an entire section. Two methods to cause damage worked best for me: scrape the Zimmerit with a sharp hobby blade, picking a few ridges away at a time or dissolve the decals with Tamiya Extra Thin Cement. The latter might sound weird, but it worked well.
The interior comprises a lot of small parts and some of the locating tabs on my kit were a bit tight, making construction tedious and time-consuming. Still, I can't argue with the detail on small pieces, and the overall quality of the moldings is excellent.
The engine compartment is fully plumbed and detailed, but the upper hull plate is a single piece. That means you can't see any of the beautiful Maybach V12 engine detail except through an access panel on the engine deck that reveals only the air filters.
The kit includes a slide-molded plastic barrel attached to part of the breech and gunsight. It took work to replace it with the provided turned-metal barrel; definitely not a simple drop-in replacement. If I were to build a second kit, I would use the plastic barrel with the brass muzzle.
The kit also includes a few accessories: steel drums, gas cans, and a ladder. The instructions indicate a figure, but my kit did not include one; I'm not sure if it was an error in the instructions or if my kit was missing the figure.
For painting, I left most of the tank in subassemblies to ensure each part was fully covered because there are many overlapping parts. I used Tamiya acrylics throughout with artist oils for weathering. The instructions feature color callouts, but I noticed a few inaccuracies. For example, the fire extinguishers are noted as red instead of gray as they were at the time the model represents. Of the four marking options given, I chose the box-art subject because it was the most striking of the lot.
I spent more than 50 hours building and painting Suyata’s 1/48 scale Panther and the result looks great. Construction was marked by a few frustrating challenges, so I recommend it for experienced modelers.
Scale Model Shop have an extensive selection of affordable scale model kits and accessories. Our model kits are detailed to replicate real-life versions. Whether you’re looking for aircrafts, vehicles, figures, boats, or scale model accessories, we will have something that will suit you. We have popular brands, including AK Interactive, Tamiya, Airfix, and many more popular brands are available. Check out all our accessories, paints, weathering, and airbrushes to make your scale model look even more realistic and help you get that precise and professional finish.
For us it will be an important year and we are ready to celebrate 60 years of activity and passion in the scale model World. To celebrate the important event, here is a brief summary of the most important product news. In the first part of the year, we will release the highly demanded truck Scania S730 Highline 1:24 scale which will be characterized by a high level of details and “state of art” quality. We will enlarge the range of our scale model cars that have made the racing history. After the success of the Fiat Mefistofele, the 806 and the Alfa Romeo 8C we will present another myth on four wheels: the Bugatti Type 35B 1:12 scale. Great attention to the world of aircrafts. We will release the AMX Ghibli 1:72 scale, the highly detailed fifth generation fighter F-35B Lightning II 1:48 scale and, historically recognized for its advanced aeronautical design, the Italian WWII fighter Macchi MC 202 Folgore in 1: 32 scale. For military vehicles in 1:35, another important kit , dedicated to the tank T-34/76 mod. 43., will be released. These are just some news but you can find all details in our “2022 Preview” that you can easily download
A small photo-etched metal (PE) fret provides the pilots’ seat belts and wing intake grills. No ammunition feeds or belts are included.
The beautifully printed decals sheet gives two marking options, one olive drab over neutral gray, the other bare aluminum. Both have stunning nose art with the best color blending I’ve seen.
The navigator’s compartment and the tail gun position are molded separately from the fuselage, which should permit other variants to be kitted in the future. The upper fuselage is also molded separately with the joints falling on panel lines — no upper fuselage seams to clean up!
Detail in the flight deck and bomb bay is impressive, but the instrument decal does not match the molded detail on the panel.
Unfortunately, myriad ejector-pin marks mar the interior, many in hard-to-reach spots. The good news is if you close up the bomb bay and the crew doors, the only ones that need to be dealt with are the ones seen through the nose glazing.
Construction continues working aft section by section. The level of detail is impressive and it’s a shame how little of it will be seen once you close up the fuselage.
You need to remove sections of the fuselage sides to accept the waist position windows and the cut mars are clearly indicated inside the fuselage halves. I left the waist and radio room glass off until final assembly to avoid damaging the guns.
I had a tough time aligning the tail gunner’s floor when I followed the instructions. I suggest adding it before joining the tail and fuselage. I used a swipe of putty on the nose-to-fuselage and the tail-to-fuselage joints to correct small steps that may have resulted from modeler error. A small step along the lower fuselage joint also needed work.
The ball turret comprises 19 parts; better mounting points for the interior parts would have made assembly less complicated. The instructions did not show Part H1 being installed, but I believe this may be the turret controls. Even with all of those parts, the kit does not provide ammo boxes or feed chutes.
The AA810 project is delighted to announce that it’s 1:72 Hobby model kits of AA810 are now IN STOCK and AVAILABLE for purchase.
Proceeds from the sale of these models goes directly to the Sandy Gunn Aerospace Careers Programme Charity, funding education and opportunities for youngsters through school visits, hands-on engineering workshops and industry experiences.
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