McDonnell's Demon

My appetite for post-war jets has recently been fed by the prolific Chinese firm Hobby Boss. The Yak 38 'Forger' was certainly a superb little kit.

Now it's the turn of the F-3H Demon. This kit was released about the same time as the Yak, but is physically about twice the size and costs £13 more. Some nice detail as usual, with a reasonable ejector seat and decals for all the instruments. Fuel tanks and missiles are provided for each of the six pylons, and four very nice colour schemes are offered. Surface detail is excellent - engraved panel lines and rivet detail, and well-fitting parts.

A nice touch worth special mention - the small set of photo-etched parts. They are not especially fine, but that's ok because they're for the wings anyway, but the shape and fit was excellent.

There were few real problems. The nose section is quite involved and has needed a few trial fits - getting the windshield, instrument panel and nose section together was problematical, and needed some alterations and humouring.

The decals do require a good glassy surface in order to perform well. The colour density and register look pretty good. Very little stencilling is provided but the essentials are all there. Just final weathering and assembly, and that was the bulk of it.

So, was it a fun build? I'd have to say yes. More later.....

The Whole Hog

Just finished is this A-10 N/AW Warthog (Night/All Weather) two seater. Usually the single seater gets all the limelight - not surprising since Fairchild-Republic only built one N/AW.

This kit by Hobby Boss has got everything the A-10A has, including not just an extra cockpit but also a full complement of weapons and both turbofans with removable cowlings. This makes the kit ideal for a 'what if' project. You get terrific surface, wheel well and cockpit detail, as well as stencils for weapons and model - it's all there.

While I'm on the subject of finished work, take a look at this Yak 38 in 1/48. Guess who issued the kit? Yep, Hobby Boss.....The build went as well as the previous two from HB. It's a brave model to issue, being an unusual part of Soviet Naval history, and what an interesting aircraft it is. It's good to have the hobby so broadly represented, is it not?

Coming up next - the F-3H Demon from .....Hobby Boss! And what a lovely kit it is......