Looking for some advice between two kits

[Dirkpitt289]

I've decided on my next project and have it narrowed down to two different kits. I've found both on line but can't decide which to buy.

The subject is a P-51A Mustang and I've found two manufactures that make the A model.

Academy


And Special Hobby


The question is which is the better kit? I've built Academy kits before and like them for their great detail. I've never built a Special Hobby kit and don't know how it compares to the Academy. Any help would be appreciated

[Chris]

Go with the Academy kit, they are always good value.

[theplasticsurgeon]

You forgot to mention the Italeri kit - which builds up thus:

One area in which this kit gets it wrong is the wing leading edge fillet - so that's something to look for on the others.

[Dirkpitt289]

I never came across the Italeri kit in my search. I like Italeri kits. Decisions decisions

[Dirkpitt289]

I think I'm leaning toward the Academy kit

[airjim]

I would say no question go Academy. I think the Special Hobby kit is an older Condor tooling and I'm not sure they got the wing quite right.

Jim

[Dirkpitt289]

This is an old review of the Academy:

Thanks Brews

[MerlinJones]

The Special Hobby is an older kit, from when they were good, but not as good as they are today. Today, you would get an injection-moulded canopy, in parts and possibly some PE to go with the resin.
The Academy seems a good enough kit, although you may have problems with the decals, which are not Academy's strongest point.
If I recall, you get a Jeep with the Academy kit.

Regards,
Bruce

[Dirkpitt289]

The Special Hobby is an older kit, from when they were good, but not as good as they are today. Today, you would get an injection-moulded canopy, in parts and possibly some PE to go with the resin.
The Academy seems a good enough kit, although you may have problems with the decals, which are not Academy's strongest point.
If I recall, you get a Jeep with the Academy kit.

Regards,
Bruce

For this build the Decals will not be an issue at all and to be honest I could care less about the jeep. Thanks for the info

[jssel]

Merlin is right about the decals and the problem seems to be Company wide. Many Academy a/c kits are originally Hobbycraft Canada moulds. The Bf109 series (dollar for dollar) are great

I would go Academy and source out the markings.

[BWP]

p.s. What is that Academy box art showing, exactly???

I believe it's the little known variant of the P-51 that was armed with laser cannon.

Either that, or those Afrika Korps chaps are about to be assaulted by glowing pink sandworms.

[Dirkpitt289]

p.s. What is that Academy box art showing, exactly???

I believe it's the little known variant of the P-51 that was armed with laser cannon.

Either that, or those Afrika Korps chaps are about to be assaulted by glowing pink sandworms.

Who knew that the P-51 Mustang was the precursor to the Colonial Viper

[AndrewR]

p.s. What is that Academy box art showing, exactly???

I believe it's the little known variant of the P-51 that was armed with laser cannon.

Either that, or those Afrika Korps chaps are about to be assaulted by glowing pink sandworms.

Who knew that the P-51 Mustang was the precursor to the Colonial Viper

Yes, the similarity is remarkable
Must be the Malcolm hood...

[Dirkpitt289]

Yes, the similarity is remarkable
Must be the Malcolm hood...