Dunno if you guys gives a damn but if you are stoned like me during the covid times then you can watch all the latest movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Been binge watching with my gf for the last few months =)
The Eduard kit is on another level! The Tamiya kit is still very nice for it's age. Airfix is just like Revell a bit of a pain to work with...but you can make it look nice, it just requires tons of extra hours.
The Tamiya 1/48 kit has completely rubbish props, among the worst I have ever seen, and a false nose cross-section. It builds with the wing dihedral much too flat. Tamiya's P-51 is greatly overrated, but the gear legs are still the best over Eduard (which are too long, I have no idea what happened there, as the Eduard kit is by far the best P-51) and also better than the Meng. The Meng legs are a bit long, but passable, if shy in bulk, so adapting Tamiya legs to Eduard would be a good idea. Meng legs can squeeze by as is, but overall the kit, especially the cockpit, has nowhere near the amazing Eduard detail, and also has a marginally less accurate windscreen, as does both Airfix and Tamiya, with same error of the quater light windows not "biting" deep enough into the sides... You might want to cheat mask the Eduard sliding hood frame a trifle thicker than moulded, otherwise the Eduard kit absolutely dominates every competitor.
This is some top level build reviewing! I really appreciate the work that you've out into this project. It's great to see them all together and actually being built, rather than just looking at plastic parts on sprues. Thanks Robbie...another quacking video 😉
Thank you for walking us through the various kits, I haven’t built a mustang since my second kit, which was a mess. So I am looking for a good kit to improve upon. It is quite helpful to have such a comparison. Well done!
That Airfix kit is just awesome isn’t it 😐 At least you didn’t hav a massive short shot left half of the fuselage right at the tail wheel & the radiator ducting. Nice work. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻🙃🙃
Cardinal Rule, wait for the second pressings - the First run is Pressed in India and always has quality issues. the Second and subsequent runs are UK pressed and generally are a mile better.... Same with reboxings ...
This is my third Airfix P-51, the other two being the -51K (Identical kit, different decals) and all three are having the same issues. The K was a later release.
Great review of the three kits and a beaut start to this series. I haven't built any Mustangs so will be watching closely to see which one comes up trumps.....well done and thanks.
You could've had a blank screen and just the duck rescue and you would've gotten a like from me. As far as I am concerned the Mustang parts are a bonus. Lol.
Thank you for all the work and indeed the expense. Airfix, like Revell, when it starts to get messy, I just remember how much I paid and fix it best I can.
My grandpa was a foreman in the North American plant until the end of the war. According to what he told my dad, installing the internal fuel tanks was a very delicate process. If you over-tightened one of the nuts by half a thread, you’d puncture the tank and you’d have to spend several hours tearing it out and putting everything back together again, AFTER your 12-hour shift ended.
I'm on my third Airfix Mustang, and what I've found is that the tolerances on the parts are very tight. The fuse fit issue come from the tight fit of the forward radiator housing. Before gluing anything dry fit and sand the curved front part of BO4 and BO5 and the rest falls together. The seat is not the greatest, but can be doable with some work, or replace it with aftermarket. SPOILER ALERT! The diamond tread tires are a complete abomination! I took great pleasure throwing them in my sprue goo bottle and watching them dissolve! With that said, Hobby Lobby carries them, and with their 40% off coupon I get them for right about $ 20. That leaves a bit left over for an after market seat and wheels. So far my favorite Mustang kit (I hear the Eduard kits in the stash calling!).
This is my third Airfix Stang and it's been consistent. I removed the tail last night and the bottom came together. So I need to do some more investigating to find out how that's even happening. I couldn't physically force it together before.
@@TheModelGuy Done two Airfix Mustangs (05131) and have not experienced fit issues to the level you have. My kits had oodles of flash and some offset mold seams. But your difficulties aren't surprising--Airfix gonna Airfix, and that includes questionable engineering choices and capricious quality control. Still, as @Bob Lobla notes, one can pick these up at a local Hobby Lobby for $18, plus tax, with a 40 percent off coupon. For the money, I think it's an excellent kit and would recommend it to anyone with the caveat that there will be some extra work required.
I’ve built TAMIYA 1/48 mustang and their 1/72 mustang, both of them are extremely old kits but probably some of the best, they’re a JOY to build and really fun to paint for a new modeller, like myself (when I built them) TAMIYA kits never EVER disappoint
I think you will find that the problem in the Airfix Mustang is the forward Main Radiator facing (Part D-57) in the airscoop. If it protrudes at all below the housing when mounted (And it will by about 1mm) it will kill the fit of the fuselage halves. You need to shave the protruding part down even, or even a teeny bit lower, to the housing. (Don't worry, it will NEVER be visible - the Oil Cooler hides it. Once it is shaved the Oil Cooler Housing can be fitted without any loose feeling - it will snuggle into the correct place, which it won't if the housing/radiator is not adjusted. And the fuselage goes together without further drama - even at the rear, (I am Building my second Airfix Mustang now and my first is approaching the finish line.) Sadly I cannot post images but the relevant stages are 11 thru 15 in the instructions.... As to cost the Tamiya Mustang is $55.00 in New Zealand (where I live), the Airfix is $60.00/$59.00 (depending on the LHS) and Eduard is $80.00.
The mold makers have limits to where they can put the ejector pins. Think about it, when the part is popped from the mold it's easy to understand it's going to stick in the half of the mold with the most detail. That's the side that's going to have the most friction on the molded parts. That's the side that needs the ejector pins for popping the parts out of the mold. The other half of the mold doesn't need them since the parts don't stick in it. What they need to do is work out a way to make the ejector pins rest more flushly with the surface of the rest of the mold. If they were really clever and had the money to spend they could make the ejector pins line up with some detail in the part that disguises their impressions on the part. As it is, the best they can do is locate them so their either in a non-visible area of the part or where another part will cover them.
Hi Robbie, I've never built a mustang. I do like them very much. I think I've got one in the stash. As always you've done a brill job. Hope you and your family are all well and staying safe. Regards Steve
Great idea. I started my modeling life many years ago with the old Monogram D, which is still ok, but not to today’s standards. I built up the Airfix kit recently, and was impressed by it. I didn’t have too many issues, and am generally impressed by ‘new’ Airfix. While I was at it, I had a go with the Meng P51, which is odd. Ultimately, it fits well, but the snap together style doesn’t really work. Eduard is next on the table. I am impressed by what I see so far.
It is best to lay the fuselage flat on the stable surface and then glue the tailpiece into the fuselage. Because Airfix has displayed the offset of the vertical stabilizer correctly, there is a difference between the left and right tailpiece. There is absolutely no need to cut or trim the tailpieces!
*Ducks are an interlude very fun to look at 🦆, for the 3 kits ... hum the Eduard seems to be the best, Airfix (what's wrong with the seat??!!) in second and Tamiya basic but still good as an challenger! 😁😉*
I think that your Airfix review was spot on, I had exactly the same issues. Lucky my workspace is outside because there was a massive amount of swearing. The tail and radiator were especially bad and there was a lot of twist warp on the fuselage. Having had a lot of issues with Airfix kits, especially badly or unmoulded parts, I have to say that their quality control is poor. The kit I got was missing the frame for the forward part of the wheel bay and I had to request this from Airfix. It took 2 weeks to arrive, sadly I had no ducks to rescue so busied myself with another kit. I have a Tamiya Mustang to do once the Skyraider I am doing is complete. That is still some way off though.
@@fury4539 My next video will address it. I have a huge gap at the rear on the bottom. I also got kicked off the Airfix Facebook builder group shortly after this video. Coincidence? Lol I plan on filling the gap with some styrene
Best Mustang I ever built was an old Hasegawa. Back in '04 or '05. I haven't done any Eduard complete kits (just use their photoetch). I had a bad experience with a Roden (Eduard was just coming available) kit back in that same time frame. Only kit I ever threw in the trash in over 50 years of modeling. That includes finishing Monogram kits of the 60's. But, I may have to give Eduard another look. I've thought their Profi-Packs look appealing. Shame about the fit and ejector pins on the Airfix. Good video!
Awesome video! Great save their with the Ducks I can't lie I was thinking you would put one of them over the other side and a hawk would swoop down and grab one. Yeah I know that's a messed up way of thinking LOL
Did my own Mustang build off using the Hasegawa/Tamiya/Meng/Airfix & Eduard kits. The Meng "snap fit" kit is great only issue I had with mine was the fit of the radiator dog house which is a completely separate part in the Meng kit. Took some minor trimming and sanding to get a decent fit. Oh new subscriber BTW this build off brought me to your channel... Keep up the good work
The Tamiya is the best while I also like the Revell [ex Monogram] kit in 1/48th too! And yes the Airfix kit was a rough road to hoe for me! The P-51D is always been a favorite for me all the way back to the Hawk kit from the 60's!
Thanks for a great vid! I'm pretty keen on a Tamiya Mustang for my next kit. I'm doing an Airfix A4 now, and I've sworn several times through the construction that this will be my last Airfix kit. I always seem to have an issue with something pretty major during the build. In Australia Tamiya and Airfix cost about the same... so Tamiya seems a no brainer to me from now on.
I have built three 1/48 Airfix P-51D Mustangs (two different issues) with no problems. I now have another one, a third issue, and it looks very good in the box. I expect no problems. I've built all available 1/48 Mustangs except the Hasegawa. Each has their pros and cons, but the Airfix kits are right at the top. Maybe I am not as picky as other modelers. In my fifty years of modeling, I've done all levels of kits, from most manufacturers. None of the 1/48 Mustangs has been "bad". Even the old simplistic Hawk kit (now Testors) has it's charm. My advice..... don't become a "rivet counter" and you'll find more pleasure in the hobby.
Hey model guy had similar issues with new tooling Airfix compared to classic tamiya a bit disheartening, finding eduard to have raised the bar but very pricey cheers
G'day MG, If I hadn't already subscribed to you, I would have just on the strength of you saving those ducklings... that was the act of a good person! Anyway, I'm ex-RAAF and getting back into modelling. I'm kicking off with the Airfix (No AO5137) 1/48 P-51 Mk IV / P-51K. I'm doing the K Model as the RAAF used to fly them in Italy near the end of WW2. I would have liked the Eduard kit but here in Australia they are hopelessly expensive and hard to source. So, I'll be following your 'Mustang Madness' with great interest. It's good to see you are impressed with Tamiya's model and hoping that is true for other Tamiya kits, of which I have several, but not a Mustang. I want to try their version of the Mosquito because I had an old mate who used to fly the PR version in WW2 for the RAAF. So, thanks very much MG, great, coincidental, timing for both our projects. I don't use an airbrush because I'm no good with machines and, again, good airbrush gear down here is way too expensive. Even though I'm a ‘brush brat’, I'm sure I'll benefit from many of your tips and tricks. Cheers, BH :)
If you want the best mustang. Use the 1961/64 Hawk kit with the eduard cockpit. The hawk kit is most accurate to scale and real good fit. Real bland cockpit tho. So use the eduard set which fits real well.
Great vid and comparison of these kits, I have all three of them and started with the airfix one and just like yours, it was just a mess, but I'll struggle with it until I finish it. She wont get the best scheme cause how bad it was, plus I had an issue with the tail filet being at a slight angle to the right, I'm not sure if you encountered that issue too or it was just my kit, anyways good luck on the builds
I'd rate them : Eduard Hasegawa Tamiya Airfix Hasegawa and Tamiya issues I've done since the dawn of time almost. The AIrfix is nice , but where I live the eduard is only 5 euros more and that makes it way better both quality and overall value for money
This is a great idea. I'm curious about the Eduard kit, though - they usually repop someone else's plastic, no? Whose kit was it originally? (My favorite build so far has been the Tamiya Mustang but I have a soft spot for Profikits!)
The Airfix was a bit of a disappointment.. Atleast the engine cowling was in one piece but with very heavy rivet details. I rather build the Tamiya and get some extras, it is cheaper and mostly better.
Hello @themodelguy! First of all I really liked the idea around the video and the way you explained everything was entertaining and left no room for boredom 👏🏻I was wondering if you’d do a similar video around the BF109 which is the one I would love to build one day and I’ve heard that Tamiya did a great job on it ! As for this video I really liked the technique used for the wooden floor and I will put that note in my agenda as I want to build a WWI seaplane that has a lot of wooden structure involved. The sheep cover for the seat was a big plus ! Well done. I honestly like to buy a kit like Tamiya and upgrade it rather than buying a super detailed one but super shitty quality that will take me twice the time to fix it! Please check my few videos I have on my channel and you’ll see what I’m talking about. I would be honored to have your feedback as well 😊once more well done 👏🏻👏🏻
This is why my Airfix new tool FR Spitfire sits in the closet probably never to be built. They suck. I threw away their Spitfire V because it was so bad.
The Meng one is snap-together isn't it? To get one in Canada is about $70 with exchange rate. My local store is $80 for it :S. I got the Eduard one at a steal when I'm assuming someone at Amazon screwed up
@@TheModelGuy Wow! I wouldn't build one either at those prices! As for the Snap Together part. Yes and no. It has some snap features, but can't be built decent without glue. It has its short comings as each one on your videos.but aso some really nice features and good detail. A bit overdone on the wings.
Another vote for the Meng. Honestly, I'd rate the Airfix, Meng, and Eduard kits above the now-dated Tamiya for overall look and accuracy, but the Airfix would definitely finish last in terms of fit and quality. All four are a pleasure to build, though. We're spoiled for choice these days!
Haha yes. One thing with being a mechanic is I always have cuts and bruises on my hands. I can't remember which video it was but I have stitches on my forearm from a serious work injury where I had arterial bleeding and was rushed to hospital.
I have the eduard kit on my bench right now, but the P-51D-5. Without the fillet do you think it will have the same locator pin problem? Edit: just realized its the same kit. I'll keep an eye out. What did you have to do exactly?
The injector pin marks are completely out of sight once the cockpit is finished and fuselage halves are put together, I don 't know why everbody is so anoyed?
At 15:15 said “it’s what kinda sucks the fun out of modelling” what you should have said was “out of assembling”. Every kit will have its drawbacks, the cost of investment in tooling, how flush the company is...etc. (Just look at what has happened to WnW 😢. With the state of the art kits come an elevated expectation, and as a community of modellers we are happy to berate the manufacturers for their kits short comings. The hobby is about taking the raw materials and using our skills to produce our OWN work of art. This vid is great as it highlights the short comings of the kit....that’s modelling, and that’s fun...ALL OF IT. On a side note, your whole commentary for the Airfix kit is not positive, and you say it’s unbiased. We need to support the manufacturers so we have kits, of our subjects, to build in the future. Love the channel cheers Si
why is there a need to support poorly designed and produced kits when there are multiple better designed and executed kits being produced? Why reward companies for subpar products instead of pushing them to improve? Reviews shouldn't be cheerleading
The duck rescue is a nice touch.
Figured that was more entertaining than endless sanding of ejector pin marks
@@TheModelGuy
don't know whether you're aware or not- but those ducks were Pintails. If you were aware - kudos for the visual pun.
Dunno if you guys gives a damn but if you are stoned like me during the covid times then you can watch all the latest movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Been binge watching with my gf for the last few months =)
@Wilson Ray definitely, have been watching on Instaflixxer for years myself :)
Nice work on the planes and the duck rescue - cute little buggers
To my mind, this is the best way to review kits, a head to head comparison, with build techniques. Well done.
My father-in-law flew Mustangs in World War II and Korea. Loved talking with him about his amazing flying career. He’s no longer here, miss you dad.
The Eduard kit is on another level! The Tamiya kit is still very nice for it's age. Airfix is just like Revell a bit of a pain to work with...but you can make it look nice, it just requires tons of extra hours.
The Tamiya 1/48 kit has completely rubbish props, among the worst I have ever seen, and a false nose cross-section. It builds with the wing dihedral much too flat. Tamiya's P-51 is greatly overrated, but the gear legs are still the best over Eduard (which are too long, I have no idea what happened there, as the Eduard kit is by far the best P-51) and also better than the Meng. The Meng legs are a bit long, but passable, if shy in bulk, so adapting Tamiya legs to Eduard would be a good idea. Meng legs can squeeze by as is, but overall the kit, especially the cockpit, has nowhere near the amazing Eduard detail, and also has a marginally less accurate windscreen, as does both Airfix and Tamiya, with same error of the quater light windows not "biting" deep enough into the sides... You might want to cheat mask the Eduard sliding hood frame a trifle thicker than moulded, otherwise the Eduard kit absolutely dominates every competitor.
This is some top level build reviewing! I really appreciate the work that you've out into this project. It's great to see them all together and actually being built, rather than just looking at plastic parts on sprues.
Thanks Robbie...another quacking video 😉
Exactly! Way more useful for the viewer.
Quacking.............i see what you did there LOL
Thank you for walking us through the various kits, I haven’t built a mustang since my second kit, which was a mess. So I am looking for a good kit to improve upon. It is quite helpful to have such a comparison. Well done!
That's what I like about the Airfix kit. It takes some modeling skill to build it and make it nice.
awesome job on them lil ducks dude keep them coming
Nice duck rescue!
That Airfix kit is just awesome isn’t it 😐
At least you didn’t hav a massive short shot left half of the fuselage right at the tail wheel & the radiator ducting. Nice work. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻🙃🙃
Just wait haha
The Model Guy
Look forward to the next one. 🙃👍🏻
Cardinal Rule, wait for the second pressings - the First run is Pressed in India and always has quality issues. the Second and subsequent runs are UK pressed and generally are a mile better.... Same with reboxings ...
Brett Peacock
I must of got a 1st run Friday at knock off time kit.
This is my third Airfix P-51, the other two being the -51K (Identical kit, different decals) and all three are having the same issues. The K was a later release.
Great review of the three kits and a beaut start to this series. I haven't built any Mustangs so will be watching closely to see which one comes up trumps.....well done and thanks.
I just ordered the Tamiya mustang and now I'm even more excited than before
You could've had a blank screen and just the duck rescue and you would've gotten a like from me. As far as I am concerned the Mustang parts are a bonus. Lol.
Tread Head here....still...great video....nice techniques ...
Thank you for all the work and indeed the expense. Airfix, like Revell, when it starts to get messy, I just remember how much I paid and fix it best I can.
My grandpa was a foreman in the North American plant until the end of the war. According to what he told my dad, installing the internal fuel tanks was a very delicate process. If you over-tightened one of the nuts by half a thread, you’d puncture the tank and you’d have to spend several hours tearing it out and putting everything back together again, AFTER your 12-hour shift ended.
I'm on my third Airfix Mustang, and what I've found is that the tolerances on the parts are very tight. The fuse fit issue come from the tight fit of the forward radiator housing. Before gluing anything dry fit and sand the curved front part of BO4 and BO5 and the rest falls together.
The seat is not the greatest, but can be doable with some work, or replace it with aftermarket.
SPOILER ALERT! The diamond tread tires are a complete abomination! I took great pleasure throwing them in my sprue goo bottle and watching them dissolve!
With that said, Hobby Lobby carries them, and with their 40% off coupon I get them for right about $ 20. That leaves a bit left over for an after market seat and wheels. So far my favorite Mustang kit (I hear the Eduard kits in the stash calling!).
This is my third Airfix Stang and it's been consistent. I removed the tail last night and the bottom came together. So I need to do some more investigating to find out how that's even happening. I couldn't physically force it together before.
@@TheModelGuy Done two Airfix Mustangs (05131) and have not experienced fit issues to the level you have. My kits had oodles of flash and some offset mold seams.
But your difficulties aren't surprising--Airfix gonna Airfix, and that includes questionable engineering choices and capricious quality control. Still, as @Bob Lobla notes, one can pick these up at a local Hobby Lobby for $18, plus tax, with a 40 percent off coupon.
For the money, I think it's an excellent kit and would recommend it to anyone with the caveat that there will be some extra work required.
Lovely review, straight to the point.
I’ve built TAMIYA 1/48 mustang and their 1/72 mustang, both of them are extremely old kits but probably some of the best, they’re a JOY to build and really fun to paint for a new modeller, like myself (when I built them) TAMIYA kits never EVER disappoint
I have done some Airfix models, but I haven't run into such a problem xD
I think you will find that the problem in the Airfix Mustang is the forward Main Radiator facing (Part D-57) in the airscoop. If it protrudes at all below the housing when mounted (And it will by about 1mm) it will kill the fit of the fuselage halves. You need to shave the protruding part down even, or even a teeny bit lower, to the housing. (Don't worry, it will NEVER be visible - the Oil Cooler hides it. Once it is shaved the Oil Cooler Housing can be fitted without any loose feeling - it will snuggle into the correct place, which it won't if the housing/radiator is not adjusted. And the fuselage goes together without further drama - even at the rear, (I am Building my second Airfix Mustang now and my first is approaching the finish line.) Sadly I cannot post images but the relevant stages are 11 thru 15 in the instructions.... As to cost the Tamiya Mustang is $55.00 in New Zealand (where I live), the Airfix is $60.00/$59.00 (depending on the LHS) and Eduard is $80.00.
The mold makers have limits to where they can put the ejector pins. Think about it, when the part is popped from the mold it's easy to understand it's going to stick in the half of the mold with the most detail. That's the side that's going to have the most friction on the molded parts. That's the side that needs the ejector pins for popping the parts out of the mold. The other half of the mold doesn't need them since the parts don't stick in it.
What they need to do is work out a way to make the ejector pins rest more flushly with the surface of the rest of the mold. If they were really clever and had the money to spend they could make the ejector pins line up with some detail in the part that disguises their impressions on the part. As it is, the best they can do is locate them so their either in a non-visible area of the part or where another part will cover them.
Thanks for the heads up on these three kits. I have the Chattanooga choo choo by Eduard. Killer kit Looking forward to next instalment.
You know for the money I still love the old Monogram kit.
Same, though in all fairness it’s the only mustang kit I’ve ever built
It is so satisfying seeing your brush strokes ! #steadyHand
Hi Robbie, I've never built a mustang. I do like them very much. I think I've got one in the stash. As always you've done a brill job. Hope you and your family are all well and staying safe. Regards Steve
Hi, t's nice work. It's so fine painting of cockpit. I'd like to watch the next. Thank you.
Great idea. I started my modeling life many years ago with the old Monogram D, which is still ok, but not to today’s standards. I built up the Airfix kit recently, and was impressed by it. I didn’t have too many issues, and am generally impressed by ‘new’ Airfix. While I was at it, I had a go with the Meng P51, which is odd. Ultimately, it fits well, but the snap together style doesn’t really work. Eduard is next on the table. I am impressed by what I see so far.
It is best to lay the fuselage flat on the stable surface and then glue the tailpiece into the fuselage. Because Airfix has displayed the offset of the vertical stabilizer correctly, there is a difference between the left and right tailpiece. There is absolutely no need to cut or trim the tailpieces!
I would love to see you do this with some other aircraft like P-47 or spitfires brilliant vid loved watching it
Awesome Job!Subscribed!👍
Can’t wait for Part 2.
I had the same issue but the places were reversed at 15:00. There was one gap that I used some putty to fill it, which thankfully did the job.
You saved the duckies 👍👍👍👍
Ducking brilliant.....about to embark on an old Hasegawa P51D Pacific Theatre Mustang...
*Ducks are an interlude very fun to look at 🦆, for the 3 kits ... hum the Eduard seems to be the best, Airfix (what's wrong with the seat??!!) in second and Tamiya basic but still good as an challenger! 😁😉*
I think that your Airfix review was spot on, I had exactly the same issues. Lucky my workspace is outside because there was a massive amount of swearing. The tail and radiator were especially bad and there was a lot of twist warp on the fuselage. Having had a lot of issues with Airfix kits, especially badly or unmoulded parts, I have to say that their quality control is poor. The kit I got was missing the frame for the forward part of the wheel bay and I had to request this from Airfix. It took 2 weeks to arrive, sadly I had no ducks to rescue so busied myself with another kit. I have a Tamiya Mustang to do once the Skyraider I am doing is complete. That is still some way off though.
Nice work on all those cockpits. I have never really been impressed with the airfix kits. I look forward to seeing the completion.
The new molds from airfix are really good, you should give then a try
@@cesarvieceli2958 This is one of their new molds. I have the new Spit in the stash and that has a lot of problems.
I'm having the same fit issue for the Airfix one, what can I do??
@@fury4539 My next video will address it. I have a huge gap at the rear on the bottom. I also got kicked off the Airfix Facebook builder group shortly after this video.
Coincidence? Lol
I plan on filling the gap with some styrene
@@TheModelGuy well being a Brit and Airfix being British, I'm embarrassed that for their mistake you got kicked out. By the way when is PT.2 coming?
Best Mustang I ever built was an old Hasegawa. Back in '04 or '05. I haven't done any Eduard complete kits (just use their photoetch). I had a bad experience with a Roden (Eduard was just coming available) kit back in that same time frame. Only kit I ever threw in the trash in over 50 years of modeling. That includes finishing Monogram kits of the 60's. But, I may have to give Eduard another look. I've thought their Profi-Packs look appealing. Shame about the fit and ejector pins on the Airfix. Good video!
thanks for your work!!
a modelling master class...brill
Would love to see you build the Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster/ Dambuster/ Grand Slam Bomber, I’m battling it right now, great kit
Awesome video! Great save their with the Ducks I can't lie I was thinking you would put one of them over the other side and a hawk would swoop down and grab one. Yeah I know that's a messed up way of thinking LOL
The Meng 1/48 Mustang is pretty good, it would have been nice to have seen that one included.
Isn't that a Snap-tite one?
@@TheModelGuy Yes, but it is a proper model, it just has some press-fit features which you can pretty much ignore. A worthy contender in my opinion.
Yes the Meng mustang is great kit. A lot of fun if you want a weekend build.
@Meng if you want in on this you need to send me one ;)
Did my own Mustang build off using the Hasegawa/Tamiya/Meng/Airfix & Eduard kits. The Meng "snap fit" kit is great only issue I had with mine was the fit of the radiator dog house which is a completely separate part in the Meng kit. Took some minor trimming and sanding to get a decent fit. Oh new subscriber BTW this build off brought me to your channel... Keep up the good work
The Tamiya is the best while I also like the Revell [ex Monogram] kit in 1/48th too! And yes the Airfix kit was a rough road to hoe for me! The P-51D is always been a favorite for me all the way back to the Hawk kit from the 60's!
Thanks for a great vid! I'm pretty keen on a Tamiya Mustang for my next kit. I'm doing an Airfix A4 now, and I've sworn several times through the construction that this will be my last Airfix kit. I always seem to have an issue with something pretty major during the build. In Australia Tamiya and Airfix cost about the same... so Tamiya seems a no brainer to me from now on.
Great video!
You mentioned a few other channels in this video, can you provide links to them?
You've convinced me to ditch the Airfix Mustang for the Hasegawa one.
Great review !! I , myself, have sworn Off airfix Kits For life ! Always a Major letdown !!!!!
I wish I could completely swear off them too…but they’re the only ones doing stuff I want to build. IE Gannet, Bucc and Sea King
Maestro!!!!!!!!!
Made a Tamiya Mustang and decals was to thick, needed alot of micro-sol, built the Airfix Defiant nightfighter and was a great fit, decals, fun build.
Airfix are moulded in India and it shows ( great rescue with the Ducks 👍 )
Nice information. I will steer clear of the Airfix Mustang.
I have built three 1/48 Airfix P-51D Mustangs (two different issues) with no problems. I now have another one, a third issue, and it looks very good in the box. I expect no problems. I've built all available 1/48 Mustangs except the Hasegawa. Each has their pros and cons, but the Airfix kits are right at the top. Maybe I am not as picky as other modelers. In my fifty years of modeling, I've done all levels of kits, from most manufacturers. None of the 1/48 Mustangs has been "bad". Even the old simplistic Hawk kit (now Testors) has it's charm. My advice..... don't become a "rivet counter" and you'll find more pleasure in the hobby.
Hey model guy had similar issues with new tooling Airfix compared to classic tamiya a bit disheartening, finding eduard to have raised the bar but very pricey cheers
G'day MG, If I hadn't already subscribed to you, I would have just on the strength of you saving those ducklings... that was the act of a good person! Anyway, I'm ex-RAAF and getting back into modelling. I'm kicking off with the Airfix (No AO5137) 1/48 P-51 Mk IV / P-51K. I'm doing the K Model as the RAAF used to fly them in Italy near the end of WW2.
I would have liked the Eduard kit but here in Australia they are hopelessly expensive and hard to source. So, I'll be following your 'Mustang Madness' with great interest.
It's good to see you are impressed with Tamiya's model and hoping that is true for other Tamiya kits, of which I have several, but not a Mustang. I want to try their version of the Mosquito because I had an old mate who used to fly the PR version in WW2 for the RAAF.
So, thanks very much MG, great, coincidental, timing for both our projects. I don't use an airbrush because I'm no good with machines and, again, good airbrush gear down here is way too expensive. Even though I'm a ‘brush brat’, I'm sure I'll benefit from many of your tips and tricks. Cheers, BH :)
It’s like Airfix make sure that there are excessive pin marks/seam lines on all visible parts on purpose.
If you want the best mustang. Use the 1961/64 Hawk kit with the eduard cockpit. The hawk kit is most accurate to scale and real good fit. Real bland cockpit tho. So use the eduard set which fits real well.
Great vid and comparison of these kits, I have all three of them and started with the airfix one and just like yours, it was just a mess, but I'll struggle with it until I finish it. She wont get the best scheme cause how bad it was, plus I had an issue with the tail filet being at a slight angle to the right, I'm not sure if you encountered that issue too or it was just my kit, anyways good luck on the builds
The Eduard cockpit looks awesome ! Have you tried the paint pens that Posca make ? They're great for dials and switches.
No, but I'll look into them
I'd rate them :
Eduard
Hasegawa
Tamiya
Airfix
Hasegawa and Tamiya issues I've done since the dawn of time almost. The AIrfix is nice , but where I live the eduard is only 5 euros more and that makes it way better both quality and overall value for money
This is a great idea. I'm curious about the Eduard kit, though - they usually repop someone else's plastic, no? Whose kit was it originally? (My favorite build so far has been the Tamiya Mustang but I have a soft spot for Profikits!)
It's their own mold. Not a re-pop
@@TheModelGuy Very cool. Might go a ways to explain the pricetag, too. Thanks!
The Airfix was a bit of a disappointment.. Atleast the engine cowling was in one piece but with very heavy rivet details. I rather build the Tamiya and get some extras, it is cheaper and mostly better.
Could you please inform what brush you're using to hand paint those small details in the cockpit (4:05)? Thank you.
It's a Divinchi 0.
Hello @themodelguy! First of all I really liked the idea around the video and the way you explained everything was entertaining and left no room for boredom 👏🏻I was wondering if you’d do a similar video around the BF109 which is the one I would love to build one day and I’ve heard that Tamiya did a great job on it ! As for this video I really liked the technique used for the wooden floor and I will put that note in my agenda as I want to build a WWI seaplane that has a lot of wooden structure involved. The sheep cover for the seat was a big plus ! Well done. I honestly like to buy a kit like Tamiya and upgrade it rather than buying a super detailed one but super shitty quality that will take me twice the time to fix it! Please check my few videos I have on my channel and you’ll see what I’m talking about. I would be honored to have your feedback as well 😊once more well done 👏🏻👏🏻
This video quacks me up. Just wait til you get the bill.
Well played.
This is why my Airfix new tool FR Spitfire sits in the closet probably never to be built. They suck. I threw away their Spitfire V because it was so bad.
airfix seem quite poor considering how new it is!
I know right? It's a bit sad that Tamiya tooling from 1994 is still better.
when are you going to do part 2
Thanks for the tips on Airfix and Eduard´s. Somehow nobody counts the Meng Mustang anymore. I just don't know why...
There is also ARII one that is ok
The Meng one is snap-together isn't it?
To get one in Canada is about $70 with exchange rate. My local store is $80 for it :S.
I got the Eduard one at a steal when I'm assuming someone at Amazon screwed up
@@TheModelGuy Wow! I wouldn't build one either at those prices! As for the Snap Together part. Yes and no. It has some snap features, but can't be built decent without glue. It has its short comings as each one on your videos.but aso some really nice features and good detail. A bit overdone on the wings.
@@TheModelGuy Meng kits are Hideously expensive - the Mustang was $130.00 in NZ!
Another vote for the Meng. Honestly, I'd rate the Airfix, Meng, and Eduard kits above the now-dated Tamiya for overall look and accuracy, but the Airfix would definitely finish last in terms of fit and quality. All four are a pleasure to build, though. We're spoiled for choice these days!
Are those propeller strikes on your finger?
Haha yes.
One thing with being a mechanic is I always have cuts and bruises on my hands. I can't remember which video it was but I have stitches on my forearm from a serious work injury where I had arterial bleeding and was rushed to hospital.
I would stay with tamiya
Do you primer all your parts or do you paint straight onto the plastic
I will normally prime parts
@@TheModelGuy ok great. I do the same. I've always worried about loosing smaller scale details, and most videos dont show the primer phase.
.......just for your info (as it was annoying), it's pronounced Eddard, not Edward! It's Czech! Otherwise, great review so far.......
I have the eduard kit on my bench right now, but the P-51D-5. Without the fillet do you think it will have the same locator pin problem?
Edit: just realized its the same kit. I'll keep an eye out. What did you have to do exactly?
That piece you see me locating when I talk about the pins sits on two pins. Simply cut them away
@@TheModelGuy thanks!
I cut away the cockpit floor locating pin as well then the fuselage halves went together a lot easier.
Pity you aren't including the Meng kit. I think the engineering of the kit is in some ways superior to the Tamiya, Eduard and Airfix kits.
Where in Canada are you from?
I'm originally from Halifax, but am now in very small town Alberta. An hour east of Calgary.
The Model Guy
Nice! I’m in Saskatchewan.
The sprues and ejector marks ruin so many good airfix kits
The injector pin marks are completely out of sight once the cockpit is finished and fuselage halves are put together, I don 't know why everbody is so anoyed?
At 15:15 said “it’s what kinda sucks the fun out of modelling” what you should have said was “out of assembling”. Every kit will have its drawbacks, the cost of investment in tooling, how flush the company is...etc. (Just look at what has happened to WnW 😢. With the state of the art kits come an elevated expectation, and as a community of modellers we are happy to berate the manufacturers for their kits short comings. The hobby is about taking the raw materials and using our skills to produce our OWN work of art. This vid is great as it highlights the short comings of the kit....that’s modelling, and that’s fun...ALL OF IT. On a side note, your whole commentary for the Airfix kit is not positive, and you say it’s unbiased. We need to support the manufacturers so we have kits, of our subjects, to build in the future. Love the channel cheers Si
why is there a need to support poorly designed and produced kits when there are multiple better designed and executed kits being produced? Why reward companies for subpar products instead of pushing them to improve? Reviews shouldn't be cheerleading
Bro, really?! DEKALS?!? Its pronounced DEE-CAL
@@justinsmith9135 maybe in your country. Not in Canada
Airfix 💩
Typical Airfix rubbish, It's got me beat how they've lasted as long as they have.
I just built the Airfix kit and it went together very well, I did not have the problems described in the video. The builds info a very nice model!