E-3 AWACS NATO 50th Anniversary colours

[BradG]

So here you go Ray, I'm here. Picked this up from Hobby HQ this morning on a whim. It looks pretty good in the box, I think I will put her on a stand too.

[RayS]

It's a nice build, the engines will need some attention, and by that I mean putty. The intake rings are not the roundest when assembled

[BradG]

Cheers Ray I will look out for that.

I did commit some glue to the fuselage this morning. It was a little warped so I will glue it progressively

[BradG]

Fuselage joints have been cleaned up along with some of the lumps and bumps glued into place. I've also started on the wings. So far, so good.

[RayS]

looks like a good start Brad

[BradG]

looks like a good start Brad

I had a quick fondle of one of the engines and yeh, damn they don't fit well nor are they very circular.

[BradG]

Still gluing bits together. Have encountered the engine nacelle issue. Hmmm, I think some surgery might be in order to make everything fit better.

[BradG]

So here's where things sit. I got the wings on with the upper join ok, the lower is rubbish. Not to mention the fit of the cockpit windows section, this is also pretty terrible and require serious filling and sanding to make decent. It's just got a top coat of Mr Surfacer on it at the moment awaiting another sand down.



Lower surface is a basket case of poor parts and poor fit. I decided early on to do an inflight position with a stand as it means closing the main gear doors anyway; they close when the wheels come down, much like a Mustang. These don't even get close to fitting and besides, they tell you to fit the center section of the wheel wells, which they should have told you to do before the fuselage was closed up, meaning you either have to trim this part, or just shove it in there with force. I took the latter option there. The closed gear doors don't fit anywhere near where they should. I am now a bit over this kit, I have slathered the area with putty ready to sand down. I will not be rescribing.



Engine nacelles are also pretty poor. Their fit to the wing is shocking. I can't believe I've read reviews of this kit telling the reader that the fit is all good. Whoever said that is either getting paid for comment, or didn't build this kit.

[RayS]

You will get through this Brad, I have built a couple of the 707 kits, both wheels up and had the same issues.

[tor lives]

Keep at it Brad.
The Minicraft kit is not the best 707 kit in the world, (that title goes to the Entex/Nitto/Doyusher 1:100 707 kit....just beautiful !!!).
I have no doubt however, that someone of your modelling skills and capabilities will turn this kit into a work of art.
TOR