The Worst Kit

StephenLawson · 14 July 2004, 04:11 PM

Sorry sir, Your instutuion's reputation for - poor room service, substandard cusine, one star social functions, quack doctors and the lack of trained therapudic nurses of the full breasted coed variety lead me to avoid any vacation time at your establishment.

I will instead be carrying on the field studies in my NEW portable modeling work shoppe. The University has popped for a brand new Winnibaygo. 'Stealth Technoligies' has installed a 'cameleon' feature that allows the vehicle to adapt to its surroundings. This feature deactivates when the 'On Star' keyholder is keyed with a password. Inside almost everything a studious research fiend could ask for. I don't want to bore you with the details but I'll be on the road for several weeks. If it all works out and the research monies keep coming There's a strong chance I could just travel from state to state and model contest to model contest...Ta for now.

Henry J. · 15 July 2004, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PeterL@Oct 23 2001, 11:17 AM
[b]Your mentioning wings slewing through 90 degrees brings to mind my first OT and second ever kit the Airfix Camel. Certainly not a bad kit, it's still in production after fifty years after all, but it was 1958 and I was only eleven. I built the Airfix Stuka in the morning and the Camel in the afternoon. Both were painted the same shade of green granddad had used on the back door that same day.

The WWI Modelers mailing list voted the Merlin Salmson S2A2 the world's worst I remember. I haven't built that one but I did have a go at the same manufacturers Nieuport 12. No kit is unbuildable but this one comes near as makes no difference. I ended up carving the fuselage into a N10 and scratchbuilding everything else. The words Merlin and Kit should never be used in the same sentence.

You sure your granddad used the correct Methuen shade for that green backdoor?

Best Regards,
Henry J.

Kirk · 15 July 2004, 06:52 AM

I haven't read all the posts in this string so forgive me if this one was already mentioned, but the Glencoe 1/48th Albatros's are really bad. The kits might have been great in the 50's when they were originally issued by Aurora, but 40+ years later their only value is in the decals that come with them.

PeterL · 15 July 2004, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kirk@Jul 15 2004, 01:52 PM
[b] I haven't read all the posts in this string so forgive me if this one was already mentioned, but the Glencoe 1/48th Albatros's are really bad. The kits might have been great in the 50's when they were originally issued by Aurora, but 40+ years later their only value is in the decals that come with them.

Whoa! You can't blame Aurora for that turkey, it's Glencoe all the way. When first I spied the G/co DIII on my plastic pusher's shelf I too thought it must be an Aurora re-release, so I asked and was assured that it was a new tooling. On the strength of that I bought two. BIG mistake! It is a new tooling alright, a very bad new tooling, mastered I suspect from a vacform or some other unknown limited run product. Take a look at the wing under surfaces and you'll see what I'm getting at. The rib detail also recalls vacform practice.

Kirk · 15 July 2004, 10:35 AM

I was under the impression it was one of the old Aurora re-re-rereleases. My heartfelt apologies to the old Aurora gang if I was mistaken.

In getting back to the Glencoe Albatros (whatever its lineage) I wonder if anyone that produced the kit actually tried to make it. My guess is no.

PeterL · 15 July 2004, 10:51 AM

As a matter of fact I recall some very creditable efforts published here and there, one I do remember was an Austrian version which featured in a Windsock shortly after the kit was released. I have the feeling it may have been the work of an occasional visitor to the Forum. Me? No. I opened the box and reached for my Sierra Scale vacform, and I detest vacforms!

StephenLawson · 15 July 2004, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kirk@Jul 15 2004, 10:35 AM
[b] '...In getting back to the Glencoe Albatros (whatever its lineage) I wonder if anyone that produced the kit actually tried to make it. My guess is no.

Well to be honest...partly yes, except for the Hi-Tech resin engine and brass struts and the wings (resin poured from early Eduard Alb. D.V #8013 as masters.) I did do the fuselage from the Gylncoe kit with the Eduard aftermarket photo etch. At the time the Eduard D.III was not available.

late Alb. D.III Jasta 5

drIace · 15 July 2004, 08:10 PM

Never say never, or that something is ...beyond hope... or ...worst ever...

In 1990 a Glencoe Alb Austro Hung. , D III using all kit parts (plus a lot of work and a few fiddley bits) took 3rd in Category at the IPMS NAT's in Miami (IPMS Journal Sept 1990 pg40), will try to post some pics.

Kirk · 16 July 2004, 06:51 AM

Maybe the judges knew how much work it took to make that particular kit look that nice.

Stephen - At what point does it go from being a Glencoe kit to an Eduard kit? Let's see...Glencoe fuse...Eduard cockpit and wings.

I saved the decals from a Glencoe Albatros. If I build an Eduard Albatros and use the Glencoe decals, can I call it a Glencoe kit?

sperry · 16 July 2004, 07:41 AM

I didn't see the Merlin AEG G.IV mentioned. It right down there with the worst of them. Thick slabs of plastic for flying surfaces and mirror image bananna warps in the fuselage halves and as a bonus, they tossed in the most pitted white metal castings I've ever seen. Definitely a stinker.
sp