Model Forum / General / Models / October 2007

IIIC: Academy, Fujimi, Eduard, Hobbyboss
IIICJ: Eduard, Hobbyboss
IIIC/B: Heller
IIIE: Italeri (ex-ESCI, I think)
IIIR: Academy, Fujimi
IVP: Heller
5F: Fonderie Miniature (ESCI?)
F1 C/C-200: ESCI
F1 CT/CR: Italeri (ex-ESCI, for sure)
F1B: Fonderie Miniature
2000B: Airfix
2000C: Heller, Monogram/Revell/Hasegawa
2000D/N: Heller, Eduard (Heller)

--General shape/accuracy: Heller wins hands-up in all categories. That
is, if you can find one...
Eduards IIIC/CJ has too big air intakes, a wrong nose/windshield
profile, too narrow wing/fuselage junction and the front landing gear
leg is much too high. The Hobbyboss is a direct copy of the Eduard and
gets the same errors, except for the front leg which is correct.
The Fonderie Miniature kit is basically the IIIE with enough resin to
turn it into a 5F.
The F1 is correct, except for some panel lines that need to be
rescribed, and oversimplified wheel wells.
I haven't seen the Academy kits, so I cannot comment.
The IVP has raised panel lines. Some mad Brits (or Kiwis, maybe) used to
make photoetched steel templates to rescribe the whole kit (ouch!).
Can't recall the name, I think they went out of business (no wonder,
trying to sell stuff for frogplanes...) but I heard that an outfit named
Skyraider Model Designs makes them available again.

--Detail: Heller and Italeri/ESCI have barely adequate cockpits, and
basic wheel bays. Eduard/Hobbyboss are much better. Pavla makes decent
MB mk4 and mk10 bang seats that are quite enough to make a small,
cramped dark gray cockpit look busy.

--Ease of assembly: Eduard/Hobbyboss, by far. The F1 CT/CR needs some
serious scratchbuilding and Heller is, well, um, Heller...

--Availability: the 2000D/N should be available again from Eduard; the
IIIC/CJ Eduard and Hobbyboss kits are common stuff; Italeri's F1 CT/CR
and IIIE can be found quite easily if you're not in a hurry and willing
to search beyond ebay. The IVP can still be found at decent prices, but
all the other Heller kits are OOP, as well as the Fujimi and
Monogram/Revell Mirages.

So, if you're looking for a IVP, IIIE, F1 or a 2000, you have no choice;
if you want a IIIC/CJ, Hobbyboss is probably a better choice, since it
is slightly cheaper and the front gear leg is better.