Model Forum / General / Models / March 2005

Hi Marko,
I did a message on rms comparing the Mini Hobby Model kit and the Tamiya kit
about six or eight weeks ago.  I've searched for the message, but I can't
find it.  I've been told that MHM and Trumpeter are the same.  If they are,
this information might help you.

The Tamiya kit is full hull with three of the four hanger doors open.  The
bow and the rest of the ship are separate and have to be screwed and glued
together.  The MHM kit comes with the bow already screwed and glued on.
However, the lower hull is separate so you can do it either waterline or
full hull.    The MHM kit also has three of the four elevator doors cast
shut.  It seems to me it would be easier to open the elevator doors of the
MHM kit than to cut off the lower hull of the Tamiya kit if you wanted it to
be waterline.

The casting of the Tamiya kit is flawless, as usual.  The MHM kit is
obviously a variation of the same kit, because the sprues, though not
exactly the same, are similar enough that one can see they came from the
same masters.

I bought the MHM "original" Enterprise kit.  The beehive radar is done
poorly and is molded in an odd shape.  It's more like a Saturday Night Live
Conehead shape than that of a beehive.  Also, that is the only difference
between the "original" and the after re-fit version of the kit.  There are
sponsons added during the re-fit for Phalanx guns and other weapons that
must be either left off or re-shaped to make the "original" Enterprise
accurate.

I don't know what the price of the Trumpeter kit is.   I bought the MHM
original Enterprise kit for $89.00 which included shipping from
www.phoenix-models.com.  Squadron had the re-fit MHM kit advertised for
$89.97 in the March flyer.  I bought the Tamiya Enterprise from a local
dealer who matched a price in Fine Scale Modeler of $127.59 plus tax.
Squadron also had the Tamiya Enterprise on sale in the March flyer for
$109.99.

Having seen both, and with the huge drop in the Tamiya price, if I were
going to make the re-fit Enterprise full hull, I would spend the extra
twenty or so dollars to get the Tamiya kit.  With my poor skills at sawing
large objects, if one were going to build Enterprise waterline, which I am
doing, I would use the MHM/Trumpeter kit.

Now, for all I know, Trumpeter may have gone all out and put a hanger deck
in their version or wowed it up some other way.  However, as is most likely,
the Trumpeter and MHM version are probably the same.  I hope so, as I don't
want to pop for yet another Enterprise, 'cause I'm using parts from three
kits as it is to build mine.

There are also several phot-etch sets and decal sets needed to make it into
a museum piece.  These sets will cost about $175.00, not including new
Trumpeter aircraft for it.

I hope this helps and I caution you to make sure the Trumpeter and MHM kits
are the same before you order.
Jerry 47