Hobby Boss 1/48 MV-22 Osprey
Subject: MV-22 Osprey, USMC
Kit: Hobby Boss 1/48 (81769)
Accessories: Caracal (48164)
Album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/98961263@N00/albums/72157719268843395
All my models:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/98961263@N00/albums/72157603606379755
Photo Editing:
Adobe Lightroom
Helicon Focus (focus stacking)
I have to say I was a bit disappointed with this kit. It is fairly pricey, especially since I bought it right after it came out. So, given the price, I expected a little more. I'm not sure how it compares to the Italeri kit but it would be an interesting comparison.
The kit is well engineered with the option of posing the wing in folded or extended position (it is movable and fits perfectly) as well as the option of posing the engines in any position from horizontal to vertical position. However, the engines do not stay in place so the modeller has to choose the position and glue the engines in place. I kept mine in place with blue tack for the photos. Hobbyboss missed an opportunity here - I would have liked to have seen poly caps used to hold the engines in any position and to allow switching out of the fully extended props and the folded versions. Both are included and can be built up but there are only two spinners so those have to be disassembled when switching out the props.
Fit is hit and miss and I had to do a fair amount of filling, sanding and re-scribing. The worst example is the windscreen which is a very poor fit - I had to fill the gaps with super glue and blend the canopy into the fuselage. In the process, I obliterated all the rivet and framing detail from the canopy which is a shame since it was nicely done. There is also an overall lack of surface detail and the engraved panel lines and rivets are a bit soft in my opinion. After applying a wash, the recessed details won't hold it very well - a light touch was needed.
The decals are very nice but a little boring. I opted for the Caracal set because the tail art is very eye catching. The kit decals went down ok but didn't stick well. Caracal's decals were no problem at all.
To conclude, this kit isn't outstanding in any way but it does, in my opinion, build into a nice representation of the Osprey. The cool factor is very high with this unique aircraft and it looks great on the shelf. If I were to do it all over, I would re-scribe all the panel lines, not just those lost to seam filling and sanding.
Wow! You really turned this one into an eye catcher, Richard. Very well done. I see these (USAF models) pretty regularly. They fly out of Eglin , west over the Alabama beaches and are an interesting sight. Distinct noise too.
An amazing result, Richard!
The Italeri kit (of which I have a copy), I 've heard it represents a pre-production machine.
Superb build, Richard.
Your pictures are of high quality as well.
Nice result, specially after all those problems.
Congrats!
That is a great-looking Osprey! Well done!
Great Looking Osprey. It can be frustrating with a new kit issue and the high dollars for them to have major fit issues. It appears that you did a great job of dealing with them. Overall it really looks like an impressive kit when all put together by skilled hands.
I had the opportunity when I worked for a flight simulator company to be around some of these birds. The engineering is incredible, considering all the reduncey that had to be built into it. For example each propellor is driven by the engine it is attached to, but if the engine fails, the other engine, all the way over on the other wingtip, will take over driving the failed engines propellor. Our company was basically building 1:1 scale models of whole and partial aircraft, using parts and wrecks of the real aircraft to build maintenance simulators for the marines.
Great job!
It's a pity that you weren't overly enamoured with the kit, Richard, but your skill and perseverance paid off with an impressive model of an interesting prototype, definitely liked.
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
A spectacular build Richard, the markings are very exciting to observe.
This is one kit I have been watching, MAYBE this is the push I have been waiting,
but again ... MAYBE. Can you send me more information of this kit ?
A joy to see, nice work.
sure, what kind of info are you looking for?
Great looking Osprey. Love the paint and decal work.
Thanks everyone for the comments.