HobbyBoss 1/48 F-105D Thunderchief
Hi there!
This is my recent project. There are few choices if you want an 1/48 F-105(D/G) so I went with HobbyBoss for this. I can't say I didn't know about its flaws. I'll list them here, so perhaps I can give my contribution to those who, like me, love the ‘105 and want to build one.
As written in almost every review, the kit is really overengineered in several areas. For instance, the engine, the 20mm gun, the spoilers have way too many parts, that can lead to poor alignment, if you don't pay attention.
The fitting, in general, is just regular, with its fair share of flash and injection marks. The landing gear, in particular, is tricky. As the real jet, the main legs are tall and skinny, and the way they must be glued is really bad. The whole thing feels like it's gonna colapse at any moment. Not to mention the instructions could be clearer, that's in general.
Two advices, if I may. Have the two fuselage halves completed before joining them, instead of doing like the instructions say. That's because the tail cone is not a great fit either. And, if you decide to let the nose landing gear to be assembled later, contrary to the instructions too, it's possible and will prevent damaging it during the whole process. You just assemble the mandatory half of it inside the bay box and let the rest for later.
Also, HobbyBoss must have hired a new riveter for this kit, because, man, there must be hundreds of them, everywhere. So, sanding and rescribing will keep you busy for hours.
Regarding the decals, they don't look too good at first glance, but they are. Good response to Mr Softer and not too fragile, with almost no silvering, especially after matt varnish.
But, you'll notice some of them are just missing. Sometimes there should be two, one for each side of the fuselage, you see them in the instructions but………they're not there. On the other hand, you have lots without a clue about where to place them.
Anyway, this one was OOB except for the metal pitot tube and Quick Boost ejection seat. Paints were Gunze Aqueous and Laquer based.
I'd say it turned out ok, and I'm happy to have a '105 in my shelf now. But, probably because of “that girl all over the nose”, my wife is not that thrilled!
Cheers!
The truth is, the Monogram is a better kit. I say that having built both. At least the Mono kit has a cockpit tub that fills up the space to both sides.
You forgot to mention that the bombs are completely wrong for the airplane too.
For what's there, you did a really nice job.
Unfortunately, I think the 105's "day" has "come and gone" as to getting a better kit option.
Thank you, Tom. That's right, that space in the cockpit is really bad.
Great looking Thud!
Thank you!
Excellent job on a tricky kit, George!
Thanks for the kit pitfalls.
Well done!
Thank you!
Beautiful build, George @george72
Great scheme and perfect paintwork.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this kit.
Definitely some points to be aware of.
Thank you!
It's a great result you got there. Can you expand on the issue of riveting? Were they too obvious (out of scale), or wrong in size/ spacing, as provided in the kit?
Thank you! Well, the riveting is correct and I shouldn't be complaining. It's just you ruined lots of them during sanding and have to drill them back in areas where, if they weren't there, wouldn't be an accuracy issue, like the radome area, for ex. But, again, they're accurate.
I've built this kit too and it's not that the rivets are bad or inappropriate. It's just there's so many of them.
Excellent build George ! you nailed the soft edge demarcation lines.
Thank you!
I can’t see any obvious faults of the kit, the result is bloody good. You really nailed the camouflage and it’s weathering
Thank you!
Very nice build of not a very easy kit.
Thank you!
I love the 105, and you've really done justice to it with the paint and weathering work on this. Lovely model!
Thank you!