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Trumpeter Chinese kits-which are good or bad?
long_tom
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Illinois, United States
Joined: March 18, 2006
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Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 03:07 PM UTC
I know that Trumpeter originally made poorly-engineered vehicle kits that were hardly beter than toys, then they started making far better ones later on. I'm interested in doing actual Chinese vehicles, but which are the good kits and which are the bad? I looked in the "Review" section but found nothing. Anywhere else to refer to? Thanks.
calvin_ng
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United States
Joined: June 23, 2008
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Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 04:02 PM UTC
i myself a chinese would probably say i would recommend them but the ones that are boxed with the pictures of the vehicles with no backdrops i wouldnt recommend. the other ones are really fiddly the tow cables are pieces of **** bit other wise the 1/72 and 1/35 vehicles they are recently putting into the market are boxes of treasures. overall the old ones are really fiddly and lacked detail but some people are saying that the new ones they put in the market are even better than tamiya's!! (not me) . check www.sqaudron.com and www.luckymodel.com they have the models along with the best prices. check out modelingmadness.com for more info on these kits!!!
lskspore
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Singapore / 新加坡
Joined: June 20, 2008
KitMaker: 28 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 04:03 PM UTC
recently build Trumpeter SA-2 on missile luncher. Fit was very good and had no problems. As a beginner, the details looks very good. Have bought and open the following kits

Hq-2 missile on transport trailer 1:35 scale ( transporter very detail with engine parts ..etc , missile almost the same as SA-2)

Chinese 122mm type89 multi barrel rocket launcher 1:35

l believe there was a recently thread this month on SA-6 and it was built and painted beautifully by the modeler. You may wish search and look at it.

Hope this will help.
Removed by original poster on 08/30/08 - 05:31:08 (GMT).
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 06:06 PM UTC
Back to your actual question...I'm interested in doing actual Chinese vehicles...

Most of their Chinese tanks suck. The whole T54/T55 series, Ti67, Type 69, etc. have very little detail, what is there is soft. The road wheels were put on w/exposed screw on the early ones, they have been replaced with hub centers on more recent ones. Their newer Chinese subjects, such as the arty pieces and later tanks not based on the T54/T55 series are pretty good. Their Jaifong (Zil 157) 6x6 truck is excellent, as is the Chinese tank transporter and Chinese version of the SA-2 AA missile. Chinese armored cars are so-so. The Chinese-copy BMP is a pretty poor kit.
woodstock74
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: December 28, 2002
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Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 06:10 PM UTC
Their C1 Ariete, IS-3M, and KV series are all excellent.
long_tom
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Illinois, United States
Joined: March 18, 2006
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Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 06:17 AM UTC
The shame of it is, why can't they do a GOOD Type 59 (used in Vietnam)? That would be a hot seller. Ditto for the type 69-II (used in the Gulf wars)?
woodstock74
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: December 28, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 07:42 AM UTC
...ditto the Type-98 (Type-99, whatever it is being called now). China's latest MBT deserves an updated/upgraded model...
long_tom
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Illinois, United States
Joined: March 18, 2006
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Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 10:22 AM UTC
I was thinking of this one:

Chinese BJ212A Truck

because it would be easiest to do. The box has a background picture, so I assume it would be a good kit, but I wondered if anyone has tried building one?
schwarzstuka
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China / 简体
Joined: June 21, 2008
KitMaker: 9 posts
Armorama: 7 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 06:16 PM UTC

Quoted Text

...ditto the Type-98 (Type-99, whatever it is being called now). China's latest MBT deserves an updated/upgraded model...


I'm a chinese, who is eagerer to have all those types you mentioned above,together with Type 63 APC(seen in service in gulf war and Vietnam) and Type 96 which is the more commonly in service than Type 99. But a staff in trumpeter told us before they do not want to produce these chinese tank models until someone promise that he will order for at least 1000 or 10,000 kits from them. So forget about it.

But I heard some rumors that some individuals are trying to replicate some new types of chinese tank and produce them in resin parts,maybe a good news to you.
woodstock74
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: December 28, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 06:24 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

...ditto the Type-98 (Type-99, whatever it is being called now). China's latest MBT deserves an updated/upgraded model...


I'm a chinese, who is eagerer to have all those types you mentioned above,together with Type 63 APC(seen in service in gulf war and Vietnam) and Type 96 which is the more commonly in service than Type 99. But a staff in trumpeter told us before they do not want to produce these chinese tank models until someone promise that he will order for at least 1000 or 10,000 kits from them. So forget about it.

But I heard some rumors that some individuals are trying to replicate some new types of chinese tank and produce them in resin parts,maybe a good news to you.


I'd certainly be interested in a Type 99 conversion kit for Trump's Type 98. Recently there was a modeler on here (I beleive from China) who showed just such a conversion he had scratch built. Only wish he had used that to take molds from (and naturally to then sell to us)!
long_tom
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Illinois, United States
Joined: March 18, 2006
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Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 06:41 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

...ditto the Type-98 (Type-99, whatever it is being called now). China's latest MBT deserves an updated/upgraded model...


I'm a chinese, who is eagerer to have all those types you mentioned above,together with Type 63 APC(seen in service in gulf war and Vietnam) and Type 96 which is the more commonly in service than Type 99. But a staff in trumpeter told us before they do not want to produce these chinese tank models until someone promise that he will order for at least 1000 or 10,000 kits from them. So forget about it.

But I heard some rumors that some individuals are trying to replicate some new types of chinese tank and produce them in resin parts,maybe a good news to you.


The Type 99 I would understand, but I imagine there would be a flood of orders for the older models, at least for the types I mentioned. A new T-54 would be great too, and a hot seller. You'd think Trumeter would anticipate that.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 07:51 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I was thinking of this one:

Chinese BJ212A Truck

because it would be easiest to do. The box has a background picture, so I assume it would be a good kit, but I wondered if anyone has tried building one?


Yes, the BJ212 is a good little kit. It is very well detailed in and out. It has a full engine and running gear as well. It would be agood starting point.
miaonowitzki
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Beijing, China / 简体
Joined: July 27, 2008
KitMaker: 65 posts
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Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 11:52 PM UTC
Trumpy's 00202 DF-21 Ballistic missile launcher
00305 type83 152mm self-propelled gun-howitzer
00306 type89 120mm self-propelled anti-tank gun
00307 type89 122mm multi-barrel rocket launcher
These kits are good.
nolifoto
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Luzon, Philippines
Joined: September 19, 2006
KitMaker: 146 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 12:53 AM UTC
My first encounter with Trumpeter models were the white boxes without background in their illustrations. The details were comparable to the old Escis. In other words, bad. Stryene cement does'nt even work the plastic. But that was a long time ago. Many kits later they have arrived at this stage when they are being compared to the best. I think the present kits of Trumpeter are very good specially their naval line which fulfilled all the longings of a ship modeler. I think though, that they are just going too fast at the expense of accuracy.
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
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Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 03:37 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I was thinking of this one:

Chinese BJ212A Truck

because it would be easiest to do. The box has a background picture, so I assume it would be a good kit, but I wondered if anyone has tried building one?
They are nice little kits, they make one with a recoilless rifle and one with a soft top. I just finally bought a couple sets of resin tires from Trakz(?) to replace the vinyl ones. They have a habit of melting the surrounding styrene plastic.

They also do the Chinese CA-30 5 ton truck. It looks like a decent kit, but you don't see many built.
schwarzstuka
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China / 简体
Joined: June 21, 2008
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Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 11:58 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

...ditto the Type-98 (Type-99, whatever it is being called now). China's latest MBT deserves an updated/upgraded model...


I'm a chinese, who is eagerer to have all those types you mentioned above,together with Type 63 APC(seen in service in gulf war and Vietnam) and Type 96 which is the more commonly in service than Type 99. But a staff in trumpeter told us before they do not want to produce these chinese tank models until someone promise that he will order for at least 1000 or 10,000 kits from them. So forget about it.

But I heard some rumors that some individuals are trying to replicate some new types of chinese tank and produce them in resin parts,maybe a good news to you.


I'd certainly be interested in a Type 99 conversion kit for Trump's Type 98. Recently there was a modeler on here (I beleive from China) who showed just such a conversion he had scratch built. Only wish he had used that to take molds from (and naturally to then sell to us)!


If I got further news about that I'll be glad to share
And as for T54/Type59 I also believe there will be chance that trumpeter will anticipate and launch the whole family of T54 including Type 59 Type 69(seen in action in Gulf and south Asia)
liberator
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Luzon, Philippines
Joined: May 15, 2004
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Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 - 02:13 AM UTC
just make sure..the vinyl tires will not melt the plastic parts. with regards to the chinese jeeps, transporter and trucks..mine does.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 - 03:04 AM UTC

Quoted Text

just make sure..the vinyl tires will not melt the plastic parts. with regards to the chinese jeeps, transporter and trucks..mine does


As long as you paint the plastic wheels before adding the vinyl tires, you should have no problems. The paint seals the plastic and doesn't react w/the rubber of the tires. I have had some for years that were done this way and have had no issues.
nolifoto
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Luzon, Philippines
Joined: September 19, 2006
KitMaker: 146 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 07:35 PM UTC
Ed, I'm glad you mentioned that. It happened to me already but not with the Trumpeters but with Academy. My merkava and a P-38J The vinyl tires melted the plastic wheels!
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