My only issue with the Amusing Hobby kit thus far has been the directions; should anyone build this model in the future--and I would highly recommend the kit--do yourself a favor and go over the directions thoroughly. They can be confusing in that there are options for several of the steps: for example, I built a partial suspension without realizing that a full suspension option was also included (and I would have preferred to build the full suspension). Not a huge issue, but potentially aggravating to potential builders. The overall quality of the kit more than makes up for this deficiency, in any case.

I can't help but chime in to your comments on manufacturer's "instructions"...If you you go to all the trouble to design, pour, manufacture and package a plastic model kit, to cut short the time spent developing good instructions is idiocy...a lot of major cos. are at fault here!

I can't help but chime in to your comments on manufacturer's "instructions"...If you you go to all the trouble to design, pour, manufacture and package a plastic model kit, to cut short the time spent developing good instructions is idiocy...a lot of major cos. are at fault here!

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My only issue with the Amusing Hobby kit thus far has been the directions; should anyone build this model in the future--and I would highly recommend the kit--do yourself a favor and go over the directions thoroughly. They can be confusing in that there are options for several of the steps: for example, I built a partial suspension without realizing that a full suspension option was also included (and I would have preferred to build the full suspension). Not a huge issue, but potentially aggravating to potential builders. The overall quality of the kit more than makes up for this deficiency, in any case.

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I hear you with the destructions. So many of the kits have built lately have been superbly engineered and build well but are let down with really poor instructions. Most show options with no explanation of why the builder should choose one over the other. Many have WRONG parts numbers leading to delay while the builder sorts it all out. My Zvezda T-35 has bits swapped like that. Other times, bits are left off altogether such as the tow cables on the Dragon Jagdpanther I'm just about to start for the Big Kitty campaign.

I truly believe that all manufacturers should look over the instructions from the Wingnut Wings kits. They are the best I have ever seen and even have reference pictures of actual aircraft so the builder knows exactly what he is working on. All options are explained so you can plan your build and get all the proper options included.

Do the rest of the manufacturers ever have modelers actually BUILD their kits to see what needs to be sorted out? Some of these errors are just bone-headed!

By the way that cable reel on the T-35 fit into an apparatus on the hull side to make a hoist. The thing was so tall and effectively its own tank company it had to be self sufficient. I'm amazed someone didn't mount a couple of motorcycles or a tankette on it for life boats.

The ones with real clear instructions are more the exception than the rule. The need to be multi-lingual spelled the end of written direction which could often clear up the ambiguity of a diagram. A lot of times steps are put in bad order almost as if they are after thoughts.


I know Alan instructions are like that. Build the suspension, then the interior which the suspension blocks from putting the interior into the hull. Almost like they switched step 1 and 2 to test you.

By the way that cable reel on the T-35 fit into an apparatus on the hull side to make a hoist. The thing was so tall and effectively its own tank company it had to be self sufficient. I'm amazed someone didn't mount a couple of motorcycles or a tankette on it for life boats.

That's good to know about Wingnut Wings. Their FE.2b is on my short list of kits to buy at some point in the future (when I've thinned out my stash a bit). I'd heard that the kit quality is excellent; to have great directions to follow would make it that much more enjoyable. All that rigging looks a little intimidating but I like a good challenge.

Hey Paul,

I just have the box opened at this point. It looks great, and pretty straightforward (with easily read instructions!).

But those tracks...with individual pins... those are kind of terrifying.

Steve

I am planning to do the Char 2C.

A lot of great builds in this tread. I am really looking forward to get started on my build.

I am planning to do the Char 2C.

I loved building the Char 2C. From the first time I saw a picture of it many years ago, I wanted to build a kit. When Meng introduced it, I was all over it like a cheap suit. It now sits on a shelf across from my work space and I look at it every day. I hope you'll enjoy the build even half as much as I did.

A lot of great builds in this tread. I am really looking forward to get started on my build.

I am planning to do the Char 2C.

Karl - What a recommendation for this kit! My own kit is near the top of the pile and if I wasn't knee deep in T-35 I would have it on the bench now.

Thanks Karl, both of these kits build well. I notice that your T-35 is the later version with the conical turrets. What did you do with the reel of cable? Did you terminate the cable in some way? The Zvezda destructions are very breezy on this point . . .