Porco Rosso Kits

[Daryl J.]

The new-tool Curtiss in 1/48 by Fine Molds is a beautiful little kit.  Even in 1/48 it is rather small compared to the Savoia.   The plastic is typical fantastic Japanese and avoids the rather rubbery or soapstone-like feel of kits moulded in mainland China.
Fit appears to be excellent.
An ideal source of purchase is www.hlj.com (can I say that here??) pricing out at under $24US.    American sources are more than double the price seemingly.

Additionally, the re-engined Savoia with a seat for Fio is available now too.

Now if they would just tool some of Hayao Miyazaki's other flying craft.  


Cheers
Daryl J.

PS: If one hasn't seen Porco Rosso, it's worth getting.  Miyazaki loves airplanes and it shows.  Typically, the hero jumps in his craft and jets out to action.  Not Porco, he pre-flights.   Japan Air Lines really brought something of our interest successfully into the public eye in animation form.   Great stuff!!!!      

[PanzerWulff]

I have a couple of the Bandai Naussica kits The valey of the wind Gunship in 1/72 and the Nausicaa & Moewe Glider kit
I'm not sure if HLJ carries them I got them at a comic book convention (Arrgh now I have prooven more of my depths of Geekdom )
"Panzer"

[John Howling Mouse]

Can you please confirm what the completed wingspan and overall length would be?

[Son of Damian]

hlj is a very good place to buy from as they don't charge a lot and the shipping is better than many places here in the states  

[Daryl J.]

JHM,

Dimensions are approximately 6 inches by 6 inches.   The fuselage itself without spinner is 4 and 5/8 inch long.   The wingspan is perhaps 3/32 of an inch over 6 inches.  Remember, it is only based on the R3C-2 and the kit was personally overseen by Hayao Miyazaki, not Curtiss drawings.  

Testors mis-label the wingspan of the Curtiss Racer by 2 inches as it is actually about 5 1/2 inches rather than the posted 7 and 1/2 " .  

The kit looks like it could have been tooled by Hasegawa with beautiful panel lines and engraved rivets were applicable.  As to fit, I don't know yet.

HTH,
Daryl J.

[PanzerWulff]

I just ordered the late savoia myself as I have always liked the look of it I'll definatly let ya know how it looks and such
"Panzer"

[Weaver]

This guy does the Savoia and Curtis in 1/144th resin:

http://www.petersplanes.com/models/porco.htm

He's working on another one too (see "workshop" section).

[jcf]

Speaking of Curtiss R3Cs, I've long felt that the geared Packard 2A-1500 powered R3C-3 was the prettiest of the lot.



Jon