21st Century Kits

[Brian da Basher]

Let's try to keep this one on topic.

I've never seen 21st Century Toys kits anywhere except in on-line build reviews. The last time I was looking for models at Wally-World I didn't see anything that remotely interested me. The small section for plastic kits was dominated by cars and there were two or three assorted A-10s and F-4s scattered amongst them.

I hear good things about 21st Century Toys' kits but all the scales seem large, 1/48 and 1/32. Outside my area of interest. I hear these kits are great if you want to hurry up and get to the paining stage and the price is right.

I wonder if they're any good for kitbashing?

Brian da Basher

[matrixone]

Brian,

These 21st Century kits are low priced and would be worth buying just to have all the parts for kit bashing. For what I paid for my Bf 109F kit was almost the same price as I pay for one of the 1/32 scale decal sheets from EagleCals, and the 21st Century kits decals are nearly as good as what EagleCals sells. Quite a bargain by any standards! I hope they expand their line of kits.

Matrixone

[Daryl J.]

What is the plastic like?   I've heard everything from 'fantastic' running through the continuum of 'fine' into 'rubbery' and 'won't take glue'.


Thotts on th'matter?


Daryl J., very tempted to order in a Stuka or two for WhiffPractice

[viper29_ca]

Having bought and sold the entire 21st Century 1/32 aircraft kit line, the Stuka and the Corsair are at the top of the heep. Both are very good kits, and I would challenge anyone to be able to tell the difference between them sat side by side at a contest with a Hassy kit. They are that good!!!

The 109 and the Macchi are almost as good, just a half step behind, again, for $10-$12 what is there to complain about??? The Macchi has some funny looking plastic, liking more to the glow in the dark kits from years ago....sort of a glowing yellowish-green semi-transparent plastic....however a shot of primer will fix that in no time.

The bottom of the pile is the Zero.....while once built looks like a Zero, it is definalty the dog of the bunch.

However I have bought all 5 of the kits, the Corsair and Stuka the hardest to find, (could only get 2 each of those), but in the end, since they aren't available anywhere in Canada, I have sold upwards to 20 of these kits, and could probably sell a few more if I could get a hold of more Corsairs and Stukas. I still have a Stuka here that I am keeping for myself, as well still have a 109 and a Macchi for sale.

Like Max said, the decals alone are almost worth the price of the whole kit, they really are a work of art. The Stuka decals having a separate sheet that has a snake that runs the entire length of the fuselage.....a work of art in itself!!!!!!

[BlackOps]

OK, after hitting two more Walmarts I finally found a few 21st kits.

I saw the Opel Blitz, US Halftrack, Bf 109F, and Ju 87. I ended up buying both the aircraft.

After peeking in the box I have to say they look very good. I am now curious to see the rest and hope they do more in the future. Really was odd to see all the parts in seperate bags rather than on trees but I kinda liked it.

I'd say if you see them pick 'em up, you'd almost have to be bonkers not to considering the price.

[philp]

Hmmm...
The Wally's in Salt Lake usually have several of these in stock.  Closest to my house had 2 Stuka's and 4 Corsairs the other day.  Armor wise I have also seen the Chaffee, Priest, MK IVD, Sherman and a few other.  There is also some scenery kits (not sure if they need building or are already done.  Seen some walls, fountain, pill box, etc.  1 box had a German 75mm AT gun and the Atlantic wall set a Quad 20.
These are all outside my scale but I do like the Priest and have thought about it.
Maybe I should be stocking up and putting them up for sale.

[matrixone]

Jeff G,
I was looking over my Bf 109F kit today and found one thing that I don't like about it, the dihedral in the wing is way too flat. No easy way to fix it except cut into the molded in plastic spars in the lower wing half and bending it up where it should be and re-glue it. The model would look O.K. without the fix but to me it would be worth the extra effort.

Matrixone