Academy models

[Dave Homewood]

I wondered if anyone has seen or built the following Academy models - I'm curious what they're like:

1/48 Spitfire XIVc Highback

1/48 Spitfire XIVe Lowback

1/35 Bell 47D Sioux

In the catalogue the Spitfires look a little, well, chubby. And the Sioux looks very basic. Is this the case?

Is Academy still associated with Minicraft? Does Minicraft still exist? I not the 2002-2003 catalogue doesn't have their nice 1/72 Ventura, the only Minicraft model I've made.

[phil]

The only Academy kit I have is the 1/32 Hornet, and it is very nice. It will one day be a RAAF A model

[Bruce]

I only have 1/72 academy kits - 2x Ventura, 2x Avenger a U2 and a Boeing Stratocruiser. they all have been very good to build and pretty accurate. I would trust that the larger scale offerings are as good if not better. Would be interested to hear what they are like (in case I ever move up to the bigger scales)

[tempestwulf]

I've got one of the Academy 1/48 Spitfire Mk. XIVe LF's. On the sprue it looks really nice with sharp recessed panel lines and rivets, open gunbay with guns/belts (albeit basic), cockpit details is on par with only one colour scheme for an Aussie bird.

I've read reviews and seen pics and it does look a little tubby and I believe the nose isn't correct. Depends if you're staunch about total accuracy (I'm not).

I recommend these site for reviews:
modelingmadness.com/kitindex/kitindexmain.htm
www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/

You need to find the Spitfire page. Is a great resource if you ask me.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks everyone.

I've never really worked out what the dal is with that company. They seemed to call themselves Academy in the USA and Minicraft or Academy/Minicraft in the rest of the world. But are they American or Asian? And has the Minicraft name been dropped now?

[phas3e]

Just looking at Model aircraft monthly, which did a big review of all the major spitfire kits out.
They say that the dimensions behind the cockpit are out giving it the tubby apperance,
the cannon bulges are too short, the wheels too thick, and worst of all the radiators are mould'd
parallel to the ground not the wings, theres lots of other small things wrong with it.

They say its a reasonable effort given its cheap price.

They recommend Fujimi for the best MkXIV/XIX.

[Calum]

I've built a Academy P-47D, Pretty good value but not quite as nice as the Tamyia offerings. The spitfires I've seen and sold and they do look good.

[Craig Sargent]

Daco do a very nice correction set for the Academy 1/48 IV which does make a big diference (prop, nose, radiators, rudder, and a few other bits), but doesn't address the rear fuselage. Academy are a little like Trumpeter in that most kits have issues to on degree or other, but some are real gems.

Academy and Minicraft are two different companies, with Academy marketing Minicraft and vice versa. The companies have since had a parting of ways, wnd you will see that there are no longer Academy kits bearing the Minicraft brand. They did some joint tools such as the B-24s in 1/72 and Minicraft kept the M toolings and it seems Academy got the rest. Try and find a 1/72 B-24M in NZ now...

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Craig, much appreciated, I could never fathom hat was happening with that/those companies.