F-Toys WKC18

[Sergei]

We may as well start this one.

As I posted on the 'News' thread my box of WKC18 arrived this afternoon. It is the first time I have bought a full box. The extravagance!

I have opened the individual boxes to see what is included. I will not say what the 'Secret' item is until others have received their consignments - no need for a spoiler alert here!

A quick inspection shows that the standard of Vs.17 (the Kate and Devastator pairing) is maintained. The Shinden has a very small cockpit so the opportunities for lots of detail are limited but the P-51H has a full instrument panel. The Hien II comes with one razorback version and three lo-back versions.

As is the F-Toys' norm these days all three types require full assembly and most of the markings are by decal. All three types are obscure ones so I cannot comment on the accuracy of the models but F-Toys' research tends to be pretty good.

A happy time beckons!

[Tim R-T-C]

I was pleased that the VS17 decals were much thinner and more compliant than the decals from the VS9 P-40 set I recently played with, where they just wouldn't conform to panel lines at all.

I will be interested to hear if these decals are the same once one gets built.

[Sergei]

I always sand the F-Toys decal sheets before I use them to thin them and take off the gloss. It will be interesting to see how these ones perform.

[smeg1959]

F-Toys' decals are a bit inconsistent. We talk about "A" and "B" teams on the models. Perhaps we should do likewise with the decals, as they clearly originate from more than one source. Some in the early series were very poor, with misregistered colours and a total resistance to panel line conformation. Even had one batch that simply fell off the model once dry, despite the use of softening liquids.

[F_IV]

I always sand the F-Toys decal sheets before I use them to thin them and take off the gloss. It will be interesting to see how these ones perform.

That's a great idea! I'll have to remember that.

[Sergei]

I have just spent a very happy hour putting the first of my Shindens together. I couldn't resist it because it is such an intriguing design.

This one is up there with the Devastator in terms of quality. The components are very cleanly moulded and the level of cockpit detail is quite sufficient given the size of the cockpit and what will be visible. I had a slight issue with the factory painting of the nosewheel being out of register, but that was a simple fix. What is impressive is that on the outer trailing edges of the tail fins there is tiny stencilling. I am sure if I could read Japanese I would be able to with the help of a magnifying glass. Amazing.

I painted the cockpit and seat and put in a simple harness. I have assembled it as I do with all my gashapons, with smear of a little bit of CA gel to ensure a tight permanent bond.

I didn't get the original Shinden release and am not really in a position to compare it with WKC18. I did however get one of the original Ki-45 Toryus as well as the later one paired with the P-61 (WKCVs14). The original was good but the later release showed how techniques had evolved in the interim and I suspect the same is the case with the Shinden, but others will be better placed to judge.

In summary so far I am very happy to recommend WKC18.

[TonyG2]

It will also be interesting to compare the old and new F-Toy Shindens to the "Shinden Like" fighter design from the movie, The Princess and the Pilot







The significant differences appear to be the gull wing design and that there is a two part contra-rotating prop to distinguish it as a fictional design from the real thing.

The Princess and the Pilot design looks closer to the Sanka B from SkyCrawlers than the real Shinden although to the best of my knowledge the Sanka was only released in 1/72 not in 1/144 making a comparison somewhat of a moot point.

[Sergei]

Right, that is one of my Shindens and one of my P-51s built and decaled. Just a bit of sealer left to do.

I can report that these are some of the best - if not the best - F-Toys decals I have worked with. As is now my custom I gave the decal sheets a gentle going over with a soft decorator's sanding sponge to remove the gloss and to thin the decals a little bit. These didn't require much. They also required very little time in the water and adhered to the models' contours very well. I used some Humbrol Decal Set to make sure.

Obscure subjects but very nice models.

[Sergei]

I suppose I should add a couple of photos. The Shinden needs a dusting already!

[smeg1959]

Nice ... good marketing ploy!