This kit created a minor sensation when released in 1967. The dawn of serious attempt at realistic cocpit detail and correct external detail. It was an exciting time for a modeler; with every new release, Monogram just got better & better. Their kits always looked realistic, and they progressively added more detail, and eliminated gimmicky, kid features. The P-51, P-47s, Typhoon & Kingfisher showed they cared about realism from all angles. The engraved vs raised panel lines question was debated, because many a/c in fact had lapped, not butted, panel joints, and any incorrect raised rivets could be judiciously sanded to truly approximate flush rivets. And, a whole cottage industry of after market, upgrade products was created! I was very proud of my Monogram kits, finished with my Binks Wren airbrush and Official paints, and Hisairdec decals. I'm very happy for this golden age of modeling we now experience, even though the price of the hobby has soared. However, I fondly recall that first golden age, full of promise, and $2.99 kits! : )
Even in the first golden age of models, it was an expensive hobby for a child. As a kid, I had to choose between kits or paints. The kits won out, and many of my kits went unpainted - thank God for kits molded "in-color". I built many of the classics you mentioned, and they still grace my shelves. Too bad Monogram, and later Accurate Miniatures went belly up. Both were great companies whose kits are thankfully still available. Cheers!
Jeez I too built one of these too long ago. I loved the Monogram details compared to kits of the time, yes the raised panel lines were a challenge but since Monogram thankfully produced aircraft no-one else did, you made do. I've stretched sprues to make new lines and rescribed entire kits - RF101 being most memorable - but never regretted starting a Monogram kit. Great vid and thanks for the memories.
This was one of my favorites that my dad built. I have seen a few on ebay and now I am thinking of giving it a try. I would love to see your finished version..
Hard to believe this was a new kit when I built it, now its vintage. Last build before going into sabbatical. The single paint scheme, makes it stand out, ( makes up for the lack of detail of current 1/48 kits) and the historical aspect of the aircraft makes it a nice addition to the period aircraft collection. History wise it was the primary catapult launch scout plane for battleships and heavy cruisers for recon, and occasional search and rescue. Glad I built it when I did as a long sabbatical really impacts the skill set, especially with all these new materials and kits. Definitely interested in how your build comes out.
Very cool! You're correct about it being a historically significant aircraft, and I'm looking forward to completing the kit. The new kits/materials aren't as intimidating as they seem at first. If you can turn out an old kit nicely, the newer kits will make you look like a pro.
Great kit & one of Monogram's earliest 48th molds. I am mildly appalled though that we haven't seen a modern kit in 48th with surface details & better clear parts...
I have seen a nice modern 1:32 scale one, decked out with engine and full interior from Kitty Hawk. 2015 tooling. But I agree that it's a shame on the lack of a modern 1:48.
Excellent review and details of your experience building it! find these vintage Monogram kits so appealing, perhaps because these were kits I wanted to build when I was a kid in 1970s and very early 1980s. I was able to build a few recently and having a ton of fun (some videos and short on my TH-cam channel).
These Monogram classics are really great models. Great fit. Great instructions. Maybe not as many details as modern kits. But as a kid in the fifties you could buy these kits for a dollar. And finish them in a day. Oh, but the shame of raised panel lines.
Just picked this one up at a second hand shop. The version with the photo-etch included. Looking to build it along with maybe trying my hand at scratch building the deck catapult setting. Looks like a really nice kit considering the age. The cockpit and gunner seat are pretty rudimentary by modern standards but I find it interesting that in its day it was something of a sensation when released, according to some of the comments. I find these old kits are worth building for perspective on the era, kinda like sitting down and reading a classic book or watching an older film. They can also do wonders to make you a better modeler, plus they usually make the more modern builds feel assembling like a Lego set when you do one.
You cut off the floats!??! Lol. You are definitely building kits from the attic of my memories..i would like to see the finished kingfisher. Love your site.
@@stevecausey545 I got this one! Thanks for persevering. What brand of masks and where did you find them? I don't think you're able to post links. Cheers!
Interesting as you mention how brittle the plastic is - I've had the opposite problem with some European kits that have very soft plastic, making it a challenge to work with.
Any model kit is worth building. I do not understand model builders today. A lot of these older kits are more challenging than today's museum quality overpriced kits. I built this kit probably in the early 80's.
As a long-time modeler, I've built a lot of classic kits and the newer ones as well. I thoroughly enjoy the different challenges each type presents. I'm thankful for the amazing quality of some newer kits, as you said, museum quality. If you can finish a classic kit well, the good quality new kits will make you look like a master. I refuse to pay ridiculous prices, however, and will wait for a sale, buy a kit second hand, or get one with less frills (thank you Eduard) to keep the cost in check. I've always thought the hobby was expensive. I remember being able to get a kit but not all the supplies to finish it well. It didn't keep me from building, but I had to wait until adulthood to afford the paints, supplies, and tools needed to finish the kits properly. Cheers!
This kit created a minor sensation when released in 1967. The dawn of serious attempt at realistic cocpit detail and correct external detail. It was an exciting time for a modeler; with every new release, Monogram just got better & better. Their kits always looked realistic, and they progressively added more detail, and eliminated gimmicky, kid features. The P-51, P-47s, Typhoon & Kingfisher showed they cared about realism from all angles. The engraved vs raised panel lines question was debated, because many a/c in fact had lapped, not butted, panel joints, and any incorrect raised rivets could be judiciously sanded to truly approximate flush rivets. And, a whole cottage industry of after market, upgrade products was created! I was very proud of my Monogram kits, finished with my Binks Wren airbrush and Official paints, and Hisairdec decals.
I'm very happy for this golden age of modeling we now experience, even though the price of the hobby has soared. However, I fondly recall that first golden age, full of promise, and $2.99 kits! : )
Even in the first golden age of models, it was an expensive hobby for a child. As a kid, I had to choose between kits or paints. The kits won out, and many of my kits went unpainted - thank God for kits molded "in-color". I built many of the classics you mentioned, and they still grace my shelves. Too bad Monogram, and later Accurate Miniatures went belly up. Both were great companies whose kits are thankfully still available. Cheers!
Jeez I too built one of these too long ago. I loved the Monogram details compared to kits of the time, yes the raised panel lines were a challenge but since Monogram thankfully produced aircraft no-one else did, you made do. I've stretched sprues to make new lines and rescribed entire kits - RF101 being most memorable - but never regretted starting a Monogram kit.
Great vid and thanks for the memories.
Thanks Andrew! I'm working on another Monogram kit review as I write this!
This was one of my favorites that my dad built. I have seen a few on ebay and now I am thinking of giving it a try. I would love to see your finished version..
Me too. It's still in-process. I would like to find some canopy masks for it. If I do, I will finish it up soon. Cheers!
I have built two of these kits. It’s a great kit just love it.
Right on Shawn!
Hard to believe this was a new kit when I built it, now its vintage. Last build before going into sabbatical. The single paint scheme, makes it stand out, ( makes up for the lack of detail of current 1/48 kits) and the historical aspect of the aircraft makes it a nice addition to the period aircraft collection. History wise it was the primary catapult launch scout plane for battleships and heavy cruisers for recon, and occasional search and rescue. Glad I built it when I did as a long sabbatical really impacts the skill set, especially with all these new materials and kits. Definitely interested in how your build comes out.
Very cool! You're correct about it being a historically significant aircraft, and I'm looking forward to completing the kit. The new kits/materials aren't as intimidating as they seem at first. If you can turn out an old kit nicely, the newer kits will make you look like a pro.
Great kit & one of Monogram's earliest 48th molds.
I am mildly appalled though that we haven't seen a modern kit in 48th with surface details & better clear parts...
I guess it's not as sexy as a fighter.
I have seen a nice modern 1:32 scale one, decked out with engine and full interior from Kitty Hawk. 2015 tooling. But I agree that it's a shame on the lack of a modern 1:48.
Excellent review and details of your experience building it!
find these vintage Monogram kits so appealing, perhaps because these were kits I wanted to build when I was a kid in 1970s and very early 1980s. I was able to build a few recently and having a ton of fun (some videos and short on my TH-cam channel).
Thanks, I'll have to check out the videos. Cheers!
These Monogram classics are really great models. Great fit. Great instructions. Maybe not as many details as modern kits. But as a kid in the fifties you could buy these kits for a dollar. And finish them in a day. Oh, but the shame of raised panel lines.
Right on James!
Just picked this one up at a second hand shop. The version with the photo-etch included. Looking to build it along with maybe trying my hand at scratch building the deck catapult setting. Looks like a really nice kit considering the age. The cockpit and gunner seat are pretty rudimentary by modern standards but I find it interesting that in its day it was something of a sensation when released, according to some of the comments. I find these old kits are worth building for perspective on the era, kinda like sitting down and reading a classic book or watching an older film. They can also do wonders to make you a better modeler, plus they usually make the more modern builds feel assembling like a Lego set when you do one.
Great comments, Matthew! I agree completely. Cheers!
You cut off the floats!??!
Lol. You are definitely building kits from the attic of my memories..i would like to see the finished kingfisher.
Love your site.
I did 🙂. I just wanted a different looking Kingfisher on the shelf. I'm looking for a set of canopy masks currently...
@@jonsmodelkitreview4624a friend got me one this weekend.
I can't wait to build this one.
Can't find any canopy masks or PE...but I still love it.
@stevecausey545 If you find canopy masks, let me know 😉! I'm at that point in construction, and I don't want to mask it the old-fashioned way. Cheers!
Jon, I found masks..but my posts keep disappearing
@@stevecausey545 I got this one! Thanks for persevering. What brand of masks and where did you find them? I don't think you're able to post links. Cheers!
Yes!! My big brother has his a remember. And he did the land base too
Very cool Sonny!
@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 so cool toy see this vintage kits
Interesting as you mention how brittle the plastic is - I've had the opposite problem with some European kits that have very soft plastic, making it a challenge to work with.
I agree Patrick - Airfix kits come to mind.
Building it right again now after 57 years...
@@mpierrela Right on!
Any model kit is worth building. I do not understand model builders today. A lot of these older kits are more challenging than today's museum quality overpriced kits. I built this kit probably in the early 80's.
As a long-time modeler, I've built a lot of classic kits and the newer ones as well. I thoroughly enjoy the different challenges each type presents. I'm thankful for the amazing quality of some newer kits, as you said, museum quality. If you can finish a classic kit well, the good quality new kits will make you look like a master. I refuse to pay ridiculous prices, however, and will wait for a sale, buy a kit second hand, or get one with less frills (thank you Eduard) to keep the cost in check.
I've always thought the hobby was expensive. I remember being able to get a kit but not all the supplies to finish it well. It didn't keep me from building, but I had to wait until adulthood to afford the paints, supplies, and tools needed to finish the kits properly. Cheers!
No doubt a 1960's molding.........anyone know the exact year?
1967...
Thanks Alan!