A very special unboxing -- The SA-43 Hammerhead from Space Above and Beyond [In Resin]

[Awry_Chaos]

As some of you may know, i am working designing and making a paper model of the Hammerhead fighter from the television show "Space: Above and Beyond. And in order to accomplish this I decided to buy a model kit of it to provide me with some physical reference of the aircraft.

This model was done by "Fantastic Plastic", a small model making company out of California:

Fantastic Plastic Models

Fantastic Plastic Models, home of quality resin model kits of exotic aircraft, spacecraft and sci-fi subjects. The Virtual Museum of Flying Wonders.

fantastic-plastic.com

Fantastic Plastic is run by Allen B. Ury, a model collector and builder. His website also features a virtual museum of the model in his collection that he has built. He is also a Hollywood screenwriter and script doctor.

In this thread I am doing an unboxing of the kit and will write about my impressions of the model.

 

[Awry_Chaos]

In this image I put the model kit box next to a DVD case to give the idea of how big the box is. The model is in 1:72 scale, standard scale but it can make for a small model. Given that this model is cast in resin, the 1:72 scale is probably one of the more affordable options without compromising detail

 

[Awry_Chaos]

I opened the box, and much to my surprise were the "edible peanuts" used for packing. The model was packed well, given the size of the box.

 

[Awry_Chaos]

In these pictures we can the model kit still in the bag. We also see the assembly instructions for the model which show you how to assemble it and gives you some recommendations on what type of glue to use. Here we can see the decal sheet which is superbly done. This set of decals is of a very high quality and is the best set of decals I have ever seen for a model.

 

[Awry_Chaos]

The parts of the model in "the bag".

 

[Awry_Chaos]

He we can see all the parts laid out (with the exception of the clear canopy and the landing gear struts). The parts have are nicely detailed. With the right tools and know-how this model could be detailed further.

 

[Awry_Chaos]

Some beauty shots of the main pieces of the model. These pieces need some work -- mainly sanding and cutting off the excess resin "flash". But I think it shows the overall quality of the model. With the right paint job and detailing the model has the potential to look awesome and become a great addition to any model collection!

 

[Awry_Chaos]

Here I compared the size of the model to the DVD case. I think it is going to be a good size to work with. Of course, i would love to see a 1:48 or 1:32 scale of this model, but at this size the 1:72 scale will give many opportunities for detailing. The other advantage to this scale is that it will give you a nice looking model that will fit on your desk or shelf without taking up too much room.

Another thing a like about the model is the "weight" of the main fuselage section, and the overall durability of the model.

 

[Awry_Chaos]

Here is the link to the model at Fantastic Plastic:

SA-43 Hammerhead Fighter 1:72 Resin Model Kit by Fantastic Plastic

A 1:72 scale resin model kit of the SA-43 Hammerhead Fighter from "Space: Above and Beyond" by Fantastic Plastic Models.

fantastic-plastic.com

The price for the kit is $75.00 (Be aware though, there is another price of $85.00 on the website. I purchased my kit for $75.00, but the price may change). Still at the $75/$85 price point I feel this kit is a good buy. It is detailed in all the right places and with a degree of care and patience will make a fun model to build. Also, if you have the expertise, there will be no limit to what you will be able to do with this model.

Based on this model I want to buy more kits from Fantastic Plastic. Besides the quality of the kit, I was pleased with with the instructions, the decals, and the fast shipping.

 

[Awry_Chaos]

Oh, and I almost forgot: A special thanks to @Rhaven Blaack and @Revell-Fan . Both of them have given me a lot of encouragement and @Revell-Fan has been really kind by sharing his expertise and knowledge with me. @Rhaven Blaack has always been kind enough to answer my questions and take the time to talk with me.

 

[mijob]

Thank you for this review. This will help you a lot designing the paper model. Im looking forward to see your next update in the design proces.

 

[Revell-Fan]

Thank you for this indepth review. Nice to see that it comes with landing gear. Clean-up may require some work. Make sure that you are wearing a good face mask during building. Resin dust is much more dangerous that regular polystyrene. Resin is harder and breaks more easily, so be extra careful when working on it.

 

[micahrogers]

Good glue for resin is five minute epoxy, or slower if you prefer, CA will work too. consider drilling and pinning the major parts too.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

This is a great review of this model. I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out!
Before you apply the decals to the model, I would suggest scanning them into your computer, so that you can use them as reference for the paper/cardstock template.

 

[Revell-Fan]

Before you apply the decals to the model, I would suggest scanning them into your computer, so that you can use them as reference for the paper/cardstock template.

Not only that, the scan will serve as a backup if something goes wrong. Scanning the decals is the first thing I do when I receive a new kit.

Before applying a decal spray-paint the area with a layer of glossy clear; that prevents silvering. Then use a good decal softener to have the decal follow the surface contours nicely.