Doug Nelson has sent us a detailed review-build of Silver Wings' awesome resin Hawker Hart. But this is a build with a difference; Doug has followed the style of the old Model Aircraft Preview magazine, so there's no paint or filler used to hide any problems.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Nicely done build and fine mold too!

Nice to see some "Tweeners" being released. Nice too to see a two seater.

Do they do a Fury or a Demon?

Cheers,

Hugh

Hi everyone. Thanks to Rowan for inviting me to post this "build guide"/review here.

I wanted to see if I could get some feedback on what your thoughts are on this type of review. Is it too long, too short, too detailed, not detailed enough etc. Is there any benefit to you, the reader, in seeing the build without paint, or would you prefer to see it painted?

This is the first review of this type I have done, so please let me know how I can improve it - don't be shy - I am a big boy and can take harsh criticism if necessary!

Thanks!

Doug

Hi again

I always used to read Model Aircraft Preview, and found their "nothing to hide behind" style really useful in judging a kit - often more so than a finely finished model that often said more about the skills of the builder than the quality of the kit.

We've seriously considered running reviews in this style on Aeroscale in the past, so I'd also be very interested in seeing readers' feedback on it and whether it's something you'd like to see us do regularly for standard releases.

All the best

Rowan

Doug and Rowan,
I found this review very informative and probably just a tad too long although for the subject in question it may be right. I think without seeing this done on another subject, never having seen the magazine in question, it is hard to judge.

The one question I have is what do you do with the made up kit now as you can not get inside to paint the interior? Myself I would not want to do this type of review but yes I did find it helpful.

Hi Luciano

Probably the reason more people aren't prepared to do a review like this is that the kit truly is "sacrificed" for the sake of showing how well it fits together (or otherwise). It sort of goes against every modelling instinct - a really tough decision to make, especially with a limited edition resin kit like this one!

All the best

Rowan

Building it with out painting and filling is helpful, and shows how the kit really is, and how much work is needed correcting seam lines and whatnot.
I have done the same type of review myself with a HobbyBoss F-16D Fighting Falcon , and although I did enjoy building it this way, it's not something I would like to do on a regular basis, unless I had two of the same kits and one could be "sacrificed" (but how often is that going to happen ).
Andy

Nice review Andy!

@ Luciano - this kit will likely never see paint, as it has served its purpose as a review kit. I actually think it looks pretty good as is, but I just need to figure out where to put it

@ Hugh - Montex did a 1/32 Fury which was mastered by the owner of Silver Wings before he started his own company. Ali @ A2Zee Models is now is the vendor for this kit and sells it with upgraded metal struts and proper 43 squadron decals. No one does a Demon that I know of, so if you really want one, you'll need to convert the Hart to get one

Regarding reviews, I personally find it easiest to do the non-paint (and non-rigged for biplanes) reviews as I can get it done much faster when I don't need to plan painting/filling/decaling etc into the mix. And as some of you mentioned, the benefit is the reader gets to see how the kit is without anything "hidden" by filler and paint.

As I was given this kit to review, and I have my own copy in the stash, I thought this review would be a good way to get to learn about the kit, and provide a useful review at the same time. I think doing the review kit this way will help me do a better job building my own Hart kit

I'm currently working on the same type of review for the Silver Wings Gloster Gladiator, and I'll submit it for posting once it is complete.

Thanks for your comments (and for anyone else that wants to provide feedback!!) and to the emailed comments I received as well.

Cheers,

Doug