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As promised I have been through the box and here is my review of HKM's 1/32 scale Lancaster.
I will be breaking it down into sections as there is a lot to get through and to do it in one go would mean loads of text before the pictures and may get confusing.
So here we go, the first part will be packaging and instructions.
The box itself is not sealed and the lid is not taped down, I have moved it twice and nearly lost the contents! Once opened I was disappointed, the parts are not sectioned off, just thrown in the box with the instruction booklet and decals in amongst the sprue packs. I also found some parts detached from their sprues but luckily nothing was broken. For the money I would have expected more.
The instruction booklet is big, well printed with detailed pictures that really need studying well as there is no text at all to aid you. on the plus side HKM have given you a paint conversion chart on the back for different paint suppliers so you are not struggling for cross reference.
There are 3 decal versions listed with the Squadron, year and where the Lancaster was based. Cartograph decals, nice touch. There are also plenty of other markings now available from online shops if you do not want to use the kit sets. There is a small p.e set for belts and that is about it! Nemesis attached the following image(s):
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Next up are the plastic parts, 46 sprues 2 of which are clear parts, and 2 wings cast in a single part and 8 fuselage parts, 4 of which are clear plastic.
The wings are a single piece casting with very nice rivet and panel detail, although the rivets are not proud but recessed. Nevertheless they still look superb. My only 2 criticisms are 1. they seem very flimsy, I can only assume they will stiffen up once you start adding other parts, and 2. where they attach to the fuselage there is absolutely no detail at the wing root, I mean NOTHING just flat plastic! I would have expected more considering the time this kit has been in research and development.
The main fuselage is broken down into 4 sections, front and rear halves. The detail is spot on on the grey plastic, with excellent rivet detail and panel lines and the interior with spars and formers. There is the option to use the 4 clear parts of the fuselage to display the full interior but again disappointment with the lack of rivet detail. I can see a few builders completing 2 kits from this box, a clear fuselage with interior and a complete plane with external detail, it is not beyond reason for someone with the skill.Nemesis attached the following image(s):
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Now we move onto the engines and cradles. Four sprues hold the parts for the engines and although they are crisp mouldings there is very little in the way of detail, I would certainly have expected more including Rolls Royce decals for the valve covers seeing as these were fitted to the MKIb, Packards in the MKIII. I am sure there will be plenty of scratch building to bring them up to spec. The oil tanks seem to be correct as do the radiators, but again lack of pipework and cables.
The next sprues are for flaps , elevators and stabilizers, nothing much to comment as the detail is up to standard. Nicely cast, no pin marks and as all of the parts, no flash.Nemesis attached the following image(s):
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We move onto the canopy and turret clear parts. Not much to say, nicely formed, crystal clear with good detail. No mask set available as of yet.
The bomb load is next up, full compliment of 500lb bombs and the well known cookie bomb. Nice crisp detail on all the parts.
You get 2 sets of propeller blades, paddle type and standard. Curious as to the paddle type as these were fitted to the B1 Special used with Merlin 24's fitted to the 617 Lancasters to carry the Tallboy and Grandslam bombs.Nemesis attached the following image(s):
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 Rank: Superelite      Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/05/2010 Posts: 2,608 Points: 7,519 Location: Lincolnshire
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Thanks for the review so far. With the info provided all in all a bit of a mixed bag? I’m sure you will still be able to make a great job of it  Regards Gray
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 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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There is also mention in a number of reports that It has numerous parts supplied that are not even listed for placement in the instructions.
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We now move onto the cockpit and controls and the bomb bay, and here is where the kit really falls down.
We will start with the cockpit floor, and they have really let themselves down. There is lack of detail and it would have been so easy to do. The gauges are nicely cast, but no decals and not even detail to paint! I have ordered the airscale replacement which is spot on. Radios look ok and will detail nicely.
The pilots seat needs looking at as it seems to tall, but I will go more into depth when I start the build, and being a new release there are bound to be plenty of upgrade parts coming on the market.
The wheels and tyres are a serious let down, no detail at all. Bereft of tread pattern, sidewall markings, brakes and brake lines. The only saving grace is they are weighted, but even that looks odd. I can only hope someone does a resin detail up set.
Now the bomb bay and doors. This to be honest is not good at all. On first inspection the detail is good, and then you spot the ejector pin marks! You could not have them in a more awkward place and they are going to be a pain in the backside to deal with. Same on the bomb bay sides with the hydraulic pipes. I will admit that these alone are enough to put you off getting the glue out.
The mg barrels are a nice touch and they are hollow, but I have bought brass replacements.Nemesis attached the following image(s):
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 Rank: Master    Groups: Registered
Joined: 25/11/2018 Posts: 1,284 Points: 3,878 Location: Southeast UK
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So now its summary time, what do I think? Firstly the price, is it worth it? Honestly in my opinion, no. I was lucky and got mine at a discount, but if I had to pay between £350 and £400 I wouldn't touch it, £225 tops if you ask me. It is a nice kit, but there are errors abound, lack of detail in really important areas like the cockpit and gauges, rivets on the clear fuselage, pin marks in ridiculously hard to get places and the fact the tyres are completely bare of any detail is quite horrendous. BUT, it is a nice looking kit and if you just want a large scale Lanc then it will build into something that will be a talking point, and as time goes by there is bound to be an abundance of aftermarket parts coming online to fill the shortfalls. For model builders with some skill, scratch building will be a must and will turn this kit into something special. I for one will hold off building this until later in the year to see what appears. I have already ordered the gauges and barrels.
Now we have to wait and see how the WNW Lanc will stand up, I have a feeling it will knock the HKM Lanc out of the ballpark. I have pre ordered mine through Hannants and I will be comparing the 2 kits as and when I get one. There are already upgrades for it and it has not even been released yet!
I hope this review has been of some help for anyone looking at getting this kit and please remember, this is my own opinion, there are other reviews that are worth a look to help compare different builders opinions.
Nem  
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Kev the Modeller wrote:A nice review Daran, well presented. Interesting to note that you've picked up on the same bad points (and the good ones) that other reviewers have mentioned. The mass of ejector pin marks in the bomb bay is particularly bad as is the lack of detail in the cockpit or decals of any kind for the instrument panels, not good as you say and for the money I would expect more. 
To be honest the Tamiya 1:48 Lanc that I was building (and will be resuming soon) has better detail in the cockpit if using the Eduard PE upgrades and I can only hope that the aftermarket boys will set about producing a lot of upgrades for this HKM kit. I think it could build into a stunning model. especially in 1:32 scale, but boy is it gonna need some work to get it there? 
Not one I would buy I'm afraid. 
Kev  Thanks for looking in Kev. Yes its not what all the hype made it considering the amount of time its been in R and D, 5 years I believe, its certainly lacking.
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Tomick wrote:There is also mention in a number of reports that It has numerous parts supplied that are not even listed for placement in the instructions. Yes I have seen that, a bridge to cross as and when I get to it! Very bizarre and poor on the development side!
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Rank: Master Groups: Registered
Joined: 25/11/2018 Posts: 1,284 Points: 3,878 Location: Southeast UK
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If I were you Daran, I would hang onto it until the WW version is released, do your comparison between the two, by which time all of the HKM early release kits which come with the clear fuselage parts will have long been sold and going up in price because of their rarity. Then sell it to offset the cost of the WW kit, job done!
Kev Per Ardua Ad Astra
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Nemesis wrote:Tomick wrote:There is also mention in a number of reports that It has numerous parts supplied that are not even listed for placement in the instructions. Yes I have seen that, a bridge to cross as and when I get to it! Very bizarre and poor on the development side! Also seems you don’t even get a wall mount as with some of their other 1/32 kits.
If your not planning to use the clear fus sides, if it was me I would cut the disappointment, include the brass gun barrels and put it on eBay for £325 to get rid and await the Wingnuts which will pack a far bigger punch. The HKM is already being discounted to £330, in 3 months time I suspect it will be 295 or less and suspect a lot of modellers have held off since the Wingnuts news.
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Rank: Superelite Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/05/2010 Posts: 2,608 Points: 7,519 Location: Lincolnshire
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Kev the Modeller wrote:If I were you Daran sell it to offset the cost of the WW kit, job done!
Kev But do we know how much the WnW kit will cost? Everything’s relative! Might be more accurate but if twice the cost.....
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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CaptnBirdseye wrote:Kev the Modeller wrote:If I were you Daran sell it to offset the cost of the WW kit, job done!
Kev But do we know how much the WnW kit will cost? Everything’s relative! Might be more accurate but if twice the cost..... It’s TBA and is relative, likely to be the Rolls Royce of Lanc kits., am guessing you wont see much change out of £450, which by comparison of the quality, attention to detail and accuracy of their other kits, will be worth it.
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From all I have read and watched on Youtube the overall reaction is more dissapointment with the kit which is a shame as it showed great promise and looks to have been rushed out almost in panic as the news of the Wingnuts kit came out. I can see the clear parts appearing on fleabay soon at silly prices as people just build the half clear version or the fully enclosed version and try and get something back on the kits cost. Just my opinion of course. Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
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Rank: Master Groups: Registered
Joined: 25/11/2018 Posts: 1,284 Points: 3,878 Location: Southeast UK
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arpurchase wrote:From all I have read and watched on Youtube the overall reaction is more dissapointment with the kit which is a shame as it showed great promise and looks to have been rushed out almost in panic as the news of the Wingnuts kit came out.
I can see the clear parts appearing on fleabay soon at silly prices as people just build the half clear version or the fully enclosed version and try and get something back on the kits cost. Just my opinion of course.
I think you're spot on with your assessment Andy, and I'm of the same opinion. I'd agree that it's very likely that certain parts, if not whole kits will end up on Ebay and for the very reasons that you mention? It'll be a case of get your money back while you can and wait it out for the WnW release.
Happy New Year!
Kev Per Ardua Ad Astra
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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The auctions have started... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/039-HK-Models-039-1-32-Scale-039-Avro-Lancaster-Mk1-039-972mm-Wingspan-Stunning-Model-/153320392389?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
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Tomick wrote:The auctions have started... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/039-HK-Models-039-1-32-Scale-039-Avro-Lancaster-Mk1-039-972mm-Wingspan-Stunning-Model-/153320392389?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276 And no clear fuselage!
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Received these today, very nice! Nemesis attached the following image(s):
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Guest (3)
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US
