Dobber

OK, here is my review of the FA-22 Raptor by Gaincorp. Like all Gaincorp models this has fixed landing gear....while I Agree with everyone else that removable gear ala dragon wings would be nice, we all knew it going in! the model itself seems to be pretty acurate to the production FA-22's lines. Not sure if the actual Raptor is like this but the Horizontal stabs edges are "blocky" there is no edge to them. You can see thisin the pictures on the Flyingmule website. Paint scheme is nice but a little too glossy....but this seems to be how they do their models, I have the SU-35 and it is also in a gloss finish. The colors are a little off. The 22, to me, seems to be more of a "metalic grey" base with the darker grey camo, and the model is more of a grey on darker grey finish. However it is still nice looking with the faded effect on the camos edges. The weapons bay as someone else pointed out is pretty cool. Not sure if it is accurate or not but it holds 6 ARAAM missles. The Doors are hinged and open out and then the outer edges fold in to allow ground clearance. To get the out edges to fold in took alittle bit of force on my model so it can be alittle nerve racking if you are affraid you might break it! The push button release, while a bit gimmicky, is actually a nice touch IMO. the button on top is flush with the rest of the Hull with no more "gap" around the button then any othe panel line. Markings seem to be pretty desent, but again I'm not that familiar with the Raptor. The model comes with a crew Ladder and an optional extended tail hook...never seen that on the Raptor but I'm sure it's there....it's just a strange option for an AirForce aircraft model because they are almost never used. The Cockpit is bland with virtually NO detail. I know that no one outside the people that actually work on the thing has seen the actual cockpit, but the whole thing was just painted gloss black...seat and all....with just minimal genaric white instraments painted on the main consol. The only REAL problem I have with MY model is that there is a NASTY seem running the length of the nose, so there is a visible "gap" at the tip of the nose cone. Not sure if this is fixable or not seeing as how the screw holes are capped off. Oh well. Over-all, I'm happy with the model just wish it didn't have that damn seem! Flaps and Rudders are nice and seem to be accurate. I'm tempted to apply a flat coat myself, but that would ruin the "original" model if you catch my drift. Also would have been nice if the side weapons bays could be displayed openend, which it seems was originally planned because the directions on the back of the box shows them open, but instead they are glued shut . If you are a fan of the FA-22 I think you'll like this model....not perfect, but there really isn't alot out there of the Raptor. Chris P.S. I'll post a few pictures later....not sure what you'll be able to see because I'm on dial-up and my picture quality hasn't been comming out so great on the forums.

Thanks everyone! Are the pictures grainy when you see them? The look really low quality when I look at them in the post, but when I look at them on my desk top the look crisp and clear. I'll post more tomorrow though. Chris

This dial-up connection is KILLING me!!!! This will be the last one for now. If anyone wants to see something in particular I'll take a picture and then post it. Hope you all enjoy....Thanks VF-19!!! Chris

I used Master Cheng technique using strip styrene in the exhaust nozzels I decided to put the strips on all sides though. Just noticed I need to do a few touch ups in the 0A Damn!!! that's embarrising! . I also made the ejection handles for the 2 0's but the picture quality looks horrible after they are posted and I'm not sure if you can see them. I'm not sure why they look so bad being posted....they don't look bad on my desk top.? Chris

more. Sorry about the last 2 I didn't think the first one posted!!

more. Sorry these are taking forever to do, I'm using stupid Dial up!!

more.

more.

more.

More

Sorry for the large pictures, I'll take some smaller ones and use mainly them. Chris

Hey everyone, some of you might remember my custom SV-51 from a few months back. Well, it's finished now along with a custom VF-0A and a Roy VF-0S. Just a little back-ground on me, I brush painted these models except for the base coats on the 0S and A, they were done with regular Tamiya spray cans. The 51 was all brush painted. Weathering was mainly done with pastels and a little bit of drybrushing thats it! I'm no WM Cheng but I hope you enjoy. P.S. If you'd like to see more just say so, I'd be glad to show more.

Nah, that's just the production version "cannon fodder" that can be optionally made with this kit. Chris

That is by far my favorite box-art! Followed close by the 0B. Chris

I so can't wait for these kits!!! Chris

In short. No sensor pod. No pylons on the CFTs. *** *** Biggest difference between a F-15D and a E(strike) was the pylons to carry all the exploding bits. If they had fitted the pylons correctly and put some bombs with the box it would have been one of the greatest die-casts ever released. But too bad. I see. Damn, and I thought just buying those extra bomb packs would fix everything. But drop tanks would've been awesome. BTW Dobber, I think Dragon is working on an F-14, but they're just taking their sweet time with it. Oh dear God I hope so . I have the Dragon F/A-18 "Chippy Ho" can't think of which year but it is the weathered one. I think it looks great BTW, much better then the standard releases. I also have a Dragon F-16C "Fighter Weapons school". Dragon Rocks!!! A Tomcat next to them would be magnificent. Don't have any Corgi yet, But I am considering getting a 1/32 mustang from them. Also got 3 mustangs from Dragon and they are BEAUTIFUL! Chris

I'll post some pictures of the 22 and the Su-35 once the Raptor arrives. I wish Dragon would release an F-14. Chris

I believe that the Sea Flankers are already out. I think there are 3 versions of it. Yup I got the 35. I saw it available on Flying mule and talked my wife into letting me get it because it is so hard to get ahold of! Chris

Hey everybody, Gaincorp just released this 1/72 Raptor. Gaincorps quality isn't too bad, I own a Su-35 from them, hope the Raptor is good I'm waiting for it to be delivered. Sorry can't post a picture, but you can check them out at flyingmule.com. Chris

I still want to see a good shot of it from the side in fighter mode to see if it is any more streamlined. Those intakes were just way too big before. Chris

Yup, I realized that when I built my SV-51. However, the legs don't rotate for Gerwalk mode...just Battroid mode. Thus, I think this makes it impossible for the SV-51 to transform to or out of Battroid mode while on the ground, unlike the VF-0 or VF-1. That could be bad in a pinch for the pilot. Chris

The DD SV-51 is now being released in Oct.!!! Sweet! Chris

Also, is the first person mode the same as the one in the PS2 demo? Because that one was an over the shoulder ghost helmet view not a true first person view? Gamespot said that the game is improved upon the version that they played....not sure if that means the demo that we got with the PS2 magazine. Chris

I'm with you, I'd like to know as well. Gamespot said that the PC and Xbox versions would obviously be faster with less lag but that the PS2 version was most surprising...whatever that means? Chris

Yeah, it's been a while since I last listened to it, but I'm sure the music that plays while he's at the island in the first Episode is present. Why wouldn't it be? Actually, no it's not on OST-1. Chris