Jaguar GR.1/GR.3

Ray Loch
Amazing build using this Kitty Hawk kit! A quick question, was there any big fit issues and if so where? Thanks Ray

Jonkka autor
A bloody awful project. Took me almost six months to complete with plenty of problems. Now I know why Kitty Hawk kits are so widely disliked.

I wanted to build most hatches closed and kit really doesn't like that. Fitting problems with the engine cowlings were enormous and although I managed to get a decent result, the gaps between panels stand out if looked closely. Instructions were downright shit, without reference photos it was impossible to know how certain parts were supposed to fit and in my eagerness, I glued engine extraction vents on top of the fuselage wrong way (in most jets those are intakes, but on Jaguar these are extraction vents and awnings should face aft). Kit included wrong clear parts sprue, for French version and although most clear parts are identical, the French version does not have laser designator window on front. I had to scratch build the nose and window. Decals were extremely fragile and broke on several occasions. That is why there is no ID number on front wheel door, although there should be. Had it not included curved numbers (732), I could have tried to paint it but decided against it.

On the plus side, details are good and generally fit was nice (except on lower fuselage and some PE parts). Parts were numerous and as I like building, it was fun until I hit the too frequent problems that I listed above. Not a kit I would build again but I was steadfast to finish this despite plenty of angry words uttered during the project.

Final insult was malfunction on my camera. It doesn't suddenly get shutter speed right and so photos are too dark. I adjusted exposure on GIMP but phots don't really match the colors of the model.

Ray Loch
Thanks Jonkka for taking the time on such a detailed answer. I have several Kitty Hawk kits and love the subjects but hear the same story about them being challenging. I missed the backward extractors and most people would at a contest. Even greater respect that you were able to get to the finish line on this kit and turn out such a quality build.
Cheers Ray

gorby
Excellent result despite the problems you encountered.