Model Review -- Trumpeter RA-5C test-shot preview and comparison with Collect-Aire's resin RA-5C

The RA-5C test shots included here are not representative of the final version of the kit. They are injected at a lower pressure and the molds have not been polished yet. I am including the pictures basically to wet the appetite of the Navy jet friends out there!

So do keep in mind that the kit will look much better whet is ready for the market. The reason why I am including the Collect-Aire resin kit comparison is to satisfy the curiosity of all the modelers that asked me about how the two compare.
Although such a comparison is a bit unfair (colossal injected plastic company vs eastern European hand crafting artisan) I still though it would be interesting to see how the different makers approached the subject.

In general the Trumpeter kit captures the subject pretty well. They did great in many surface detail areas and offered a multitude of parts to keep the modeler busy. There are a few areas where I would have liked to see Trumpeter paying a little more attention but in all truth the model will more than suffice. Later on when I have the actual market version in my hands I will do a comparison next to the real aircraft for those modelers that feel like making some small mods to the plastic. As I present the pictures I might add a comment or two when necessary.

 

Obvious differences in outline. Length too as well as main landing gear placement.   Different approaches again on the nose area.   Tail cones entirely different.   I placed the wing parts together for a general view. Separate slats and flaps (6 pieces). Folded wing option too. Very nice engraved detail.   The resin wing is smaller in all dimensions.   Very similar in outline.   The tails are different here. Neither one is perfect.   The Trumpeter tail cone looks good.   Great detail here on the vents.   Here too.   Nice wheel well. Good detail Oh well. Note the inclusion of the late style ECM bumps on the top of the fuselage. I like the rear fuselage deck. The tail fits good onto it as well. The deck curves here and the straight bottom tail leaves a big gap. What a size difference! I like the correct length and shape as well as the plentiful detail on the plastic rece canoe The engine is good enough to avoid buying into aftermarket stuff. Nice canopy coaming with good detail Cool approach here and here. Should look good when done.   The seat is not bad but some resin would do well.   Look at all this interior detail on the front landing gear door!   Nice detail on the main landing gear door as well.   Not bad for plastic.   Not bad for plastic.   Good detail for the intake splitter.   Yes we do get the rece flash illuminators.   Nice depth for the front wheel well.   Front landing gear   Main landing gear   Nice detail for the main landing gear well.