Author Topic: Unicorns & Holy Grails  (Read 35078 times)

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Unicorns & Holy Grails
« on: January 15, 2020, 04:43:56 AM »
Hi folks,

A new thread for members to list their 'unicorn' or 'holy grail' kits so that others might let them know if they come across one.

For those not aware, a unicorn or holy grail kit is often one that reportedly has been produced but is extremely rare and may never have even been seen.

An example for me might be the supposed 1/48 AA-model Caproni Ca.313 model kit -  the only reference I have is a brief Scalemates mention.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline kitnut617

  • Measures the actual aircraft before modelling it...we have the photographic evidence.
  • Holding Pattern
  • *
  • I'd rather be dirtbike riding...
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2020, 04:51:50 AM »
What's the difference between the Ca.313 and Ca.314 Greg ?

BTW, the AA Model Ca.313 is a basic vacuform, AA Model production only lasted 4 years, 1981 to 1985.

A company called E.P. Original Models did a resin 1/48 Ca.314, but this would be even more rarer, production started in '95 and ended '96
« Last Edit: January 15, 2020, 04:56:01 AM by kitnut617 »

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2020, 05:04:35 AM »
What's the difference between the Ca.313 and Ca.314 Greg ?

BTW, the AA Model Ca.313 is a basic vacuform, AA Model production only lasted 4 years, 1981 to 1985.

A company called E.P. Original Models did a resin 1/48 Ca.314, but this would be even more rarer, production started in '95 and ended '96

From what I understand the Ca.314 was a development of the CA.313, itself a development of the Ca.310.  The main differences (apart from use - the Ca,314 being the more dedicated attack version) possibly slightly different engines (though hardly noticeable visually) and heavier MGs in wing roots plus the Ca.314 was heavier.  Are you aware of a 1/48 Ca.314 kit?
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline kitnut617

  • Measures the actual aircraft before modelling it...we have the photographic evidence.
  • Holding Pattern
  • *
  • I'd rather be dirtbike riding...
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2020, 05:05:35 AM »
What's the difference between the Ca.313 and Ca.314 Greg ?

BTW, the AA Model Ca.313 is a basic vacuform, AA Model production only lasted 4 years, 1981 to 1985.

A company called E.P. Original Models did a resin 1/48 Ca.314, but this would be even more rarer, production started in '95 and ended '96

From what I understand the Ca.314 was a development of the CA.313, itself a development of the Ca.310.  The main differences (apart from use - the Ca,314 being the more dedicated attack version) possibly slightly different engines (though hardly noticeable visually) and heavier MGs in wing roots plus the Ca.314 was heavier.  Are you aware of a 1/48 Ca.314 kit?

I was looking in the PAK-20 book Greg --

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2020, 05:06:14 AM »
BTW, the AA Model Ca.313 is a basic vacuform, AA Model production only lasted 4 years, 1981 to 1985.

I can live with that if its the only option.

A company called E.P. Original Models did a resin 1/48 Ca.314, but this would be even more rarer, production started in '95 and ended '96

Hmmm...resin is even nicer.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline apophenia

  • Perversely enjoys removing backgrounds.
  • Patterns? What patterns?
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2020, 05:13:32 AM »
The early Ca.313s could also be distinguished by their noses. The early model Ca.313 - eg: the Swedish Ca.313S (Svezia, aka Ca 313RPB/S to Caproni), Ca.313F (Francia) for the AdA, and  Ca.313 RPB.1 for the Regia Aeronautica had fully-glazed noses. By contrast, the later Ca.313 RPB.2 for the Regia Aeronautica had the short, stepped nose of the Ca.314.

BTW: RPB = Ricognizione/Pattugliamento/Bombardamento
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2020, 05:28:36 AM »
Some other unicorns for me:

1/35 Slovenian A.E.F. Designs M-55:



The following 1/48 Racoon Resins ones:


All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline The Big Gimper

  • Any model will look better in RCAF, SEAC or FAA markings
  • Global Moderator
  • Cut. Cut. Cut. Measure. Cut. Cut. Crap. Toss.
    • Photobucket Modeling Album
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2020, 06:13:04 AM »
Blap! Models 1/72 FDL-7.


Fantastic Plastic FDL-5.


I have the FDL-6.
Work in progress ::

I am giving up listing them. They all end up on the shelf of procrastination anyways.

User and abuser of Bothans...

Offline tankmodeler

  • Wisely picking parts of the real universe 2 ignore
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2020, 01:42:44 AM »
1/35 Slovenian A.E.F. Designs M-55:

You want that AEF kit because you are openly declaring yourself a masochist, then?  ;D

Or is the unicorn part of this that it needs to actually be buildable.

'Cause that ain't never gonna happen...

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2020, 01:49:52 AM »
I want it since it is the only M-55 kit/conversion available.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2020, 02:25:50 AM »
A couple more:


All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2020, 02:41:15 AM »
Another:

All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2020, 03:44:11 AM »
I have also heard rumour of a Kiwi Resin 1/48 PAC CT/4 Airtrainer resin kit...
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline ChernayaAkula

  • Was left standing in front when everyone else took one step back...
  • Global Moderator
  • Putting the "pro" in procrastination since...?
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2020, 06:55:11 AM »
<...>



What even is that?  :icon_surprised: Looks like a Japanese try at a Beaufighter. Nice!  :smiley:
Cheers,
Moritz

"The appropriate response to reality is to go insane!"

Offline The Big Gimper

  • Any model will look better in RCAF, SEAC or FAA markings
  • Global Moderator
  • Cut. Cut. Cut. Measure. Cut. Cut. Crap. Toss.
    • Photobucket Modeling Album
« Last Edit: January 17, 2020, 08:01:38 AM by The Big Gimper »
Work in progress ::

I am giving up listing them. They all end up on the shelf of procrastination anyways.

User and abuser of Bothans...

Offline The Big Gimper

  • Any model will look better in RCAF, SEAC or FAA markings
  • Global Moderator
  • Cut. Cut. Cut. Measure. Cut. Cut. Crap. Toss.
    • Photobucket Modeling Album
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #15 on: January 17, 2020, 07:39:12 AM »
Work in progress ::

I am giving up listing them. They all end up on the shelf of procrastination anyways.

User and abuser of Bothans...

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #16 on: January 18, 2020, 02:23:53 AM »
Yes have seen that site before.  This is another from Raccoon Resin that I want:



I already have a number of their other products.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline ChernayaAkula

  • Was left standing in front when everyone else took one step back...
  • Global Moderator
  • Putting the "pro" in procrastination since...?
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #17 on: January 18, 2020, 07:00:27 AM »
What even is that?  :icon_surprised: Looks like a Japanese try at a Beaufighter. Nice!  :smiley:

Nakajima J5N: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_J5N

Thanks for the heads-up!  :smiley: Didn't know about this one.
Cheers,
Moritz

"The appropriate response to reality is to go insane!"

Offline elmayerle

  • Its about time there was an Avatar shown here...
  • Über Engineer...at least that is what he tells us.
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #18 on: January 18, 2020, 11:25:12 AM »
Note quite at Unicorn/Holy Grail level of desire, but I would love to get the Raccoon Models kits of the Ki-201, S1A1, and R2Y1 if I ever find such.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #19 on: January 19, 2020, 02:22:56 AM »
These would be nice too:


All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #20 on: March 29, 2020, 11:59:18 AM »
A new Unicorn for me:

1/35 Terre Modèles AMX-30 Pluton conversion.  My only proof of its existence is the following:



Supposedly this is the master:









All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #21 on: March 29, 2020, 12:03:16 PM »
Fantastic Plastic FDL-5.


Have you tried contacting Allen Ury directly?
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #22 on: March 29, 2020, 12:06:00 PM »
One I would like from Fantastic Plastic - have tried to contact Allen but no luck with any in stock:





All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #23 on: March 29, 2020, 12:18:51 PM »
A few others I would like - same deal frustratingly:











All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline kitnut617

  • Measures the actual aircraft before modelling it...we have the photographic evidence.
  • Holding Pattern
  • *
  • I'd rather be dirtbike riding...
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #24 on: March 31, 2020, 04:55:09 AM »
A holy grail of sorts, although it's a new release :

Some months ago I placed a pre-order for an Atlantis reboxing of the Aurora 1/72 AH-56A Cheyenne Helicopter. An email just now informs me it is now being shipped to me.

Online robunos

  • Can't afford the top wing of his biplanes...
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #25 on: March 31, 2020, 05:00:04 AM »
A holy grail of sorts, although it's a new release :

Some months ago I placed a pre-order for an Atlantis reboxing of the Aurora 1/72 AH-56A Cheyenne Helicopter. An email just now informs me it is now being shipped to me.


Amazing ! I remember building one of those as a kid, my local hardware / toy shop had one. As I recall, it went together really well, the panel lines were a bit deep, though. Also no rockets or missiles, etc. came with the kit . . .


cheers,
Robin.
By the pricking of my thumbs, Something Whiff-y this way comes . . .

Offline The Big Gimper

  • Any model will look better in RCAF, SEAC or FAA markings
  • Global Moderator
  • Cut. Cut. Cut. Measure. Cut. Cut. Crap. Toss.
    • Photobucket Modeling Album
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #26 on: March 31, 2020, 05:18:43 AM »
Fantastic Plastic FDL-5.


Have you tried contacting Allen Ury directly?

Yes, I did. I send him an email a few items a year as he does ask for feedback in what kits he could re-issue. This and others are not on his short list. Too esoteric I guess. 
Work in progress ::

I am giving up listing them. They all end up on the shelf of procrastination anyways.

User and abuser of Bothans...

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #27 on: April 01, 2020, 01:32:31 AM »
Did you confirm that he had no old ones (or even partial ones) in stock?
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline tankmodeler

  • Wisely picking parts of the real universe 2 ignore
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #28 on: April 02, 2020, 02:30:06 AM »
A few others I would like - same deal frustratingly:





Cool! I did the patterns for those two!

Got one of each for myself, but that's it, I'm afraid. Sorry, dude.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #29 on: April 02, 2020, 02:45:06 AM »
Got one of each for myself, but that's it, I'm afraid. Sorry, dude.

That's ok.  Just kindly please pass on details of your stash location...
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Frank3k

  • Excession
  • Global Moderator
  • Formerly Frank2056. New upgrade!
    • My new webpage
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #30 on: April 02, 2020, 03:34:03 AM »
I have a Rhino3D (unfinished) design for 1/350 models of both the Pegasus (similar to the Ithacus, but smaller) and Hyperion based on the drawings in "Frontiers of Space" by Bono & Gatland. I haven't worked on it in a while, because the 3D prints would have been very expensive. Maybe I'll get back to them. I wish Allan would have picked 1/350 instead of 1/288

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #31 on: April 02, 2020, 03:41:33 AM »
Indeed.  1/350 could allow for easy modelling onto ships of the same scale:



Am aware of Pegasus & Hyperion too:

« Last Edit: April 02, 2020, 03:45:07 AM by GTX_Admin »
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Frank3k

  • Excession
  • Global Moderator
  • Formerly Frank2056. New upgrade!
    • My new webpage
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #32 on: April 02, 2020, 03:47:07 AM »
One issue that I had with the design of the Pegasus was the gear. I just couldn't get it to look right in 3D, compared to the drawings. Same with the Hyperion. It looks like Nick Stevens ran into the same issues!

Offline kitnut617

  • Measures the actual aircraft before modelling it...we have the photographic evidence.
  • Holding Pattern
  • *
  • I'd rather be dirtbike riding...
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #33 on: April 02, 2020, 04:28:34 AM »
So the Ithacus would be 36" tall in 1/72, about the same as the Shuttle on the external tank

Offline Frank3k

  • Excession
  • Global Moderator
  • Formerly Frank2056. New upgrade!
    • My new webpage
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #34 on: April 02, 2020, 05:06:05 AM »
In 1/350 it would be 183mm (7.5")tall x 69mm (2.7") in diameter.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #35 on: June 01, 2020, 02:47:17 AM »
The early Ca.313s could also be distinguished by their noses. The early model Ca.313 - eg: the Swedish Ca.313S (Svezia, aka Ca 313RPB/S to Caproni), Ca.313F (Francia) for the AdA, and  Ca.313 RPB.1 for the Regia Aeronautica had fully-glazed noses. By contrast, the later Ca.313 RPB.2 for the Regia Aeronautica had the short, stepped nose of the Ca.314.

BTW: RPB = Ricognizione/Pattugliamento/Bombardamento


You are correct:

Caproni Ca.313:





Caproni Ca.314:


All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #36 on: April 26, 2021, 04:26:36 AM »
Another pair of Holy Grails I am after:


1/48 Fliegerhorst Blohm & Voss BV P.208 Schnellsjäger:




1/48 Fliegerhorst Blohm & Voss BV P.215 Nachtjäger:


« Last Edit: April 26, 2021, 04:29:33 AM by GTX_Admin »
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline sharkman

  • Newly Joined - Welcome me!
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #37 on: July 18, 2021, 08:35:22 AM »
These would be nice too:




I'd like to find the Racoon E16A and E14Y

I picked up the E15K several years ago.

Online robunos

  • Can't afford the top wing of his biplanes...
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #38 on: July 18, 2021, 05:28:42 PM »
These shouldn't really be 'Holy Grails', being as they're Dragon kits, but any of their  AAV  kits,  7233, 7237, 7318, 7319, and their LVT-4 Water Buffalo kit, 7389, just don't seem to be available anywhere . . .   :o    >:D


cheers,
Robin.
By the pricking of my thumbs, Something Whiff-y this way comes . . .

Offline Mig Eater

  • Munch, Munch, Munch
    • Mig Eater Studio
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #39 on: July 18, 2021, 06:01:32 PM »
Not exactly special or unique but I've been trying to hunt down an Academy M4A3 105mm with dozer blade. They only produced it for a short run in 2007 & AFAIK it's the only injection molded plastic Sherman dozer blade in 1/35 scale.

 

I mainly want it out of laziness though, hoping that I'll eventually find one instead of having to design & 3D print the dozer ;D 

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

  • Unaffiliated Independent Subversive...and the last person to go for a trip on a Mexicana dH Comet 4
  • Global Moderator
  • His stash is able to be seen from space...
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #40 on: July 19, 2021, 01:27:28 AM »
Not exactly special or unique but I've been trying to hunt down an Academy M4A3 105mm with dozer blade. They only produced it for a short run in 2007 & AFAIK it's the only injection molded plastic Sherman dozer blade in 1/35 scale.

 

I mainly want it out of laziness though, hoping that I'll eventually find one instead of having to design & 3D print the dozer ;D 
According to some folks that know much more about the Sherman tank than I do, there were some corners and short-cuts taken with that Sherman bulldozer tank kit to get the blade components to fit the Academy Sherman.  Accusations were made about the width of the blade in the model to actual dimensional data for the real M1 Bulldozer Blade among other things.  Not sure what to believe as it looks like a bulldozer blade and it fits the Academy Sherman tank model OOB. 

A shame your infatuation with this subject is not focused on the other bulldozer blade kit designed for the Sherman (the La Plante M2 Bulldozer Blade kit) that did not have the long side rails attached to the bulldozer blade. 

BTW, I have the kit you seek but with the cost of postage to your side of the ocean it is quite unrealistic to even contemplate offering you this kit to you.  Hopefully you can find one closer to home. 
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline Artivag

  • I'll be back again & again & again~
Re: Unicorns & Holy Grails
« Reply #41 on: February 10, 2024, 09:55:57 AM »
I've long been fascinated with this aircraft type but have never had the opportunity to acquire one. The kit is from Cunarmodel, 1/72 scale & the aircraft type is the Caproni Ca.135bis. Ah, another would be the MPM Ki-21 Sally that has the dorsal turret in place of the dorsal greenhouse. I can't get confirmation as to whether ICM will bother with producing this latter version. Last for this list would be the ACE Hobby 1/72 GAZ-M1. I'd like to use it for a diorama depicting Stalin preparing to board a Pe-8ON.
« Last Edit: February 10, 2024, 10:42:35 AM by Artivag »