Building the KFIR CE model from ACES 3D

**ecuatoriano** · #1 01-09-2011, 08:40 PM

Some time ago I acquired for $ 3 a model of paper (cardboard) of Kfir CE, this is produced by 3D ACES who i think are the only paper models editors in Ecuador, in any case I decided to build this model to While on this topic show the process.

To begin describing the product:

Armed model dimensions are 28.5 cm long and 15.5 cm wide and 8.3 cm high, the plane comes with weapons and landing gear down, unfortunately the model scale is not indicated in any part of the kit, I think the scale should be about 1 / 54.

The model comes in a shiny cardboard in the front is a picture of real Kfir EC and 3 photos of the model finished, in the back of the envelope are two pieces to form the podium or display of the model.

Inside the envelope are

2 sheets of cardboard A4 semi glossy color printed on both sides, 1 sheet with parts smaller print, 1 small piece of acetate with the impression of the canopy, 1 double sheet of very detailed instructions.

A total of 81 pieces to cut, fold and glue for the model.

continue....

**Dragos** · #2 01-10-2011, 10:57 AM

Looks interesting , too bad that 3D ACES is kinda obscure editor.

**ecuatoriano** · #3 01-14-2011, 12:17 PM

Hello again

I started the assembly of the Kfir with the first 5 steps of the instructions.

Here are the pieces I've ridden. It is part of the rear fuselage and the cabin area. (Sorry for the quality of the photos)

Here you can see the rear fuselage parts partially assembled.

This is the bow section (if you'll pardon the term).

Here you can see both armed sections.

Continued ...

**Rubenandres77** · #4 01-14-2011, 12:29 PM

This is interesting Ecuatoriano.
It is rare to see airplanes with South American colours.
I liked your own Ro37 and HD1 models with the colours of your country.
And this Kfir will also be nice to see.

From your photos the Kfir looks like a serious model, with clear instructions.
And they also included the cockpit windows in clear acetate.

81 parts sounds like it is a simple model for a fighter.
Will follow your build

What other models does Aces3D make?

**ecuatoriano** · #5 01-17-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubenandres77

What other models does Aces3D make?

I also saw a 737 Aerogal model few months ago.

**ecuatoriano** · #6 01-17-2011, 10:41 AM

Last night I could go a little longer with the Kfir CE model, the following steps are the construction of the tube or bow or nose of the Kfir.

This piece is the well of the front landing gear.

Attaching the front compartment in the bow of Kfir

Elements of the nose or bow of Kfir

Here are the nose and assembly. The Kfir CE is characteristic large compartment for EL/M-2032 Elta radar.

Finally a piece is the hump behind the cockpit.

Continued ...

**rockpaperscissor** · #7 01-17-2011, 11:13 AM

I've never heard of this publisher. It's certainly a well presented kit. The $3.00 price tag is about half the price of the most inexpensive digital models. Is that the publisher's price, or did you buy it second hand? In any case, it's coming out very nicely so far.

**Rubenandres77** · #8 01-17-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragos

Looks interesting , too bad that 3D ACES is kinda obscure editor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockpaperscissor

I've never heard of this publisher. It's certainly a well presented kit. The $3.00 price tag is about half the price of the most inexpensive digital models. Is that the publisher's price, or did you buy it second hand? In any case, it's coming out very nicely so far.

I was looking for information about the company, and found this photo on The forum of the Ecuadorian Air Force:

Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador (archivo) - Page 475
(scroll down a bit below half of the page)

They are the owners of the company with some models they've released.
Apparently they also have a couple of Ecuadorian ships. Looks like a very small and domestic company. They don't even have a website.

I believe the U$3 price is right. The printing industry in some countries of South America has reached good levels while keeping prices very low, making this subcontinent a very competitive place for that activity.

This kit with only 5 pages, two of them big full colour, and two of them b/w instructions fits well on the price I would expect in this part of the continent. Ecuador is a close neighbor, and we use very similar prices in many things. They could charge much more indeed, and have even larger profit.

What I believe is that they've found a good printer with very competitive prices. Or maybe they use a laser print. Or maybe they own the printer house!! (which is also common, and would surprise me even less).

The K-fir looks very nice once finished from what can be seen in the photo. It will be great to see the rest of the construction from Ecuatoriano and his close pictures of the details.

But from the photo you can also see that the scales of the models do not look so constant. They probably arrange the models to fit only in a few limited pages and save costs. The unusual 1/54 scale our friend mentioned earlier supports this idea.

In any case, I reiterate my satisfaction to see different models in Ecuadorian colours. You rarely see this kind of things made commercially in this part of the world. The Boeing 737 in Aerogal livery is a cutie.

**ecuatoriano** · #9 01-18-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockpaperscissor

Is that the publisher's price, or did you buy it second hand? In any case, it's coming out very nicely so far.

Hello Rockpaperscissor

The price is that i paid for it in a small book store, that is the tag price.

**ecuatoriano** · #10 01-18-2011, 12:24 PM

Hello Ruben Andres

Yes, i think ACES 3D is a little paper models publisher. In Ecuador there is no tradition for build paper o cartonmodels but maybe you know that each year in December many people build, sell and buy carton figures that we call "años viejos", and we burn it at midnight dec 31.