Now Ive covered the basics lets get specific.

Instructions – these are both fine in the modern style and cover the basics well, the colour camo diagram on the back of the box does win it for AZ though.

Parts – Overall the AZ kit is much nicer, it has clear recessed panel lines in a darker grey plastic that is easier on the eye. The very light grey that MPM used has shallower lines. Of significance is that all control surfaces are represented as fabric covered in the MPM one whereas AZ shows them as metal. I’m not sure which is correct but in the AZ instructions the surfaces are shown as fabric covered to confuse the issue. The lack of flashfor AZ makes it a clear winner here.

For the cockpit area its a bit tied, MPM has more sidewall detail but otherwise AZ is better overall as the floor is detailed with a better seat.

Under carriage bays – AZ clearly wins here, the front bay is boxed in unlike MPMs and for the main bay these are cleverly boxed in by a combination of walls on the lower wing and cockpit floor providng a complete structure, it will be interesting to see whether this works in practice.

Engines – the main feature here is the inlet and outlet onions. Frankly neither are great, both kits have sink marks that will need to be filled with surprisngly the MPM being slightly better detailed. I’m tempted to replace these from other parts I may have left over from either the Hase or Revell 262’s as amended, spares boxes are wonderful.

Wheels,  again nothing between them as both have their faults and could do with replacement.

Canopy – the MPM is slightly better as the AZ one has some frosting on one side which will need polishing out.

Shape – a comparison shows the wings as similar, the MPM engines as slightly bigger, the AZ slightly shorter with a pointier nose and slightly different tail shape. The difference is not much but will mean a slightly different look, really not sure which is more correct.

Overall the AZ is the better kit certainly in terms of quality especially around the undercarriage and the mould quality overall but is let down in some areas like the canopy and the engine area, not quite the quantum leap I was hoping for but I strongly suspect it is the best modellers can hope for in the near future.
The MPM kit was quite ropy to build in tems of fit so it will be interesting to start the AZ kit in the future.

Now back to the Minenraumer tomorrow!