Josh and Mr555,

From a previous post I noticed that both of you seem to be interested in car models and was wondering if you could help.

I'm currently looking for a number of 1/24 plastic car kits (work related!) and would like to know if you’ve had any experience with any of the following manufacturers:

Tamiya
Hasegawa
Fujimi
Monogram/Revell
Kawai
Heller
Otaki
Amt/Ertl
Burago
DML (Dragon)
Testors
Protar
Gunze Sangyo

Any info will be much appreciated especially if you can tell me if any of the above kits come with full schematic diagrams (front, back, side and top views)

A few of the models I’m after also only seem to be available as a resin kit – have either of you worked with these?

Thanks,

DazW.

 

You have mail.

Josh

 

Hi Daz,

I've built a pile of Tamiya and Hasegawa stuff, all 1/24th scale Rally/Road cars, including WRX, Impreza 555's, Lancers galore, Escort Cosworth, Peugeot 206 WRC, Corollas, and I have boxes more in various states of assembly. Instruction leaflets for these brands always carry top, both sides and front and rear on views for decal placement - these schematics are all pretty accurately drawn I've found.

I've never built any resin kits, but have worked with resin super detailing/transkit parts. They usually need loads of prep work to fill holes, degrease, prime etc and are a right pain.

Are you interested in building them, or using them for e.g. computer modelling?

 

Thanks guys,

DazW

 

I've built a few Tamiyas and like them. Don't know about any others.

 

you mentioned road cars, I would like an
'old' shape Impreza, do Tamiya do one?

 

mattski,

Taniya don't, but Hasegawa do, in the form of an oldish WRX, with the old 15" wheels and the low rear wing.

Not an enormous problem, as there are a host of 'aftermarket specialists, who can supply replacement white metal wheels and probably sothing akin to the '99 wing.

Any other queries, let me know.

Daz,

You don't call, you don't write, is it all over between us?

 

Don't worry Josh you haven't been dumped..... Yet! work is kinda hectic at the mo' and I've found a new avenue to try regarding schematics/blueprints......brochures!!! I'm checking it out tomorrow and I'll let you know how it goes.

DazW.

PS Josh, if I end up getting resin/plastic kits who's your favourite manufacturers? 'cus I've got to get info on about 60 different cars and when the projects done I'm sure a few kits will be left over to hand out!

 

Darren,

Tamiya tend to produce the most 'user friendly' kits. They are usually well moulded and, more importantly, fit together well. The decals are fairly thin, but have large margins.

Hasegawa kits are usually more detailed. They tend to include some photo-etched parts, but don't always fit together quite as well. Their decals are better printed, with less of a margin, but are thicker and consequently need more chemical assistance to go round contours.

Rather than going through all the others listed, I'll finish with the resin kits. There doesn't tend to be good or bad manufacturers of these. Almost all of them have at least one good kit, but let themselves down elsewhere. The key point to realise about them is that they are invariably the only form in which you can get a kit of that particular car/tank etc..

I wouldn't entirely agree with Mr555 regarding resin parts. Whilst they do sometimes require cleaning up, all parts should be rubbed down, cleaned up, keyed, washed and primed anyway.

Very rare to find schematics, although most kits have a basic left,right,front,back and plan views for decaling reference, which might suffice.

I print my own decals (including white,silver and gold) for custom builds and for prototypes. I'm also the UK distributor for a manufacturer of excellent decal film/cling-tack film/vinyl etc, so if you need anything let me know.

Cheers

Josh

 

Don't know how true this is but a local model shop owner told me that the UK Importer & Distributor for Tamiya stuff is in dire financial straits - basically because tamiya wont supply them (unpaid bills), and they have nothing to sell there is no Tamiya stuff coming into the country at present. The Importer also owned the beatties stores that have closed - looks like they sent the manager of one store to another close by to close it - each seems to of been told that their shop was safe, only to return to find it empty.
Presumably this applies to all Tamiya stuff - I was actually looking for a 1:10 Scale R/C car for a relative. Looks like he'll have to settle for a Koyotho (sp?)

 

have we been intimate Josh?! it's over?

 

Sparks,

Tamiya UK, aka Richard Kohnstam, are alledged to have been in trouble for ages. Their prices are ludicrous and dealers (apart from Beaties) never knew what, if anything, they would receive.

If you want anything from Tamiya, there are loads of places that import, or you can order from someone like Hobbylink in Japan, and receive your kit within 10 days for the same or less than buying in the UK. For example, I bought a '99 Impreza WRC in Singapore for less than £9!

Have a look around my model related site

 

.... and they say Supermodels are a fickle bunch.