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Artful69

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Posts posted by Artful69

  1. 17 hours ago, DocRob said:

    Interesting to hear Rog, thank you for starting this and comparing it to the Beemax kit.

    Cheers Rob

     

    14 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

    Nice start Rog and like Rob said, a great comparison between this and the Beemax kit. 

     

    A pleasure, guys. The level of detail and the refinement on this Meng kit is truely on another level ... I hope they do more ... like the 1986/87 Williams FW-11 of Nigel Mansell / Nelson Piquet - I don't think the externals of the Honda V6 were any different than those on the McLaren - or the Lotus 99T. The problem is, though - instead of putting all the engine components on their own separate sprues, you can see they've smattered them about the place ... so this engine is pretty much tied to this kit!

    There are a good number of F1 machines from this era that I'd love to see Meng do though ... The Benetton Ford V8 combo with the 4 colours ... Nigel Mansell / Alain Prost Ferrari ... Micheal Schumacher's first World Championship Benetton etc ... the possibilities are endless.

    Rog :)

    • Like 3
  2. Returning from taking my mum out for the evening, I had a look at 'Stage 2' of the build instructions - dealing with the transmission and rear suspension area.

    IMG_0192.thumb.jpeg.2dfd62a4bf2a5b7780b2d5726238f602.jpeg

    Although (in theory) there was supposed to be a couple of screws used in the engine block assembly (I didn't bother with them!), this will be the first stage in the build that metal components will be utilised.

    As you can see in my first post here, all the metal components were in a bag together ... so I opened the bag and began separating the parts - and hit the first snag of the build! ... 3 seemed like an odd number ...

    IMG_0185.thumb.jpeg.f10d0d74143c5ea3684fedef63e071d3.jpeg

    This photo of course, is enlarged - but it's very difficult to make out the differences between them without the magnification  ... A quick Google search gave me an email for Meng to request spare parts and it was just a matter of finding out what pat number needed replacing ... 

    IMG_0189.thumb.jpeg.0937a0e731aceb94227f78244b2c060b.jpeg

    IMG_0190.thumb.jpeg.a75cd2c5ae20178d85d45b87e0352d70.jpeg

    IMG_0191.thumb.jpeg.bbc9c5235ca0d80540d028953cf6ae75.jpeg

    ... and the winner is - MT-6! ... I sent off the email and within 30 mins or so I got an automated response indicating that they will look into the issue in the next few days ... we'll see how we go!

    Meanwhile ... I figured I'd get started on 'Stage 2' ....

    IMG_0193.thumb.jpeg.e6c4d3740b6292cee0fdab5adc72ddf1.jpeg

    At this point I realised that When D31 and D32 are glued in place it will be awfully difficult to paint the coil-overs (D21 & D22) ... It would have taken a while to get another build section sorted out and it was getting late anyway so I packed up. and left it at this ...

    IMG_0194.thumb.jpeg.3d2b0439eecbed539a4c93d8b7631368.jpeg

    Perhaps my next R&R will yield more time?

    Rog :)

    • Like 2
  3. I was disappointed that I didn't get any spare recreational time on my last R&R break to tackle either this kit or the Beemax Lotus ...

    Today I made some time available to make a start on this one! ... Hopefully over the next couple of days I'll have more of both.

    IMG_0172.thumb.jpeg.27d3bb36b23081d44d9903f851bbe3fc.jpeg

    And so ... with the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns beating seven shades out of each other in the Football on streaming while I enjoy coffee and some model work ... here is 'Stage 1' of the build ...

    IMG_0174.thumb.jpeg.76d3b35c212d4fad39b7522ebec1a799.jpeg

    As stated previously ... the instruction manual feels a lot more 'precise' than the Beemax kit and this assembly looks like it will have a Zoukei-Mura feel to it - lots of detail to have fun on assembly, that will remain hidden afterwards. I won't be painting much until the sub assemblies are all ready to go! Following the layout to this first stage I grab all the relevant sprues ...

    IMG_0175.thumb.jpeg.1bfcd72c4acc762bad124c99171c4efa.jpeg

    Following the instructions (which appear far clearer than the Beemax effort) ... I'm amazed at how easy it is to snip the parts off the sprues, clean them up and fit them together. In most cases there is no gap between parts that have a very positive, tight fit - and so I am relying on Tamiya's Extra Thin capillary action to glue the parts. In other cases where test fitted parts yield a small gap after clean up, I'm using my standard Revell cement as a filler ... just as you would for a normal gasket seal!

    IMG_0176.thumb.jpeg.d04567fb6def3294534629a3ffd592e5.jpeg

    And just like that - two halves of a V6 engine!

    IMG_0178.thumb.jpeg.32d051dd97fb201de90dcd172d9014ee.jpeg

    Moving along ... Putting both halves of the engine together, plus a couple of add-ons ...

    IMG_0181.thumb.jpeg.1ae454d6579fb80efac698c60e2b342a.jpeg

    The next lot of add-on's includes a full clutch assembly ... The instructions invite you to paint all the parts before assembly ... Fat chance! The whole deal will be hidden inside a bell housing when attached to the transmission in 'Step 2' ... Fun and easy to assemble though! ... and very well detailed.

    IMG_0182.thumb.jpeg.0ad594ec70079249a7cf241fdec6184f.jpeg

    Next I snip all the parts required for the next add-on's from the sprues and lay them out to clean and glue ...

    IMG_0183.thumb.jpeg.307a4f1ab1e98e0bcb789b568042e609.jpeg

    A small amount of assembly work ... and we're done!

    IMG_0184.thumb.jpeg.6d5aa6ec753230a8ba7c3edda103ca0e.jpeg
     

    So ... First impressions of this build ... This Meng kit is the first I've ever started on from this company ... and if it continues onward in a similar fashion to how it has impressed me so far - it will NOT be the last ... The detail and positive fit of cleaned up components feels very much like Tamiya, Zoukei-Mura or HKM's new A-20G, while the instructions read (and feel) a lot like a ZM assembly also.

    The difference between this and the Beemax kit are like night and day ... While this thing gives the impression of professional precision, the Beemax feels like an old Matchbox kit in comparisson - and so it also leaves me with a lack of confidence in how the poor fit/finish issues might compound the further into the build it goes.

    Hopefully more to come before fly out!

    Rog :)

    • Like 6
  4. On 3/18/2024 at 11:32 PM, Martinnfb said:

    Neil Yan from HKM was playing at the RAFM

     image.jpeg.b70eb18cfa76fbaf477b3da6e87da621.jpeg

    Whoa boy!! ... I hope so!! ... They were taking scans near a Spey Phantom II and a Bf 109.E also.

    On 3/19/2024 at 12:24 AM, BlrwestSiR said:

    This would be great. I was just looking at the Model Monkey bits for the Beaufighter. It's beautiful stuff but if you get them all, it's easily 4x the price of the Revell kit if not more. 

    ... and with all that - the externals need to be re-scribed to pretty it up enough to make MM gear worth the exercise. A new tooled Beau is well past the due date ... AND the big plus is - you can (like with a basic A-20 airframe) get several versions for minimal alteration of the main shape which minimises additional cost in tooling. As long as it's accurate, MM components can be fit to either provide extra detail or corrections to internal errors (if present).

    On 3/19/2024 at 10:12 AM, Martinnfb said:

    if it's gonna be at the same level as the A-20..... oh boy....  🤤

    This would be the big hope! ... fully detailed engines ... a range of interchangeable components - Thimble radome, underwing rockets, torpedo etc ... I'd buy at least 2 or 3!

    On 3/19/2024 at 8:29 PM, Peterpools said:

    With all the modern technology, not creating an accurate model is close to a crime. Unfortunately, it all seems to come at a price these days, as we demand so much and that just fuel to the price elevator. 

    The Beaufighter will be awesome for sure.

    ... And yet it seems to happen all the time Peter! ... Look at what happened to the Hobby Boss A-26 and B-24 ... Wing location, shape and dihedral should be pretty basic items to get right (even if panel lines are out!), one would think! ... 

    I really hope this one comes to fruition ...

    Rog :)

    • Like 5
  5. 1 hour ago, BlrwestSiR said:

    A great summary Rog. It shows that not only is the hobby not dying, but it's expanding into new areas and revisiting older ones. 

    Kit companies are taking the plunge into new subject areas for them and expanding others.

    The new 1/16 armour kits have been something I didn't expect but having picked up a couple now and seeing their continued rollout is amazing. 

    A couple omissions from your list. 

    - Andy's 1/16 M10 and Achilles.  He has an M8 Greyhound coming out in a couple months. 

    - X-Plus released a Jurassic Park T-Rex 30 years(!) after the movie came out. 

     

    Carl ...

    Thanks for picking up on my shortfalls - you're more than welcome to add anything you think I've missed!! ... The post is open and if anything comes to mind, from anyone, they can add it in here! ...

    I didn't add Andy's M10 / Achilles kits in here because I honestly thought they were 2024 releases (2023 announced). The big surprise for me was Trumpeters late Tiger.1 ... didn't hear a thing!!

    Rog :)

     

  6. A few of weeks or so ago Ern asked me to cover 2023 in retrospect … the year that was. The below result is in no way comprehensive and represents what has stood out to me in particular … and has taken several weeks to put together, trying to fit it in with work and rest.

     

    We’ve had a lot of people around (supposedly those in the know) who - for at least the decade and a half that I’ve been back into plastic modeling – have reported that modelling is steadily on the decline … especially in large scales. But … I’ve been saying for a number of years now … that the evidence is to the contrary and that modelling (in all scales) … but most especially in large scale - and despite the plethora of ‘nay-sayers’… is not only alive and well, but positively thriving! … Even during times of economic downturn.

    2023 alone should prove that this theory is correct!

    I look through my list of known incoming releases from January and marvel at the amount of ’32, ’35 and ’16 scale action (especially the latter!) … that we’ve seen this year.

    Some of this stuff may vary a little on timing with what you have experienced in your locality … Deliveries to Australia are sometimes delayed by a few months over other countries.

     

    To kick off …

    Zoukei-Mura … Got it’s regular boxing of the Bf.109G-14 out. For a while, a few of the ‘Limited edition’ Eric Hartmann 10th anniversary celebration ones were still around to buy – but as soon as the ‘regular’ boxing was released for the much higher pricing, the limited editions were snapped up fairly quickly!! … Finally we got the first Fw-190! … The discounted and limited edition collectable – pre-order only -  Fw-190A-4 … Although we’re still waiting on the regular boxing (Stores - or friend shops – were wise enough to participate in the pre-order so there’s still a number of these boxings available via retail for now). For those interested in their ‘48th stuff the Phantom II G ‘Wild Weasel’ was released also.

    Kotare managed to start distribution of their 32 scale Mk.Ia (Mid) Spitfire … Following it up with a limited edition ‘Brian Lane’ boxing. These guys, being the artists formally associated with Wingnut Wings, were expected to produce great things … and they have not disappointed! The way that they have engineered the assembly of the kit attests to their knowledge of it – ensuring that joins occur along panel lines to avoid clean up work of seams in places they shouldn’t be, later on.

     Infinity (the new HPH injection moulding brand) was a bit of a disappointment … Not in the sense of it’s product quality … which continued to improve – and the 1/32 Aichi D3A Type 99 Val was, by all accounts, the best kit yet. With everyone eagerly anticipating the 1/32 Nakajima B5N2 Kate to add to their collection … Infinity announced closure of it’s business and prospective sale of it’s current moulds and designs. It appears that there was no takers and so HPH has folded Infinity back into the parent organisation. For those waiting on the Kate it was announced shortly afterward that the injection moulds created to date would still be utilised – but now in conjunction with resin moulded parts to complete the model (as per HPH standard kit assembly) … we’ll now have to wait to sometime in 2024 to see how this arrangement works out!

     

    Most of the Hong Kong or Chinese based Manufacturers had a stunning run in the 2023 year …

    Hong Kong Models … have released one of the major items on my 1/32 bucket list … The Douglas A-20G Havoc. I would have been happy with a ‘near enough’ example … given that the A-20 is not exactly trying to emulate the super-model’esque lines of a Supermarine Spitfire or DeHavilland Mosquito! Instead we were treated to what appears to me, in all 5 categories (Engineering, Detail, Fit, Finish, Accuracy) to be the best kit HKM have ever produced! … The reviewer from the International hobby store I buy from here says it’s the best 32scale kit – period. While I’m always sceptical of sweeping statements – he does have a point for it to be in the conversation, most definitely. The A-20 J/K is due out early in 2024 :) … nuff said!

     Trumpeter finally ... after a decade of false announcements ... got a 1/32 TBD Devastator to market!

    Both Takom and Meng got an AH-64 out in the (now, for helicopters) traditional 35th scale … In Takom’s usual style … 2 or more variant boxings have hit the shelves. Both have produced a number of other kits in 2023 but Meng have also decided to make a foray into large scale F1 – blindsiding everyone I think … In 1/12 scale they have released a McLaren (Honda) Mp4/4 … one of the most successful F1 cars to ever be produced – driven by 2 of the sports best drivers: Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna … These kits have had excellent reviews posted to date!

    Italeri … not to be outdone - fielded a 1/12 version of the F1 version before it: The McLaren (TAG Porsche) MP4/2B driven by Alain Prost and Keke Rosberg … So it would seem that 1/12 F1 is making something of a comeback! Italeri meanwhile, have not been idle in the 1/32 aircraft department either, with the Macchi MC-202 hitting the shelves … and more promised for the future. Reviews for both releases so far have been good.

    Border have continued with their esoteric releases in 35th scale … aircraft. Reviews to date have been mixed for the majority of their releases … Their Pz.IV’s in 1/35 were incredibly good … while their Tiger.I ‘early’ was a little off in some of the details and instruction book.

    Takom have continued smashing out 1/35 armour with multiple releases and it seems, with multiple announcements, it won’t be slowing down in 2024 either.

    Dragon are back! ... They have released a couple of new 1/35 kits … BUT the big news here is that they’ve stopped including the failed experiment of crappy DS tracks … they’ve re-released a bucket load of older kits with the standard swath of ‘inclusions’ that we came to know and love (PE, Metal barrels etc), finally adding back in the Magic Track link arrangement for their tanks that worked so well. They are still expensive when compared directly with their fellow Manufacturers (Meng, Takom etc) but while the others can be hit and miss, with Dragon you know you’re nearly always getting an accurate scale representation, along with good detail levels, positive fit and finish.

    Airfix’s Spitfire Mk.IXc in 1/24 finally got out for distribution to mostly good reviews also.

    In 1/16 scale: 

    ·      Gecko Models got their Panzer II Ausf.F out, while their Ausf.B was delayed.

    ·      Takom put out an M50A1

    ·      New tooled Tiger.1’s came from Andy’s Hobby Headquarters (Early), Hobby Boss (Early) and Trumpeter (Late)

    ·      Trumpeter also delivered a ‘late’ version of their JagdPanther, a ‘late’ version of their StuG.III and a Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.D halftrack.

    ·      Hobby Boss re-released the Panda Hobby Pz.38(t) with a full interior added!

    ·      Freedom Model released a Kettengrad

    ·      Das Werk put out a Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.D halftrack and a Winterketten version of their ‘early’ StuG.III

    ·      A ton of conversions and figurines have also been released in 1/16

     

    As you can see, even though I’ve probably left out a TON of large scale stuff, there was a wonderfully huge amount of new releases to select from in 2023 … 2024 promises to be even better!

    Rog :)

    • Like 2
  7. 2 hours ago, FullArmor said:

    Whaaaatttt!😵

    Girls und Panzer - Der Film has BT-24 ?!? AND Sakkijarven Polka music?!? That is crazy. 😵Where can i find this masterpiece🧐👍

    This is the only untainted video clip from the movie I can find ... Unfortunately it lacks the subtitles - AND the preceding minute or so where, as usual, the volleyball team come up with a 'unique' solution to deal with a problem where the opposition is OP ... the result is what you see here!

    Rog :)

    • Thanks 2
  8. On 2/25/2024 at 6:24 AM, belugawhaleman said:

    Got this today:

    ... Anyway, the kit is Tamiya's ; Finnish Army Assault Gun BT-42 (35318) in

    1/35. I built the Tamiya BT-7 kit a while ago and it was a great build.

    An odd, Finnish,  re-turreted version of a captured Soviet BT-7, the BT-42 was fitted with a WW I era British Howitzer ....the Finns adding

    a perforated muzzle-brake to it ...

    DSCN1403_kindlephoto-11995069.jpg

     

    The first time I saw one of these was on "Girls und Panzer - Der Film" ...

    The relationship between Mika and her crew from Continuation Academy is very similar to that of Darjeeling and her crew from St Gloriana's Academy ... Because of her obscure sayings, her crew think she's a weirdo!! 🤣

    She used it as the ultimate Troll Cannon in the movie ... One of the best/funniest 5 minute animated clips I've seen!

    Every time I see one of these ... anywhere ... I have the Sakkijarven Polka playing in my head!

    Rog :)

    • Like 2
  9. 9 hours ago, Ichitoe said:

    I’ll be keeping an eye this build. Big fan of Senna and his McLaren rides. I’ve contemplated getting this kit, so I’ll be watching how it builds up. 
     

    Does the kit provide a template or the body has engraved lines for the fluorescent red areas of the body? 

    Interesting question/note!! ... I don't recall seeing any physical masking material/guide in the kit - apart from the painting instructions ... I'll have another look when I get back ... there may be a mask set available, but the Marlboro pattern looks simplistic enough that I may be able to get away with tape and paper ... I'll definitely keep this in mind though!

    8 hours ago, Jeff said:

    Hurry home , Rog. This is just too cool.  I will be sitting in the front row for this one. I love your review so far. 
    Jeff

    lol ... I'm actually disappointed that I didn't get another full day with the Beemax kit before fly out day.

    On the one hand FIFO is a good job type ... free food, my own air-conditioned room with ensuite, wifi etc ... you work 12 hour days and do laundry a couple of days during the 14 day stay ... and then when you get your 7 days off ... they are all in a row. Unfortunately, there's just a lot been going on at present outside of work. It should calm down a bit over the next couple of months, but it means a slow start to the builds.

    Rog :)

    • Like 2
  10. If you're following the build thread I started for the Lotus 99T, you'll already have the rundown on Ayrton Senna (who was driving for Lotus from 1985-87) and Honda, who supplied engines to both Williams and Lotus during the 1987 season.

    Although Lotus was hampered in 1987 by a engine with one year old technology (adapted to current regulations) and an active suspension with the usual teething problems that exist when introducing new tech to F1, they managed to see Ayrton Senna to 3rd place in the World Drivers Championship and were guaranteed current engines for 1988 after Honda ended their restrictive partnership with Williams at the end of 1987 in favour of McLaren from 1988.

    Irrespective of the gains made by Lotus ... Alain Prost managed to convince Ron Dennis (McLaren team manager) to get Ayrton Senna to switch to McLaren in 1988. His replacement at Lotus was to be Nelson Piquet. Ironically, it was in 1987 that Nelson Piquet won his third and final World Drivers Championship driving for Williams / Honda while they took out the Constructors Championship for the second consecutive year also.

    1988 was a season like no other before it in F1 ...

    Alain Prost - a seasoned veteran of F1 ... won the 1986 World Drivers Championship (and his second consecutive one) by only 2 points when his McLaren (running an underpowered TAG Porsche V6 compared to the awesome Honda unit run by Williams) won the last race of the season in Australia ... Thanks to Nigel Mansell, who while leading the race, screwed the pooch in the most spectacular fashion ... blowing a rear tyre on the main straight. Mansell was advised to pit for tyres during the race, but feared he would drop too many spots to win the title.

    Ayrton Senna had proven over 3 seasons with Lotus that he was no average driver ... 

    McLaren ... a renowned constructor

    and Honda ... producing the most powerful engine in F1 at the time that was also near bulletproof ...

    ... What we got was ... the perfect storm!

    McLaren won 15 out of 16 races that season. Ferrari won one (in Italy) - because the McLarens had retired. 10 of those races were 1-2 finishes and McLaren won the Constructors Championship by a whopping 134 points (199) over second placed Ferrari (65) ... In an oddity Arton Senna won his first world championship by virtue of 1 more first placed race (8) than Prost (7) ... and even though Prost was by far the more consistent of the two with 7 second placed finishes (to Sennas 3) points were decided across the best 11 race placings in a drivers season (out of 16) rather than his cumulative total (which would have seen Prost win by 11 points)

    The Car was voted by a selection of F1 experts to be the best F1 car in the sport at one point ...

    This sort of voting however, I find to be highly subjective and speculative, as decision parameters may vary in importance from voter to voter and year to year ... For example ... How do you compare Ferrari's dominance with the Schumacher / Barrichello combination?

    Nevertheless ... the combination for 1988 ended up being absolutely outstanding.

    The kit ...

    Unlike the Beemax kit, the box is smaller in both length and width ... but is quite deep!

    IMG_0089.thumb.jpeg.c334556e4e219a37f2eb65b30119427d.jpeg

    IMG_0092.thumb.jpeg.a486502642f0f2cb4d56ce0933f64775.jpeg

    Also ... unlike the Beemax kit ... The instructions look spectacular ... emphasis on the 'look' bit, because I haven't started on assembly yet ... you'll need to wait about 2-3 weeks before that starts happening ... and I can compare assembly to the Beemax kit (on my next RnR from work).

    The thick box contains a LOT of sprues ... all of them, excepting a red brake light and clear windscreen are in that wonderful modellers grey plastic. 

    The instructions are divided up into sub assemblies ... and here is where they have a more Zoukei-Mura like feel to them than the Beemax kit ... There is a title page advising you what section of the kit will be built according to that set of instructions and what parts will be used ... AND how to find them on the sprue. They are also in colour.

    IMG_0093.thumb.jpeg.7c1053cfacb0e465c7f540944fd61fae.jpeg

    IMG_0094.thumb.jpeg.7f70e95b77b252c5a9286b4c7820baf8.jpeg

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    IMG_0096.thumb.jpeg.71c98a9f94af437b861be96672aee79b.jpeg

    As you can see from this brief perusal of the first section of instructions, there is a lot more parts to this assembly than the Beemax kit

    I just hope Fit and Finish are as good as the instructions.

    IMG_0097.thumb.jpeg.181ef397a1196bd2f86d3feccae9d650.jpeg

    IMG_0098.thumb.jpeg.094c1fdadff12ccf0c43e1b0c040dbfe.jpeg

    A part of the sprue layout below

    IMG_0100.thumb.jpeg.fcc5ebc7a4c353c9761e5c115674dde6.jpeg

    Paint ... I'll probably just go off Tamiya colours of the same paint descriptions as they don't have an exact call out ... OR ... maybe look up the Tamiya instructions for the 1/20 version of this kit.

    IMG_0101.thumb.jpeg.b1e151a453bfcf4001492166aaec98d7.jpeg

    Another page of the parts in the box ... Decal sheet B, C and D are weird looking ... they basically get stuck onto various panels 🤷‍♂️

    IMG_0099.thumb.jpeg.2ebb40e8f5fd30eb7017d57d99aa5ecb.jpeg

    IMG_0102.thumb.jpeg.ce391ab6ea03b8a3159590233c9ba652.jpeg

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    IMG_0104.thumb.jpeg.09f55011001ae07eeba155adf2939db2.jpeg

    Peel and stick cloth seatbelts ... something different! ... the 2 little chrome rectangles are the wing mirror lenses ... The Lotus kit has stencils for airbrush work on the Good Year tyres I think ... I don't like the idea of decals on rubber!

    IMG_0105.thumb.jpeg.291c2eaa1d6cb74063261c09dccf42fb.jpeg

    Nice grey plastic  ... Firmer rubber tyres  ... less screws  ... Jury's out on the metal suspension parts though

    IMG_0106.thumb.jpeg.04f9507be8fd1beb19f5d77ff5cabe43.jpeg

    IMG_0107.thumb.jpeg.0e89aae6161389c0ae3903883653f122.jpeg

    We'll see what happens when I return home and start building!

    Rog :)

     

     

     

    • Like 8
  11. On 2/9/2024 at 10:56 AM, BlrwestSiR said:

    Nice start Rog. Thanks for showing us the box contents and what the kit is like. I wonder if some of the plastic might be ABS. Tamiya mixes plastics on some of their kits. 

    I've built one Beemax kit (their 1/24 Celica rally car) and can relate to some of your comments about slightly vague parts location.

    Looking forward to your next update. 

    I was going to say that the kits feels reminiscent of a Tamiya 1/20 F1 kit (I've built a few of those) ... but it's too early in the build for a direct comparison. When I get my next look at it I will see how well the rest of the engine goes together and if the imprecise parts fit doesn't throw the rest out.

    I just hope that the rest of the instructions don't run too far astray of the actual plastic either!

    On 2/9/2024 at 5:55 PM, DocRob said:

    Thank you for the ´what´s in the box´ and first impressions, Rog. I have build a Tamiya 1/20 Renault RE20 turbo recently and understand your thoughts about realizing, how these cars work through the build. 
    I´ve spent some time watching reviews about the recent F1 kits, as they are also down my alley in general. I decided against the Lotus, because one of the fugly turbo blasters is enough. 
    Building and painting F1 cars is demanding, because of their ´inside out´ character and there are plenty of improvements to make, if you like with all the kits.

    If you are in the market for a McLaren MP 4/4 you may wait a bit, Beemax / Nunu has announced one for 24, which I guess is superior to the Meng offering, which looks very simplified in places.

    For photo reference, there is a book available from MFH called ´JOE HONDA Racing Pictorial Series - Lotus 99T & 100T - FIA Formula 1 World Championship 1987 and 1988´

    Cheers Rob

    Heya Rob ... 

    Yes I understand Beemax has a McLaren MP4/4 scheduled ... BUT ... my gut feel here is the opposite conclusion.

    The Beemax kit feels just a little unrefined at present - early days yet, I know!

    Thanks for the reference title ... I will keep it in mind but will try to source any reference pics I need through Google ... at least initially.

    I haven't built any of Meng's 1/35 kits yet - and when it came time to choose a Panther Ausf.D Kit I narrowed it down to 8 kits, by 6 manufacturers, then down to 2 - Takom and Meng ... I chose the Takom kit, mainly because of the link and length track assembly and the full interior detail giving me more display options for only 25% more in price. Reviews of the Meng kit, however were very good and that seems to run true for most of their kits. I ordered the Meng kit the same day I ordered the Lotus - so I had already decided on it before your post ... but only pulled the trigger on it then, because it was reduced in price through a local dealer at 20% off.

    The Meng kit will also have a build thread attached so we'll be comparing the two manufacturers as we go along

    On 2/9/2024 at 7:28 PM, Peterpools said:

    Rog

    Thanks for the thorough kit review and all the detailed photographs. Will be following with great interest. Over the years I've started a few 1/12 and 1/20 F1 kits and failed miserably at all. Would love to actually build one and actually finish it. 👍

    No problems ... I hope I can do it justice!

    *** NOTE: I didn't get to attack the kit any further over the last few days ... I'm helping my GF process her visa ... and I've been trying to work on the 2023 year review for Ern', among other chores ... I fly out to work tomorrow and I should be able to have a solid crack in a couple of weeks when I return! ***

    Rog :)

    • Like 3
  12. On 2/10/2024 at 10:05 PM, Bomber_County said:

    EBay auction success…….all for under £30.00……..result……the first build I ever showed on LSM (or anywhere) was the Dragon Marder III H,  I do like Dragon kits and also these self propelled artillery pieces…….

    IMG_7979.thumb.jpeg.6b474ebce33c5d1a61f59b9753d641a7.jpeg

    Agreed! Always interesting dio pieces, these. Especially when you factor in crew, discarded shell casings, camouflage etc

    Rog :)

    • Like 5
  13. Hi all ...

    The second part of my recent order arrived at the post office this morning, so I went to collect it.

    IMG_0088.thumb.jpeg.0bb6fc4beb0ef114fc3bde26ed18b8da.jpeg

    It's the new Meng 1/12 1998 McLaren MP4/4 Formula 1 car

    IMG_0089.thumb.jpeg.54a0ae7a29350838361d273b0408e72f.jpeg

    Of course, as usual, there will be no tobacco sponsorship logos in the kit so these needed to be ordered separately in order to get an accurate display model when complete ... By the time I got around to ordering - the store where I bought the Camel decals for the Lotus was out of stock of Marlboro decals for the McLaren so I had to Google some to suit ... fortunately there's a local hobby store that had some after market ones - Unfortunately ... they were more expensive. At least they came with gummy bears though ... so there's that!

    IMG_0090.thumb.jpeg.86ff321d0cec12d3e24ea7c9d15cd58f.jpeg

    IMG_0091.thumb.jpeg.fd4795a5a7b22509ddaa22a482c9e737.jpeg

    As with the Beemax Lotus, I will be doing a build thread on this one.

    I hope to get the 'in-box' look and review done this evening ... but my week off has been a bit busy! I fly back to work tomorrow.

    Rog :)

    • Like 6
    • Thanks 1
  14. On 2/7/2024 at 7:06 PM, FullArmor said:

    ... I can not wait to see this build ...

    On 2/7/2024 at 9:17 PM, BlrwestSiR said:

    ... Looking forward to seeing your WIP on the Lotus Rog ...

    On 2/7/2024 at 10:20 PM, DocRob said:

    ... I will follow your future build log closely ...

    Ok Guys ... we're up and running in the LSM 1/35 and up WIP section!

    Rog :)

    • Like 4
    • Thanks 1
  15. ... OR ... as it was recorded in history ... the Camel Lotus / Honda 99T ...

    In the later years of the 'Turbo Era' of Formula 1, Lotus was trying to regain some of the dominance it experienced in the 60's and 70's. Partnering with Renault in 1985 and equiped with their awesome tried and tested turbocharged 1.5L V6, they recruited a young man who became arguably, the greatest Formula 1 driver ever to have lived - Ayrton Senna.

    Two years later - at the end of the 1986 season - Renault decided to depart from Formula 1, leaving Lotus to find another engine to power their vehicles - Honda was approached, themselves having re-entered Formula 1 a couple of years earlier ... Since Williams had exclusive access to the current Honda V6 turbo whose design was researched (read reverse engineered!) and based largely on the successful Renault design - but better, Lotus had to be prepared to utilise the previous years design. Thus in 1987 Williams were running an engine that had been developed and improved from 1986, while Lotus were using an engine that was a year behind!

    Honda's agreement to supply Lotus with race engines also came with another caveat ... The second driver spot on the team had to be offered to a Japanese driver - Satoru Nakajima (who could have easily become a Formula 1 meme - had memes existed in that era) ... While Senna dazzled the world with his driving brilliance, Satoru Nakajima DNF'ed his ride more than 50% of his racing career - quite often in spectacular fashion - and when not destroying the car or an aspect of it ... placing well down the finishing order.

    Having no British driver on the team, John Player Special - traditional sponsors of Lotus since 1972 - parted ways with the team leaving them to find another ... Camel Cigarettes jumped at the opportunity to have a team in full brand livery ... and along with Lotus' new 'active suspension' design ... the Camel Lotus/Honda 99T was born.

    The car remained as competitive as previous years ... though the team did not gain ground against the larger players in the Constructors Championship and as a result, Ayrton Senna switched teams for the 1988 season feeling that Lotus would not be able to deliver him a World Drivers Championship.

    This is a model of the 1987 Monaco Grand Prix winning car in 1/12 scale ... Since modellers like scale / topical accuracy, Tobacco sponsorship needs to be included on this car and some aftermarket decals were acquired.

    image.thumb.jpeg.b31028c8d2595eec3331b0b4e5c2b101.jpeg

    As always, it pays to scout ahead through the box and build instructions to try and predict major issues ...

    The box is neatly laid out and includes a few gimmicky (cute, but eye-roll inducing) items ...

    image.thumb.jpeg.2338283a7d8b0c7f46432d8a2f16f037.jpeg

    image.thumb.jpeg.e29a76d5221b82d324f8e5382f637d8c.jpeg

    image.thumb.jpeg.9194754848cf588c2e0d628ee5e95382.jpeg

    I had a quick flick through the instructions ... being eager to get started ...

    image.thumb.jpeg.8c08cf8f70d05253a972eb89272f7920.jpeg

    image.thumb.jpeg.c0de059ffc83d7cdb5619040728a7beb.jpeg

    image.thumb.jpeg.448ceb99936bbd3ba334475830dbeef2.jpeg

    image.thumb.jpeg.d91d1dafd5e79133bf03cf4f4eedd84f.jpeg

    image.thumb.jpeg.55041ba631fbefe65e975f860ad37c25.jpeg

    image.thumb.jpeg.6150302af6bc6287f687f91003b00ae3.jpeg

    I do have a set of micro screwdrivers ... but was wondering where the one suggested in the instructions was hiding ... also, where were all these screws, bolts, piping etc?? ... the answer of course - was in the red toolbox 🙄 ... oh dear!

    *image.thumb.jpeg.db71ce5717458b229a83e6bf09fdcda9.jpeg

    Nice to find the engine and gearbox assembly in there also.

    There's numbers and stuff all about the instructions ... I quickly found the paint chart, so I know how the numbers work there now.

    image.thumb.jpeg.b8d2b48bed030c799f3ea2ad9af68739.jpeg

    Fortunately ... They include Tamiya paint call outs and mix rates!

    Then there's this ...

    image.thumb.jpeg.70e06e74b20f5d405e33922da08ebdb8.jpeg

    The camera manages to get a close up ... in reality those bags are about 2 inches or 5cm tall ... and I'm supposed to work out what screw goes where??

    I figured they wouldn't leave it up to idiots like me to work it out ... and sure enough ...

    There's a parts listing on the instruction book. All I had to do was check the number/shape of items in each bag and use a permanent marker to number the bags.

    I'm unpacking some new tools as well as old ones as I go ... and these Bandai nippers are the goods!

    image.thumb.jpeg.57542de1685d407d5c105e6147868df3.jpeg

    This is the first time I've used Tamiya Extra Thin - quick setting ... good stuff.

    The plastic is multi coloured ... as you can see by the open box reveal and some plastic feels more 'malleable' or softer than others.

    The 'silver' stuff is much softer than the black. I wish Beemax had used a uniform grey plastic instead - as at this price point, I doubt you'd have anyone young enough to enjoy the multi coloured stuff as a toy ... It will be interesting to compare the Meng McLaren MP4/4 when it arrives.

    Buy the way that this is going together there's almost a Zoukei-Mura feel to it - in that, you get the distinct impression that the designer wants you to understand how the actual car fit together.

    image.thumb.jpeg.c85cc7fb7c96f427f9bfd5b0d2ea9836.jpeg

    ... annnnnd then we run into the first instruction dilemma ...

    image.thumb.jpeg.54411930048cc35189fad3a83a53ed6d.jpeg

    I'm supposed to use the pin vice to drill a 1mm hole into a marked indentation on the gearbox in order to connect part L5 ... Only there is no indentation.

    Working of the instruction suggestion as best I can ... I drill a hole in my best approximation of where it is marked on the instructions.

    Following instruction numbers 1 and 2 ... I arrive at #3 (below). The photo is a little out of focus on the instructions, but at the top - looking at the instruction for parts C27, C23, C28 & C24 you can see where it's asking you to cut a shaded area away with a blade ... no such area exists - as if they've done it for you already!

    image.thumb.jpeg.5bcbe406888a78013281a6701833ef41.jpeg

    Having completed assembly at #3 I've decided to pack it up for the rest of the day ...

    I've noticed what appears to be a misalignment at the top of one of the cylinder banks where the head will glue in ... maybe some sanding to do on the next entry.

    First impressions: I can't be too critical - even if PLATZ are involved with Beemax here, it IS their first 1/12 F1 kit. It is also the only Lotus 99T in town now, in any scale. Beemax however, are NOT new to the game and while there are no glaring ill fitment issues, the parts are slightly 'gappy' with ill defined instructions on where parts are to be placed when no positive male/female connection points are available ... as always the modellers dictum will be applied (though with a more studious application here!) - check thrice, glue once! While working out where, precisely, to glue each part may take some careful research time (often previewing the next stage of assembly to use as reference points) The 'gappy' issue is actually solved via the capillary action of the Tamiya glue ... at least enough that when primer and paint are applied you won't notice anything unusual.

    Since my work requires me to be away from home 2 weeks out of every 3 you'll be getting a weeks work of intermittent building here ... followed by 2 weeks of no updates at all ... 

    Rog :)

     

     

     

     

     

    • Like 7
  16. On 2/8/2024 at 3:32 AM, Winnie said:

    I had a break on Friday in the move melee, so the wife and I went out to pick up my xmas raffle prize and birthday present. So I got the Kotare Spit Brian Lane edition and an Academy A-10C with my coins. and then we had dinner out.

    I didn't get pictures of anything, as it's still a giant mess of boxes everywhere.

    I know the feeling well brother! ... I just had everything moved from the rental into storage while the House was built ...

    Packings a pain!

    Rog :)

    • Like 3
  17. Back in my late teens ... just after I'd left high school ... I used to follow Formula 1.

    Even though I stopped setting my alarm clock for ridiculous times while I worked for a few years before I went back to school (uni ... where I could again, get up at ridiculous hours to watch each race of the season) ... I managed to keep up with new developments.

    Back then it was the pinnacle of motorsports ... and the drivers? - Well, they had to be a special kind of crazy. I saw the closing years of what became to be known as the "Turbo Era" ... Barely controllable cars, pumping out 1000+ horsepower through a manual gearbox ...

    Then there was the announcement that a 1/12 scale kit (their first) was coming from Beemax ... Ayrton Sennas' Lotus / Honda 99T ... first placed finish at Monaco in 1987 was brilliant drive from start to finish.

    ysZcbqK.jpg

    From the moment this kit was announced I knew I would get it! ... Of course, model manufacturers have this obsession with failing to include Tobacco manufacturers liveries, which is frustrating no end to those who want a little authenticity to their display

    ddLJpyF.jpg

    So I had to get some aftermarket ones ...

    4gf40Tw.jpg

    6cpbbyF.jpg

    There WILL be a WIP for this thing ... starting this week hopefully!

    Rog :)

    • Like 8
    • Thanks 1
  18. On 1/5/2024 at 9:49 PM, ScottsGT said:

    Anyone got info on the A-20J/K release date?  I’m not seeing any pre-orders or “coming soon” on any of the usual vendors sites.  

    Should be out in Aus by end of Feb I'm told by my hobby supplier on the east coast ... and we're usually one of the tail ender's for model distribution.

    Rog :)

    • Like 2
  19. 10 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

    I think folks who thought the 1/32 Revell kit was too big will be all over this one. :lol:

    It is impressive to see Border sticking to the scale though. 

    There's the usual to-and-fro about this on TOS ... 

    For my part I got back into scale modelling back in 2008 - wanting to build German WWII armour in a larger format than when I was a kid playing around.

    I started with 1/35 ... and then I went looking for comparative aircraft only to find they were all in 32nd scale ...

    Apparently Tamiya is to blame for 35th scale being a 'thing' ...

    The real question is ... can Border group the obvious "sets" together to help them get market traction ... Apparently their Fw-190A-6 was a winner!

    Kate, Val, Zero A6M2 ... F4F, Dauntless, Devastator

    Mk.V Spitfire ... Fw.190A-4 ... Bf.109F-4 ... P.51B

    He.111, Do.17z, Ju.87B, Ju.88, Bf.110C ... Spitfire Mk.Ia, Hurricane Mk.I

    Mk.IXc Spitfire ... Fw.190A-5/6/7/8 ... Bf.109G ... P51D

    The list goes on obviously ... but they ARE churning them out at a decent rate! ... 

    I'm not sold yet ... but if they keep kicking goals it might be hard to avoid finally getting scale aircraft that MATCH my armour scale.

    Rog :)

     

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 2
  20. 23 hours ago, Clunkmeister said:

    Yes,

    in 1/32, it’s a toss up between the HK A-20G and the Kotare Spitfire.  Both are SUPERB kits. 
    An honorable mention to the ZM FW 190A-4, simply because it’s not only the first mainstream short nose 190 ever, but is probably the best 190 kit of all time.  
    Runner up honorable mention is the 1/24 Airfix Spitfire 9

    In 1/48, take your pic: Airfix, in no particular order:  Bucc, Sea King, or Gannett.   All three are stunningly superb kits that are badly needed in a scale larger than 1/72, and beat of all, all three are FAA crates, which is easily my favorite Branch of Service to model.

    My thoughts on the year in general?  
    Airfix has left the past firmly behind.  WAY behind.  
    HK has produced their best kit EVER,  and   
    Kotare, the new kid on the block, has come in swinging with their much needed and greatly appreciated early Spitfire trio   Mk 1 early, Mk 1a mid, and Mk Vb.

    Truly a great year to be a large scale modeler!!!

     

     

     

     

    I was going to post ... then read yours, so why bother when you did it all for me!! 😂 😂 😂 ...

    Seriously though ...

    Trying NOT to be the ZM fanboy that I am - and put the Fw.190 first ...

    It doesn't take much - having a quick look at that A-20G (in any guise - one of my favourites) - to see the improvement in HKM's work ... some said "expensive for a twin" ... I say worth every single cent and then some ... competing well against Tamiya and ZM for detail levels and accuracy. 1/ I just hope they keep that attention to detail and accuracy up to this level - where it needs to be, 2/ It's a crying shame it wasn't around in the Mosquito days (I feel that the kit was rushed to market to try to get ahead of the Tamiya one maybe?) ... Still ... onward and upward now!

    Kotare might not be heavy on the detail ... but they have done it properly where it counts! ... The most scale-accurate early Spitfire made - the end! ... Or the beginning - as we have a Va due out sometime in 2024 and hopefully (Please God! With a cherry on top!) a Vb!! ... Oh, My! Wouldn't THAT be something ... Finally a scale accurate Vb ... 😍 ... This was the kit that I struggled hard with voting ahead of the ZM kit.

    Andy's 1/16 Tiger gets a mention ... as well as Geckos' 1/16 Panzer II Ausf.F ... both great kits ... Heller technically released their 1/16th Pz.III Ausf. J, L or M optioned kit back in 2022 ... but most didn't hit the shelves until early this year ... I love this kit also!

    Rog :)

     

     

    • Like 4
  21. You're right about things being tight ... but I find the only way out of any financial difficulty is to give my way out - while maintaining an attitude of gratitude for what I do have ... I'm in with a gift voucher to your favourite local hobby store (worldwide) - equivalent to $100 AUD - however that translates into your local currency.

    Top of the season to you - one and all 🎅 🎄

    Rog :)

    • Like 8
  22. On 11/3/2023 at 4:49 AM, Peterpools said:

    A few awesome deliveries today:

    : AirScale Devastator Pro set with 3D printed parts

    Eduard Canopy mask Set for the Kotare Spitfire

    and this gem:

    l7p85y.jpg

     

    I got the other one - because it saw WWII service ... I like the lines of this one and wish it had - so I would have an excuse!!

    Rog :)

    • Like 2
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