1/12 SCALE MG MODEL FERRARI -MODELS

Are you looking on info for the models ? or the company? As much as I know the company is no longer but still have kits in a warehouse. I have the 126Ck kit which I purchased in Germany from Modell Paradis. here is the link https://modell-paradies.de/en/catalog/all/manufacture/MG%2BModel%2BPlus .

 

Wow, the '68 312 F1 is tempting...

 

They are on a new website with a limited assortment that will be slowly built up. Available from specialist model shops.

 

Here is the link:

Home - Atelier Car Models

 

:: MIMO2 ::

You can try to contact this shop here in Portugal, Braga...not long ago they had quite a few for sale from a former collector...i know they sell a lot to other countryes..

 

I know this is an old post, but for future reference, you can purchase factory built 1:12 scale MG Models from Carmodel in Italy > http://www.carmodel.com/

Carmodel doesn't list any 1:12 MG Model Plus in their online catalog (unless they are second hand), however they apparently are able to purchase new factory built models somehow. You'll need to tell them which MG Models you are looking for and they can check availability and place an order. I have an old MG Model catalog in pdf form if anyone needs it. I know it doesn't include all of the models produced by MG Model (e.g. Ferrari 312pb).

I've ordered 3 classic F1 models from Carmodel and they do an excellent job packaging these pricey models for overseas shipment. The models are highly detailed, however sometimes there are larger gaps in some of the removable body pieces than I would like. Still, out of literally 100s of die cast and resin models that I've collected, these are my favorites and much more affordable than say Amalgam.

 

Speaking of 1/12th MG models, I just picked up this rare Ferrari in kit form. The body is off and the kit is very simple. You can see the roof is way to square and the side from the windows down should be flatter. MG is not the best at getting things correct. Not one of their kits is accurate!! Avoid them unless no one else makes the car.




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Yeah they need a lot of work. Unless you're really a skilled model builder, I wouldn't attempt to assemble one of their kits. Generally, I've been pleased with the quality of the factory built MG models, but some have slightly more pronounced panel gaps than I'd like. Here's a few pics of the 312 PB factory built that I purchased from Carmodel. Panel fit-up is pretty good, paint quality is superb.
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Great model, congrats! 1/12?

 

Thanks! - yes, 1/12. Now in the interest of full disclosure, here's some pics of another MG Model with noticeable gaps in the body panel fit-up if you look at the separation just below the "Lauda" graphic. Shame, because otherwise I think it's a gorgeous model with excellent detail. That piece is meant to come off to show more of the chassis detail, so maybe some day I'll take it apart to see if I can improve on the fit up.

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Love 1/12 scale models....
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Yes some cars do look good when finished, almost like an art piece wich is ok. I have had almost all the MG 1/12th kits and they do have a lot of problems so I sold most of them. I bought the above model because I highly doubt anyone will ever do this Ferrari 375 again in 1/12th. The photoetch in the MG kits is very nice as are the decals. It is a good starting base for a accurate model, but it will take alot of work along with new wire wheels and tires. I can't stand the MG wire wheels.

 

Here is the 1/12th MG Ferrari 375 built. The roof is way off and the wheels look terrible. You can see how the sides also have many errors. This is a very rare kit anyway, so I am lucky to have found it in Pan Am markings.

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I think many would think that's a great looking model in spite of the issues you mention. I don't know the full history of MG Models, but I think in some ways they may have been ahead of their time in trying to produce highly detailed models, although sadly with production capabilities that just weren't up to snuff. I've been told they are no longer in business, yet you can commission "factory built 1/12 kits" from folks like Carmodel.com, so how does that happen? ....and their online catalog lists new 1/18 & 1/43 MG Models, but Carmodel has been rather guarded when I've asked pointed questions about the brand.

As Spirot already mentioned, I'm also a big fan of 1/12 scale. The proportions just look better to me at that scale. Unfortunately, it seems the range of highly detailed built models in that scale is pretty limited compared to the smaller scales. I recently purchased a Lotus 99T (Model Factory Hiro) from a custom modeler in Australia that has quite a lot of detail that I'm pretty happy with. I may grab another one of those in the future, but they are really tricky to ship without incurring some damage.
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Nice collection! Curious what brand the 90s era Ferrari is?

 

Your Lotus 99T model looks wonderful! Very nice to see. With that said, I am in complete agreement with Tom about MG regarding their lack of accuracy and quality. MG were unequivocally not ahead of their time, not in any way at all. Production capabilities and more all existed prior to the time they started making their models. I'm a collector too, and have been in the specialty model business for close to 40 years..... Their models are nicely detailed, but not what is considered to be "highly detailed." MG picked some great cars to model, but they only made their built models and kits to the standard that suited them, not at all up to what the real standards were for the time with regard to accuracy and quality.

 

When Pantossi started in the ;ate 1980's as MG14 in 1:14 scale, he built some nice curbside Ferrari F1's . At the time Brianza and Paolo Tron were active in that scale.
But the resin was often bad quality and parts deformed after time passed. Which was common for all the builders. I have had some serious issues with models sagging and panels sinking in closed position.
Some were very nice at the time, but nowadays its no match anymore.
I agree with Marshall, but we have to add the fact that these were handmade, nowadays amalgam BBR and lots of other companies use computers for masters.. and in a lot of cases you see mistakes that are simply stupid!

I still prefer a handbuilt model by an artist. The skill and talent of a modelmaker is so much nicer than a "perfectly" scanned copy.
And YES they come with a higher price, but are worth every panny!

Building a collection is about quality.. accumulating models is to easy..

We, collectors need to suppport the talented artists, if we don't, the art will disapear, its the main reason I stopped buying on ebay. I directly order my models so I know the art is being preserved.

 

I build my models, so having a good starting point is important. The MG kits do take a lot of rework. Another old kit from the same era by Joel Fumey does not because the model maker had a lot more talent. The latest batch of 1/12th kits may be done on a computer, but they are more accurate unless someone does poor research or screws up the drawings. Here is my Joel Fumey Ultimate 1/12th Dino 206S #0842 done as it ran at Sebring in 1966. A lot of changes, but not because the model was not perfect. 5 spoke wheels and all the scoops/decals were special to this race. I finally made an inspection sticker myself along with all the numbers.


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And the real car... Every number was hand painted on the real car. I think the front windscreen might be to low on my model. Both sides had different scoops added for the hot Florida race.

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Have to say, I'm really enjoying the feedback on this forum and thank you for more background on MG Models than I've been able to find elsewhere. The custom builder that made my Lotus 99T had nothing good to say about MG Models and I would agree that when you see noticeable panel gaps on a high priced model it's frustrating to say the least. I stopped building models long ago mostly because of the time and patience required to get a good result, but also because I simply didn't have the skill to produce a paint finish like you see on higher end die cast (now trending to resin) that's available in the market place. I have the upmost respect for those that can deliver such striking realism like F1 Tommy's Dino - I'd love to have something like that in my collection.

I don't know who's actually assembling the factory built 1/12 MG Models, but given what you see in the kit boxes and what the model builder actually delivers, I think they do an amazing job. I guess you can argue about the level of detail in the 1/12 MG Models, but at the moment it doesn't seem like there are many other options if you're looking for built models of classic Ferraris in this scale with any level of engine/cockpit detail in the $2000 range.

 

That's very true, there are not many options for good 1:12 Ferrari models with any engine detail. Many of the Chinese made semi-mass produced models being currently made with the help of CAD have many too many problems. MG, Brianza, and kits from MFH are pretty much the only choices. A properly built MFH Ferrari kit will of course cost much more than $2K. An individual artist and artisan company will often deliver a better model than anything from the current mass market arena. I also agree with Hans, that building a good collection is or should be about quality, which is what I look for with most (but not all) of what I collect, and produce. Still slowly working on my next 1:12 limited edition run of the Scarab Roadsters while I am also working on a 1:12 scratch built Bentley Speed Six for a client.

Something does seem a bit odd about Carmodel not being very open about these newly built MG models they are selling.

 

Tom, I love your work, always very impressive.

 

Hans you are so very correct on all of this. Even though I do have a number of the new semi-mass market models, I do always prefer a great hand built model. Most of my favorite models were built by artisan model companies, and individual builders.

In addition to stupid mistakes on the new pieces from BBR, CMC, Amalgam, and many others....almost all of them seem to lack any real soul.