1/18 news

yes 1:18

thank you Rob

 

ABC is still available for 600 €

CMF: old or brand new model ?

 

This one went under the radar, another budget classic from KK-Scale, the 400 Superamerica:

FERRARI 400 Superamerica 1962 Dark blue 1:18 KK-SCALE KKDC180062 | eBay

They're directly taking on BBR with their model choice.

 

The wheels look like crap! IMO!

 

AND... one giant drivers side mirror too... Uhg!

 

Went to the Essen Motor Show in Germany today and saw the KK-Scale 365 California. It looked quite good in the display. When I got home the copy I ordered arrived so now I can have a closer look.

First off it's a die-cast model, not resin. No opening parts, so great shut lines
As a result the model has a nice heavy feel. The front wheels turn and all four corners have working suspension. The bottom is fairly detailed but it's all black apart from the exhaust tips.

I bought the light blue version and it looks great with a very realistic metallic shine to it. I could not find any paint flaws.

The model has a good stance and the wheels fit well. As said, the wires of the wheels look horrible but for this kind of money I will just slap some BBR after market wheels on them and still come out great price wise. Strange that they couldn't make the wires better, yet the rims do have valve stems.

The chrome details like the bumpers, windscreen surroundings and wipers don't look too plasticky. However the wipers do look a bit chunky and the blades are painted all black (they should be chrome on top as well). The windscreen surrounding could use some detailing by adding a black line for the window rubber. The door mirror does look huge yet it is quite finely detailed and doesn't look as out of place as I feared. I maybe will leave it like that. On other parts like the headlight surrounding and the chrome strip in the side inlets look perfectly fine to me.

The interior is all black with dark wood accents. The steering wheels has a nice wood-like rim with metallic spokes and the arm rests on the doors have a chrome accent. Even though the interior is all hard plastic, the seats and soft top cover have a soft look to them. The dashboard is amply detailed with decals for all the dials. All emblems, rear license plate etc are decals but some of them feel like they are PE parts, not sure.

The overall shape as well a the details are very realistic, I especially like the headlight covers.

I'm very happy with this model, can't wait for the 400 SA that I've ordered from KK-Scale.

 

The 206 and 246 Dino's are on the very short list of my all time favorite cars, and they've been modeled by numerous manufacturers from small cottage industry artisans to mass market diecast toy producers, and just about everywhere in between. That said, most (but not all) of the models out there have missed capturing the car. The most difficult and obvious area is the body shape, but they also get other details wrong too.

This new Kyosho model is spot on. About the only thing I can find wrong with it so far is that the gear shift is a little too tall. I do have to inspect more closely, and to clarify if they have correctly modeled a specific year/series or if they have mixed in details from various points in time. Regardless, it is a great model.

Presentation is excellent. Comes in a nice box, and mounted to an elaborate display base, but they don't say how many they are making, which I find as a big fault, especially since these models are some of the more expensive sealed resin type.

I have several Dino 246GT models in various scales.....1:64, 1:43, 1:24, 1:18, and 1:14. The 1:14 model is a hand built Brianza model, and is much, much more expensive than the Kyosho.

I have also considered buying the big 1:8 scale model out there, which is made by a well known company, but having seen it in person, there were too many small issues/problems that bothered me, and at those prices I expected it to be better.

I bought the 1:18 Kyosho model to replace my Mattel Elite Dino model, which is very good, but not completely correct, and the Mattel's body shape is a bit off. The Mattel is of course metal bodied with plastic parts, and all panels open, but it is overall not as good as the Kyosho. I collect models by quality and overall accuracy rather than working features or what the material is.

As soon as I have a little time to take photos, I'll post a few.

 

For the low $200 price range, it looks like a pretty good model imo.

I'm waiting for their F40 LM to release next year and their website says they will be making multiple versions that exist of the LM between 1987 and 1996: https://www.looksmartmodels.com/product/ferrari-f40-lm-red/

 

Thanks for the info. on this one. Just curious, what is your opinion of the 1/43 Make Up Dino? Like you, I tend to place priority on accuracy vs. features.

 

I had considered buying one of those as well, but passed. I was a little disappointed in the overall body shape, and also that MakeUp produces so many (too many) of each model. The MakeUp models are very well detailed and beautifully finished, but they tend to miss a little on accuracy with some of their models.

With all of that said, the MakeUp Dino 246 models are probably the best of the 1:43rd's.

 

Thanks!

 

They also make this in yellow with black interior.

Removed model from base to put it with rest of my collection in cabinets.

Surprised to find that a large part of the underside - base plate is made of heavy diecast metal. Rest of the model is resin and overall superb detail, fit and finish. Far better than most 1:18 resin and diecast manufacturers.

Not sure though if the model is completely correct for whatever series/point in time this is to replicate. Have not had any time to research.
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That does look nice.

 

Pedro, I've sold my Elite Dino as well. I liked a lot of the detailing, but as you wrote, it always looked a bit wrong. The main area that was off was the body shape - specifically the rear side pillars as they sweep down from the roof to the rear fender. The Elite model did not get that completely correct, and in fact it is the most common area that almost all other manufacturers miss in all scales. You can easily see this when looking at the model in profile. The roof shape was also off just a little and is very subtle, but combined with the pillars it gives that look of not being quite right. Also the Elite sits a little too high, and I always hated the modern plastic mirror they put on the drivers door.

One thing I do wish and think that Kyosho should have done was to have the door windows in the open/down position so you can see the interior better. That is something that the Elite model had even though its doors opened, and it was a great detail.

Yes GT4me, it really is a great looking model, and they have included all the detail parts everywhere. Tiny little vent window latches, and a cap under one of the engine lid vents, decals on the exhaust tips, etc. I don't buy many Ferrari models these days, but this one was on my must have list, and I am very happy with it.

 

The latest Amalgam Collection Newsletter mentions that they will start making models in 1/18 starting in 2017. I have contacted them asking for any more information.

 

Thanks for the good news. They make a nice variety of models. Looking froward to see what they'll make in 1/18.

 

Well....so far they show a 250 GTO. Looks like there will be an assortment of Ferrari models.

 

New colors of BBR's 1/18 scale model of the Ferrari F60 America open for pre-order on their website. That Rosso Fuoco one looks stunning! ::BBRModelStore.com

 

CMF has two new Ferraris in different liveries:

857S:

Ferrari 857S, rot, No.98, Andy Warhol, 1:18, CMF - Modellauto - Model Car World

750 Monza:

Ferrari 750 Monza, RHD, No.16, Tourist Trophy, 1:18, CMF - Modellauto - Model Car World