Tamiya 1:24 Ferrari F40

[chrisga]

robemcdonald said:

Thanks for the encouragement though. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth posting or if anyone actually reads these threads.

I read them and enjoy the model threads, no matter how good or bad the OP thinks their models turn out. I think people are always more critical of their own work.

I've got stacks of Tamiya kits in my to make pile. I think the last time I picked up a paint brush and modelling knife must be pushing two years ago. Seeing these threads makes me think about cracking on with one. I really should. It's just finding the time.......

The F40 looks great and as others have said you are going far and above what the kits were designed for.

[robemcdonald]

chunder27 said:

The thing is.

These kits are not really designed to be built to this level of detail, you are going far and above what was designed into this kit when it was produced. Because you can. Which is why the body is red, the interior parts black etc, it is meant to effectively be thrown together by a kid or at best a hobby maker who will spend some time painting the detail parts, not spraying or looking into the nth degree as you have, using real pics as reference etc.

Most people would be happy to go to a level of detail several steps away from what you have done which is anal in the extreme. No offence and I admire your patience and ability. But your level is far beyond what these products are marketed to sell to.

I knew a guy who did similar and would go to these extremes too. HE would spend 30 quid on a kit and then hundreds on special parts to make it better.

But having a pop at the manufacturers for the quality of the plastics and the mouldings is a reflection of you, and the level you are going to, not them.

As I say, I mean no offence, and I imagine mouldings are a lot better now than they were, hence your comparisons with old and new products. but that is because of manufacturing improvements and the like, these are considered as much a toy as a hobby piece and are marketed accordingly, it's why they are sold in toy shops AND model shops. As are the actual costs of manufacturing this, it is a product to make profit after all!

And coming from a manufacturing background as I do, these factors have to be taken into consideration when you are making something for consumers.

Thanks for your comments (I think) but I feel you are mistaken about a few things.

firstly your comments about the kits being designed to be thrown together. Well that's what Lego is for. These kit provide details of the various paint colours for each part, including sprays for the body colour. They are designed for hobbyists and aren't toys.

The only additional items I've added to this kit are some carbon and Kevlar decals and some ht leads made from electrical wire. Hardly the hundreds of pounds on special parts.

The comments regarding quality were in the main to highlight the improvements in quality from the same manufacturer. For similar products at similar prices. I also understand the reasons for this as I am also from an engineering manufacturing background.

I'm pretty new to modelling, returning after a long break. It's my hobby. I put as much patience as I can manage into my builds. My intent is to improve with each kit. The time spent might seem excessive to some, but I don't see any point rushing.

Look at some of the other build threads. my attention to detail pales into insignificance against the work by the other contributors to this forum. Hopefully I can improve a bit with each build and one day I will get similar results.

[RacingPete]

Just to add.... I enjoy reading these too (having looked at the backend stats on these build threads there are a lot of views compared to comments) so do keep them up (that applies to everyone)

Which reminds me to go and start one myself shortly!

[chunder27]

I was not being critical as I said, more pointing out that you go to lengths in what is a fairly basic kit that most would not go to.

I think if you are selling a product like that you have to cater for all levels, so it has to be easy for a kid or amateur to make, and also cater for someone like yourself who goes to the nth degree in terms of detail and quality. Making the kit takes very little time, but the amount of detail put into painting and spraying takes far more.

I would guess you would be in the minority of a few hundred people who built that kit to the level you do, there will be tens of thousands possibly that will not and be just as happy. And there will be a few who go to frankly OTT levels. Making bespoke parts and putting the car into a scene etc.

It is one of those hobbies that can be all things to all men. I used to make plane kits as a kid and never bothered with the fine detail, it was all about building the kit, how it went together, making it look reasonable, I never felt the need for excessive quality and fine detail. I was more into the actual design of the plane or car and how it looked compared to others. I got better as I got older, but I would never go as far as painstakingly painting interiors or engine parts. It was the making part I enjoyed.

As I say we all find different parts we enjoy in modelling

[robemcdonald]

chunder27 said:

And there will be a few who go to frankly OTT levels. Making bespoke parts and putting the car into a scene.

Here's one I made earlier.

Edited by robemcdonald on Friday 17th November 10:59

[mrkipling]

Hey Rob, an F40 with weathered wheels for you, keep up the good work.

[robemcdonald]

Thanks

Nice to see one getting proper use.

[DubZeus]

Mine is still in the box, great work. Need to get practising my painting skills. I can do the details but my spraying lets me down.

[marcosgt]

mrkipling said:

Hey Rob, an F40 with weathered wheels for you, keep up the good work.

I stand corrected, BUT, so's the rest of the car!

Funny how people always focus on anything vaguely negative in a post... I did say

marcosgt said:

Looks good...

... it looks excellent!

And it does!


M.

Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 21st November 14:29