Partwork models
Discussion
Having recently completed the Pocher Ducati kit (with the Paul Koo hardware kit and DVD), I thought I'd build the Panini (Centauri) F40 artwork before tackling the 2 other Pocher kits (Lotus and 917). I thought it would be an easy job, and free up a lot of cupboard space. After all, these kits are fully painted, and aimed at non-modellers. I only bought it because I collect F40 models of all sorts.
This thing is really testing my patience! Although nicely detailed and painted, the mouldings make 50 year old Airfix kits look good. The instructions (despite plenty of colour photos in the magazines) gloss over the tricky bits. Way worse than recent Pocher kits. Some steps are completely missing. Sometimes you fit some parts, then have to remove them again to fit something from a later magazine.
I've resorted to watching 2 sets of "step by step" YouTube videos, and these guys are struggling too.
Are partwork cars all this bad?
This thing is really testing my patience! Although nicely detailed and painted, the mouldings make 50 year old Airfix kits look good. The instructions (despite plenty of colour photos in the magazines) gloss over the tricky bits. Way worse than recent Pocher kits. Some steps are completely missing. Sometimes you fit some parts, then have to remove them again to fit something from a later magazine.
I've resorted to watching 2 sets of "step by step" YouTube videos, and these guys are struggling too.
Are partwork cars all this bad?
I've now finished the kit, and to be fair, it does look a lot better than the old Pocher F40. Most of the parts that didn't fit properly are out of sight anyway.
Fitting the sub-assemblies together was a struggle, particularly getting the rear hatch hinges onto the tub, and aligning the driver's door.
Chap on YouTube, a serial partwork kit assembler, reckoned it was the hardest build he had ever done!
I've got the Ixo Porsche 917 (Salzburg red with white stripes livery) on order. I believe that Ixo supply some of the partwork kits? Hopefully their kits are better quality. I've got a half-built McLaren MP4/23 tucked away, which I believe was made for DeAgostini by Ixo? I made a serious mistake, and need to strip it right down and try again. It was very cheap at the time, DeAgostini were obviously selling off all their spare parts without the magazines after the subscription ended.
I've got the Pocher Lotus 72 and Porsche 917 Gulf to do already.
After them, I may try the recent Italeri 1/12 Stratos. From what I've read, it's a very good kit (unlike some of their older kits).
Fitting the sub-assemblies together was a struggle, particularly getting the rear hatch hinges onto the tub, and aligning the driver's door.
Chap on YouTube, a serial partwork kit assembler, reckoned it was the hardest build he had ever done!
I've got the Ixo Porsche 917 (Salzburg red with white stripes livery) on order. I believe that Ixo supply some of the partwork kits? Hopefully their kits are better quality. I've got a half-built McLaren MP4/23 tucked away, which I believe was made for DeAgostini by Ixo? I made a serious mistake, and need to strip it right down and try again. It was very cheap at the time, DeAgostini were obviously selling off all their spare parts without the magazines after the subscription ended.
I've got the Pocher Lotus 72 and Porsche 917 Gulf to do already.
After them, I may try the recent Italeri 1/12 Stratos. From what I've read, it's a very good kit (unlike some of their older kits).
The Pocher ones i have found to be relatively easy and straightforward compared to the partwork ones. The BTTF Delorean was horrible, needed to re tap some holes and gave up on their crappy screwdrivers after stage 1. In the end my body didnt line up...so it has stayed like that for years now. I will get back to it but when i have more time and patience. I do have loads to build though. GT40, Porsche, Miura, Countach and the F&F ones that are dripping through
Big Raff said:
The Pocher ones i have found to be relatively easy and straightforward compared to the partwork ones. The BTTF Delorean was horrible, needed to re tap some holes and gave up on their crappy screwdrivers after stage 1. In the end my body didnt line up...so it has stayed like that for years now. I will get back to it but when i have more time and patience. I do have loads to build though. GT40, Porsche, Miura, Countach and the F&F ones that are dripping through
The "modern" Pocher kits are best treated as the starting point for scratch-built detailing - they are lacking in some areas, but can be built straight from the box.I enjoyed doing the Pocher Ducati, adding a fair amount of detail myself, and some scale hardware. I'll do the same with the Lotus and Porsche.
The only detailing I did on the partwork F40 was a bit of panel liner, and deseaming/painting a couple of parts. Nothing else really needed. I like the end result, but didn't really enjoy the build.
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