156 replies to this topic

[David Thibodeau]

I was asked by Ed Sexton from Revell to do a review of the new Mustang GT500 in 1/12 scale. I received the kit on Friday and was anxious to open the kit to check it out....
Here is what I discovered:
The box art:

As I assumed; This thing is a monster as you can see with a 1/24 scale model next to it! The body proportions look spot on and is crisply molded. The only dissapointment to me is the molded in doors. It looks like Revell continues the tradition of molded doors even on big scale kits. On a positive note atleast there is no warpage to deal with if the doors were molded as separate pieces.

Some parts are molded in black. Here is the exhaust, Suspension, and firewall components. Nicely molded from the look of things.

Interior components molded nicely.The main interior pan will be tricky to paint since the front engine bay needs to be body color. I was puzzled why the kit was not all molded in white like most of their new kits are but it wont be a problem.

The chassis pan. Again molded in black, but to do it correct it needs to be done in slvers,primers, and body color overspray.

[David Thibodeau]

Wheels and tires; Nice molded rubber vinyl tires with accurate eagle F1 street rubber tread but no logos on the side walls molded in. High good year license fees!! The wheels were chrome plated but I stripped them here already and shot them in duplicolor chrome paint to give them a toned down look .

More suspension , grill, and engine parts. The grills look nice and are molded open!

Door panels, and the remainder of the chrome tree.

Clear parts tree... its nice to see the front and rear glass packaged in separate baggies to prevent scratches!

Finally, the decal sheet. Well done and will be used in the build. Even the stripes!



Stay tuned for the complete build.....

Dave T

Edited by David Thibodeau, 07 August 2011 - 02:29 PM.

[Harry P.]

Looks like a nice kit! We're looking forward to your buildup.

[comp1839]

looks like an awesome kit! while 1/12 is a little small for me. i think i'm seeing a mountain motor prostock in there somewhere!

[Crusader101]

I'm looking forward to your build..as well as to the release of the kit.

BTW, that's a beautiful Monte in your comparison pic!

[John E. Bowers Jr.]

Sold! One Revell 1/12th scale Shelby Cobra kit... And I'm a Chevy guy! But I gotta have one of these.

[TurboKitty]

might still get one even though it doesn't have opening doors or trunk (this thing could even have an opening glove box and gas cap, it's big enough LOL).

[Luc Janssens]

yummy!
Keeping an eye on the progress!!
BTW, David since you seem to know Ed, can you ask him if they could do a 1/12 '69 Charger?

[Hawk312]

I was wondering if we were ever going to see this day. Revell tooling another large scale kit!!! I cannot wait to get ahold of one of these. Did he say when they would be available?

I am actually glad they molded the doors shut. I am building Revell`s 1/12 `65 Mustang Shelby, and it is a pain. I ended up glueing the doors shut anyway. I am also glad to see Revell forgoing the G**dy**r tire markings and instead putting the money into developing great kits.

Hopefully this sells like crazy and we see more big scale car kits.

Also, love the box art! I was planning to do mine in that color!

[Harry P.]

Hopefully this sells like crazy and we see more big scale car kits.

I agree with that in general, but if I had a vote I'd say make the kits a lot more detailed (even if it means a higher MSRP). This kit, while it's nice in general, has about the same parts breakdown as a 1/24 scale model. At twice that size I expect a lot more detail. For example, separate wipers, separate brake discs and calipers, etc. Breaking down the parts that way makes detailing much easier, and in a large scale model detailing is what makes it or breaks it.

I think most big-scale builders are willing to shell out the $$$ in return for a kit that has significantly better detail/higher parts count than the typical 1/24 kit. At least I know that I would (and I do... those Pochers aren't getting any cheaper!)

[Harry P.]

You know, while I can see where you're coming from I think Revell has probably done exactly what they need to to ensure this kit is a financial success. I'm sure that this tooling shares all sorts of commonality with the 1/25 Mustangs, which is probalby the only way to justify the gamble. I also think that the simplicity of this kit gives it the widest possible audience, and ensures that many of them will actually get built. There are lots of big-scale full detail kits that you never actually see completed by anyone, but the Monogram '69 Camaro, '67 Vette, and '57 Chevies get built pretty often. My guess is that if Revell cranked up the detail, while it'd be a nicer kit, but I don't know if they would have sold an extra copy.

Yeah, in the business sense I know you're right. I know, maximize ROI, appeal to the widest possible audience, etc.

It's just my personal wishful thinking. I am willing to pay the price for a full-blown high-zoot kit, but most people are not.

I guess my frustration with the relative simplicity and simplification of this kit isn't felt by most modelers.

[horsepower]

I think that Revell did this one right, those that one a super detailed kit will build it "their" way, & those that don't or can't will love it as is. We all know that if they had put in all of the super details, that there would be a problem somewhere either in the way the hinges were done, or with the evil warp monster getting to the main shell etc. But this way it's out there for all of us to love & build, & I do believe that a lot more will get finished in this mode.

[The Creative Explorer]

Yeah, in the business sense I know you're right. I know, maximize ROI, appeal to the widest possible audience, etc.

It's just my personal wishful thinking. I am willing to pay the price for a full-blown high-zoot kit, but most people are not.

I guess my frustration with the relative simplicity and simplification of this kit isn't felt by most modelers.

I am sharing your opinion too, however I also like that the kit is at a low MSRP. This way, it makes things a lot easier to dig in to and modify. One would hesitate once or twice to cut the roof of from the GT40 for example.

I think it is a hard topic for a model-manufacturer, the 'golden' days are gone and in big-scale there is less activity. I am just glad that Revell has the cojones to even produce a big-scale new tooling.
And for the people who wants more detail, there is the announcement from Scale Motor Sport.

I am anxious to see how David progresses on the build.

[Cato]

And for the people who wants more detail, there is the announcement from Scale Motor Sport.

I too, like Harry, would opt for better detail in this larger scale but fully understand R's business case not to.
I'd be very surprised if Matthew did an upgrade kit for this after having passed on the GT 40. This seems nicely molded but as 'toy-like' as he considered the GT.

Just curious ... did you buy one of the Trumpeter 1/12th scale GT-40s?

I did-why do you ask?

[David Thibodeau]

I mentioned I stripped the chrome off the wheels which I did with castrol superclean. Then I sealed them and painted them with a duplicolor chrome enamel silver paint sprayed directly from the can. Looks like it paid off! I carefully installed them after they dried a day and applied the SVT center logos. The more polished or painted look is a definite improvement over the kit chrome.

I assembled the engine block and accessories as well. Nicey engraved and detailed castings. I will get it i paint when I restock my paint supply this week.

Edited by David Thibodeau, 08 August 2011 - 03:12 PM.

[Harry P.]

Just curious ... did you buy one of the Trumpeter 1/12th scale GT-40s?

No, I have no interest whatsoever in the subject.

[kelson]

Glad to see that someone is doing a build review,and i like what i see so far,it seems that some are not happy it's not more detailed and won't buy it ,which means more for me to buy!

[Dr. Cranky]

Looking good, although I don't build in the larger scales.

[bandit1]

ooohhhh do you know when it will be released i may have to hunt down a hobby shop around here and reserve me 2 or 3 or 4 or.....MORE!
do you know anything on what the price range will be for it!?

[David Thibodeau]

September release and it will retail in the 65 dollar range I believe....

Thanks guys......
More progress... I cleaned up the body with 600 grit paper and put it in primer. Duplicolor filler primer which is kind to the new revell plastic if it is put on in light coats. Minimal clea up was required. The body is very clean, well proportioned and realisitic!

For some reason the passenger door required deepening of the panel lines with a scriber. The door lines were a little light on this side.

I set the rear wing on the trunk but it will be painted separately.

A quick mock up..... It barely fits in my booth! By the way, I will be painting it with Scalefinishes grabber blue.