The Creative Explorer

I bought mine for 95 euro's. I was a bit reluctant in buying the kit, but when I got home and went through the box, it's ok. It's definately not a Tamiya, but Italeri did a good job capturing the little giant. But a lot of extra detail has to be given into the model for making it stand out.

I've been using Autodesk Inventor for a while now and with the basic things, I am doing well. I was going to take it a step further and tried drawing a frontbumper and a tailgate for the 911, but whatever I do, I can not find anything to work with me with the complex curves. I've wasted 2 full days on it now and I am at the point of tossing the computer. Is there anybody willing to help me out by guiding me? I would be very appreciative.

I can confirm it does come with a full engine, once assembled you don't see much, but yes, there is a complete engine. and it does look pretty nice.

I got a little bit further, it was build by Gary Kolchock

I remember there was a build on the board of a large scale wacky racer/ zinger like Corvette, I thought the modelkit was called va va voom or something in that order, and it was modified to an awesome Grand Sport. But it seems to be untraceable, or I just can't find it with the keywords I am using. I also used the internet, but nothing comes up, not even on the va va voom kit. I thought it was scale 1/16 or 1/12.

Jeroen, see pm.

I know that in the past we could block users. I don't seem to see that option anymore. I like the board for what it is: with builders and from builders. What I don't like are the posers, users that only post their own stuff (and yell to SUBSCRIBE!!!!) and don't participate in the board. To each their own ofcourse, but I would like if I can ignore users posts/topics.

That is awesome! I just got me the drag-version for 200 euro's, so I wouldn't mind getting a few for lower prices I am sure I will be getting a couple.

I thought so, but since you weren't even near The Netherlands, I wasn't sure. But I agree, one can find nice kits on Marktplaats for nice prices, sometimes. Other times, they think that eBay prices are leading and think they can ask that.... One has to keep an eye on it and find good buys.

I am working on a resin multi-piece grille, hopefully with separate headlight cover. This is a prototype for measurement-fitting:

Quite coïncidentally; I ran accross such an exact kit for the exact price on a local Dutch website: https://link.marktplaats.nl/m1210192082 Even though I never heard of Masterkit, I know it is a very old Minicraft/Revell etc.. kit, not at all worth the money. 15 should be the max for it.

Nobody has a clue?

The prestige series of Pocher, never were known for their high attention to detail and finesse. They were considerably cheaper and much easier to build. Somewhat funny, but you can also tell on how they are offered for sale: The prestige series are often put for sale completely build, where the classic series are often put up for sale, only engine and chassis build. But I can see your point, when I bought my very first Pocher ( a white Testarossa convertible) I was dissapointed in a way, but there is also much potential to it. The used prices are reasonable. Except for the Volvo and the Huracan, I have from every base-model at least 1; you can tell a lot of differences between every kit. What I find positive about the porsche, is that the chassis is metal and the body plastic, just like the classic series. Unlike the Ferrari's and Lamborghini's with their metal body.

Depends, Even though straight out of the box build is somewhat a disappointment, building modelbuilders-style does create a very, very nice display model . You just have to add more detail and attention to the kit. But it is very rewarding!

Seriously none? I would've thought people would've started some projects by now.

Exactly that. I was on vacation, so I am reacting a bit late, but Rob read my post, notified Eric and Eric contacted me by mail. And sent me the text that Rob translated above. He gave a lot of information and with that, I got a whole lot wiser. It is very interesting to read. And he was so kind to sell me his, partially started, RX-7 for a good price. Together with a 1/12 Veilside Skyline. So I am happy! Not only can I build me a 1/12 RX-7, I also can keep the test-shot as is, if I decide to keep it (most likely). And since I get the other RX-7, I can make molds to cast me a extra set of windows. But the knwoledge of Eric about this particular kit, is just great. I am happy ;-)

In addition to the Best Balsa guy: I know stories of mass-production 1/25 kits with a few parts different/wrong or something and collectors go bazurk for it. You can't tell me that a manufacturers one-of-a-kind is scrap-value

No, that is basically how he sells all his inventory. The 1/12 '08 Mustang was in stores 50 euro's, he asked 100. Once you get to know him a little bit, he is not a bad guy and everybody is free to ask what he wants, Except for buying a AMT 1/4 engine, I never bought anything from him and I don't think I will. Haven't got anything back from Norman yet, so still waiting on that one. But a friend from South Africa has the production kit and soon we will go together through our boxes to point out the differences. That will be interesting.

I know, haha ;-) But since 'you americans' put a V8 in basically everything..... just kidding I will contact him, I don't really know him, but like to know his opinion about the matter.

I wonder; how can a V8 engine be more special in this car than the 2 'cilinder' rotary engine of the Rx-7? Compared to that, the V8 is quite mondane hahaha (sorry guys ;-) So, it almost is heading towards a curse.... I really don't know what to do with it. I asked someone who has more big scale modelkits (the guy from Best Balsa) and he qualified this kit as 'scrap'. due to the missing windscreen. I could agree with him, if it were a production kit. But since this came without the windshield from the factory and with the letter of Hasegawa and parts/sprues that are definately different than the production. In my opinion, the missing parts of the production kit are not relevant to it's uniqueness. But, it did make me wonder who would be able to appraise such an thing? With most kits, I base my appraisals on my own experiences and knowledge of the modelmarket, but this goes beyond me. I am not at home in the collectors world.

Thanks for the replys guys. Yes, I live in The Netherlands and I did buy that kit in The Netherlands, I asked the previous owner where he got his kit from, but no more response. So I don't know. It can't be other than one of the European importers, but it would be only guessing at this point. But it is interesting for sure. Other than the mystique (which I love!) of the kit, I have no idea what to do with it. Or should do with it. Building this would be a deathsin, basically. I've never stumbled upon a big scale, pre production/testshot modelkit. It has a different content than the consumerkits, but I need to go through the kit in detail. And will point out all the differences. When I build this, all goes away and it will turn into a ordinary build modelkit. It's uniqueness is gone. Other than the letter from Hasegawa. Mind me, I am not into making bucks on this kit. The most sensible answer came from my wife and trade it for a builder. But due to it's uniqueness, I also have a hard time letting it go hahaha.

This is about the 1/12 Hasegawa Mazda RX-7, but wait for it! There is more........ It can’t be a secret anymore that I love big scale modelkits, I have a strong passion for them and love the oddball kits in larger scale. One of the harder to get modelkits is the Hasegawa Mazda RX-7 in 1/12 scale. Not a model I have been looking very hard for, since they cost a small fortune. But I do like it and wanted one eventually. Funny story: My wife and I have been looking for a new(different) house and we stumbled upon a house, after looking at the pictures, I noticed something odd on the cupboard. The pictures were lo-res, so it was a bit of an search, but I could conclude very quickly it was the big scale RX-7. So far for that. A few months later, a 1/12 RX-7 came on a local website for sale, the seller posted from the same town as the house was for sale, so it was easy to conclude it would’ve been the same. The only thing now, was to land the modelkit. The seller was asking a hefty, but somewhat reasonable price. I was fortunately able to get it a bit cheaper, since the seller was very reasonable to deal with. Today, I went to collect the kit. Together with the seller, I went through the box and soon I had to conclude that it was missing it’s windshield and backwindow. Even though the rest was in the box, some things looked different than I am used to, but figured that it was me, since I never seen this kit in real life. These are some pictures of the box: So far so good This is different, I thought it was supposed to be plated? The manual was also different, but it happens with Japanese modelmanufacturers. And from this point on it get’s interesting. Accordingly to this letter, this model was not a consumerkit, but a pre-sale test-shot, possibly send to only a handful importers over the globe for review and sales. It also states which sprues are different and some things might be off, or not correct. Interestingly, it also tells that the windshield (and I figure back window, since it is the same sprue) was not in the box. I can not conclude any different than this must be a very rare version of already a rare modelkit. I would not be suprised if there are less of these still around than fingers on one hand. But, what to do with it? I am definately not a collector and the collectors value does not say anything to me. I rather build the RX-7. My wife came with a practical solution: trade with a collector. He wants collectibility and I want buildability….

I learned through the Italeri website that the price of the 1:12 Fiat 500F will be 130 euros. And it will be released in/around november. Also; if you put down a 'down-payment' at the Italeri webstore, you will get a customized car plate. http://shop.italeri.com/Products/21883-4703act-fiat-500f-112-acconto-con-prenotazione-targa.aspx I am not sure yet where I stand on the price of the new kit, it is in line with the Mefistolo and such kits, but those are repops. This is a new kit. The quality and partcount is yet unkown, but it is a new mold. Tamiya charges roughly triple for their new 1:12 releases, where Revell only charges 1/3rd of the Fiat for a brand new 1:16 mold (Isetta). I think we need to wait it out and see the first shots to really make a verdict. I am curious nonetheless.

We're 4 years down the line and I barely have seen any builds of the Enzo. Anybody working on theirs? Btw: Still have not purchased one, price is much friendlier now though. I am leaning towards ordering mine in the near future.