Zoom Zoom

US retail of the Testa Rossa is $45.95, so Tower is offering a decent discount. Basically models bought directly from Japan are sold there for what amounts to the US wholesale price. I don't know why that's the case, but it's pretty typical. Tamiya kits like the FXX are 4000 yen; well under $40, while retail is about $60. US kits in Japan are ridiculously overpriced too.

Don't worry over it; that happens pretty often on HLJ for popular new subjects. They'll eventually be able to fill orders, and this is a good sign that this kit will be very popular. As long as they got your preorder, you'll get the kit. Maybe not in the first batch. Revell AG has had trouble keeping up production of the Audi R10 and R8. Companies just don't do huge runs of kits anymore.

Incredible build! Very nice

Very C L! Nice work. I agree w/your decision to keep it in 2 pieces to see the inner kart.

Pictures of a painted Testa Rossa on Hobbylink: Painted Testa Rossa

Bobby, looks good so far! I'm looking forward to seeing how all the others fared. Our modelpalooza was cancelled due to snow, but of course at the end of the day it was clear that we could have had it, the roads didn't get bad as they predicted; just a nice snowy day that we rarely get in Atlanta. Oh well...I got two Caymans painted yesterday, I'll shoot them and post them soon.

Figures the rear vents were a problem area; I had only vague reference for them when I drew them. I knew when I saw them at this year that I hadn't seen them properly in all the other photos. Glad it got resolved on the master. Looking forward to seeing this; I remember seeing these cars dominate back when they ran. Amazing how these 4 cylinder cars were bulletproof and amazingly fast.

Nice work, I can't remember seeing anyone build the rubber-baby-buggy-bumpered version of the kit. Aoshima did both styles, but the suspension on all of them is raised for the later rubber bumper cars; unfortunately most of the early cars I've seen built the builders stuck w/the OOB ride height which is too high for them. I built one of the resin MGB-GT variations, though I can't remember what I did to lower the ride height.

Glad to hear it's coming soon! I did the layout drawings for the master a couple years ago for Mark. Got it as close as I could based on photos and dimensions; and then this past spring I saw the real car at Road Atlanta...sure wish I had been able to access the car in this manner before I did the drawings. I think I got it pretty close, nonetheless

Very classy look to this one. By far one of the best ones I've seen, with the subtle styling tweaks and killer paint job. I like the Revell Merc when the kitchen sink isn't thrown at it.

Those definitely are not AAM models, and Art has made it pretty clear he's not getting AAM going again nor is ne selling AAM resin "out the back door" to make money. It's just copycats on Feebay.

Well, we're actually getting the snow they predicted here in Atlanta, so our modelpalooza will have to happen some other time. I'll be watching your progress! Meanwhile I've gotten some good primer work on my Caymans...I guess I should shoot a few pics and start sharing...

We call any get together for modeling at someone's house a modelpalooza. We'll be at Wayne's house weather/roads permitting...people can't drive here in rain, much less snow...so if the roads are slick it's best to stay put. I've got some paint/decal work to do on a couple of Cayman kits, one stock, one a Cayman GT w/custom decals to match the silver w/orange-striped GT3 RS that was in the Porsche year-by-year corral at Rennsport.

http://home.swipnet.se/mercer/index.htm http://web.telia.com/~u55504917/modeltek.html http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Dahlberg.htm I am assuming that this is the same model that Harry showed. There aren't many large scale Mercers out there, none as realistic as this one. It's 2/5 scale.

I got bit this time! I thought it was real, and voted that way. Then I did some research the other day and found more pics of this incredible model. I'm not sure what scale it is; the builder claims it's 40% of actual size on his website. He built the entire model around a set of tires that he found, scaled his drawings for the model and patterns from that. He had never seen an actual Mercer, living in Sweden they're not exactly common there (or anywhere else). Since then he's had the chance to see one and sit in one, perhaps get a ride as well. Neat stuff!

Hope you guys have a blast! We have a group project planned for Saturday as well, but not a 24 hour build. Just a one-day modelpalooza, but we're also potentially having a snowstorm overnight into tomorrow that may squelch our group plans if travel gets nasty. I'll be watching the forums to see your progress! If we get our palooza going tomorrow, we'll be working on some cool stuff too. Good luck guys!

1/12 is not a weird scale to big scale builders, especially of this type of subject matter. Those who build 1/12 racing cars (especially sports cars) are fanatics, they love the scale and detail. Fujimi covered the market more than adequately with their 1/24 GT40's, and the aftermarket took care of adding engine detail to their curbside kits. In addition to a small but rabid kit market in 1/12, it's also represented by a few diecast manufacturers as well. This is the first time Trumpeter has actually made a wise decision when it comes to subject matter and scale. IF they execute it properly, and IF the market accepts it, and IF it sells enough to make a profit, they'll have a ready and willing market to sell more of them to. However, from past experience w/Trumpeter, I don't have much confidence in them doing this kit justice, if it is indeed an all-new kit from the ground up. They're already at a disadvantage from people who know how poorly they executed their first model cars. If they don't get the GT40 1000% correct, they'll be crucified in the marketplace. They never gave themselves a chance for success with their other model cars, since they botched them from the outset. We have no idea that if they had executed them properly they would have sold enough to be successful. Nobody will know for sure. This is another risky adventure for them. It's an odd subject for them, as they have no previous experience with 1/12 scale model cars. I wish them luck. Not only will they need that, but they'll need more skill/brains/talent overseeing the project during all phases of development than they've shown in the past. Corner-cutting will only doom the project from the outset.

There are some good photos of the test shot on a Japanese website. This kit looks sweet! Full detail, and the plastic wire wheels look more than adequate if you choose not to buy the upgrade photoetch set. Photos of the Testa Rossa test shot I hope the kit is designed so that you can glue/paint the front portion of the model with the rest (see area at the base of the pontoon, there's a parting line back to the leading edge of the door necessitated by the undercut, it has to be multi-piece) before final assembly. It gets tricky if not (anyone building an accurate Jaguar XKE can attest to that).

Beautiful, as usual

Trumpeter? Trumpeter? Not exactly confidence-inspiring, to say the least. We may find more info. on this kit when Matthew Wells from SMS meets w/Trumpeter in the next month. So far nobody knows anthing about the model, other than some rumor (and only that) that it could be an unassembled GMP diecast kit.

The Testa Rossa has finally shown up at Hobbylink Japan and Hobbysearch for preorder. In addition to the basic kit, Hasegawa is also making an optional set of photoetch detail wire wheels for the model. Hobbysearch has an exploded view of the wheels: Testa Rossa Upgrade Wheels The basic plastic kit will have plastic wheels. Hopefully they're as nice as the ones from a Tamiya Jaguar or Protar 250 GTO. For the fussy modeler, the detail wheels will be the hot setup. Kit is 3000 yen, wheels are 2100 yen.

That's the first Corvair that was made into a kit, back when they were new. This is one I did a light restoration on about 20 years ago. AMT (or SMP?) original kit from 1960. Not terribly long ago (last April) saw a perfect red one rolling down the interstate towards Atlanta.

I can't think of any models already made that I'd rather have as a 4 door vs. 2 door. 4 door cars like the Mercedes CLS, BMW M5, Caddy CTS-V, Mercury Marauder would be welcome.

Nice work! Love the color scheme...anything but resale red is fine by me That color looks like it would be a good match for the bright blue used on the Mini Cooper S. It's not an easy shade to find in hobby form, nor mix.

You'll probably be okay, but it would have been much better for paint adhesion if the etching primer were put down on the metal first. Not sure if the etchant will actually get much of a chance to grip the metal if you started w/a coat of regular primer. Beware of chipping paint, more likely than the etching primer causing problems with what's on there already.