Plastheniker Posted September 17, 2015 Posted September 17, 2015 Hi, As already said in previous topics maybe 20 years ago Gunze Sangyo produced two versions of the same 1/24 car kits: The first line was rather expensive. These kits were labeled “Gunze Sangyo High Tech Model”. They included PE wire wheels (if the 1:1 vehicle had wires), a lot of other PE parts and many pewter parts not only for the engine and the chassis but also for the exterior chrome parts (f. e. bumpers, door handles). The second line were inexpensive all-plastic curbside versions of these “High Tech” kits. They came without pewter parts and without PE parts. The PE wires were replaced by plastic spoke wheels. I bought only one “High Tech Model”, namely this E-Type. If my memory serves me well it was the most expensive 1/24 plastic kit in those days, so my expectations were rather high. But as the proverb says strong light casts deep shadow: To this day this kit makes the most convincing 1/24 or 1/25 E-Type by far, and the PE wires are the best wires that I know. Some of the numerous PE parts made sense but the benefit of most of them was doubtful. The extensive use of pewter parts made no sense to me. Compared with plastic parts they have no additional benefit but work becomes very laborious. IMO a really annoying set-back was the use of pewter also for the exterior chrome parts (f. e. bumpers, door handles). It was extremely time-consuming giving them a smooth chrome-like appearance. Even worse my clear coat didn’t prevent these parts from darkening over the years. Fortunately I was still able to find a plastic version, so I replaced all those darkened exterior pewter parts of my model by nice chromed styrene parts. Taking the high price of the High Tech version into account, I was rather annoyed despite the outstanding wheels.Overall IMO the all-plastic kit would have been the better choice. With some improvements, particularly with better wires, it could have made a similarly nice model at a reasonable price. Nevertheless I found the finished model convincing, and it is still standing in the first row of my display cabinet.
bbowser Posted September 17, 2015 Posted September 17, 2015 Outstanding model! The wire wheels look great but like you say, not sure they're worth the extra $$. Were they an option or standard on E-types?
1959scudetto Posted September 17, 2015 Posted September 17, 2015 Great looking model Jürgen, excellent color choice (not always the same red or British racing green...)Did you lower the front suspension?
afx Posted September 17, 2015 Posted September 17, 2015 Another beauty Jurgen. I agree with you, pewter parts rarely measure up to their plastic counterparts.
MrObsessive Posted September 17, 2015 Posted September 17, 2015 Oooooh! Just beautiful!! And you built it with no seams which is absolutely correct! D-Types had seams, but not the E-types. I take it you had to build the model "inside out"? I have this kit and that's the way I have often looked at building this with no seams on the side. Just gorgeous!!
Kenny B Posted September 18, 2015 Posted September 18, 2015 Jurgen, Once again a very nice job. One thing if I may suggest is do a little wash around the doors and trunk. Very well done .Ken.
Sixties Sam Posted September 18, 2015 Posted September 18, 2015 Beautiful model! The wire wheels really add realism to it! Great work!Sam
peekay Posted September 18, 2015 Posted September 18, 2015 I also bought both kits as they came out and agree with all your comments. I seem to remember paying over US$100 for the high-tech version and being disappointed for all the reasons you give. 20 years later all I've done is put the wire wheels together. Nevertheless I bought the similar TR2 kits and made a nice model by mixing high-tech and plastic parts. Tamiya's recent 300SL gave me a glimmer of hope that we might see a definitive E-Type yet.Your model is definitely one of the nicest Jags I've seen in scale.
Matt Bacon Posted September 18, 2015 Posted September 18, 2015 Lovely job, Jurgen. You chose the perfect colour, obviously... ;-PSince I have one to tackle someday, I'd be interested to hear whether the construction sequence I used on the Revell kit is viable here: I assembled the body and eliminated the seams, then painted it, and finally "posted" the interior into position through the space where the firewall fits. Last thing, I adding the seats and dash once it was in place. If you did that, or something different, I'd love to know...I think for the external parts, I'll just primer the white metal and spray them chrome. I may have some spares in a Heller kit. I have a "donor" part built kit as well as fresh one, the donor kit being built as a racer, without a lot of the trim.Anyway, another beautiful model to add to your cabinet -- and of course it should be in the front row, because after all it is the most beautiful car ever made (or at the very least, the most beautiful car ever made by mass production and affordable to a wide clientele...)bestest,M.
sjordan2 Posted September 18, 2015 Posted September 18, 2015 (edited) Elegant and exquisite! Exceptional model.Best E-Type I've seen in this scale. Edited September 18, 2015 by sjordan2
drodg Posted September 18, 2015 Posted September 18, 2015 It is very nice. It does compare well to the 1:1 car. Good job
Phildaupho Posted September 18, 2015 Posted September 18, 2015 Beautiful E-Type model that really replicates the real car. Whatever happened to all those great Gunze kits? I think there would be many customers for a number of the old Gunze kits. Same for long out of production Italeri and Fujimi Enthusiast kits.
John Goschke Posted September 18, 2015 Posted September 18, 2015 Outstanding build! The wire wheels seem definitely worth the effort given their scale appearance.
XJ6 Posted September 18, 2015 Posted September 18, 2015 Beautiful Jag ?? Very Nice Job ?like I say a Car is Just Another Car But A Jaguar is A Jaguar ?
Danno Posted September 18, 2015 Posted September 18, 2015 Best E-Type I've seen in this scale. Ahh, yes. My 'secret message' de-coded: 'Elegant, Exquisite, Exceptional,' not to overlook, 'Exciting, Excellent, Electric, but not Economical.'
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