Mercedes 600SEL - why you no make quality?

[iamsuperdan]

As some of you will have seen in the “General” section, I recently picked up a knock off kit.

 

This is a copy of the Tamiya Mercedes 600SEL. A copy I can only assume is unauthorized. This particular kit is made by an outfit called HKMiya. Even the logo is a blatant copy. But I figure, for $10CDN, how can I go wrong?

 

So going in, I knew the quality wouldn’t be at the Tamiya level. I mean, other legitimate brands can barely get to Tamiya quality levels!

 

So, without further ado, join me on this adventure…

 

 

 

When still in the plastic bags, and you haven’t taken anything out of the box yet, the kit doesn’t look too bad. It’s packaged like a Tamiya kit, so all is good.

 

The first thing I notice are the instructions. They’ve obviously scanned the Tamiya ones and just replaced the logos. However, they appear to have scanned a used copy, as there are random check marks next to the paint codes, and there are some things circled.

 

I took everything out of the bags and got to work. Some people will say this is horrible and that the lack of detail is atrocious. I like to think that HKMiya has decided to go for a more simplistic casting, and that they want the advanced modeler to add correct details, instead of just going the easy route and providing them.

 

Case in point: the front of the engine in the instructions has all kinds of detail. Now look at the part. Nailed it.

 

I’ve got the basic structure of the engine put together. Look at those tolerances. Look at the fit of these parts.

 

 

 

My friends, you may think you’ve built horrible kits. You may think you’ve built the world’s worst kit. I’m going to respectfully tell you that you're wrong. You’ve haven’t truly experienced build quality until you’ve tried an HKMiya. In fact, I’m reasonably confident that in Chinese, HKMiya translates to “Quality? Screw that, model guys will buy anything.”

 

Just wait until I get to some of the other stages of this build!

 

 

Also, the wizards at HKMiya have been thoughtful enough to include glue in the kit. What?! Stupid Tamiya makes you buy a jar of glue. Look at this high quality item. Actually, I'm kind of afraid to open it, as who knows what kind of chemicals live inside.

So, I've established the horrors, the amazing levels of quality. And now here comes the M. Night Shamalayan twist…

 

 

It's fun.

I’m having a blast with this kit. It’s so laughably bad, that’s it’s actually a lot of fun trying to see what I can do with it. And really, isn't that kit of the point of this hobby? To be enjoyable?

 

So, with that in mind, I am stubborn. I am going to finish this thing, and I am going to see how nicely this can be finished. There will be sanding, filling, more sanding, more filling, etc.

 

Stay tuned…

 

Edited September 7, 2017 by iamsuperdan

[dublin boy]

Good man, keep going!

[Bill Eh?]

Dan, here is a rather twisted thought. Why not just build it as it is. No putty, no filling, no sanding. Let the parts fit/glue together as they may. This will actually display the pure quality of this masterpiece of a kit. A while back, my LHS had stacks of the LEE version of this kit. I can't remember the exact price they were asking for it. It was $10 or less. They just sat there and sat there. They practically couldn't even give them way. They sell a lot of Tamiya product at that LHS, so car guys were well aware of questionable origins of the kit.

[iamsuperdan]

I have two knock off versions of this kit. This one is the HKMiya, the other is a Lee. I may just try that. Build one with paint and that's it. build the other with some real effort.

Hmm...

 

I think for less than $10, it's still a good value. At the very least, you could use the V12 engine, clean it up, and use it for some nutty engine swaps. V12 Camaro, V12 Ford trucks, etc.

Edited September 7, 2017 by iamsuperdan

[ChrisBcritter]

Maybe someone here with artistic talent could create a fake ITC, Aurora or Palmer box for it? 

 

Edited September 7, 2017 by ChrisBcritter

[Bill Eh?]

When I was tempted by one, it was more for the wheels and tires. Although I had not seen them, I assumed they might be passable. in the end, never did get one. 

That Mercedes V12 looks more than crude to put it kindly. You might be insulting the recipient car. LOL

[iamsuperdan]

Rat Rod Mercedes!

The Welderup guys would dig it.

 

As for wheels, the rubber tires might be usable. The actual wheels though? lolz

 

[M1ks]

 

I took everything out of the bags and got to work. Some people will say this is horrible and that the lack of detail is atrocious. I like to think that HKMiya has decided to go for a more simplistic casting, and that they want the advanced modeler to add correct details, instead of just going the easy route and providing them.

 

I'm glad to see you dived straight into it and great that you're having fun, that is indeed the point.

To be fair, that engine doesn't look half as bad as I expected, I've built worse AMT kits and seen worse fitting parts.

[iamsuperdan]

I'm having an internal debate as to which kit is worse.

HKMiya Mercedes 600sEL vs AMT Super Stones Ford F-series.

It's pretty even right now.

 

 

[blunc]

it reminds me of the Lindberg Auburn kit but with a slightly better body.

[Jantrix]

Rat Rod Mercedes!

The Welderup guys would dig it.

 

As for wheels, the rubber tires might be usable. The actual wheels though? lolz

 

That's what I'd do. 

[oldcarfan]

There is a curious freedom that comes from building a cheap, poorly designed kit. If it turns out great, you're a genius, if it turns out bad, then it's the fault of the designer! LOL

[Deathgoblin]

I'd give that kit a shot.  Looks like fun.