All Japan Model & Hobby Show 2018

[niteowl7710]

It's that time of year again.  Tonight (this morning in Japan) was the big dump for the big fall show in Japan.  More news will come forth at the show undoubtedly as 3D prototypes are displayed from Belkits & Beemax.  

 

[niteowl7710]

First up from Aoshima, the Supercar train has finally been righted, as well as seeing a few "long ago & far away reissues".  All of these kits are slated for December

FINALLY after a 20 year absence (1998 was the last reissue of these kits) the MG-Bs resurface.  In both the classic 1968 MK-2, and 1974 MK-3 in all it's Urethane bumpered glory.

In the modified reissue realm - three offerings.

The Initial D - Project D Mazda RX-7

This kit will be getting an entire new aero package for the exterior as well as racing bits for the interior to make it more closely resemble the hill climb racer from the comic.

Then we get the next in the line of Liberty Walk Nissan (R35) GT-Rs.  This one is dubbed - "Type 2, V.1"

It will be getting completely new front and rear fascias, and new exhaust, as well as the "GT-3" style wing from the v2 kit. A P/E set will be sold separately.

Last but not least, a Supercar that most of us knew was baked into the original release of this kit, that we are finally getting.

Lamborghini Huracan Performante - this will include new front and rear Performante specific pieces, new engine cover, rear wing, wheels and Performante specific engine pieces.  There will also be a P/E set sold separately.

 

[niteowl7710]

Next up from Beemax we finally got the release date for the Lancia S4 - December.  We also got a 3D prototype (as mentioned in another thread) of a rally kit, and 3D rendering of yet ANOTHER Gr. B Rally kit.

We all shared a moment of puzzlement as they announced...their own Rover Metro 6R4.  I'm not exactly sure there's enough global demand for TWO of these kits, but a lot of the success of this will depend on how quickly they can get it out,  and if it's full detail like the planned one from Belkits.  Belkits still has a wonky distribution system set up - it will be September before Manta kits are finally available in Asia, some 5 months after the kit was released in Europe and Belkits continues to price their kits where they have to... Beemax is widely sold in Asia, and easier to obtain in North America as a result.  Their kits also wind up selling for significantly less compared to Belkits (in the range of $20-30).

Then also shown this week was this rendering of a lesser known, but still iconic in it's Rothman's livery, Gr. B car.  The 1984 Porsche 911 SC RS.

[935k3]

I can't wait for the Delta S4. The turbo and supercharged beast. I would like to them offer the EVO version.

 

[niteowl7710]

Lastly for this set of posts, Hasegawa has a number of modified reissues coming, along with one all new tool automotive kit.

The new tool kit is something Group C fans have been pining for, for quite some time.  The Nissan R91CP.  This represents the 1991 Japanese Sports Car Prototype Series Champion.  Expect a simplified curbside along the lines of the rest of their Gr. C kits.

Keeping with Gr.C they will be offering this modified reissue of their Sauber Mercedes C9.  With new parts (and livery) to represent the inaugural 1987 season in WSPC.

In JT(T)C offerings, we get the next version of R31 Skyline.  This time for the 1988 Ricoh sponsored machine.  This kit gets new Pana Sport wheels.

The next version of the brand new Mitsubishi Colt Galant drops in with a significant amount of new parts.  This representing the 1973 GTO 2000GSR it will have an entirely new chassis pan, as well as overfenders, new front and rear fascia pieces, new front & rear seats, and steering wheel among other bits and bobs.

Three kits getting minor tooling updates to continue bringing in new customers include 

Nissan Fairlady Z Rally Car - For the first time this kit is expanded beyond it's famous Safari Rally release to it's entry in the 1972 Monte Carlo Rally.  This will be the first time that any of their Z's have had a LHD Dashboard that I'm aware of...

Isuzu Gemini - A few new parts (spoiler and hood) along with decals to represent the "base model" 1.5L 1500CC Irmsher Turbo.

Nissan Skyline R31- The next twist to the road going half of the new tool R31 is a "NiSMO" Package that celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Skyline. This kit will get new front fascia pieces, rear trim, NiSMO seats, and BBS wheels.

And last but not least - just so they could join the "Long Ago & Far Away" reissue party - Hasegawa has decided to reissue some of their "America '66" kits.  Now these are long panned for their motorized underpinnings and ridiculous interiors, but supposedly the bodies were pretty spot on, and a plausible basis for conversions into something more believable for those so inclined.  

Edited August 28, 2018 by niteowl7710

[niteowl7710]

19 minutes ago, 935k3 said:

I can't wait for the Delta S4. The turbo and supercharged beast. I would like to them offer the EVO version.

 

The difficulty there would be the feasibility of doing what is effectively a one-off Group S prototype.  Since FIA banned Group B and Group S in 1986 that car never actually saw a single race, and even Lancia didn't keep it around.  The one that's floating around now is a restoration that was put back together again in 2010 from some of the original pieces that managed to be saved.

[Nacho Z]

Great stuff! Thanks, James, for posting all of this.

[MrObsessive]

Thanks for posting this!

Looks like 3D printing is going nowhere anytime soon and that's a GOOD thing. I'd sure like to see the reissue of the '66 Pontiac. Despite the lack of detail, there's a lot that can be done with that. Is it true that was originally an MPC tooling? I have an original '66 and it sure looks awful close!  

[89AKurt]

1 hour ago, niteowl7710 said:

First up from Aoshima, the Supercar train has finally been righted, as well as seeing a few "long ago & far away reissues".  All of these kits are slated for December

FINALLY after a 20 year absence (1998 was the last reissue of these kits) the MG-Bs resurface.  In both the classic 1968 MK-2, and 1974 MK-3 in all it's Urethane bumpered glory.

[...]  Last but not least, a Supercar that most of us knew was baked into the original release of this kit, that we are finally getting.

Lamborghini Huracan Performante - this will include new front and rear Performante specific pieces, new engine cover, rear wing, wheels and Performante specific engine pieces.  There will also be a P/E set sold separately.

 

Years ago, saw an MG that had been flared, looked much like a Cobra, so that would be a fun subject with a V8.
I already have the "regular" Huracan.  Lambo's "forged carbon" would be fun to do, just use an old brush and do a lousy paint job stabbing at the surface, then gloss.

[niteowl7710]

31 minutes ago, MrObsessive said:

Thanks for posting this!

Looks like 3D printing is going nowhere anytime soon and that's a GOOD thing. I'd sure like to see the reissue of the '66 Pontiac. Despite the lack of detail, there's a lot that can be done with that. Is it true that was originally an MPC tooling? I have an original '66 and it sure looks awful close!  

It's the '66 Cadillac and '66 T-Bird that are being reissued in this batch.

[peteski]

Great to see those Aoshima MGs finally reissued - they fetch ridiculous prices on eBay!  I have one from 1998 when it was imported by American SATCO!  Speaking of SATCO, boy do I miss all those nice tire sets they offered.  I have a feeling that they were all made by some Japanese kit manufacturer.

[ChrisBcritter]

45 minutes ago, MrObsessive said:

Is it true that was originally an MPC tooling? I have an original '66 and it sure looks awful close!  

It was a copy of the MPC promo body, originally produced by Doyusha for slot car use. Same with the others - copies of the AMT '65 Impala, '66 T-bird and '66 Buick, and the Jo-Han '66 Coupe deVille. Quality is OK for a curbside but the interior, chassis and wheelcovers were generic. I bought one of the Cadillacs back in the '80s along with a Jo-Han ambulance to detail it out, but sold them before I did so. IIRC there were some minor fit issues with the Jo-Han grille/bumper unit.

Edited August 28, 2018 by ChrisBcritter

[MrObsessive]

1 hour ago, niteowl7710 said:

It's the '66 Cadillac and '66 T-Bird that are being reissued in this batch.

Yes I know..............was hoping that somehow the Pontiac would come back to life too?  

[MrObsessive]

55 minutes ago, ChrisBcritter said:

It was a copy of the MPC promo body, originally produced by Doyusha for slot car use. Same with the others - copies of the AMT '65 Impala, '66 T-bird and '66 Buick, and the Jo-Han '66 Coupe deVille. Quality is OK for a curbside but the interior, chassis and wheelcovers were generic. I bought one of the Cadillacs back in the '80s along with a Jo-Han ambulance to detail it out, but sold them before I did so. IIRC there were some minor fit issues with the Jo-Han grille/bumper unit.

Ahhhh Ok! That's why they look familiar!  

[fumi]

37 minutes ago, niteowl7710 said:

Isuzu Gemini - A few new parts (spoiler and front grille) along with decals to represent the base model 1.5L 1500CC. Interesting they chose to keep the monobloc wheels from the Irmsher rather than the base model hubcaps

It's the Irmscher 1.5 Turbo, the precursor model for the 1.6 DOHC.  New parts are a new hood with the NACA cooling duct for the intercooler and turbo model specific steering wheel.

I am still hoping for the Irmscher RS.  It has the same body kit as the I-Mark RS and maybe they will see fit to offer the LHD dashboard as well.

[fumi]

I also have a feeling that the Hasegawa "American Lowrider Type C" and "American Lowrider Type T" will be a Japan-only offering, and the only way to get them outside Japan is by mail order.

Edited August 28, 2018 by fumi

[Bennyg]

I wonder what Tamiya will release?

Ben 

 

[afx]

9 hours ago, niteowl7710 said:

Then also shown this week was this rendering of a lesser known, but still iconic in it's Rothman's livery, Gr. B car.  The 1984 Porsche 911 SC RS.

I was working on a SCRS conversion of the Fujimi kit.  Now I think I'll just wait for the Beemax kit.

[afx]

Nice to see the MG-Bs being re-released. Wish they would do a MGB-GT, particularly the works cars.

Edited August 28, 2018 by afx

[Justin Porter]

Be still my beating heart, the Aoshima MGB's are coming back????

[OutaFocus]

2 hours ago, afx said:

Nice to see the MG-Bs being re-released. Wish they would do a MGB-GT, particularly the works cars.

Bob Downie mastered a very nice MGB-GT along with a left-hand drive dash for Art Anderson...wow...maybe 20 years ago now! I'm sure they aren't easy to find now, but it would make a great start on building the works racers.

Scott

[Zoom Zoom]

It was more than 20 years ago that I mastered it, probably closer to 25 years! I did the body, Dave Toups mastered the LHD dash for Norm. Always wondered why Aoshima had waited so long to reissue the MGB's, there are one or two obscure racing versions they did from the kit as well.

[Justin Porter]

Technically speaking the cars pictured are MGC-GTS's which are pretty substantially different from an MGB GT. It would take a fair bit of work to get from B to C even off of the fantastic resin B-GT. 

On the other hand, if Aoshima could be bothered to add a tree of some parts inside the box, we could get the Sebring Lightweight Trio entered by Kjell Qvale in 1962. 

[afx]

41 minutes ago, Justin Porter said:

On the other hand, if Aoshima could be bothered to add a tree of some parts inside the box, we could get the Sebring Lightweight Trio entered by Kjell Qvale in 1962. 

The rally/race versions have the hardtops

Edited August 28, 2018 by afx

[Justin Porter]

1 minute ago, afx said:

The rally/club versions have the hardtops

 

Great... Complete with centre-lock Minilites... And here I thought I was going to wrap up my Aoshima MGB for a not nosebleed price search and cheat by getting mine on my shop's dime. lol