Bill Anderson Posted April 13 Posted April 13 A couple years ago I had the pleasure of getting up close to a new Ford GT that was on display at Planet Ford. It was the most beautiful car I've ever seen! So naturally I had to see if a kit was available and of course there was, made by Tamiya (1/24 scale, #346). That's been a couple years ago and while I've opened the box 3 or 4 times, and reviewed the instructions, I just didn't feel I could do it justice. So I put it away and built other models (Revell, AMT) ahead of it. Anyway, I just opened the box once again, and while my skill sets are pretty good, I just don't know if I want to tackle it yet. Have any of you experienced this, or am I just the Lone Ranger here......
Fat Brian Posted April 13 Posted April 13 The Fujimi Enthusiast Coutach kits are like that. They're very intimidating when you see all the details and tiny parts
StevenGuthmiller Posted April 13 Posted April 13 Nope. The only intimidation that I ever feel is when I’m working on a rare, obsolete kit that would be very difficult to replace in the event that I would mess it up. Otherwise, it’s just plastic. Besides, it’s a Tamiya kit. I thought they were supposed to pretty much fall together. 😉 Steve 1
JollySipper Posted April 13 Posted April 13 13 minutes ago, Fat Brian said: The Fujimi Enthusiast Coutach kits are like that. They're very intimidating when you see all the details and tiny parts The M6 BMW kits are a real bear, too! Luckily, Tamiya makes one also.............
stitchdup Posted April 13 Posted April 13 any of the miniart tractors, why make a battery one piece when it could be six, and while we're at it lets hide the minute bolt heads next the numbering on the sprues so you cant find them. the kits continue to have surprise after surprise but i like the subjects and i will finish them someday
peteski Posted April 13 Posted April 13 (edited) Nope. I believe a kit with highest part count was my Pocher 1936 Mercedes 500 K/AK. It had over 2000 parts (individual spokes and nipples are included in the parts count) but it also had seats with springs and which had to be upholstered, windows which roll up and down, operational convertible top made of cloth, working suspension and steering, and working lights. The parts fit wasn't all that good either. It took a long time to build but to me it was just another kit. Like others have mentioned, Tamiya kits basically fall together (parts fit is as good as any manufacturer can get it) and to me the most frustrating part of building a kit are fit issues. That is why it is best to test-fit all the parts before painting it or using permanent adhesive. Basically building a full mock-up of the parts before actually building it. What about that Ford GT kits makes you worried that it is too much for you? Remember, each subassembly of a complex model is like a kit in itself. If you look at it that way, it might look less scary. Edited April 13 by peteski 2
ColonelKrypton Posted April 13 Posted April 13 (edited) Yes, Some of the MiniArt armour kits have 1000+ pieces, most of which are the individual track links but the remaining bits number in the several hundreds and sometimes include full vehicle interior bits as well as engine. I have been overwhelmed at least once. More often than not I find myself underwhelmed especially with the many numerous re-releases of the old kits. New tool Moebius are just right. cheers, Graham Edited April 13 by ColonelKrypton 1
Bill Anderson Posted April 13 Author Posted April 13 I should have added in my original post..... I'm currently working on a Ford 427 Cobra, and this Ford GT is next in line. Have to say, the kit components (i.e. many body shell parts, suspension and motor) are different from what I'm used to in the typical Revell/AMT/Monogram American car kits.
stavanzer Posted April 13 Posted April 13 2 hours ago, Bill Anderson said: Have any of you experienced this, or am I just the Lone Ranger here...... Oh, Yeah. I have half a dozen "Grail Kits" that I have acquired over the years. I'm still afraid to do more than look at them. I don't want to mess them up. So, No, you are not alone!
89AKurt Posted April 13 Posted April 13 That never happens to me! 😜 Just look at my last WIPs, I like to complicate them to make it really impossible. 🙄 So I got a full scale kit car, and that really did it. 😬 But I know this will pass, and then I will have all the time in the world to finish those special kits. 🫣 2
gtx6970 Posted April 13 Posted April 13 Yes. The Johan Turbine car Opened one 30 years ago....still haven't built it 1
StevenGuthmiller Posted April 13 Posted April 13 (edited) 41 minutes ago, gtx6970 said: Yes. The Johan Turbine car Opened one 30 years ago....still haven't built it I built one of them way back when I was still in my late teens. I don’t remember it being a particularly difficult kit. Just much more technically advanced than everything else at the time. I seem to remember a few minor fitment issues, but I can’t imagine that would cause me much heartache today. It was a pretty well engineered kit if my memory serves me. Steve Edited April 13 by StevenGuthmiller
NOBLNG Posted April 13 Posted April 13 Yes, I have a few kits that I know are either challenging or just not very good that I really want to make into something nice or special. The Testors/Fujimi Porsche 356B comes to mind. I know it’s a fiddly kit with a lot of parts and I want to do it justice….so I am putting it off for a bit. My biggest problem is that I get obsessed with a project and tend to rush things that should not be rushed…especially paint work.😳 I know if I take my time and follow a procedure, I can conquer most challenges.🙂 1
Bucky Posted April 13 Posted April 13 The one that comes to mind is the Revell '57 Chevy BelAir. It was far enough over my head back in the late '60's that I flung a nearly finished build down the hallway to its demise! Now, at nearly 70 years of age, I have another of those kits, but I have yet to even look at it! 1
NOBLNG Posted April 13 Posted April 13 2 minutes ago, Bucky said: The one that comes to mind is the Revell '57 Chevy BelAir. It was far enough over my head back in the late '60's that I flung a nearly finished build down the hallway to its demise! Now, at nearly 70 years of age, I have another of those kits, but I have yet to even look at it! Do you think you can hurl it as far now?🙂 2 4
Jim Dodson Posted April 13 Posted April 13 The AMT Indy Lotus and its Basket of Snakes exhaust made me feel very inadequate as a teenage model builder, but I bullheaded my way through it then and then again forty years later. Oddly enough, I don't remember those exhaust being tough at all the second time. LOL
rattle can man Posted April 14 Posted April 14 Any of the old kits with opening doors, trunks, etc. or flip fronts are my source of trepidation. Getting them aligned and working is very frustrating. One of these days I may try making my own hinges. 1
1930fordpickup Posted April 14 Posted April 14 At 12 or 13 I figured I needed to try and build the Ohio George Multi Maverick . It may have had a different name. It was molded in dark blue. That didn't go well. Most of the chassis was built but the front kicked my butt. Next I decided I needed to build the Revell 33/34 Ford kit. The one with the under sized body on the same Chassis as the T. That was also not a good choice. Lol it was also molded in Blue.
Nacho Z Posted April 14 Posted April 14 To Bill’s original question, I would have to say yes. I have a Model Factory Hiro 1:12 Eagle Gurney-Weslake that I got from a friend who admitted that he was never going to build it. I believe this is one of those “I’m in over my head” kits. I also have two Alpha Model Formula One kits that I’m a bit intimidated by. I’m not sure if it is truly an “I’m in over my head” thing, or if it is “these are expensive and relatively rare kits and I don’t want to screw them up” thing. I believe that I possess the skills to build them, but I, by nature, always second guess myself. I am past the “I’ll build it when my skills are better” stage. I just need to dive in head first and get these kits built.
Chris V Posted April 14 Posted April 14 Not in over my head, but I’m still working up the courage to start building the McLaren Can Am racers from Accurate Miniatures…
slusher Posted April 14 Posted April 14 Yes, I have and as long as I have been building I still have a few kit I’m nervous obout building. Sometimes to get better you have to get out of your comfort zone. I feel it’s just a model I can always try again.. 1
Dr Cobra Posted April 14 Posted April 14 7 hours ago, Bill Anderson said: A couple years ago I had the pleasure of getting up close to a new Ford GT that was on display at Planet Ford. It was the most beautiful car I've ever seen! So naturally I had to see if a kit was available and of course there was, made by Tamiya (1/24 scale, #346). That's been a couple years ago and while I've opened the box 3 or 4 times, and reviewed the instructions, I just didn't feel I could do it justice. So I put it away and built other models (Revell, AMT) ahead of it. Anyway, I just opened the box once again, and while my skill sets are pretty good, I just don't know if I want to tackle it yet. Have any of you experienced this, or am I just the Lone Ranger here...... Like everyone says, it's a Tamiya kit, so it goes together nice. Read the instructions and take it a step at a time. Revell also makes a version of a GT racecar. The wife picked the color on the Tamiya kit. 3
peteski Posted April 14 Posted April 14 6 hours ago, Bill Anderson said: I should have added in my original post..... I'm currently working on a Ford 427 Cobra, and this Ford GT is next in line. Have to say, the kit components (i.e. many body shell parts, suspension and motor) are different from what I'm used to in the typical Revell/AMT/Monogram American car kits. Relax Bill, I think you'll do just fine. And even if something goes wrong, it is only a toy car. 1 hour ago, Chris V said: Not in over my head, but I’m still working up the courage to start building the McLaren Can Am racers from Accurate Miniatures… Funny that you mentioned that kit. I read all the horror stories and I actually bought one on eBay to see what the buzz is all about. I like a challenge! I expected to have a hard time finding that kit since it has been out of production for some years, yet when I first looked on eBay there were several available and they didn't have outrageous prices. I chose a sealed example. I did open it and looked over the parts and instructions. It is a complex kit but the instructions seem pretty thorough with very helpful hints about handling more difficult assembly steps.
Cool Hand Posted April 14 Posted April 14 Yes, but not so much over my head. It has more to do with I cant be bothered putting in the effort to get it built 🤣 2 1
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