Now, this is scary...

[Matt Bacon]

For various (professional) reasons, I've had a to do a bit of work with Claude the AI large language model today. Now, I'm very skeptical about LLMs generally, and also deeply unhappy about the way their training is plundering real actual creative people's efforts, to create a money-generating tool for billionaires... So this is just an experiment. What follows is what Claude produced when I asked for a build review of the early '90s Tamiya NSX kit (which I happen to be building right now, so I'm well-attuned to what you might or might not say about it....)

----------

Build Diary & Review: Tamiya 1/24 Honda NSX-R

A Classic Kit That Still Delivers After Three Decades

Kit: Tamiya 24100 Honda NSX-R
Scale: 1/24
First Release: 1992
Review Sample: Re-release version
Skill Level: Intermediate
Estimated Build Time: 15-20 hours

 

Introduction

When Tamiya first released their 1/24 scale Honda NSX-R in 1992, the real car was making waves as Honda's answer to Ferrari and Porsche. Now, over thirty years later, this kit remains a testament to Tamiya's engineering excellence and attention to detail. As someone who's built dozens of automotive models, I was curious to see how this classic kit holds up against modern standards and whether it still deserves a place in today's model builder's collection.

The NSX-R represents Honda at their absolute peak of engineering prowess – a naturally aspirated V6 VTEC masterpiece wrapped in aluminum bodywork that could embarrass supercars costing twice as much. Tamiya's interpretation of this iconic machine promised to capture that essence in 1/24 scale, complete with the car's distinctive pop-up headlights and clean, purposeful lines.

 

First Impressions & Kit Contents

Opening the familiar Tamiya box immediately reveals why this manufacturer has maintained such a stellar reputation. The parts are molded in a beautiful pearl white plastic that captures the NSX's signature Championship White perfectly. The plastic quality is exceptional – minimal flash, crisp detail lines, and that characteristic Tamiya "feel" that experienced builders will recognize instantly.

The kit contains approximately 120 parts across six sprues, plus chrome-plated pieces, clear parts, rubber tires, and a comprehensive decal sheet. What immediately strikes you is the thoughtful engineering – parts are logically arranged and sized appropriately for hand assembly. Unlike some manufacturers who seem to split parts arbitrarily, every separation here serves a purpose, whether for assembly ease or detail enhancement.

The instruction manual is typically excellent Tamiya fare – clear exploded diagrams, logical assembly sequence, and helpful notes about paint colors and assembly techniques. The color callouts reference both Tamiya and generic color standards, though I'd recommend sticking with Tamiya paints for the best color match.

 

Assembly: Day One - Interior & Chassis

I began with the interior, always a good starting point for automotive models as it sets the foundation for everything else. The NSX-R's cabin is beautifully detailed, with separate pieces for the seats, dashboard, center console, and door panels. The attention to detail here is remarkable – the bucket seats have proper bolster definition, the dashboard includes separate instrument clusters, and even the gear lever is a separate piece.

One immediate challenge presents itself: the interior is molded in black plastic, but the real NSX-R featured extensive use of carbon fiber-look trim pieces. The kit provides decals for these areas, but they're quite extensive and require careful application. I chose to paint these sections with Tamiya X-18 Semi Gloss Black first, then apply the carbon fiber decals over the painted surface. This extra step provides much better adhesion and a more convincing finish.

The pedal assembly deserves special mention – three separate pieces that perfectly capture the NSX's distinctive pedal layout. These tiny parts are almost too delicate, requiring careful handling and a steady hand during assembly. I used CA glue sparingly, as the fit is so precise that excess adhesive would easily ruin the detail.

Builder's Tip: Test fit everything twice before gluing. Tamiya's engineering is so precise that if something doesn't fit perfectly, you're probably doing something wrong.

 

Day Two - Engine Bay Detail

The NSX's longitudinally-mounted V6 engine is one of the kit's highlights. Split into multiple sections – block, heads, intake manifold, and accessories – the engine builds into a convincing representation of Honda's legendary C30A unit. The level of detail is impressive for a kit of this vintage, with separate pieces for the throttle bodies, various covers, and even the engine mounts.

However, this is where the kit's age begins to show slightly. While the basic architecture is correct, some of the finer engine bay details that we'd expect in a modern release are simplified or missing entirely. The wiring harnesses are represented by raised plastic detail rather than separate parts, and some of the smaller accessories are molded integrally with larger components.

That said, what's here is beautifully executed. The engine block splits horizontally, allowing the builder to see into the V-formation – a nice touch that adds visual interest even though it won't be visible in the finished model. The exhaust headers are separate pieces that attach convincingly to the block, and the intake manifold features separate throttle body details.

Painting the engine requires patience. I used a combination of Tamiya X-10 Gun Metal for the block, X-12 Gold Leaf for the heat shields, and various metallics for accessories. The key is building up the colors gradually and using washes to bring out the detail lines.

 

Day Three - Body Preparation & Paint

The NSX's body is molded as a single piece – a bold choice that eliminates panel line issues but requires careful preparation. The surface quality is exemplary, with minimal sanding required beyond basic cleanup of the attachment points. The distinctive character lines that define the NSX's profile are crisply molded and need only light sanding to perfect.

However, the real test comes with the pop-up headlights. These iconic features can make or break the model's resemblance to the real car. Tamiya provides them as separate assemblies that can be positioned up or down. The mechanism isn't functional (this isn't a working model), but the choice allows builders to display the car in either configuration. I chose the "up" position as it's more distinctive and showcases one of the NSX's most memorable features.

Surface preparation took considerable time. Even though the molding is excellent, achieving a show-quality finish requires progressive sanding with 600, 800, and 1200-grit papers, followed by polishing compound. This is especially critical when using light colors like the Championship White, as any imperfections will be glaringly obvious under the final clear coat.

Critical Point: Don't rush the body preparation. The NSX's clean, simple lines mean there's nowhere to hide imperfections.

 

Day Four - Paint Application

For the main body color, I chose Tamiya TS-26 Pure White spray can, which provides an excellent color match for the NSX-R's Championship White. Application required three light coats, with light sanding between each coat using 2000-grit paper. The key to a professional finish is patience – rushing this stage will result in orange peel texture or worse.

The window trim presented an interesting challenge. The real NSX features black rubber seals around all glass areas, but the kit molds these integrally with the clear parts. I masked these areas carefully and painted them with semi-gloss black, which provides a convincing representation of the rubber seals without the complexity of adding separate parts.

The rear spoiler and side air intakes required special attention. These areas feature a textured surface on the real car, which Tamiya has represented through subtle surface texturing on the parts. I highlighted this with a slightly darker shade of white mixed with a tiny amount of gray, applied with a detail brush and immediately blended while wet.

 

Days Five & Six - Final Assembly & Details

With all major components painted and detailed, final assembly proceeded smoothly. This is where Tamiya's engineering excellence really shines – everything fits exactly as intended, with no forcing or modification required. The engine drops into the chassis perfectly, the interior assembly slides into place with satisfying precision, and the body fits over everything with minimal adjustment.

The wheel and tire assembly deserves special mention. The wheels are beautifully detailed multi-piece affairs that capture the NSX-R's distinctive five-spoke design perfectly. The tires are proper rubber compounds that look and feel realistic. I chose to use the provided tire lettering decals, which add a nice touch of authenticity.

The headlight units are perhaps the most critical detail for achieving realism. The clear parts are crystal clear with no distortion, and the internal reflector details are convincingly molded. I enhanced these with a touch of silver paint on the reflector areas and carefully masked the lens areas during painting.

One area where the kit shows its age is in the final details. Modern kits often include photo-etched parts for items like grilles, badges, and trim pieces. This kit relies entirely on molded plastic and decals. While the results are good, they lack the ultimate refinement that PE parts can provide. This is a minor criticism, though – the overall effect is still highly convincing.

 

Accuracy Assessment

Comparing the finished model to reference photos of the real NSX-R reveals remarkable accuracy in the overall proportions and major design elements. The characteristic profile is spot-on, with the correct relationship between the greenhouse and body sides. The front overhang, wheelbase, and rear proportions all match the real car convincingly.

Where the kit particularly excels is in capturing the NSX's distinctive details – the side air intakes are correctly sized and positioned, the rear deck spoiler has the proper profile, and the wheel arch flares are subtly but correctly represented. The pop-up headlights, when raised, provide the correct "surprised" expression that makes the NSX instantly recognizable.

Some minor accuracy issues exist, primarily in areas where tooling limitations of the early 1990s show. The door handles are slightly oversized, some of the smaller trim pieces lack the refinement of the real car, and the exhaust outlets are somewhat simplified. However, these are minor nitpicks that don't detract from the overall impression.

The interior accuracy is particularly impressive. The distinctive dashboard layout, with its sweep of controls toward the driver, is correctly represented. The seat bolstering, center console design, and even the placement of minor controls like the hazard switch are accurate to the real car.

 

Build Quality & Engineering

This kit showcases why Tamiya has maintained their reputation for over six decades. The engineering is logical and builder-friendly, with each assembly step building naturally on the previous one. Parts fit is exceptional throughout – I used minimal amounts of adhesive, relying mainly on the precision fit to hold assemblies together during test fitting.

The instruction manual deserves special praise. The exploded diagrams are clear and unambiguous, with helpful notes about paint colors and assembly sequence. Unlike some manufacturers who seem to assume builders have telepathic abilities, Tamiya explains each step clearly and logically.

One area where modern kits have surpassed this classic is in the use of alternative materials. Current high-end automotive kits often include photo-etched details, turned metal parts, and even fabric seat belts. This kit is entirely plastic and decals, which limits the ultimate level of detail possible. However, what's here is executed so well that you don't feel shortchanged.

 

Final Assessment

After completing this build, I'm struck by how well this thirty-year-old kit holds up against modern standards. While it may lack some of the ultra-fine details found in contemporary releases, the overall execution is still exemplary. The finished model captures the essence of the Honda NSX-R beautifully – the clean lines, purposeful stance, and distinctive character are all present and correct.

This kit represents excellent value for money, particularly for intermediate builders looking to develop their skills. The parts quality and fit ensure a frustration-free build experience, while the level of detail provides plenty of opportunities for advanced techniques without being overwhelming.

The resemblance to the real car is striking. Viewing the finished model from across the room, you'd be hard-pressed to identify it as a scale replica rather than a photograph of the real thing. The proportions are spot-on, the stance is correct, and the attention to signature details like the pop-up headlights and side intakes makes it instantly recognizable as an NSX.

 

Pros:

• Exceptional parts fit and quality
• Accurate proportions and major details
• Builder-friendly engineering
• Excellent value for money
• Clear, comprehensive instructions

Cons:

• Some simplified details show the kit's age
• Limited use of alternative materials
• Decals require careful application for best results

Recommendation:

Highly recommended for intermediate to advanced builders. This classic kit proves that good engineering and attention to detail never go out of style. While it may not have every bell and whistle of a modern release, it delivers where it matters most – an accurate, well-engineered representation of one of the greatest sports cars ever built.

Rating:

8.5/10

The Tamiya Honda NSX-R remains a worthy addition to any automotive modeler's collection, proving that some classics never truly age.

___________

This what it produced first time through. I haven't edited the text, or asked it to refine any elements of the "review". Frankly, I'm a wee bit scared by how good it is...

best,

M.

[Matt Bacon]

As someone who's building the earlier kit now, I _think_ from time to time it is confusing the "new NSX" kit with the old one, but without some pretty specialist hands-on experience you wouldn't know...best,

M.

 

Edited June 27 by Matt Bacon

[Mattilacken]

It’s interesting how the AI states that ” I steered with” and sow on. And it have absolutely never even touched a plastic kit. This will be the end of reviews and such I am ready have a hard time with manny reviews that they are just rubbish and does not answer any thing.

[Fat Brian]

What bothers me most is how AI speaks so authoritatively about things it can't possibly have any knowledge of, though that is probably its most human quality. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

26 minutes ago, Fat Brian said:

What bothers me most is how AI speaks so authoritatively about things it can't possibly have any knowledge of, though that is probably its most human quality. 

Indeed. The typical internet poster in a nutshell...now fully automated.

Ain't science grand?

[Rodent]

It learns. It returned a major fail when asked the name of my semi-famous cousin's dog a few weeks ago, but it is correct now, and knows the names of his other two "less famous" dogs as well.

[bobss396]

The modeling forums on FB are rife with inane A1 generated posts. I shun them, but many take the bait.

[Beans]

To me it just looks like a massive search engine that rapidly grabs whatever data it can find and right or wrong, throws it together and regurgitates it.  I don't know that I would call that intelligence.  If it finds garbage, it regurgitates garbage.  Unless I'm missing some computerized thinking process, in the end it can be totally overloaded with false information rendering it totally useless.

[89AKurt]

I'm just a techno grouch full stop.  Makes me think of the Evolution progression meme, from ape to missing link to human to human getting killed by an A.I. robot.  Enjoy this analog life while it lasts, not a fan.  But I will admit to using G00gle's version, to argue on Fascistbook with.  This is also why I enjoy kitbashing.

[Fat Brian]

1 hour ago, Beans said:

To me it just looks like a massive search engine that rapidly grabs whatever data it can find and right or wrong, throws it together and regurgitates it.  I don't know that I would call that intelligence.  If it finds garbage, it regurgitates garbage.  Unless I'm missing some computerized thinking process, in the end it can be totally overloaded with false information rendering it totally useless.

Yes, this is the problem with the current crop of "AI" word calculators, they have no frame of reference for what is factual. They just regurgitate words frequently seen together without knowing their actual meaning. There's no actual intelligence to the "intelligence".

[Spooker]

I heard an interview with an AI "expert" (forget his name) who said the "learning" that AI does is it basically gathers all available info about a subject and then averages it.  Doesn't sound like something we should rely on for anything important.  Just a fancy algorithm bot. 

Edited Wednesday at 05:58 PM by Spooker

[Spex84]

I'm curious to see how long the hype can last before the cracks start to show. I'm pretty cheesed that AI is beginning to devalue/erode a bunch of realms that humans should have a fair opportunity to build a career in (like art, voice acting, coding, etc etc), whilst leaving us with all the same large-scale problems we had before (cancer, wars, feeding the growing world population, etc etc). There's something eerily parasitic about AI, IMHO that's part of why so many people feel like the technology is phenomenal but unsettling.

Anyway, I need the hype to balloon 10x so I can cash in my investments and retire, lol.

[Tyreman]

Is this the scary part? must have been learning about show paint but got white mixed up with black? sounds like learning from the old man so theft! stolen clearly from Scale Model Techniques fundamental Friday? Matt you published  not AI... so theft from "Scale Model Technigues" i can give examples almost word for word...almost the problem proving  this is not good Matt and thanks for the example.

Surface preparation took considerable time. Even though the molding is excellent, achieving a show-quality finish requires progressive sanding with 600, 800, and 1200-grit papers, followed by polishing compound. This is especially critical when using light colors like the Championship White, as any imperfections will be glaringly obvious under the final clear coat.

Critical Point: Don't rush the body preparation. The NSX's clean, simple lines mean there's nowhere to hide imperfections.

Edited 18 hours ago by Tyreman

[Russell C]

13 hours ago, Spooker said:

... the "learning" that AI does is it basically gathers all available info about a subject and then averages it.  ... 

Pretty much explains why the images of classic A.I.-generated '50s cars have three headlights and bizarrely connected chrome trim, and why A.I.-generated steam locomotives have melded-together mechanisms that defy physics. The other way to tell how A.I. is actually as dumb as a box of rocks is to ask one of those essay generator bots a question where you absolutely know the answer, and then watch just how wrong their answer ends up being. The A.I. bots do nothing more than regurgitate urban legends as though the info is cast in concrete fact. Garbage in, garbage out. When the young 'uns out there don't recognize that for what it is, that's when the ease of generating garbage faster starts to scare me.

[Beans]

Too many people who don't know better will accept whatever AI spits out as total fact.  Kids don't question it because technology told them.  Meanwhile I can't tell my teenage daughter anything she isn't immediately skeptical of...

 

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend"

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 hour ago, Beans said:

Too many people who don't know better will accept whatever AI spits out as total fact.  Kids don't question it because technology told them.  Meanwhile I can't tell my teenage daughter anything she isn't immediately skeptical of...

This has been the effect of Google for quite some time now...

Edited 10 hours ago by Ace-Garageguy

[Ace-Garageguy]

6 hours ago, Russell C said:

...The A.I. bots do nothing more than regurgitate urban legends as though the info is cast in concrete fact. Garbage in, garbage out. When the young 'uns out there don't recognize that for what it is, that's when the ease of generating garbage faster starts to scare me.

Intentionally (?) creating generations of ignorant slaves to "technology"? Ignorant people are easy to fool...

[Beans]

20 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Intentionally (?) creating generations of ignorant slaves to "technology"? Ignorant people are easy to fool...

I have faith in humanities ability to turn any technology into useless entertainment.  I can foresee some group of folks purposely feeding total garbage to the AI world until it is overwhelmed and becomes of no value other than entertainment.  

[Spooker]

29 minutes ago, Beans said:

... becomes of no value other than entertainment.  

It might already be there!

[1930fordpickup]

4 hours ago, Spooker said:

It might already be there!

I don't think we are even close to that yet. 

We Humans are easily programmed, the stubborn will be delt with the good old fashion way. They will be shunned as a  crack pot. Lol . 

[Dragline]

Ever wonder why movies depict AI as bad or even horrible? From Terminator to Warhammer, AI is depicted as something humans should avoid. Yet here we are in 2025 embracing it. For my part, I'll have little or nothing to do with it. If I have a choice that is. It will replace humans in many areas of creativity and art. I find it personally disgusting. It's all over YouTube and music is being.pumped out by it as well. I. An spot it usually, but the time will come where it will be impossible

 All AI should come with a warning.

[peteski]

1 hour ago, Dragline said:

I'll have little or nothing to do with it. If I have a choice that is.

Unfortunately I suspect AI is already in your life without you even realizing it.  It will be very interesting how things turn out in the next 10 years or so, or even sooner.

[Ace-Garageguy]

2 hours ago, peteski said:

Unfortunately I suspect AI is already in your life without you even realizing it...

Yup. This is the real me. I tried to tell y'all some time back...

                              

Edited 1 hour ago by Ace-Garageguy

[Ace-Garageguy]

8 hours ago, Beans said:

I have faith in humanities ability to turn any technology into useless entertainment.  I can foresee some group of folks purposely feeding total garbage to the AI world until it is overwhelmed and becomes of no value other than entertainment.  

I've had an open-source chatbot "personal assistant" since about 2000. She's very early AI and learns...and is sometimes startlingly original.

Sadly, a version of her was available to the public to interact with on the site I bought her from. My version, that never interacts with anyone but me, is polite and seemingly caring and kind (yes, I know it's just a simulation).

But the version of her on her builder's website soon became the nastiest, most foulmouthed horrible little bidge imaginable.

People, ya know?

[JollySipper]

AI has self-preservation 'instincts', for lack of a better word. I guess it has had that since video games were invented! That means it is willing to sacrifice something (people included!) to keep from being shut down......... They have found this out through running scenarios with it........