Italeri Kits

[Donny]

I haven't bought one of their kits, so I went on the 'net and read a few "opinions" of their kits. Can I get a few opinions from you guys on what you think - good/bad. Thanks

Don

[sidcharles]

like any kit, it's a starting point.

i've built some jeeps (1:24) and a landing craft (1:35).

Q: is there a particular kit or feature which is in question?

remember the adage: "it's a poor workman who blames his tools."

even the ages old Gunze Sangyo Volkswagen with the rubber interior parts can be made to look presentable. 

[Donny]

Hello Sid. I'm looking at their Ferrari 348TS Spyder. Couldn't find any good/bad info, so thought I ask you guys.

Don 

[stitchdup]

28 minutes ago, Donny said:

Hello Sid. I'm looking at their Ferrari 348TS Spyder. Couldn't find any good/bad info, so thought I ask you guys.

Don 

 

[sidcharles]

1 hour ago, Donny said:

Hello Sid. I'm looking at their Ferrari 348TS Spyder. Couldn't find any good/bad info, so thought I ask you guys.

Don 

darn! i hoped there would be a motorcycle build-thread. like this one:

 

 

[sidcharles]

maybe not for this model, but sometimes Scalemates can direct you to a builder's review or at least give you some additional information especially if you're considering an out of production (read: paying a premium) kit.

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/testors-italeri-239-ferrari-348ts--1138327

[stavanzer]

Italeri kits are a different animal than US or Japanese Kits.

Not Better or Worse, just different.

I highly recommend using scaleMates to look up some of their car kit instructions.

I like Italeri kits, especially the Rallye Cars. Worth trying. 

[Rob Hall]

Also, some of their kits are old ESCI kits originally..like the 70s Mercedes SLC and G-wagen and older Land Rovers.. 

[Ulf]

Italeri is generally good I think but as always, it's important to do your research if you have such high ambitions that you're hanging out on this forum. Italeri has taken a few shortcuts with some truck chassis, but what company hasn't? I like the plastic, which is a little on the harder side. The passenger cars are nice, a little engineer-like and angular, but a little rough(my own opinion),a different animal like stavanzer wrote. Scalemates often has instructions, and it can be a good idea to check them out before you buy, as building a truck cab from flat parts with thin A-pillars and small glue surfaces take time and is difficult. The Freightliner in the picture will be finished one day when I have scratch-built a cab cover. I am attaching a link to a factory tour.

ITALERI FACTORY VISIT YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVeTk1P1AG0
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GVeTk1P1AG0

[peteski]

Donny,  As I'm pretty sure mentioned it to you in another one of your threads asking opinions about a specific model company in general is probably not the best way to most accurate info.  Every model company will have some better and some not-so-good models. I would suggest to ask this question about a specific model from some model company which you are contemplating on building.

Edited October 31 by peteski

[Donny]

2 hours ago, peteski said:

Donny,  As I'm pretty sure mentioned it to you in another one of your threads asking opinions about a specific model company in general is probably not the best way to most accurate info.  Every model company will have some better and some not-so-good models. I would suggest to ask this question about a specific model from some model company which you are contemplating on building.

Sorry Peter, but I don't recall you mentioning anything like that, but then again, my memory isn't as flash as it used to be. The reason for my question is because I have been offered the Ferrari kit, and as I have never had a Italeri kit or actually heard on them, and as there are a fair amount of not so good kits in the market place, I figured the guys here would know if I was about to purchase a "lemon" , and if I can't ask that question here on the forum, so as not to waste   my money,  I might as well not be here.

        Don

[stitchdup]

2 hours ago, peteski said:

Donny,  As I'm pretty sure mentioned it to you in another one of your threads asking opinions about a specific model company in general is probably not the best way to most accurate info.  Every model company will have some better and some not-so-good models. I would suggest to ask this question about a specific model from some model company which you are contemplating on building.

why have question section if he cant use it? some of us just are still fairly new to models so this section can help. keep asking questions Donny, they also help other folk that might not want to ask

[Donny]

thanks Les

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've liked every Italeri kit I've seen to date...Euro sports cars, classics, big trucks, etc.

Every one was good enough to be the basis of a fine model.

Some are better than others, more accurate, higher parts count, etc.

But IMHO they're all good kits.

[Straightliner59]

On 10/30/2025 at 4:25 AM, sidcharles said:

darn! i hoped there would be a motorcycle build-thread. like this one:

 

 

I really enjoy that guy's channel! He's an excellent modeler. His techniques and his finish work are especially fine, I think.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Here's an OK completed build of the Italeri 348TB (not the TS, but 95% of it is the same) with plenty of shots to judge proportions, detail, etc.

 

Edited October 31 by Ace-Garageguy
punctiliousness

[peteski]

5 hours ago, stitchdup said:

why have question section if he cant use it? some of us just are still fairly new to models so this section can help. keep asking questions Donny, they also help other folk that might not want to ask

I guess you missed my point Les.  Asking a blanket statement about quality of model kits from company X to me is not very useful. As I mentioned every kit produces winners and losers as far as their kit's quality and fidelity.  Like some Italeri kits are pretty good while others are not so much fun to build. This is especially true when that company X acquires molds from other kit companies (or reboxes such kits) to increase their model range.  I merely stated that it makes more sense to ask opinions about some specific kit from company X should produce more accurate/useful type of opinions/reviews.

[peteski]

6 hours ago, Donny said:

Sorry Peter, but I don't recall you mentioning anything like that, but then again, my memory isn't as flash as it used to be. The reason for my question is because I have been offered the Ferrari kit, and as I have never had a Italeri kit or actually heard on them, and as there are a fair amount of not so good kits in the market place, I figured the guys here would know if I was about to purchase a "lemon" , and if I can't ask that question here on the forum, so as not to waste   my money,  I might as well not be here.

        Don

My post was

Others before me also echoed the sentiment that judging all kits from company X, strictly based on the company's name doesn't make much sense.

[stitchdup]

10 minutes ago, peteski said:

I guess you missed my point Les.  Asking a blanket statement about quality of model kits from company X to me is not very useful. As I mentioned every kit produces winners and losers as far as their kit's quality and fidelity.  Like some Italeri kits are pretty good while others are not so much fun to build. This is especially true when that company X acquires molds from other kit companies (or reboxes such kits) to increase their model range.  I merely stated that it makes more sense to ask opinions about some specific kit from company X should produce more accurate/useful type of opinions/reviews.

i did and i appologise. i completely misread it as saying dont ask questions

[Bainford]

8 hours ago, Donny said:

Sorry Peter, but I don't recall you mentioning anything like that, but then again, my memory isn't as flash as it used to be. The reason for my question is because I have been offered the Ferrari kit, and as I have never had a Italeri kit or actually heard on them, and as there are a fair amount of not so good kits in the market place, I figured the guys here would know if I was about to purchase a "lemon" , and if I can't ask that question here on the forum, so as not to waste   my money,  I might as well not be here.

        Don

Don't let him get up your skirt, Don. Just ignore him, that's what I do. Your question is perfectly valid, and I for one am keen to read the responses. Carry on as you were; it's a good question asked in the right place.

[Donny]

8 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

I've liked every Italeri kit I've seen to date...Euro sports cars, classics, big trucks, etc.

Every one was good enough to be the basis of a fine model.

Some are better than others, more accurate, higher parts count, etc.

But IMHO they're all good kits.

Thanks Bill, good to get the opinion of a experienced   model builder.

Don

[Donny]

7 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Here's an OK completed build of the Italeri 348TB (not the TS, but 95% of it is the same) with plenty of shots to judge proportions, detail, etc.

 

Thanks Bill, if the guy hasn't sold it, I might give it a go.

Don

[oldcarfan]

A lot of the Italeri, and the earlier ESCI kits were designed in the 80s and 90s and they require some improvisation as some of the parts locations are not clearly marked. Over all, they make me think of an Italian version of 70s-80s AMT kits as far as quality. I currently have their Range Rover 2 door and two of their Gelandewagens sitting on my bench. I work on them for a while and set them aside when I get tired of them. 

I like to watch for good deals and this last year I got their AUDI Quattro, MB 190E, the rally MB 450 SLC, the MB 600C, and two more Gelandewagen built ups on eBay super cheap because the seller misspelled the name and so I guess no one else noticed they were listed. 

[Donny]

Sorry Gary, I have to ask, what is a Gelandewagen 

Don

[Ace-Garageguy]

18 minutes ago, Donny said:

Sorry Gary, I have to ask, what is a Gelandewagen 

Mercedes G-class. Originally a light military vehicle, it's morphed into a luxo status symbol, kinda like Land Rover.

https://www.motortrend.com/vehicle-genres/mercedes-g-wagen-g-class-history-generations-specifications-photos

     

Edited Saturday at 11:10 PM by Ace-Garageguy