Testers metal kits model or die cast?

[my66s55]

I'm curious as to how the Testers painted kits are viewed by members of the forum. I've heard comments on another board that they are not really models.

[Mr. Moparman]

They are models but they are prepainted and held together by srews

[59 Impala]

I would say a die cast model. I took one of the 41 Chevy's and removed the flames and painted the front end flat black, like it's in process. I also used Monograms 53 Corvette kit for parts. I used the 6 cylinder engine and tranny, wheels and tires and steering wheel to represent an early 50's hot rod. Looks perty good ifin ya ask me. Oh yeah, I also used BMF on the chrome trim. Dan

[Jon Cole]

They still need to be detailed and built. They are similar to a pre-painted all-plastic kit. I have this Charger, don't like the die-cast 'dog leg' hinges, so off they went via moto tool. These kits can be worked.

[Brett Barrow]

They're models, but someone else already did a lot of the "model-ing"

[Eshaver]

Don , personally , I could care less as to construction material. The first models people had back in about 1946 were Balsa wood . Mr Gowland of Revell solved that with Plastic in Venice Beach California . meanwhile , I'm converting a testors 1941 Chevrolet to mate to a A M T 1937 Chevrolet so I can have a stocker for one of my service station models ...... To the Plastic snobs , uh go take up bird watching . Ed Shaver

[Jon Cole]

Don , personally , I could care less as to construction material. The first models people had back in about 1946 were Balsa wood . Mr Gowland of Revell solved that with Plastic in Venice Beach California . meanwhile , I'm converting a testors 1941 Chevrolet to mate to a A M T 1937 Chevrolet so I can have a stocker for one of my service station models ...... To the Plastic snobs , uh go take up bird watching . Ed Shaver

That could describe half of the lovely ladies there!

[Eshaver]

I agree Jon, I used to actually live there ! Not only the ladies but I would say most of the people in general . Tellin me that White bread will kill me , please ............ Ed Shaver

[george 53]

Don, it's material make up is less than it's unbuilt state.If you had to BUILD it, then I'd consider it a real model.

[torinobradley]

Even pre-built/painted die casts are models (in my opinion). It's what you consider them to be that matters.

I have lots of both and my shelves would be much more barren if I didn't use die casts as fillers. But, I don't consider them within the same category as the plastic ones. They are less detailed (usually), the working features on them are much more bulky and definitely not in scale (anyone ever see a 1" door to body gap and what the heck do you do with a 1/22.5). I have some die casts that I have detailed or repainted but still don't consider them in the same class as model kits, even if they came in kit form...

I like to do the die-casts as they tend to be a quick diversion from my kits that I tend to put far too much detail and work into. It gives me that instant gratification fix and allows me to move on to bigger and better projects.

Maybe, one of these days, I'll take a moderately detailed die cast body and create a full detail and fairly accurate model with it but for now, they are separate items on my shelves.

[Chuck Most]

It's both... die cast AND a model! People who think they're not 'real' models just because some of the work's done for you are just being elitist. I look at it like this... SOME assembly required is still more fun than none at all!

[Greg Cullinan]

Model. I like the old 60's kits and some barely have 30 pieces,compared to some newer kits with 150 pieces but they are both still models.

[Chuck Most]

Model. I like the old 60's kits and some barely have 30 pieces,compared to some newer kits with 150 pieces but they are both still models.

Strange... nobody disputes the old '25 piece' AMT Craftsman style kits from back in the day are models, but for some reason when it's a die cast kit some issues pop up. Wonder why that is?

[jbwelda]

no offense, but this mustang looks particularly toy-like in this photo. panels dont fit well, grille way too shiny, tires way too shiney and sitting kind of funny, sits too high off the ground, etc

so for this one i would have to vote for calling it diecast.

again no offense but it just hit me with this one photo.

[David G.]

A model is a scale replica of a real object. What we buy from AMT and Revell are model kits; kits that we use to build models. Whether or not an item is or is not a model or model kit is not determined by the number of pieces or level of detail.

If you buy a diecast, prepainted car with a complete finished interior and the only thing required for assembly is to screw the chassis plate onto the body and snap the wheels onto the axle stubbs, then it's a model kit, as is a 300-piece Tamiya Ferrari.

If you buy a model of a 1932 Bugatti, it's still a model even though it may be a Hot Wheels manufactured by Mattel instead of a replica issued by the Franklin Mint.

Like it or not, everything else is an emotional issue... "Those aren't real models, I build real models!"

David G.

[DRG]

Made out of plastic, metal, wood or jello if it is made to look like a real car then it is a model.

[Doughnut]

I guess the real question is what you are trying to pass it off as? This weekend I was at an IPMS contest and one of the entries was an item similar to what you are showing. They claimed it was a model, but is it fair to have it judged the same as someone in the same category that took the time to paint, polish, and decal a kit? The number of parts may not matter, but maybe the time you took to assemble it should. Luckily, I wasn't one of the judges at this show or I would have had a real dilemma on my hands.

[davyou5]

I guess the real question is what you are trying to pass it off as? This weekend I was at an IPMS contest and one of the entries was an item similar to what you are showing. They claimed it was a model, but is it fair to have it judged the same as someone in the same category that took the time to paint, polish, and decal a kit? The number of parts may not matter, but maybe the time you took to assemble it should. Luckily, I wasn't one of the judges at this show or I would have had a real dilemma on my hands.

Actually you have a good point there, Would it be fair to judge someone's Die Cast Build compared to A Kit Build? I would not think so, So maybe in this case it would be best to place them in Sub Catagories. This would also mean two different First place winners in one contest.

Edited September 28, 2010 by davyou5

[bigphoto]

I like the Testors 1/43 kits as they lend to some heavy modifications and other kit and diecast bashing!!

Edited September 29, 2010 by bigphoto

[Darin Bastedo]

of course they are models, but that is not really the issue. I mean there are models and then there are MODELS!!! and most fall some where in between. The issue is are they serious models,They are better models than your typical Palmer 39 cent model but considerably lesser than say a scratch built Gerald wingrove master piece. In the end does it matter? Build what you like and have fun.

[Harry P.]

Most unbuilt die-cast models sold as "kits" are somewhat simplified; I guess that's where the "not a real model" nonsense comes from. But a model is a scale representation of a 1:1 subject. Nowhere is it stated that to be a "real" model, it has to be made of plastic! The material used for the pieces of the model is... immaterial!

Danbury Mint, among others, makes some die-cast models that would blow most "serious" plastic models away. I know... because I own them.

[Monte's Motors]

Well, I guess I'm kinda old fashion.

My saying is, "Plastic is for model cars and metal is for real cars"

[Junkman]

Well, I guess I'm kinda old fashion.

My saying is, "Plastic is for model cars and metal is for real cars"

R U saying a Reliant Robin is no real car?

[Jon Cole]

I guess the real question is what you are trying to pass it off as? This weekend I was at an IPMS contest and one of the entries was an item similar to what you are showing. They claimed it was a model, but is it fair to have it judged the same as someone in the same category that took the time to paint, polish, and decal a kit? The number of parts may not matter, but maybe the time you took to assemble it should. Luckily, I wasn't one of the judges at this show or I would have had a real dilemma on my hands.

It's a model, so the builder/owner can enter it if they want. Of course, temper that against the fact that most, if not any and all contest judges are not going to be fooled. No contest judge is going to give a pre-painted metal model high marks for finish, if they know it was painted in a factory. It's a 'checks & balances' situation. Even the best model from one of the 'Mints' won't get high grades for finish, no matter how it looks, if they know it was pre-painted. At least that's how it should be imho.

[Jon Cole]

The all-time best was the Monogram METAL bodied Corvette with the PLASTIC chassis. Whoops!

Webster's definition of irony!