Anyone ever heard of ESCI models?

[buxxx69]

Has anyone heard of this Italian Model Company. If so what is the quality and accuracy of these kits?

[johnbuzzed]

Yes, I have. They primarily focus on military kits. I have at least one (a 1/72 Huey), which dates back to the late '80s and I have no real complaints about the kit- maybe the decals, if I remember correctly. And I don't remember any real problems with the brand for as long as I have been reading about and building military models. They are not Tamiya, but they're definitely not Palmer Plastics.

[buxxx69]

johnbuzzed....You have had no issues with fitting issues or warpage?

[Davewilly]

I have a car kit or two in my stash... I havent built them yet. I also have built a military kit of two of theirs. I had no problems with fix or warped parts. Like he said the decals are not the greatest though....but the kits were fine

[johnbuzzed]

Nope, no problems with warpage or fit; quality overall was acceptable. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. But, I do wonder what the "correct section" would be...?

Edited December 10, 2014 by johnbuzzed

[Eric N.]

I have one or two. Some of them are really AMT kits. But the ones that aren't are nice-somethings are molded in, and some are molded in color. But nice.

[Brizio]

I have build different ESCI kits, nice quality. Italeri bought a lot of molds from them, and re propose them under the Italeri wing.

Edited December 10, 2014 by Brizio

[Snake45]

Some of their airplanes are quite nice, some only so-so. Only car of theirs I own is a SWB Ferarri in an AMT box and it's awful.

[Mr Stock]

I have built a couple over the years the ford Escort Mk2 rally which has been re-boxed by Revell recently, the Ford transit Van and i think an early issue Range Rover, they are so so kits, the accuracy is fairly good, normally a low parts count, pretty flash /warp free, but they build and display easy, certainly nothing to get to excited about.

[Austin T]

The only issue I've had with my Esci kit's are warpage,but both were unique situations. First off was a body that was clear plastic that was stored improperly for twenty years and the other one was my BMW M1,but my ROG issue of it has the same issue with the roof being ever so slightly warped (Easy fix though).

[jaymcminn]

The Esci BMW M1 kits are the only ones I have experience with. On one the body was pretty badly warped, but I was able to get it sorted. On the other one they included the incorrect wide Procar body in the street version box. Detail is pretty nice but the moldings are a little crude. The major attraction is that some of their subject matter, like the M1 and the mk2 Escort, isn't available elsewhere.

[Chuck Most]

I can only speak of the Ford Transit and Land Rover kits- they're nicely detailed, but curbsides with sealed hoods and no engine detail. About equal to a Fujimi or Aoshima kit in terms of engraved detail, and lots of separate chassis parts. The Transit does have opening front doors and an opening rear cargo door. The Land Rovers were reissued by Italeri a few years back, but Esci itself is long gone, and many of its former kits have scattered to the winds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESCI

[Chuck Most]

Oh- they did a '70's vintage Jeep CJ as well. Same deal as with the others- curbside, but with lots of underside detail.

[Erik Smith]

They did a few really cool kits including some Toyota Land Cruiser Taxis and a few version of the Ford Escorts. I don't know if any were thier actual toolings modified issues or what...

[farmer1]

This ones from 1992, quality is fine but it's just the Ertl kit with ESCi on the box. Don't really know the history there, maybe someone here does ?

[Chuck Most]

Ertl bought out ESCI in the '80's, so for a few years there were some former Ertl kits issued as ESCI kits, and vice versa. The AMT/Ertl 1:48 Huey helicopter was originally an ESCI kit, as an example of things working the other way.

[keyser]

Esci did some interesting cars and trucks pre-AMT/Ertl

BMW M1 and M1 Procar, Porsche 934 (Decent, haven't compared to new Tamiya of same car yet), Land Rover 109 in several versions, Early 2 door Range Rover Classic in several versions, Mercedes G-class (Gelandwagen) 4-door, Toyota FJ-40/44 IIRC, Ford Escort Mk 2, Mecedes 190E, 2.3-16 in several versions, Renault R5 (non-mid engined car), BMW 320i Racecar, Lancia Beta Montecarlo race car, Lancia Stratos, Ford Transit Van, and a Jeep CJ. A few had bodies in clear in several versions. I may have forgotten a couple, but I've got probably 3/4 of these and they're decent. The Stratos was a rebox of a Nitto kit, which was a nice model, but the Esci had decals of an unusual but successful team.

Almost forgot the awful 250SWB, and they did a Ferrari Boxer too, Boxer may have had Japanese origins like the Stratos, though it was not great.

They did some nice airplanes too. 1/72 DC-3 and C-47. I've got one with Aeroflot markings, and it's a very nice kit, even compared to the new Airfix tool of same.

Ertl/Esci issued AMT 58 Impala, 63 Vette, a few others. I've only seen the former.

I've never seen much issue with fitment, and my BMW M1's were both perfect. Tires and wheels may be a bit small on the racecars, but not excessive.

HTH

L

OK, link to wiki reminded me of the Mercedes 450 SLC 5.0 which I have, and Lamborghini Miura and Countach.

Edited December 11, 2014 by keyser

[checkmate]

I built quite a few 1/72 ESCI military kits when I was younger and they went together really well, I know a few guys that have built the rally Escort and they all say it's a great kit.

[Rasputen]

I have an ESCI Lancia Beta Monte Carlo, the main body section was quite warped. I was lucky to find a second one to use as a parts donor.

[Kennyboy]

I have the ESCI Ertl Porsche 934 RSR Martini sitting at home in the stash......I happened upon it at a swapmeet for cheap and had to have it. Looks like the body on it is resin....but very low parts count.

Edited December 11, 2014 by Kennyboy

[ZTony8]

AMT markets a Porsche 935 that's a rebox of an ESCI kit.I have that kit plus an ESCI boxed Porsche 934 "baby" that's the same basic kit.They're aren't the greatest things ever molded,lacking in a lot of detail-kinda like some of the later Heller rally car kits.But they're above a Palmer or a Premier kit.

[Daddyfink]

Alright, back to the model part of the show

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESCI

[buxxx69]

Didn't realize this small post was going to get so twisted out of control. Thanks to all for your input on the ESCI models and information. I have one coming so I wasn't sure what to expect. Second: Get bent to all the cyber bullies who feel it necessary to input their ignorant views solely to see their own post and attempt to intimidate or show an unwelcome show of bravado which in fact, is not welcome or needed in a freaking model building forum. Ridiculous. Thirdly: Thank you for the admin who moved this question to the correct venue. I apologize for the blandness of this question but thank you for all the feedback. Happy modeling and cheers !!!!!!!!!!!

[Greg Myers]

A few other ESCI car kits with a twist , clear bodies

Edited December 11, 2014 by Greg Myers

[buxxx69]

The BMW is the one I have. Is there any issue painting over a clear body without it looking like a terrible paint job?