Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online!
Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! 
-
Latest | 0 Rplys
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Automotive Art > Car Modeling
Car Modeling Share your passion for car modeling here! Includes sub-forum for "in progress" and "completed" vehicles.
Reply Show Printable Version Show Printable Version | Email this Page Email this Page | Subscription Subscribe to this Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 02-03-2008, 02:29 PM   #1
sportracer02
AF Enthusiast
 
sportracer02's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,431
Thanks: 28
Thanked 79 Times in 73 Posts
Cool Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Hi,

after I did my Cayman GT with parts from Scaleproduction and the good experience of a fellow modeller in another forum with building the Mercedes SLR with the 722 – KA Models transkit (http://www.razyboard.com/system/more...4770804-0.html ), I had the opportunity to have a closer look at the Cayman Techart Widebody-Transkit
.

I like the 1:1 car, however Techart make some widebody cars, where the wider parts are just glued to the body, no putty, so a step remains, where the original parts and the Techart parts meet.

I don´t like that, I´d prefer some putty to have a slick look.

KA´s transkit is just what Techart does, gluing the parts to the body. The overall impression isn´t bad, the model will look close to the 1:1 car. There is just one thing, that doesn´t look perfect. The part, that widens the rear fenders, isn´t going horizontal along the side skirt, but goes down towards the ground. This changes the side of the model dramatically, I would make it more horizontal.

Nevertheless, the quality of the parts, make me frown a little bit.

The etched parts are ok



The rear wing is white metal, has some imperfections and is far too big


The same with the wheels, sanding the mold-line is “great job” here, but as there are deeper scratches on the surface, it is a must, to putty, prime and paint them, just polishing the white metal won´t work.



Here some of the resin parts



The exhaust isn´t symmetric, one exhaust tube is longer and has another shape than the other, the holes are too small



This part comes to the rear, exhausts go through the holes. You can see again, the ends are not symmetric, the right side is 0,5 mm lower



Here the front, rear and widening for the rear wheels – lots of cleaning


On the rear part, lots of holes and imperfections …


… the same on the rear fender parts (holes, imperfections)






I ordered seats for my Ferrari 599, another disappointment

The seats back is ok,


but the lower parts are kind of useless


no structure to see, a clump of resin.


The SLR guy now builds a GT 40 with the KA transkit, the transkits front he threw away, it was bent and the lamps were mere resin clumps (http://www.razyboard.com/system/more...5056525-0.html )


So, to get it together:

Nice idea with the transkit, the execution could be better for ca. 65 - 70 Euro.

KA Model had a good start, but should work harder to provide the modeller with quality
__________________
Micha
sportracer02 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2008, 03:23 PM   #2
stevenoble
AF Enthusiast
 
stevenoble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Barnsley
Posts: 3,199
Thanks: 8
Thanked 111 Times in 107 Posts
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

It annoys me when I see transkits and parts such as this and the resin casting is such poor quality,full of bubbles and warped.The prices that some companies charge for such parts is very high and as such they should be well cast and of good quality in my opinion.You can cast resin to a high standard (just look at Geronimo Works new wheel sets for instance) they are top quality and they don't cost a fortune either.
If only all companies could cast this well we would have no complaints.But then again we keep buying the poorer stuff as sometimes it's your only chance to build this car or that car etc.So they keep turning out the same poor quality stuff.We as the customer should complain more and if need be vote with our wallets.Just my
Ok, that's it.Angry rant over.But anyone agree??
__________________
Steve Noble
stevenoble is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2008, 03:31 PM   #3
geronimo77
AutoWeek Magazine Vendor
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Budapest
Posts: 652
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via MSN to geronimo77 Send a message via Skype™ to geronimo77
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

I have to say it is a bit dissapointing.
Till now i saw only KA bike upgrade kits, which were really good.
But i have to say that the quality according to these photos are which i would expect from a company like KA.
geronimo77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2008, 03:34 PM   #4
geronimo77
AutoWeek Magazine Vendor
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Budapest
Posts: 652
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via MSN to geronimo77 Send a message via Skype™ to geronimo77
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenoble
.You can cast resin to a high standard (just look at Geronimo Works new wheel sets for instance) they are top quality and they don't cost a fortune either.
Thanks Steve
i can guarantee that the Gemballa transkit will be better quality than this KA Cayman.
Price is not know yet, but will try to keep on a reasonable level.
geronimo77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2008, 01:40 AM   #5
sportracer02
AF Enthusiast
Thread starter
 
sportracer02's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,431
Thanks: 28
Thanked 79 Times in 73 Posts
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by geronimo77
I have to say it is a bit dissapointing.
Till now i saw only KA bike upgrade kits, which were really good.
But i have to say that the quality according to these photos are which i would expect from a company like KA.
... exactly my thoughts, nice to see that you - as a new producer - have the same thoughts, and Steve, yes, modelers want quality for their money !!!

So, geronimo, watch out , the Mirage is one of my favourites, a kit review seem very likely
__________________
Micha
sportracer02 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2008, 05:59 AM   #6
klutz_100
AF Fanatic
 
klutz_100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Up the creek with no paddle
Posts: 5,888
Thanks: 7
Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts
Send a message via Skype™ to klutz_100
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

MIcha, I am very (badly) surprised by the quality of the products you show here Thanks for the "heads up"

I have several times been on the verge of spending a bunch of money on KA products (599 seats, GT40 t/k etc.) but now I am heaving a huuuuuge sigh of relief that I never actually found them in stock at hiroboy.com when I wanted to buy them! uff!
__________________
Guideline for happy modeling: Practice on scrap. Always try something new. Less is more.

"I have a plan so cunning, you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel" - Edmund Blackadder
klutz_100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2008, 05:14 PM   #7
CifeNet
AF Enthusiast
 
CifeNet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
Posts: 528
Thanks: 2
Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Looks like resin parts have some warping, but they don't look too bad.

I agree the quality can be better, but I think it can definitely result a great model!

The seat is disappointing though. I think it needs 15% refinement to get it accepted for a model build.

Thanks for the review.
__________________
-- CifeNet
CifeNet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2008, 05:47 PM   #8
Veyron
AF Fanatic
 
Veyron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,699
Thanks: 8
Thanked 74 Times in 68 Posts
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

I just checked my widebody t-kit and the resin in mine is a lot smoother than yours. Also the rims and wing are nice and smooth, no pits. There is flash on the rims to clean off...but the quality on the parts in mine seem to be better than yours.
__________________
There is a lesson in every kit.
Veyron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2008, 05:57 PM   #9
bigfrit
AF Enthusiast
 
bigfrit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Brussels/Milano
Posts: 2,909
Thanks: 10
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Yay, good news!
bigfrit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2008, 02:47 AM   #10
sportracer02
AF Enthusiast
Thread starter
 
sportracer02's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,431
Thanks: 28
Thanked 79 Times in 73 Posts
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Veyron
I just checked my widebody t-kit and the resin in mine is a lot smoother than yours. Also the rims and wing are nice and smooth, no pits. There is flash on the rims to clean off...but the quality on the parts in mine seem to be better than yours.

Veyron,

my friend got the transkit last week. Maybe your transkit is ealier produced with the mold, the issue I had much later, so the mold isn´t as crisp as in the beginning of production

Nevertheless, IMO quality should be controlled by the company before selling
__________________
Micha
sportracer02 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2008, 06:01 AM   #11
Veyron
AF Fanatic
 
Veyron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,699
Thanks: 8
Thanked 74 Times in 68 Posts
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Hopefully KA will learn from feedback and be more consistent in the products they ship in the future.
__________________
There is a lesson in every kit.
Veyron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2008, 03:31 PM   #12
sportracer02
AF Enthusiast
Thread starter
 
sportracer02's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,431
Thanks: 28
Thanked 79 Times in 73 Posts
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by CifeNet
Looks like resin parts have some warping, but they don't look too bad.

I agree the quality can be better, but I think it can definitely result a great model!

Hi CifeNet,

I don´t agree with you.

Maybe some modelers have the money to buy things with faults, but when I pay close to 70 Euro for a transkit, I don´t intend to straighten wraped parts or fill unecessary holes. (Of course, you even can make a reasonable model out of Revells Audi R10, but meanwhile I build 2 other models.)



Quote:
Originally Posted by CifeNet
The seat is disappointing though. I think it needs 15% refinement to get it accepted for a model build.
I bought the seats, because I thought they are detailed. I didn´t intend to re-detail them, that might have been easier, with the kit-seats
__________________
Micha
sportracer02 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2008, 10:16 PM   #13
KAMODELS
AF Newbie
 
KAMODELS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Seoul
Posts: 1
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Hi, All

I am Yang, President of KA-Models.

Sorry to sportracer02 about not good conditioned Cayman Kit.

If you want, I can send you another resin part.

Please send me e-mail.

And many thanks for everyone.

Therefore your supprot, KA was developed.

But I have some problem.

I am work 16 Hours for a day and work 7days for a week.

But too busy.

And produce many resin parts more than past days.

Because there is some not good conditioned kit.

Sorry about that.

I'll supply improved parts of Cayman WideBody.

I detected WideBody Kit has some trouble to work.

I promise that I'll do my best to produce good conditioned products.

And I'll give warranty for all of my products.

I'll supply improved parts of Cayman WideBody.

I detected WideBody Kit has some trouble to work.



KA makes money from modeler.

I am businessman.

But I am modeler like everyone in this site.

I know everyone's money is important for each other.

I'll do my endeavors to produce products that has merit for all modelers.

Please keep your interest.

KA always do best for all modeler.

Thank you.
KAMODELS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2008, 04:47 AM   #14
stevenoble
AF Enthusiast
 
stevenoble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Barnsley
Posts: 3,199
Thanks: 8
Thanked 111 Times in 107 Posts
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by KAMODELS
Hi, All

I am Yang, President of KA-Models.

Sorry to sportracer02 about not good conditioned Cayman Kit.

If you want, I can send you another resin part.

Please send me e-mail.

And many thanks for everyone.
Hello Yang,

I think you are a very decent man.To listen to criticism from your customers and also offer to replace the sub standard parts is very good of you.The modeling community needs more people like you.You have shown that you care about your products and your customers.That's excellent customer service in my opinion!!!

Best regards,

Steve Noble.
stevenoble is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2008, 11:22 AM   #15
tpliquid
AF Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: sj, California
Posts: 810
Thanks: 1
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Send a message via AIM to tpliquid
Re: Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Has anyone used the 744 SLR kits from KA?
__________________
friends let friends drive benzes
tpliquid is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD

Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Automotive Art > Car Modeling

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:31 PM.

Community Participation Guidelines | How to use your User Control Panel

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
 
 
no new posts