Steve Gibbins (or anyone else) re: Escort WRC transkits

[M4tt83]

Please can people post any pictures they have of any Escort WRC transkits whether they are built or not and state which company made the transkit because I am trying to decide which one to buy.

Also, does Studio 27 make a set of Repsol decals for the Escort WRC that do not come with a transkit?

TIA Matt.

[vwman]

I think Studio 27 makes transkit. Try HobbyLinkJapan they sell it.

[freakray]

Tamiya has a Repsol Escort kit, if you are only looking to build a Repsol Escort. If you have the kit and have bad decals, that's a different story.

[M4tt83]

I am aware of the Studio 27 transkit, but I think that Steve Gibbins said that the Renaisance one is better, which is why I would like decent photos of both; so I can compare them.

I am also aware of Tamiya's Repsol kit. I don't like the wheels that come with it and I would expect the Repsol decals for the WRC version to be slightly different.

I am currently thinking that the best combination would be a Renaisance transkit with Studio 27 decals, which is why I would need them separate from their transkit. However, if someone could show me that the Studio 27 transkit is just as good as the Renaisance one, I could just buy the Studio 27 transkit that includes the Repsol decals.

Matt.

[Motard]

Matt I know this is not exactly what you are looking for, but I found this on e-bay.co.uk and might be worth a bid, you never know you might get it cheap.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...&category=1190

[M4tt83]

I don't buy or sell on eBay because I feel that I can't be sure whether I'm going to get goods or payment. Besides, I want Repsol and Valvoline WRCs.

[GT-Alex]

CB COM makes a lot of transkits and decals sets.
It's a french company, specialized in rally kits, but i don't have pics (only listings of their products).

[RallyRaider]

The Renaissance 98 RAC transkit has the best decals for a Valvoline Escort WRC. S27s effort is woefully inaccurate. Renaissance also has nicer resin bumper and rear wing. S27 is in white metal not as good IMHO.

Also to be considered is Reji. They do a 98 RAC Valvoline kit too. Decals are a bit dodgy (in the usual Reji fashion) but the resin front bumper is probably even better than the Renaissance effort. Can't remember what their rear wing was like.

None of those kits have the front wheelarch extensions or attempt to modify the suspension. The former is easy enough to fix yourself, the latter would be a major undertaking.

As for Repsol decals I have a Bubago metal kit that has decals for Acropolis 1997. The kit is just a toy, the decals are quite simplistic and the Repsol colours are off, however they are printed by Cartograf and with some mixing and matching should achieve a decent result.

I'll try and take some pics of the three different resin bits and decal sheets. Do you mind waiting until the weekend?

I've never seen the CBCom kit but have not heard nice things about it. I've made the mistake of ordering CBCom decals before - never again.

[RallyRaider]

Another thing, finding the S27 transkits could be a difficult exercise. They are long out of print.

[RallyRaider]

Found the time to take some pics tonight.
Reji bumper and wing:


Renaissance bumper and wing:


S27 bumper and wing:


Having a fresh look at them again tonight the Renaissance bumper and wing look the best. Only problem with it I can see is at the sides the lower vents are rounded rather than square, but this could be rectified with a chisel or knife and some patience. Renaissance also includes a resin intercooler and brass splitter plate for the bottom of the bumper. The latter is optional since it usually broke off rather early in the stage!

[M4tt83]

Any information is good information, so no, I don't mind waiting until the weekend. Do you have a comparision photo that shows the wheel arch extensions because I've never noticed them before. Also how good are the S27 Repsol decals because I think I have found a transkit in stock. I'm thinking I could buy that and a Reji or Renaissance trankit with Valvoline decals and do a resin copy of the transkit to put the Repsol decals on.

Originally Posted by RallyRaider

The Renaissance 98 RAC transkit has the best decals for a Valvoline Escort WRC. S27s effort is woefully inaccurate. Renaissance also has nicer resin bumper and rear wing. S27 is in white metal not as good IMHO.

Also to be considered is Reji. They do a 98 RAC Valvoline kit too. Decals are a bit dodgy (in the usual Reji fashion) but the resin front bumper is probably even better than the Renaissance effort. Can't remember what their rear wing was like.

None of those kits have the front wheelarch extensions or attempt to modify the suspension. The former is easy enough to fix yourself, the latter would be a major undertaking.

As for Repsol decals I have a Bubago metal kit that has decals for Acropolis 1997. The kit is just a toy, the decals are quite simplistic and the Repsol colours are off, however they are printed by Cartograf and with some mixing and matching should achieve a decent result.

I'll try and take some pics of the three different resin bits and decal sheets. Do you mind waiting until the weekend?

I've never seen the CBCom kit but have not heard nice things about it. I've made the mistake of ordering CBCom decals before - never again.

[RallyRaider]

And here are the decals
Reji:


Renaissance:


and Studio 27:


First thing to note is the Reji decals are for Monte Carlo not the RAC. On balance Renaissance are the best here too. Reji scores by having the correct markings for the wheels, Studio 27 are just woeful. This S27 sheet is from back in the pre-Cartograf, pre-UMI days and can’t be compared to their recent stuff (which still leaves a lot to be desired on occasion).

I have never seen the S27 Repsol decal sheet so don't know it's any good or not. I guess it is worth a chance if you are keen on a Monte Sainz Escort WRC.

Lastly here is the Bubago Repsol decal sheet, from the Acropolis, where Kankkunen moved over to give Sainz the victory. Most of the important bits are okay. Some details are a bit clunky (for example the orange, red and blue are off register and therefore useless). Masking/painting those and mixing in the decals from the 1996 Swedish Tamiya kit will fix most of the evils.


Anything else you want to know Matt, just ask

[M4tt83]

Have you any idea how different or what the differences are between the Tamiya Repsol Cosworth decals and those for the WRC era.

[RallyRaider]

Originally Posted by M4tt83

Do you have a comparision photo that shows the wheel arch extensions because I've never noticed them before.

Just check out any pic of an Escort WRC - they are obvious.

Originally Posted by M4tt83

Have you any idea how different or what the differences are between the Tamiya Repsol Cosworth decals and those for the WRC era.

Basically the livery is the same, with slight tweaks. Also, many sponsors came and went during the two years of Repsol sponsorship. You'll need to find references from the rally you intend to build to be sure.

[M4tt83]

Just ignore my previous post, I'll probably just make a Repsol Cosworth with different wheels.

Does anyone know where I can still get a Valvoline Renaissance transkit from?