Aoshima Countach LP 400

as if there has not been enough LP400 kits produced, Aoshima decided to make another LP 400. I wonder what is so special about this kit. Simplified? There is the Tamiya kit and its re-issues. Detailed? There has been a Fujimi EM version for about 10 years now.

I will never understand model kit companies....

Here, refer to this thread. I think everyone is in agreement.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1011136

Chris

None of the existing LP400 kits is accurate by today's standard, and Aoshima claims that theirs will be different thanks to meticulous research on the real car. Another thing that the kit has been designed for a careful balance between easiness of assembly and high level of details, unlike Fujimi's.

Having noticed the period-correct plump high-profile tires and accurate door hinge on the prototype model, I immediately pre-ordered the Aoshima kit and P/E set.

What's even more significant is that this is No.1 of Aoshima's new Supercar series, and I really hope they include both classic and modern. (Who knows, we might finally see 1/24 plastic kit of the Zonda.)

Nice to know that Aoshima is going to expand beyond their usual japanese car offerings! The SL63 is quite a nice kit.

Hiro, thanks for the update on the kit. Sounds nice. I'll wait to see if they do the LP500. I suspect it would be a natural.
Chris

I'm with Hiroaki here, this is good news on several levels. The Fujimi countach kits are too fiddly and the fitment of some parts is quite bad so after getting that I got the Tamiya one, and that's another extreme - reasonably easy to build (the kit is showing its age though) but designed to be motorized so it's nowhere near accurate. From the test shots it looks like the Aoshima one will be just the right balance between the two, and I hope they release the LP5000 flared version as that's the one I'd like to see on my shelf.

I'm with Hiroaki here, this is good news on several levels. The Fujimi countach kits are too fiddly and the fitment of some parts is quite bad so after getting that I got the Tamiya one, and that's another extreme - reasonably easy to build (the kit is showing its age though) but designed to be motorized so it's nowhere near accurate. From the test shots it looks like the Aoshima one will be just the right balance between the two, and I hope they release the LP5000 flared version as that's the one I'd like to see on my shelf.

I agree with Ales 100%

I do have some of the Fujimi Enthusiast kits - but never bothered to buy the overpriced Tamiya toy. If Aoshima makes a 5000 quattrovalvole I'll buy it right away.

Sure hope the test shots are of the actual model. Shows some welcomed corrections over Tamiya and Fujimi kits which, out of all the countach kits, are the only two acceptable kits out there. Even at that the Tamiya kits teeter on the edge of the trash can and are just old. . .

As mentioned . . . The way leading edge of the doors dip down into the front fender when opened looks promising and enough for me to pre-order the kit as well. The Fujimi hinges always annoyed the crap out of me.

Would love to see 'em beef up the interior of those A Pillars and a smoother transition from the door skin into the tip of the NACA though. Going to be interesting to see how they handle the door glass.

I can see a lot of Fujimi parts making their way on to this kit. ('cept for those godawful skinny seats. . lol)

Glad to see this offering . . . :naughty:

You are all talking as if the model kit industry have widely fulfilled our wishes and has nothing to do but to re-edit already existing models. I always here the hobby is shrinking and investment in new kits is a big problem. But whenever they have the funds to, they duplicate kits.
Look at Fujimi vs. Revell Ferraris, Aoshima vs. Tamiya Lotus, and everyone vs everyone Skyline.

Wouldn't it have been better if Aoshima has invested their marvelous skills to create a kit of a totally new subject? Besides the Countach there are tons of interesting cars that have never appeared as a kit. Actually, there have never been Lamborghini kits for decades except the Countach and Mura until Fujimi released the Murcielago and Gallardo.

You are all talking as if the model kit industry have widely fulfilled our wishes and has nothing to do but to re-edit already existing models. I always here the hobby is shrinking and investment in new kits is a big problem. But whenever they have the funds to, they duplicate kits.
Look at Fujimi vs. Revell Ferraris, Aoshima vs. Tamiya Lotus, and everyone vs everyone Skyline.

Wouldn't it have been better if Aoshima has invested their marvelous skills to create a kit of a totally new subject? Besides the Countach there are tons of interesting cars that have never appeared as a kit. Actually, there have never been Lamborghini kits for decades except the Countach and Mura until Fujimi released the Murcielago and Gallardo.

Totally agree.

Yup, Agreed.

There are so many other subjects worthy of kits being made.

The influx of multiple kits has always been frustrating, especially when they are complete crap when compared to earlier versions by other manufactures.

Perfect example being AMT's Diablo (among others). . . :headshake . .lol. . .

However, usable countach kits are few and far between and really comes down to one kit, Fujimi's. The kit is long outdated, a chore to build (even their curb side offerings) and has many flaws.

It's nice to see one being produced to today's standards.

Is it too much to ask for an LP640 or a later model Gallardo (LP560-4 or Balboni)?

...and I really hope someone will do a One-77!

bestest,
M.

Wouldn't it have been better if Aoshima has invested their marvelous skills to create a kit of a totally new subject? Besides the Countach there are tons of interesting cars that have never appeared as a kit.
The fact that Aoshima decided to release the Countach is a solid proof that such duplicate subject is expected to sell more than brand-new subjects that haven't been released.
It's really really sad that an embodiment of boredom like the Odyssey has been released (it's not Aoshima, but still...), but not the Zonda, Veyron, or even the iconic Porsche 911 (type 997).

The fact that Aoshima decided to release the Countach is a solid proof that such duplicate subject is expected to sell more than brand-new subjects that haven't been released.
It's really really sad that an embodiment of boredom like the Odyssey has been released (it's not Aoshima, but still...), but not the Zonda, Veyron, or even the iconic Porsche 911 (type 997).

Kinda like the Prius and HS250...
Teach Fujimi a lesson and no one buy these two kits!

While I have nothing against LP400, I'd rather see some recent M cars from BMW.

I can't imagine an HS250 selling better than BMW M cars!

I can't imagine an HS250 selling better than BMW M cars!


To be honest, I don't even know what a HS250 is, and won't even bother to google it.

I can't imagine an HS250 selling better than BMW M cars!

Depends, on the Japanese market they might not sell as many BMW's.

I hate to repeat myself but I still a company can afford development of a new kit, it should be a totally new subject rather than endless perfection of an already existing one. There are hunderds of American and European classics begging for a kit. I still cannot imagine there has never been a single 280 SL kit over half a century of model kits. Where is the BMW 6? or, by the way, the iconic Veyron?? If we move to the French or the Italian cars (except Ferrari), the list is going to be really long. And why is ot there any US car coming out of Japan? Trumpeter has proven huge success can be acheived even by the most terrible kits if the subject is cleverly chosen: the 1960 Pontiac Bonneville.

I am forced to chase the awful Doyosha Nostalgic Heros because they are (actually were) the only kits of these subject. I am dying to have a 69-72 Corona (MK I ?), and a decent MK II. I would love to have the car I grew up with, 1974 Blue bird. I cannot beleive the Japanese market demands only Skylines and therefore the Japanese kit must produce the 147th Skyline variant. And whenever finished, they will re-edit the first version they started with.

... but I still a company can afford development of a n.....

I still think if a company .....

True, there are many great cars that haven't been produced. I'd build a 280SL in a heartbeat. My dad had a red 250SL for 35 years.

But, let's been thankful that it was a bumper year for model cars despite the economy. SLS, DBS, ZR-1, Fiat 500, SL63, California, etc. It could have been worse!

Trumpeter has proven huge success can be acheived even by the most terrible kits if the subject is cleverly chosen: the 1960 Pontiac Bonneville.


I don't think Trumpeter did particularly well with those Bonnevilles. They sat on storeshelves forever, in shops even with frequent 50% off sales, they sat. I saw a couple on clearance for under $10 at some point. Wrong subject, poor attention to detail, shape/detail problems, especially with the roof on the HT and interior of the CV, and too much $$ for such flawed subject matter.

Honestly, if Trumpeter stopped bothering with cars, I wouldn't be bothered. The only one I have that is decent is their '63 Nova, purchased for half price...it looks decent, but they have their issues as well. I wish them well for their upcoming Falcons. Yeah...they're sinking to new lows with those. I can't fathom much of a market for overpriced, underdeveloped, riddled-with-flaws models of some of the most boring cars made in the '60's. Thinking about it...they could have done a '61 Ventura instead of the Bonneville, would have been 10X better subject, a '63 Falcon Futura HT would be far more interesting than the '64, a Cutlass 442 instead of the awful Monte Carlo, I could go on and on...they are quite a disappointing company.

But...I tend to agree with you about choosing something new and fresh. Model companies need bigger balls than just riding on previous coattails of "success".

Where's my McLaren F1?
Chris

I have a Fujimi LP400 kit. It's all I need or want.

What I want is a:
Bugatti Type 35
Auburn Speedster
Alfa 8c2900
Jaguar D-Type
Jaguar E-Type
Maserati Birdcage
Ferrari 250 Zagato
Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
'63 Corvette Coupe
and many, many others....

I have a Fujimi LP400 kit. It's all I need or want.

What I want is a:
Bugatti Type 35
Jaguar D-Type
Jaguar E-Type

Those three have all been done, in one form or another. Monogram did the T35, and Heller has done both roadster and fhc E-Type Series 1, with full engine detail. There is also the Gunze Sangyo roadster, in curbside and Hi-Tech versions. Revell have done an XKSS (http://www.revell.de/manual/07205_JAGUAR_XK_SS.PDF), which is essentially a D-Type with a regular windscreen and bumpers.

OK, From my experience the Monogram builds into a surprisingly accurate T35 for a 45 year old kit, but Bugatti's are tiny cars anyway and that kit is 1/24th not 1/20th. Oh, did I mention it's a 45 year old model kit?

I don't know much about the Heller E-Type except it's very rare and Heller is out of business. The Gunze hi-tech E-type is a great model but a very difficult kit to build and quite rare too, as is it's curbside cousin.

The Revell XKSS kit is a typical Revell kit and needs a lot of modification and scratchwork to make into a passable D-type.

My point was simply that great LP400 kits are plentiful and there are a lot of important cars that are practically non-existent. There was only a $250 Testa Rossa kit until Hasegawa tooled an injected kit a few years ago. I understand it's a great kit that has sold well.

I'll also add to my list the 1974 Ducati 750SS "greenframe". It's the holy grail of vintage Ducati collectors. And yes AmazonSprite, I know Tamiya did a 900SS in 1/12 which is "essentially" a '74. I've mentally worked out the conversion. There are a LOT of unique parts that make that a difficult build (wheels, engine, tank, windscreen, decals, etc). Just so I don't confuse anyone again, my point in this paragraph is "Why hasn't Tamiya modified 14025 into a greenframe for us?"

I love how these threads turn into want they should make threads. :lol:

BTW Is there any good shots of the new lambo?

What i want is:

e46 m3
new lotus espirit
any newer euros, like audis,volvos,bmw,etc.

I don't think Trumpeter did particularly well with those Bonnevilles. They sat on storeshelves forever, in shops even with frequent 50% off sales, they sat. I saw a couple on clearance for under $10 at some point. Wrong subject, poor attention to detail, shape/detail problems, especially with the roof on the HT and interior of the CV, and too much $$ for such flawed subject matter.
If you think the Trumpeter American car kits are selling badly in the US, you should see how they fare in this part of the world... even with a sticker price under $15 USD. And you have to wonder where had that money gone when they are priced at over $30 in the US.

Let's face it, the market for American car kits outside North America is close to zero. Tamiya tried that, and failed miserably.

Honestly, if Trumpeter stopped bothering with cars, I wouldn't be bothered. The only one I have that is decent is their '63 Nova, purchased for half price...it looks decent, but they have their issues as well. I wish them well for their upcoming Falcons. Yeah...they're sinking to new lows with those. I can't fathom much of a market for overpriced, underdeveloped, riddled-with-flaws models of some of the most boring cars made in the '60's. Thinking about it...they could have done a '61 Ventura instead of the Bonneville, would have been 10X better subject, a '63 Falcon Futura HT would be far more interesting than the '64, a Cutlass 442 instead of the awful Monte Carlo, I could go on and on...they are quite a disappointing company.At least the 64 Falcon can be done as the Monte Carlo 2nd place car, hopefully it will broaden its appeal a bit.

Personally I think the Nova and the Bonneville are decent subject matter, and I am actually looking forward to the Falcon. It can't be worse than the old AMT kit everyone loves so much, can it?

BTW Is there any good shots of the new lambo?

http://www.aoshima-bk.co.jp/kokuchi/lp400/index.htm
Click thumbnail for larger photos.

For those who are expecting for "functional" doors and headlights should take notice that they won't move (but the engine cover will). You either choose the open or close position (though it won't be hard to make a hinge).

.... with frequent 50% off sales, they sat. I saw a couple on clearance for under $10 at some point.

Tell me where can I get them for this price and I will but half a dozen. I would save the chassis, suspension and engine, correct the interior and throw away the body. I am dreaming of mating the Trumpeter parts to the MCW '59 and '60 Catalinas, and perhaps to the '61 Ventura.

Wrong subject,

The 1960 Bonneville is a wrong subject??? Sounds a bit strange. They goofed with the body, yes, but the subject was an excellent choice in my opinion. Other than the bloody expensive, broken, twisted promos there is almost nothing (well, terrible soft resin from R&R).

...some of the most boring cars made in the '60's. Thinking about it...they could have done a '61 Ventura instead of the ...

Partially agree.

...they are quite a disappointing company....

and expensive

Let's face it, the market for American car kits outside North America is close to zero. Tamiya tried that, and failed miserably.

You mean Hasegawa probably.

Well, I do not know if those four Hasegawa US kits were a failure, but I can imagine an American curbside car kit is anything but a successful kit. The interiors were oversimplified and they could not distinguish between a '65 and '66 Impalas.

But who else made a '66 Cadillac? Perhaps Jo-Han did an undersized kit to fit in their standard boxes. This, however, must have been many many years ago in a galaxy far far away.

I love how these threads turn into want they should make threads.

Which s why by and large, these types of threads are pretty pointless.
Fact is if you make a kit of any car, there will be people who will love it just as there will be people who won't.
Add this to the fact that there are always going to be more cars produced in the history of the motor vehicle than there are model kits of cars means that there will always something that someone somewhere would love to see a kit of.

And people please, how about some consistancy?
Once upon a time, everyone complained that there wasn't a good accurate model kit of the 250 GTO; that none of the (admittedly) out of production (but not entirely unobtainable) kits were 100% accurate.
Then Fujimi released their not 100% of the 250 GTO and everyone went gaga over it, claiming it as being the best thing since time began.

Just because the LP400 isn't up there in your ratings as the 250GTO is, it doesn't mean it isn't equally worthy of being re-made using modern tooling.

Here is the Countach I wish someone would kit:
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/Miscellaneous/proto10.jpg
It's Gandini's original prototype before Bob Wallace started his hackwork to improve heat rejection. I think the lines are hypnotic. They only built this one pure Countach LP5000 and, after flogging it and rivetting scoops and panels onto it, slammed it into a concrete wall at MIRA. Pity.

The scratch conversion from an LP400 wouldn't be terribly difficult. I think the trickiest part would be those helical vents just aft of the door glass. There are quite a few interior differences also.

seen this (http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~mokei/e-frame-gallery.htm)?

The scratch conversion from an LP400 wouldn't be terribly difficult.

But not trivial:

http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~mokei/e-gallery-lambolp500.htm

I can't imagine an HS250 selling better than BMW M cars!

I can't imagine a more un-imaginative new kit. The HS250 looks like a tarted up Corolla. Not nearly as unique as the Prius.

I'd be surprised if Fujimi could even sell one case of these in the US.

US buyers certainly aren't buying many of the 1:1 car; so I can imagine how awful sales will be of the model. I'm sure BMW sells more M's than Lexus sells the HS250.

HS250 Not Meeting Sales Predictions (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/05/report-lexus-hs-250h-not-meeting-volume-projections-in-u-s/)

The LP5000 conversion is definitely NOT trivial! I have to hand it to the modeler that did that conversion. His interior looks better than the real car did.:lol: He's probably built that same kit 3-4 times and knows a lot about it. It would be interesting to hear what he thinks about the new Aoshima tooling. From the limited photo's I've seen there are some simpler parts than the EM. It will probably be a bit easier to build at the expense of some accuracy. Who knows?

On the larger topic:

I can't help but notice there are two kinds of model car I buy. The model everyone wants to own and build, and the obscure cars that only a few hardcore car enthusiasts know about. The former get nice injection tooled, inexpensive kits. But the latter go unnoticed or have a resin curbside done, often rather crudely, that soon see's it's value launch into the stratosphere as supplies dry up. Somewhere in between is a bubble where many people know about and appreciate the car but the injection manufacturers are afraid there isn't enough volume.

I think website forums like this one that help us spread the word to others about or share our personal favorites help get those cars out of the bubble and onto store shelves! The Testa Rossa, 917K, GTO, GT40, Lotus Europa, Renault Alpine are examples of this trend.

But I also think the major manufacturers should do more research before deciding to tool the same stuff over and over. Then there is the Lotus 79 fiasco. Man, what were they thinking?

You mean Hasegawa probably.
Nah I mean the Mustangs and the Jeeps. Which is a shame because the Jeeps are really nice kits and I can use a Mustang that is not dwarfed by the Skyline when they are put side by side.

Speaking of the Countach, I really don't mind Aoshima making one. As detailed as the Fujimi EM ones are (and I have several of them) I really don't have the time to build them properly.

The Revell XKSS kit is a typical Revell kit and needs a lot of modification and scratchwork to make into a passable D-type.

Now now, a bit of scratchbuilding never killed anyone and you are up to it no doubt, it's just that you like to complain. ;)

I can't imagine a more un-imaginative new kit. The HS250 looks like a tarted up Corolla. Not nearly as unique as the Prius.

I'd be surprised if Fujimi could even sell one case of these in the US.

US buyers certainly aren't buying many of the 1:1 car; so I can imagine how awful sales will be of the model. I'm sure BMW sells more M's than Lexus sells the HS250.

HS250 Not Meeting Sales Predictions (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/05/report-lexus-hs-250h-not-meeting-volume-projections-in-u-s/)


Haha, Bob, you stole the words out of my mouth. I just read this post right after I posted on a car forum that the HS250 looks like a "tarted up Corolla."

I was surprised that the HS250 got the go sign, but then I found out that the 3rd Gen Prius and HS250 share the same platform with the identical wheelbase of 2700 mm, so those two will be like Levin and Trueno kits, i.e. lots of parts-sharing, except for the visible areas.

Having noticed how unpopular the HS250 is, we really should do this "Test Your Creativity" group build to turn either the Prius or HS250 into something outrageous, as suggested in one of the Prius threads.

Somewhere in between is a bubble where many people know about and appreciate the car but the injection manufacturers are afraid there isn't enough volume.

While I tend to agree with the explanation, I still do not think it is a justification. There are many cars that goes in the first group that would be sold without being a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Take the BMW Z4 and Audi TT as an example (I hate both but I would certainly buy their kits). These two cars would be easily sold without a pain in the neck. If you want to move the vintage cars there are the '61, '64-'66 (in 1/25) Corvettes to fill a big gap in any Corvette collection. As I said earlier, I can go forever listing examples of popular cars to be made. But kit manufacturers will leave all that and release a brand new 355th Skyline or 67th Countach instead.

I don't know if anyone already posted this link:

http://www.aoshima-bk.co.jp/kokuchi/lp400/index.htm

Click on the images to see them in larger format.

Engine bay isn't very detailed and the rear window looks quite thick.

Hmmmm. . interesting how they handled the rear side widow/intakes. . .

Interior looks like a huge improvement over what's available now. . .

Now if any English speakers wanted to give this link a go -

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aoshima-bk.co.jp%2Fkokuchi%2Flp400%2Findex.htm&sl=ja&tl=en

- it apears that the headlights and doors don't open and close, but offer you the choice of open or closed instead.

Meh, I'll take one. 'Specially if the series leads down to a few choices more off the beaten path...

NOTE: Apologies to Hiroaki Fukuda, who pointed out the lack of functioning hinges on the previous page. Sorry, bro! Guess I didn't look hard enough to see if it was already mentioned.

Aoshima posted a photo on their blog.
http://livedoor.2.blogimg.jp/aoshimabunka/imgs/0/3/033b915e.JPG

I can't decide which body color to use. Yellow, green, red...all those period-correct solid colors look good.

Wouldn't it be funny if Aoshima re-tooled their Delorean kit into the street version and called it a super car? We know Tamiya has released some quirky items in their "sports car" series...

Chrome plated wheels and webers, no engine block detail, doors and headlights open or closed, thick clear parts. Y3,800 kit ($41)+ Y1,500 ($16) for a piece of photo-etch. They say their goal was to minimize parts (120) and make it accessible "even to beginners".

So I guess they're going after the old Tamiya kit here by adding poseable doors and an opening engine cover. That MSRP looks a bit expensive for a 120 piece model but the built-ups look pretty good.

Here's my favorite rare Countach color:
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/Miscellaneous/lamborghini-907.jpg

Yup. Bit early to tell, but despite all the compromises, it does give me the impression of being one of the best-looking LP400s in scale.

Since the doors and headlights are separate, it might not be beyond feasibility to hinge 'em yourself. And hey, far as I recall, it wasn't the engine that caused all the headaches in Fujimi's kit (or at least, not in the 5000QV I did), so maybe a bash is in order...

http://static.hlj.com/images/aos/aos04743.jpg

http://static.hlj.com/images/aos/aos04670_6.jpg

http://static.hlj.com/images/aos/aos04670_7.jpg

http://static.hlj.com/images/aos/aos04670_5.jpg

Note the tail light assemblies . . . :runaround:

'bout time. . . Man, I hated painting the old clear ones. . . lol

Hope they keep the red and amber in the final kit . . .

Curious about those separate rockers and how well the attachments points are. Solves that strrrrrrrrrrrrrrretch during final assembly though. . .

Box contents and instruction pix are up at HobbySearch, if anyone's curious:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10114633

edit -

some quick additional notes:

Actual parts count is over 150.

Taillight lenses are indeed broken down to individual components.

Although the hinges don't function, it appears you can at least pose a door open or closed, rather than having to glue it in one way or another. Don't think you get that option with the headlights, though.

Heh. In some respects it's kind of a shame that Aoshima went with a Countach for this effort, and that hard-core hobbyists are about as excited about another Countach kit as they are about watching paint dry.

The proof's ultimately in the building - but after examining this kit for the past couple days, I have to say its out-of-box presentation strongly indicates it's the finest 1/24 automotive kit Aoshima's ever produced.

Maybe I can get some pics up by the weekend...

Chuck you've piqued my interest now. Although I will wait for the beautifully garish wings if they do offer another one.

Chris

Oh! Well in that case, pull up a chair and have a gander, why don'cha, Chris?

http://images12.fotki.com/v200/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1026-vi.jpg

The box was the first clue to me that something might be up with this release - seems cleaner, more premium than the usual Aoshima graphic presentation.

http://images56.fotki.com/v1601/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1028-vi.jpg

Here are the clear parts, the plated parts, the tires, the window masks, the decals, and the poly wheel washers. You can't make 'em out in the pic, but the washer bag also has the three metal prop rods for the bonnet and the doors. The masks are for the front signal lamp covers (to make it easier to pick out their black perimeters) and for the rear side windows, molded as a unit with the louvers that border them to the rear. You can see the separate amber and red elements for the taillights, and you can also see decals for windshield tint and for the recessed sections of the bonnet. Plastic mesh is provided as side vents for same.

http://images54.fotki.com/v543/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1029-vi.jpg

There were so many trees, it seemed easiest to group 'em by color; so here are the black ones. That black window-shaped piece just to the right of the chassis plate is actually meant to be taped temporarily in place of the front window to the body shell, to protect its delicate A-pillars as you work on it. The vaguely t-shaped piece a few parts above is meant to hook to the chassis on its top side and screw to a base on its bottom, if you so choose. And finally, you may notice that that wherever possible, the black ducting has been molded separately to ease painting, even in the doors and rear quarters.

http://images9.fotki.com/v1603/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1030-vi.jpg

A little simpler, the grey trees. These comprise all the interior parts, as you can see. Those little projections at the fronts of the door panels are meant to represent the hinges.

http://images46.fotki.com/v1453/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1031-vi.jpg

The body shell and its associated bits. You can see the heavy bracing molded in to protect the A-pillars, and while those separate rocker panels may make scale panel gaps a bit dicey, they also ought to make putting in the chassis a far less white-knuckle experience than it is with some other Countach kits (as anyone who's survived a Fujimi EM-series kit and the ensuing years of therapy can tell you).

http://images17.fotki.com/v326/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1034-vi.jpg

A closer look at the rubber tires, fractionally larger than those in Tamiya's recent reissue and missing the Michelin brands, but otherwise quite similar.

http://images112.fotki.com/v600/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1035-vi.jpg

I think the seats were of interest earlier, so here's a closer look at 'em. They do seem to have an edge in accuracy over those in previous Countach kits.

http://images47.fotki.com/v1462/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1036-vi.jpg

Carb detailing on the intake tracts. Not bad.

http://images53.fotki.com/v52/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1049-vi.jpg

Here's a look at the offset sprue mounts for the inside surfaces of the exhaust tips and wheel centers, to prevent separation marks on the chrome. The wheels are handled the same way.

A closer look at the body shell, starting right with the one visible fly in the ointment:

http://images56.fotki.com/v702/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1048-vi.jpg

Here you can see an example of the sink marks that run the upper rear edge of the deck and around the ducts.

I'm of the opinion that Aoshima's SL63 AMG lost a bit of ground in crispness and mold finishing relative to the Evo X that preceded it. This Countach shell picks it all back up and then some, to such a degree that it wouldn't look out of place in the recent Fujimi idiom - including, it would appear, some Fujimi-style sink marks.

http://images53.fotki.com/v52/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1040-vi.jpg

This is where I get curious about what exactly some of the online vendors mean when they say the latest 3D technology was used in designing the kit - 3D scanning, maybe? For example, I don't believe I've noticed this crease in the front quarters before in a kit (it ain't there in Tamiya's), but damned if it ain't there on the actual car...

http://images116.fotki.com/v716/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1043-vi.jpg

...as is this very slight bend in the roof panel just above the window trim.

http://images53.fotki.com/v53/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1047-vi.jpg

This is where I really wish I had my Fujimi 400 handy for quick comparison, but I can tell you Aoshima absolutely wastes Tamiya's (admittedly 30+-year-old) body shell in this area: they have that rear fender arch cold, even to the downward kink at the very rear. Going strictly from memory, I wonder if any other kit has captured the sweep that precisely.

And finally, the detail kit:

http://images112.fotki.com/v590/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1050-vi.jpg

which has the photoetched sheet and metal chrome transfers you might expect, along with some seatbelt fabric and ignition wiring you might not. Parts count for the base kit is 154 (157 with the metal prop rods), but you can drive it well over 200 if you use this detail kit to full effect. It includes a gas pedal kick plate, shifter gate, belt buckles, door strikers, a vin plate, duct options, bonnet vent screens, and even a 9-piece throttle linkage among all the more typical script, emblem, and windshield wiper enhancements. So even though you get more of a deluxe insert rather than a complete stand-alone engine, there's plenty can be added here.

So while Fujimi's 23-year-old EM Countach kits remain the standard for precision and diabolical complexity, this kit promises a far more thoughtful, up-to-the-minute balance between detail and buildability - on top of what I would expect to be a keen edge in overall accuracy. We'll know for sure once it gets built a few times, but for now, I can't recall another Aoshima kit quite like this one. I really think they've moved their game up with it.

Excellent review Chuck. I'd have to get my Tamiya and Fujimi kits out to look at them in detail compared to this. You have me excited about it. Naturally this was the car that introduced me to exotics so I have a special place for them.

As I mentioned before though, I have to have the garish wings. I suspect that would be the next evolution for this car and also suspect that it wouldn't take much to do so.

Again, thanks for a great review.

Chris

It looks good in some respects, but not any better than the Fujimi Enthusiast Countach. What a shame they did not do a sportscar that had not been done before. Monkey see monkey do I guess!!

TT

Well, having dragged an EM Countach kicking and screaming bloody murder all the way to completion, two immediate advantages I see promised in this kit are better-fitting doors and a more agreeable building experience -

theoretically.

Found out after the shoot that there was a warp I had to boil out of the chassis plate. Fortunately, that worked out well enough.

You're welcome, btw, Chris!

Now does the Fujimi EM LP400 have everything you'd want by comparison? mmm - I dunno.

I'm not about to give any of my EM Countaches away, understand, but this ain't a case like the Fujimi 250 GTO, the preview shots for which screamed such superiority that you'd have to be all but blind to quibble over its advances.

Not that Fujimi's GTO doesn't have a few clinker details of its own, but honestly, the previous kits were pretty long in the tooth. It didn't need to be perfect to be a vast improvement, and it was more of an improvement than it needed to be. So despite the ostentatiously "sensible" (and plainly pedantic) notion about waiting to judge it till you actually had it in your hands, it was in fact painfully obvious what an improvement it would present over its Aurora, Protar, Italeri, and Gunze-Sangyo forebears from pictures alone.

That's not quite so with Aoshima's Countach; you really need to set it up side-by-side with the older kits to appreciate how much better it is in some areas. Aside from the fact that Fujimi's kit doesn't have the right rubber or all of the crispness of Aoshima's new body shell, here's the most telling improvement in my opinion:

http://images116.fotki.com/v699/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1051-vi.jpg

Bear in mind that the separate rocker panel and the door as you see them are not ideally positioned yet, but even so, there's no way you're going to get this kind of precision in the door fit from any EM Countach - at least not without a wholesale re-engineering of the door parts.

http://images19.fotki.com/v677/photos/3/1487343/8971553/IMGP1053-vi.jpg

Here you can see not only how the door fits against the body without any tweaking, but also how much more refined Aoshima's window frame is, for any of you who has a Fujimi EM Countach for comparison. The improvement here is almost ridiculous.

So Fujimi gives you a V12 worthy of its own display, working hinges, and leading rear suspension links that don't disappear into nothing. But that's not a basis just to dismiss the new Aoshima kit, which promises a more level and prototypical stance and nearly a quarter-century of progress in tooling refinement and parts fit, all at not such a huge cost in detail.

It's yo' money to pays, and yo' choice to makes - but if you're a Countach cognoscento and you don't at least give this kit an in-person look, you might be missing out.

Chuck, while the fit looks tight and pretty, I suspect, as you probably do, that once paint to plastic comes in the fit might be different.
I see a lot of things I like with this just from your pictures compared to my EM kits.
While interested and maybe missing out I have a good feeling I'll see my favorite Countach within the year with it's beautifully garish wings make a presence. I'll bite then, for now I'll watch as it sails by.
Chris