Model Factory Hiro

Does anybody here build these expensive kits. I would like to build one but I would like to know what is everyones overall feel about these kits. I am thinking of the 250 Testa Rossa http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljpage.cgi?MFHK038

I have seen the one built on the www.italianhorses.net site, but everything he does turns out great so I thought I would get another opinion so to speak.

I have one of the Testa Rossa kits. It's nice, but it's going to require quite a bit more patience than the average styrene kit. If you're patient and like a challenge, you'll love it. Many parts are gorgeous, especially the photoetched and turned metal pieces. The resin is quite nice too. And you have Alex's build on the net to help guide you through.

What I find disappointing is the heavy use of white metal parts (and Alex is apparently just as unimpressed w/white metal as I am). Some people might equate white metal with "quality" due to it's being metal and to it's weight. I think it's crap-it requires a lot of fussy, tedious finish work-resin parts are usually much cleaner. I don't care if they're metal, I can easily paint resin/plastic parts to look like cast metal when these cast white metal parts look so poor by comparison. The only reason they use white metal is because it's cheap and easy compared to resin. They can mold more parts at a time in a cheaper mold and reuse any bad part or pieces of sprue. I hate whomever it was that started the trend of using cheap jeweler's white metal processes on model cars. :mad:

So they're a mixed bag. Worth the effort if you're patient, but if you like less effort and a more laid-back build w/o the hassles, steer clear of these-they can be an expensive lesson if it doesn't turn out, or if you don't have fun w/it and it ends up in the box unbuilt.

I particularly don't mind the white metal parts as long as they fit together better than some other resin kits I have done like the Jimmy Flinestone kits. How would you say the fit is on the white metal pieces, is molded clean so they fit good without filing the crap out of them or do they need loads of work because you have to remove flash. I don't mind cleaning parting lines, but I hate having to deal with a lot of filing and flash removal. So far it sounds like a good kit for me to get.

One more question...in your opinion which is better the Tamiya Caterham Special (Yellow Version) or this Testa Rossa.

I don't have the kit with me, so I can't answer the question vs. Jimmy Flintstone parts-I'm sure they're better, but surface quality of each part is still crude compared to resin. The fact remains there's a lot of white metal parts that are nowhere near as clean as if they were cast in resin. When everything else is so nice- resin, turned parts, photoetch, the white metal is lousy by comparison. Some may like a challenge, I find all the cleanup to be drudgery.

Comparing a Tamiya 1/12 scale kit vs. this is like comparing apples vs. oranges. The Tamiya kit will be worlds better in overall quality, and easier to build into a nice replica. Less of a challenge IMHO, big scale kits are a breeze to assemble when the parts are all so big and easy to fit. Are you building for the enjoyment of the process, or the final results, or a bit of both?

I am building for a bit of both because I love a challenging kit that has lots of parts yet I want a replica that I can be proud of. Your right it is like comparing apples to oranges and it is bugging me to figure out which one is worth the purchase right now. I have always wanted to do a good resin kit with an engine and at the same time I have been thinking about the tamiya kit for some time.

Not that I have either kit, but I'd like to weigh in a bit. When spending that amount of money, whether it be the Testa Rossa or the Super 7, I'd be more inclined to go with the big scale, unless I was just absolutely in love with the smaller scale and couldn't get a model of it any other way. To me, it's just more bang for the buck. A big model versus a little one... well... Some may disagree, saying that a rare little resin kit is worth more to them, but it all goes to preference I suppose. But that would be my choice, and my reasoning. However, that Testa Rossa sure is an absolutely sexxy little car... glad I'm not the one choosing between the two.

Thanks for weighing in WIllimo, cause as you know this is and expensive one time deal for a while for me anyway. I have two tamiya f1 1/12 kits done and I would love the Caterham 1/12, only thing is the Ferrari isn't availble in any other kit that has this type of detail plus it is a little cheaper than the caterham. I wish I could say the heck with it and buy both but

If I may give my opinion to that subject: It´s very personal, but nevertheless. I put all my models next to each other and astonishingly, I mostly have 1/24 kits. So my Pocher Porsche 911 in scale 1/8 was very outstanding and kind of killed the nice look of all the models together. I know it´s just a visual opinion, but ... So my advice, I you´re into one scale, don´t mix it up with different ones.

If you think that´s freaky, just ignore, what I wrote.

Adding to this I need to admit that I´d love to build the 1/12 Ferrari 641/2 even though I will need to put into a different shelf according to what I just wrote.

I actually just finished this VERY kit, (buildup and pictures on my site in few days) and I have to say - its not the best. The fit is much worse than in other Hiro kits. White metal cleanup is a nightmare! But, if done right - it looks gorgeous! Btw, Renaissance also made 1/24 kit of this car, though its curbside.

360spider, the italianhorses site is your site,.....aaahhhh. Just the person to ask....which one would you say has the best build up of the Hiro kits?

Godfather23, I feel you on the stick with one size theory which is one of the reasons I have been really considering a the Model Factory Hiro Ferrari kit. I have two 1/12 scale tamiya kits already plus I just ordered the 1/12 scale martini porshe from HLJ to add to the collection, but I have no older model ferrari's. You do have a good point as in they don't look good together when you mix to many different sizes.