Revell MX-5

This kit is not reviewed in the review section, and as far as I or search can tell, only one AFer has built it, and all his picture links have failed. I understand this kit to include an engine, so the real question is, how is it? Are the body proportions decent? Does it build with normal Revell quality (ie, not great but ok)? Does it have enough detail to be passable? Would it be better to get it and drop the motor into the Tamiya body? Just a few questions before I plunk down $20 hard earned dollars.

I have the Revell Miata, and it's got a great engine/driveline with good engraving. The brake discs are a little soft and the tail-lights are incorrectly molded in all clear red, but otherwise the kit is spot on for detail and accuracy.

The Revell body is a little soft in details compared to Tamiya, but the engine parts are good. Wheels, tires and clear parts are worse than Tamiya. The windshield is really thick and view through it is distorted. The all red rear lights are also too flat in their appearance.

I think combining both Tamiya and Revell models would give the best result, but if curbside is enough then there is no need to buy the Revell model.

-Mikko

If Tamiya hadn't done the MX-5, we'd be fairly happy w/the Revell kit. But Tamiya nailed the body whereas Revell got it "close". The Revell has good engine/underhood/chassis detail that Tamiya lacks, but the Tamiya body/rims/glass are much better looking...the Revell taillights suck and the decklid/taillight area look a bit thick/strange. If you want full-detail and the best looking MX-5 you should do a kitbash. I'll be doing that eventually, to update the MX-5 models into a version of my '96 which has a number of subtle differences from the earlier versions that were kitted..interior is different, wheels are different (though Capuccino rims work nicely), and exterior mirrors are different.