F430 : Revell USA VS Fujimi?

Hi guys!

Revell just release their F430. Someone got it? I want to know if the fujimi's F430 is really better, because it's 3 times the price of the Revell version and I want to know if there is a big difference.

Thanks!

I'd say there equals. both are 1:24 scale, the Revell has a much nicer engine, but the wheels on the Revell are crappy. The price is the big difference between them. $10.95 for the Revell kit, compared to $37 for the Fujimi from HLJ.

dangit. more kits that I want. I want to pick up the skag, as well as the re-release of the 87 monte carlo......if only I had the money....shoot, I need the time as well.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/willimo/F430.jpg

$37? Hardly. Shipping SAL is rarely over $10 for me, either. Still, point taken, the price difference (and the wait!) is a huge detractor. As is the lack of engine. However, with as shoehorned in as that motor is, I don't know how much difference it makes, especially since you can see the motor through the glass, and don't need (in my opinion) and opening hood. The proportions on the Fujimi kit look much better, and in a surprise move by Fujimi, the car goes together perfectly and rides at the right height straight out of the box - you'd swear it was a Tamiya. Plus, the Fujimi kit has a lot of support from the aftermarket companies in Japan. I went for the Fujimi kit with the Accu-stion PE, and I love it even though the model was probably a bit on the pricey side.

Guess I will first grab the Revell one first, then maybe the F430 Spyder that Revell will not release.

Fujimi kit are good now? Because I am currently building the Fujimi's RX8 and this kit sucks, no detail, there is not even door panels. I still have the Gallardo, the Murcielago and the Diablo to build, I hope they are better than the RX8...

Thanks!

I only have an unbuilt Fujiimi; it's very nice and the ones finished have plenty of engine detail visible through the glass. Unless you're a total engine freak the Fujimi kit is the better of the two vs. Revell. Proportions are dead-on and ride height is good, wheel size is proper.

However the Revell kit is an excellent choice too. Here you have the engine detail, and if you spend a bit of time w/the wheels/tires/ride height many will not know the difference. And yes you can get it for about 1/2 to 1/3 of what the Fujimi kit costs in the US.

Here's an awesome Revell kit by Skylinefan:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=520943

And Willimo's awesome Fujimi kit:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=540278

See for yourself if the Fujimi is worth the extra dime or not, that's a personal choice. Either way you'll get a good model.

Generally, Revell USA kit for the US modelers, Fujimi kit for the Asian modelers, Revell Germany kit for the European modelers and finally the Fujimi + Revell hybrid for the true F430 enthusiasts regardless of location. ;)

> patoffspyder
You can't judge Fujimi kit by their RX-8. It's THE worst Fujimi kit I've ever seen. As a matter of fact, if you dry fit the Gallardo, you wouldn't believe the two kits are from the same manufacturer.

There are pros and cons to both the Fujimi and Revell kits (I have both). Right now I’m looking at “bashing” the two kits along with some parts from a Tamiya 360. I have the Crazy Modeler PE set (it’s quite nice) and am looking at the AcuStion 360 brake set to get the optional Carbon/Ceramic brake set.

But I need to finish my 360 Spyder first and then decide if I should go after the Revell “Skag”, do a Tamiya 360 converted to a Challenge or start the 430.

As a bonus, Griot’s Garage did a detailing at Lake Forest Sportscars last Saturday. Although the garage area was blocked off, I was able to get some shots of the cars and thought I’d add them here. Notice the back of the F430 and the two Enzo’s (No Stefan Erickkson jokes please). The Black Enzo, according to the service manager has 6000 miles on it and is used a few times a week as a daily driver. It was in for new brake pads.

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8544/p10008186as.jpg

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/4884/p10008182am.jpg

http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/2323/p10008173mn.jpg

The Revell USA F430 kit is a reboxed Revell Germany kit. Revell AG boxes are a bitch to get the parts back into after you open them, so the Revell USA version is an improvement.

The Fujimi RX8's are horrid. Nothing like the new stuff, and they even retooled the bodies somewhat but they're still sketchy-the interiors are a joke. Fujimi is finally getting their act together. The Diablos are okay, but not as good as the newer stuff. The Murcielagos are good if you revisit the wheel locations which aren't good OOB, and the Gallardo is nearly perfect, with only minor fitment issues of the side glass.

Thanks a lot for your help guys!

Gonna get the Revell F430, then maybe the Fujimi F430 spyder once I will get more Cobra Colors paint.

The two build ZoomZoomMX-5 shows are awesome! I wasn't sure if the kits by Revell USA and the one by Revell Germany were the same.

Gonna give Fujimi another chance then, I still have 7 fujimi's kits to build (Along with 20 tamiya, 25 Revell, 5 AMT) I think I will have to stop buying kits soon ;-P

Guess I will first grab the Revell one first, then maybe the F430 Spyder that Revell will not release.

Fujimi kit are good now? Because I am currently building the Fujimi's RX8 and this kit sucks, no detail, there is not even door panels. I still have the Gallardo, the Murcielago and the Diablo to build, I hope they are better than the RX8...

Thanks!
That with the 430 Spider is wrong, I am just building one from Revell :D

I’ve got the Revell F430, as it was a lot cheaper then the Fujimi version. I’ve not built it yet, but it is fully detailed, and I felt it was fairly well proportioned, although I’ve heard a few screaming it’s not.

I’ve got a few Fujimi kits as well, and I’ve only built one to date – The WRX STi, a kit that was rumoured to be Fujimi’s best tooled kit to date. I will be honest, it drove me insane in the end, as even though it fitted fine, I totally missed that the ride height was so poor it looked horrid when completed.

Sadly, it did kinda put me off Fujimi, Revell are no better I guess but I’ve built Revell kits, and they start bad, so you take more time from the start, whereas the Fujimi fooled me a little. It started off perfectly fine, so I got lured into a false sense, and so wasn’t careful, and paid the price.

Me, I’m going to build the F430, I’ve already worked out if you put bigger wheels on it, it looks a whole different model, and much better. I’m more wary of Fujimi now.

I'm building the Revell one at the moment, just the body painted jet, not polished and dryfitted:
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1781/f43017kx.jpg
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/364/f43023ye.jpg
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9524/f43067de.jpg
I think the Revell is a very nice kit. I live in Holland b.t.w. so its a Germay kit. I also bought the Spider yesterday, looks nice also.

Gerwin

Does Hobby Lobby have the Revell Coupe version yet? Mine doesn't seem to have one.:(

Does Hobby Lobby have the Revell Coupe version yet? Mine doesn't seem to have one.:(

It was just issued in Revell US packaging so it may take a few weeks to get to Hobby Lobby, depending on how often your local store(s) restock. In this area you never know which store will have the latest stuff; there are a lot of Hobby Lobby's around Atlanta. No 1/2 off sales in a long time :shakehead so I haven't even been there to know what is in stock :uhoh: :icon16:

That with the 430 Spider is wrong, I am just building one from Revell :D

Really? Is it made by Revell Germany? Don't know if Revell USA will release one too.

I’ve got the Revell F430, as it was a lot cheaper then the Fujimi version. I’ve not built it yet, but it is fully detailed, and I felt it was fairly well proportioned, although I’ve heard a few screaming it’s not.

I’ve got a few Fujimi kits as well, and I’ve only built one to date – The WRX STi, a kit that was rumoured to be Fujimi’s best tooled kit to date. I will be honest, it drove me insane in the end, as even though it fitted fine, I totally missed that the ride height was so poor it looked horrid when completed.

Sadly, it did kinda put me off Fujimi, Revell are no better I guess but I’ve built Revell kits, and they start bad, so you take more time from the start, whereas the Fujimi fooled me a little. It started off perfectly fine, so I got lured into a false sense, and so wasn’t careful, and paid the price.

Me, I’m going to build the F430, I’ve already worked out if you put bigger wheels on it, it looks a whole different model, and much better. I’m more wary of Fujimi now.

It's a wonder you build at all, you sure don't seem to enjoy it?

It's a wonder you build at all, you sure don't seem to enjoy it?

That’s right, I hate the hobby and I shall never build another model again. Thank you for that moment of clarity. I really feel like, well all the answers to my little conundrums on life have now been answered. You should be proud.

I shall now perhaps print that statement off, so as it will always be close to me and so that I shall never forget such great words of wisdom.

For your kindness, I’ll give you something in return. Some call it a sign, its basically two fingers…..

Give me whatever sign you like, over here it's just one finger though so it's even easier. And I'm sorry you feel that way, I was just saying, since you seem to gripe a lot about kit quality, it's sort of an ongoing thing. I'm sort of wondering if you've found a kit that's just what you want? That goes together without any effort and has all the detail you could possibly imagine? When you find it, let me know, I'd love to build it! But then, if building was so easy, I don't think I'd have any fun. Can't please everyone, I guess....

Honestly Mick sometimes you'll see other's posts with a bit of humor, and joke over: I can't give lessons to ADULTS but isn't the case to be pissed for our great hobby: or haven'y you enought troubles in real life? I have enought, and take my hobby and relationship with friends here around easy&fun, or at least I try to do.

However fun gag guys ;)

BTW, comming back to the topic I own both, th fuji and I bought for cheap the revell to steal the engine: at least is really hard to put in the fuji belly something (I bought also a Tamy 360 spider to steal the engine, at least)

The Fuji 430 is really good to me, crispy and well formed bodyshell and something decent also in the interiors, good seat and door's panels, awesome decals and really good wheels, decent tyres.

The only decent stuff in the revell kind is the price I guess (also here we haven't all this difference: just a 30% discount for the revell: no dubt to me)

Give me whatever sign you like, over here it's just one finger though so it's even easier. And I'm sorry you feel that way, I was just saying, since you seem to gripe a lot about kit quality, it's sort of an ongoing thing. I'm sort of wondering if you've found a kit that's just what you want? That goes together without any effort and has all the detail you could possibly imagine? When you find it, let me know, I'd love to build it! But then, if building was so easy, I don't think I'd have any fun. Can't please everyone, I guess....

I wasn’t griping about the Fujimi kit being no good, I don’t even own it... How can I possibly even have griped about the Fujimi 430 being no good, if I’ve never even opened the box to take a look? I merely said I’d only built one Fujimi to date, and I’d messed it up by my own in-experience and not test fitting enough in the early stages of building.

Jesus, I even apologised for the whinging I did about that, and the silly posts I made out of frustration and anger. Obviously I’m inferior as I obviously want it all on a plate, might as well go and buy die casts, take it out the package and plonk it on the shelf – and then I can post on here griping that the chassis is made of metal.

And anyhow as I do own the Revell F430, I feel for the money it is VERY good value. I fail to see how the hell you came to the conclusion that I was griping on about lack of detail etc… when all I was saying is that the Revell is good value.

Anyhow, I can easily flick the single if that’s what you prefer. Nah, what the heck I’ll stick with the two fingers, wouldn’t want anyone thinking I’m trying to make it all too easy for myself.

Here are both Revell F430 and f430 Spider kit:
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/8504/kits10mu.jpg
I made a little dryfit of the Spider to see if it looks like de normal F430. The changes are no roof (for real :P), little rollcage, other hood, and other wall inside enginecompartement:
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/7807/kits21ix.jpg
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/5002/kits31xa.jpg
And 2 pictures standing brotherly together:
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9726/kits40fp.jpg
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2779/kits59wr.jpg
My oponion, both F430 and F430 Spider from Revell are very nice kits. Mayby even the best Revell's i've ever seen. With a little correction here and there (remove chrome and replace wit Polished Aluminium, replace molded mesh with real mesh and fill the back of the seats), they will look perfect for you're collection.

Gerwin

Thegs, is there a uptop convertible top for the Revell F430 convertible. its one of the things that turned me away from the Revell 360 convertible. no uptop

Thegs, is there a uptop convertible top for the Revell F430 convertible. its one of the things that turned me away from the Revell 360 convertible. no uptop

Then be disappointed again, still no uptop. You can only build it the way like my dryfit. But of couse you can scratch build it yourself :D

Gerwin

Does the engine cover in the Revell spider kit come with open vents or did you open them up yourself? What about the revell berlinetta engine cover?

Does the engine cover in the Revell spider kit come with open vents or did you open them up yourself? What about the revell berlinetta engine cover?

The vents of the Spider are OOTB, I only dryfittes the Spider, this is how it comes out of the box (there's even more, but I didn't had more time). The F430 has molded vents and they don't look easy to open (small vents). I decided to keep them Revell's way and just paint them.

Gerwin

Well, what the hell, I got 'em both, too.

The Fujimi kit is a high water mark for recent efforts out of Shizuoka City. Very nice processing, very crisp and shiny body shell, very good fit, and for once, a chassis you won't have to totally reengineer.

I'd agree with everyone else that the tires ain't none too hot; guess economies of scale have finally done away with that beautiful rubber we always used to get. I also found that the plating wasn't complete on my wheels, but that's fixed easily enough.

Against this, the Polish-produced Revell AG kit doesn't have anywhere near the refinement; you'll have plenty of sinkmarks to fill and some heavy parting lines to remove. It also doesn't help that the spindles are located too far inboard for realistic steering, and that the wheels are too small in diameter, a matter especially exacerbated by the low-profile front rubber. And while we're on that subject, it would appear you have to orient the tread of the front tires backwards in order for them to fit the wheels properly.

That said, I would still maintain that Revell's kit is considerably better than half model at half to third the price. The proportions are satisfactory, and although the engine and upper framework comprise only ten pieces, the representation is pretty complete nonetheless. I'd say it's a considerable improvement over the 360 Modena that preceded it.

Ya sees the pictures above; ya pays the money, ya takes your choice. It's more work, but the Revell kit may be the one to get if you got skills and you're on a budgie.

you'll have plenty of sinkmarks to fill and some heavy parting lines to remove.



where are the sink marks and lines to remove?
I need to know when I get it and work on it.:)

The worst cases I found were in the front fascia, right above those two grille nostrils, and right at the mold parting lines as they bisect the front wheel openings; that latter causes a distinct transition in sharpness between the front and back halves of the bodywork arch over the wheels, so you may find it necessary to build the rear halves up a little to give them a sharper edge, especially once you've removed the parting lines.

The mold seams toward the rear are also prominent enough that some skim coats of putty may be necessary to level everything back out once you've removed them.

I find it curious that people say Revell's proportions are off; that was certainly the case with the 360's, but casual side-by-side glances with the Fujimi kit indicate Revell is much closer this time.

if the kits were both the same priced, which one would you get?

if the kits were both the same priced, which one would you get?

Fujimi! The body proportions of both kits are good, but Revell's has the problems outlined above-more cleanup work and some filling. I noticed on one buildup that a character line on the front bumper of the Revell was pretty soft. There's enough engine detail in the Fujimi to satisfy that need-everything visible through the engine cover opening is well represented; and because of aero panels underneath you don't see the bottom of the engine.

Not to mention Fujimi's standard wheels are better, the optional rims look nice but I think they're one scale inch too small in diameter, if you want the best stock wheels/tires you need to snag a Maisto kit-they are the best looking, and the tires are so much better than Fujimi's and Revell's.

The only thing Revell has going is full engine detail for those who must have it, and lower price. If they're the same price it's no contest for me.

Ooh, that's tricky.

The easy cop-out would be for me to say both, so I could get the Revell engine into the Fujimi chassis and maybe raid a few of the Revell decals. But I gather you mean to ask what I'd do if I had to commit to one or the other.

My preference is for kits with engines, and that weighs heavily in Revell's favor.

There are some who find their own opinions on this so absolute that they insist the lack of a complete engine is a design fault. In REALITY, that's a highly individual preference that really has very little to do with a kit's overall merit.

And that's why I'm not one of these guys with such a chauvinism against curbsides that I'll take a 90-piece kit with an engine over a 130-piece curbside with clearly superior engineering and processing. That's why the 2002 ranking in Scale Auto went the way it did, and that's why I'm about to give you a similar answer on this choice.

Truthfully, the Fujimi kit comes across as the cleaner and less problematic of the two. Despite its curbside status, it has around 20 more parts, most going to sharper external details. And each of these parts seems a bit cleaner and better executed than its Revell counterpart.

So, price-independent, gun to my head for one choice alone, Fujimi gets the nod.

But outside that vacuum and back in the real world, the Revell kit has more going for it than previous efforts would have led you to expect, and I think it's clearly the better value of the two - import boxing and hlj notwithstanding.

I would (and did) choose the Fujimi kit. Like has been said before, it's a better put together kit. Also like has been said before, the engine detail isn't bad, it's just not full. What is there looks really good, especially since Fujimi's moldings are much crisper than Revell's. And this goes double for the body. Not only does the body look crisper, but it looks more correct to me. Now, I know I know it's more of the proportion debate. And, in fact, the Fujimi kit might be incorrectly proportioned, and the Revell a better scaling of the car. However, I've the same gripe with it as I have with most Revell kits - their cars look too skinny and too tall. The Revell Civic is the perfect example of the phenomenon that is affecting the F430 in my opinion: looking at the model is just like looking at the car out of a second story window. But I don't usually look at cars through second story windows, I look at them from ground level, and the eyes play a trick on you making them seem shorter and fatter than they really are. This is something Japan has been doing forever, Fujimi and Tamiya and Aoshima have all been doing, and American manufacturers have not. That comes down to preference, just like engine detail. If you can't make a decision, make a list of pros and cons.

Pros:
Fujimi: Better looking body (maybe?), aftermarket support, better wheels.
Revell: Full engine detail, inexpensive, more molded in detail.
Cons:
Fujimi: Expensive!, curbside.
Revell: Soft modlings, bad wheels (but maybe you'll replace these anyway?)

Etc.

In my personal experience and opinion, I find it doesn't matter how well detailed a kit or model is if when you stand back a step or two, it just doesn't feel right. 99% of the time, I look at my models from across the room, so for me it's just as important that the models capture the essence of the car as it is they are well detailed. And, it's easier for me to add detail than make a body look right.