Fujimi Super America

I wonder if it will be worth the wait. Mine is on its way from HLJ. See here :) http://www.hlj.com/product/FUJ12273

I look forward to seeing how in the world they deal with replicating the one-piece top; a piece of clear/tinted styrene can't be molded like that w/o some serious ingenuity. Of course Hobbysearch doesn't have the kit even listed so we could look at the parts/instructions :banghead:

With the movable top, open mesh for the hood intake, right-hand-steering dashboard and a set of wipers for the left hand steering, I think the kit is worth the money.
I'll be making a pair of a LHD Super America (with a fake Texas tag and inspection stickers or something) and a RHD 575M (in either JPN or UK configuration).

I just wonder how this one is going to compete with Revell AG's SuperAmerica. both appear to have a working top (only kit I remember seeing that on is the Monogram 59 Ford Retractable). i'm guessing the Revell AG is going to be full detail.

im just waiting for the Revell to hit US shores.

im just waiting for the Revell to hit US shores.
yea same here except waitn for it to hit CAN shores:grinyes:

What's with Fujimi and Revell making the same Ferraris?

I'm very excited about the Fujimi SA, mine should be here in about 14 days or so from HLJ. I also have a RoG kit ordered. That kit isn't due out until around September.

As for the RoG's "full detail" question, I have a hard time believing it. The piece count on that kit is 80 parts. Most of the "full detail" kits have 100 part counts or more from RoG.

All the same, I look forward to both kits.

Now, who'll be the first with the Imola?
Chris

Anybody spot the problem with HLJ's description of the kit?

Anybody spot the problem with HLJ's description of the kit?

LOL, yeah, doesn't quite look like an F430 to me....


Chris

I'm very excited about the Fujimi SA, mine should be here in about 14 days or so from HLJ. I also have a RoG kit ordered. That kit isn't due out until around September.

As for the RoG's "full detail" question, I have a hard time believing it. The piece count on that kit is 80 parts. Most of the "full detail" kits have 100 part counts or more from RoG.

All the same, I look forward to both kits.

Now, who'll be the first with the Imola?
Chris

I look forward to a review on the Fujimi kit; not that I'm tempted to buy it but really to see if the top is properly done. Not to mention all the veiled information above about dashboards and wipers without saying if there are 2 dashboards, or how the top is molded, etc.

I'll wager well get Revell and Fujimi Imolas; and that Fujimi is going to beat Revell to the punch. We shall see. The design also looks like it will easily transform into a convertible, somehow, some way.

As for me, the Ferrari I most want to build isn't even public yet. The Glickenhaus/Pininfarina 612 P4-5 being built on an Enzo chassis is gorgeous. Forget the Autoweek pics, they're total BS. Can't say more, but you'll see it on every car magazine cover in the world soon enough. It's that good :wink: :naughty: Hopefully good enough that someone christens it in styrene or resin.

So, Hobby Search Japan has pictures posted of the contents and instructions. The top is hinged. Unfortunately, the wheels are the same as the 575. The Super America's wheels are slightly different two-piece designed, with different five spoke pattern and nuts around the perimeter.

Glad that Hobby Search finally added the model to their website.

As I suspected the kit is a definite compromise. While I can understand the difficulty with the top (see below), the proper wheels should have been included. With only mild personal interest in this car, having the wrong wheels is enough to make it a deal-breaker.

I see that making the roof did require two parts; so making it accurate (the glass top and backlight is all one piece on the 1:1) may be difficult to impossible as there will be a visible seam that can't be filled with traditional fillers. Perhaps spending time filling the seam with layers of clear paint or canopy glue and then carefully sanding/polishing the seam flush will result in it looking prototypical. Or maybe I'm being too picky? IMHO there was no simple way to make this in plastic, so it's not a cut against Fujimi. There's only so much you can do with injection molded plastics. Had this been Tamiya, it would have happened :wink:

For those of you building it, make sure to C/F the inner roof structure, including the round covers over the rotating mechanism. All that is beautifully-exectuted C/F on the 1:1.

So, Hobby Search Japan has pictures posted of the contents and instructions. The top is hinged.

yup its hinged!

http://www.1999.co.jp/dbimages/user/hobby/itbig/10049513z4.jpg

Here's a shot of the top in the up position on the 1:1.

http://i24.ebayimg.com/05/i/06/af/8d/80_3.JPG
t is going to be next to impossible to get the seam to look realistic. hopefully, Revell's piece is one solid unit on the clear tree. it would be easier to mask off the rear window, paint the roof, and then add some carbon fiber decals.

As for me, the Ferrari I most want to build isn't even public yet. The Glickenhaus/Pininfarina 612 P4-5 being built on an Enzo chassis is gorgeous. Forget the Autoweek pics, they're total BS. Can't say more, but you'll see it on every car magazine cover in the world soon enough. It's that good :wink: :naughty: Hopefully good enough that someone christens it in styrene or resin.

this?
http://www.cartype.com/images/page/ferrari_612_P4_fs1.jpg
looks like a Group C car.

this?
http://www.cartype.com/images/page/ferrari_612_P4_fs1.jpg
looks like a Group C car.

That's the complete BS car that was in Autoweek. Doesn't even look like a Ferrari; if anything it looks like something by Hot Wheels. The real deal isn't anything close to that picture. But it makes for a perfect smokescreen, people will be quite surprised when they see the real deal.

To be honest, I wouldn't be too surprised if the Revell Super America is a reboxed Fujimi kit. I just noticed on HLJ's new releases that Fujimi is releasing a Mercedes 560SEC kit. I doubt Fujimi would create an all new kit of an almost 20 year old car. The only company to produce a 560SEC was Revell (Tamiya did a 500SEC). It was a premium version, with detailed engine, trunk, etc.

the glass top and backlight is all one piece on the 1:1 Are you sure about that?
Ferrari's press photo does look like the glass is two piece with a clear seam line above the high-mounted brake light. Is it the prototype or something?
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2005/2005-Ferrari-575-Superamerica-RA-Top-Up-1600x1200.htm

Are you sure about that?
Ferrari's press photo does look like the glass is two piece with a clear seam line above the high-mounted brake light. Is it the prototype or something?
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2005/2005-Ferrari-575-Superamerica-RA-Top-Up-1600x1200.htm

That's what it was purported to be when the press was covering it when new, and I swear when I saw the one up close that it was one piece. But that picture makes it pretty clear that Fujimi may have indeed done it correctly. It's also a good reference shot for doing the CF trim around the entire top.

Okay, Revell Germany's Super America is NOT going to be a rebox of Fujimi. (w/ engine, correct wheels, etc.)
See...
http://www.geocities.jp/hobbyshows/japan/shizuoka/pla/02.htm

Don't forget to check the other pages. There are some eye-poping surprises from Fujimi.

that makes my decision, i'm getting the Revell Super America over the Fujimi. but WOW, do I see that Fujimi's MX5 is going to be full detail

http://www.geocities.jp/hobbyshows/japan/shizuoka/pla/118.jpg

BTW, sorry to go OT. but thats awsome news.

:eek: So, yeah...Where do I sign up to buy some Fujimi stock?!!

Hope the 1:24ths aren't resin too:( Cayman and new new awsome Ferrari!!!!!
http://www.geocities.jp/hobbyshows/japan/shizuoka/pla/107.jpg

:eek: So, yeah...Where do I sign up to buy some Fujimi stock?!!

Hope the 1:24ths aren't resin too:( Cayman and new new awsome Ferrari!!!!!
http://www.geocities.jp/hobbyshows/japan/shizuoka/pla/107.jpg

Resin would be tragic! I'm more excited over the Cayman than the 599 GTB; one of my best friends has a new white Cayman and it's an incredible car, makes me (almost) hate the Miata after getting to drive it on some of the finest mountain roads :uhoh: :icon16:

The pic of the F430 Challenge looks promising; the wheels look like they're the right style and larger than the optional parts version.

that revell superamerica is fantastic news.
i was dreading the thought of having to kit bash a 612 AND scratch build the engine bay for my 550/575....

Omg 599 Gtb!!

I bow down to Fujimi, even if the SA from Revell seems better at first sight.

From one of the most frustrating kit manufacturers Fujimi have become the one whose releases I wait for with most anticipation.

Revell have moved their superamerixca forward to July I'll wait and get that as it works out cheaper anyway than the Fujimi one. Its great that companies are finally starting to release new models not reissues of old ones

drunken monkey, you mean like this:
http://images16.fotki.com/v284/photos/9/95430/3305920/550a-vi.jpg
U.S. Release for the RoG SA is 9/30

Chris

Maybe Fujimi bought out Tamiya's model car development team! hehe.

Not only is the Revell SA good news for it's engine and reasonably correct wheels-I'm sure they're the new/incorrect "brake sandwich" style that Revell AG seems to be obsessed with, it will also likely make it's way into the Revell US catalog. Skinflints who have Hobby Lobby nearby will be able to buy them for about $7 or $8 at one of their sales :wink: :icon16:

I'll bet the SA-style rotating roof makes it's way onto the 599 Fiorano. Perhaps in a year or three we'll see it christened in styrene as well.

drunken monkey, you mean like this:
http://images16.fotki.com/v284/photos/9/95430/3305920/550a-vi.jpg
U.S. Release for the RoG SA is 9/30

Chris



that's exactly how far i've gotten before putting it back in the box....
i had/have a 612 still unfinished and have been comparing the bas chassis to check the wheelbase and layout/arrangement of the transmission. Major headaches followed...


that mx-5 is looking mighty sexy as well
and is that the new lexus IS looking pretty finished nest to it?

So is the consensus here to go with the Revell or Fujimi release?

i would most probably end up getting both.

I doubt I'll get either; I prefer the coupe and I already have it. Between the Mazdaspeed MX-5, Cayman, 599 GTB and F430 Challenge I'm more than happy and already have a backlog of projects this year. I'm planning on getting the Testors Dodge Charger Daytona & Charger police car, Revell Magnum SRT-8, C6R, and Z06 this year. Never have I been able to keep up building what comes out in one year :shakehead

Anybody spot the problem with HLJ's description of the kit?


It's marked as 'discontinued'. So Fujimi is not making this?

It's marked as 'discontinued'. So Fujimi is not making this?

Wouldn’t bother me if it is TBH. I’m getting the Revell version, as it’s cheaper and better looking and is reported to be more detailed.

Wouldn’t bother me if it is TBH. I’m getting the Revell version, as it’s cheaper and better looking and is reported to be more detailed.


I'm looking forward to the Revell version also...just got the 430 coupe, looking forward to the Spyder later soon also..

I also await the Revell version even though my Fujimi version was dispatched from HLJ 4 days ago. I am curious to compare, first hand, the moveable tops on both.

I personally think that the Revell version will be the more accurate model, but it is not due for release until July. Until I can see the comparison between the two and good photos ( I guess the real thing will be difficult to find here in the UK) I will reserve judgement.:dunno:

I know that some-one posted the fact that this Fujimi model, only released in mid - May, is now discontinued, according to hlj. See here www.hlj.com/product/FUJ12273 . Does this mean that this will become a rare model in the future. I really don`t see the point in releasing this model if Fujimi were always only going to do a limited run, especially if this is not going to be the best version. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread Revell`s version is likely to be better.

The manufacturers have to sell 30000-50000 copies to reach the breakeven, and it takes 3-5 years or even longer to recover the cost. Although the Super America kit shares many parts with 550 and 575, I doubt it was forever dropped from Fujimi's lineup.

Injection molding machine can produce hundreds of sprues in a very short period of time, so the companies swap molds around to produce different products. When the demand for a certain kit exceeds the manufacturer's prediction, it simply go out of stock everywhere until the next production run. If the demand is high, the schedule will be more frequent and the volume will be greater, if not, the availability will be limited.

Besides, if you shop around, you can still find Fujimi's Super America kit. It's just that the Revell version is likely be better, and it's cheaper outside Japan. So buying the Fujimi version doesn't make much sense, unless you live in Japan where you have to pay $40 for the Revell kit.