Cayman Widebody Transkit by KA Models – Kit Review

Hi,

after I did my Cayman GT with parts from Scaleproduction and the good experience of a fellow modeller in another forum with building the Mercedes SLR with the 722 – KA Models transkit (http://www.razyboard.com/system/morethread-mc-laren-mercedes-slr-722-the_no3-254186-4770804-0.html ), I had the opportunity to have a closer look at the Cayman Techart Widebody-Transkit
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/3233613032616336.jpg.

I like the 1:1 car, however Techart make some widebody cars, where the wider parts are just glued to the body, no putty, so a step remains, where the original parts and the Techart parts meet.

I don´t like that, I´d prefer some putty to have a slick look.

KA´s transkit is just what Techart does, gluing the parts to the body. The overall impression isn´t bad, the model will look close to the 1:1 car. There is just one thing, that doesn´t look perfect. The part, that widens the rear fenders, isn´t going horizontal along the side skirt, but goes down towards the ground. This changes the side of the model dramatically, I would make it more horizontal.

Nevertheless, the quality of the parts, make me frown a little bit.

The etched parts are ok
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/6266663136346537.jpg


The rear wing is white metal, has some imperfections and is far too big
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/3965373636303861.jpg

The same with the wheels, sanding the mold-line is “great job” here, but as there are deeper scratches on the surface, it is a must, to putty, prime and paint them, just polishing the white metal won´t work.
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/6664646338326333.jpg


Here some of the resin parts
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/3434363638313738.jpg


The exhaust isn´t symmetric, one exhaust tube is longer and has another shape than the other, the holes are too small
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/3161306335343565.jpg


This part comes to the rear, exhausts go through the holes. You can see again, the ends are not symmetric, the right side is 0,5 mm lower
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/3135316165623836.jpg


Here the front, rear and widening for the rear wheels – lots of cleaning
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/6639393765373336.jpg

On the rear part, lots of holes and imperfections …
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/6634313964366330.jpg

… the same on the rear fender parts (holes, imperfections)
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/3963646638376539.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/6333376365343135.jpg



I ordered seats for my Ferrari 599, another disappointment

The seats back is ok,
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/3433313531653234.jpg

but the lower parts are kind of useless
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/28/1077928/6235613034633230.jpg

no structure to see, a clump of resin.


The SLR guy now builds a GT 40 with the KA transkit, the transkits front he threw away, it was bent and the lamps were mere resin clumps (http://www.razyboard.com/system/morethread-ford-gt-40-scuderia-filipinetti-le-mans-1967-the_no3-254189-5056525-0.html )


So, to get it together:

Nice idea with the transkit, the execution could be better for ca. 65 - 70 Euro.

KA Model had a good start, but should work harder to provide the modeller with quality

It annoys me when I see transkits and parts such as this and the resin casting is such poor quality,full of bubbles and warped.The prices that some companies charge for such parts is very high and as such they should be well cast and of good quality in my opinion.You can cast resin to a high standard (just look at Geronimo Works new wheel sets for instance) they are top quality and they don't cost a fortune either.
If only all companies could cast this well we would have no complaints.But then again we keep buying the poorer stuff as sometimes it's your only chance to build this car or that car etc.So they keep turning out the same poor quality stuff.We as the customer should complain more and if need be vote with our wallets.Just my :2cents:
Ok, that's it.Angry rant over.But anyone agree?? :evillol:

I have to say it is a bit dissapointing.
Till now i saw only KA bike upgrade kits, which were really good.
But i have to say that the quality according to these photos are which i would expect from a company like KA.

.You can cast resin to a high standard (just look at Geronimo Works new wheel sets for instance) they are top quality and they don't cost a fortune either.


Thanks Steve :)
i can guarantee that the Gemballa transkit will be better quality than this KA Cayman.
Price is not know yet, but will try to keep on a reasonable level.

I have to say it is a bit dissapointing.
Till now i saw only KA bike upgrade kits, which were really good.
But i have to say that the quality according to these photos are which i would expect from a company like KA.

... exactly my thoughts, nice to see that you - as a new producer - have the same thoughts, and Steve, yes, modelers want quality for their money !!!

So, geronimo, watch out :eek7: , the Mirage is one of my favourites, a kit review seem very likely :evillol: :devil: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

MIcha, I am very (badly) surprised by the quality of the products you show here :( Thanks for the "heads up"

I have several times been on the verge of spending a bunch of money on KA products (599 seats, GT40 t/k etc.) but now I am heaving a huuuuuge sigh of relief that I never actually found them in stock at hiroboy.com when I wanted to buy them! uff! :D

Looks like resin parts have some warping, but they don't look too bad.

I agree the quality can be better, but I think it can definitely result a great model! :rolleyes:

The seat is disappointing though. I think it needs 15% refinement to get it accepted for a model build.

Thanks for the review.

I just checked my widebody t-kit and the resin in mine is a lot smoother than yours. Also the rims and wing are nice and smooth, no pits. There is flash on the rims to clean off...but the quality on the parts in mine seem to be better than yours.

Yay, good news!

I just checked my widebody t-kit and the resin in mine is a lot smoother than yours. Also the rims and wing are nice and smooth, no pits. There is flash on the rims to clean off...but the quality on the parts in mine seem to be better than yours.


Veyron,

my friend got the transkit last week. Maybe your transkit is ealier produced with the mold, the issue I had much later, so the mold isn´t as crisp as in the beginning of production :dunno:

Nevertheless, IMO quality should be controlled by the company before selling

Hopefully KA will learn from feedback and be more consistent in the products they ship in the future.

Looks like resin parts have some warping, but they don't look too bad.

I agree the quality can be better, but I think it can definitely result a great model! :rolleyes:



Hi CifeNet,

I don´t agree with you.

Maybe some modelers have the money to buy things with faults, but when I pay close to 70 Euro for a transkit, I don´t intend to straighten wraped parts or fill unecessary holes. (Of course, you even can make a reasonable model out of Revells Audi R10, but meanwhile I build 2 other models.)




The seat is disappointing though. I think it needs 15% refinement to get it accepted for a model build.


I bought the seats, because I thought they are detailed. I didn´t intend to re-detail them, that might have been easier, with the kit-seats

Hi, All

I am Yang, President of KA-Models.

Sorry to sportracer02 about not good conditioned Cayman Kit.

If you want, I can send you another resin part.

Please send me e-mail.

And many thanks for everyone.

Therefore your supprot, KA was developed.

But I have some problem.

I am work 16 Hours for a day and work 7days for a week.

But too busy.

And produce many resin parts more than past days.

Because there is some not good conditioned kit.

Sorry about that.

I'll supply improved parts of Cayman WideBody.

I detected WideBody Kit has some trouble to work.

I promise that I'll do my best to produce good conditioned products.

And I'll give warranty for all of my products.

I'll supply improved parts of Cayman WideBody.

I detected WideBody Kit has some trouble to work.



KA makes money from modeler.

I am businessman.

But I am modeler like everyone in this site.

I know everyone's money is important for each other.

I'll do my endeavors to produce products that has merit for all modelers.

Please keep your interest.

KA always do best for all modeler.

Thank you.

Hi, All

I am Yang, President of KA-Models.

Sorry to sportracer02 about not good conditioned Cayman Kit.

If you want, I can send you another resin part.

Please send me e-mail.

And many thanks for everyone.

Hello Yang,

I think you are a very decent man.To listen to criticism from your customers and also offer to replace the sub standard parts is very good of you.The modeling community needs more people like you.You have shown that you care about your products and your customers.That's excellent customer service in my opinion!!!

Best regards,

Steve Noble.

Has anyone used the 744 SLR kits from KA?

Hi Young,

great to see you here giving a statement.

I think, all modellers appreciate companies like yours, that offer small serious kits in resin or transkits for plastic kits.

I/we know, that it is hard, to develop and produce those (trans-)kits, and meanwhile I know several owners of companies like KA, they live for THIS, what we call hobby. I´m sure, the other guys who produce modelling stuff, have a similar time of work in one day or week like you.

Nevertheless, as I wrote in my review, the SLR 722 transkit looks/is great, and looking at the Cayman parts in comparison disappointed me a little bit.

I think it is a big step forward, when you not satisfied with the Cayman resin parts by yourself, and a modeller who spends nearly 100 Euro for the Fujimi Cayman and the KA-transkit, should get quality. When I spend that money, I just want to enjoy building.

You are right: you, as a businessman, make your money with us, the modellers.

As mentioned, your choice of transkits is great, something new that´s not on the market yet (I hate it, if every new company somewhen offers etched seatbelt-hardware, etched pedals and all that stuff, that is already offered from several other companies) and I hope, there are more (trans-) kits coming from you.

PS: You got a PM