McLaren F1-GTR long tail by Aoshima

[lezdep]

Couldn't wait any longer and started my first build of new Aoshima kit. Plan is to build it pretty much OOB with
addition of PE set and after market livery decals. FIA 1997 Gulf livery car is the target.

Just started my usual dry fit assembly. Overall impressions are very positive. I'm quite impressed by the level of
engineering and detail level. Especially engine detail. It looks very good and pretty accurate. Cockpit has great
level of detail as well. Casting quality is very good and very little clean up, beside removal of usual mold seam lines
is needed. Injection pin marks are generally placed in hidden areas and only small number of them will need a fill
ins. Brakes are a weak point and suspension is a bit compromised, but they won't be very prominent on completed
model.

Fit is very good and in some instances I couldn't immediately understand why parts just click into their places and
align properly. Design is very clever. Most of the parts hold together well on dry fit just by virtue of tabs and pins
on parts. Haven't gotten to body parts yet, but I expect fit will great there as well. That will be next step.

I think in terms of engineering level, fit level and detail level this kit is very close to best Tamiya 1/24 scale kits.
Don't know about over all accuracy yet, but it has been good fun assembling it so far.

Besides mentioned weak brakes, one of the things bothering me a bit is the quality of plastic. It feels different from
those types used by Tamiya and Fujimi. Seems to be lower quality. Hopefully it won't affect end result.

PE set is a bit unusual and is more like extra detail set. Beside actual PE items, it contains small number of CF decals,
wires to simulate electrical cables and seat belt fabric. Not too many PE parts are included, but they are still a good
addition to what is already a well detailed kit, imho.

Here are some photos to show progress so far.

[bradfordian]

Thanks,you got my attention instantly,just waiting on my kit and pe to arrive.

1 question I always have to ask is why oh why cant car model mfrs make the electronic boxs seperate?


Thanks again,I was hoping someone would start the aoshima,I have emi decals waiting for mine.

[JimboCO]

Yes, thanks for posting this. I'll be following cloesely as mine just arrived and I am keen to see one buuilt up as a guide. I plan on finishing mine in McLaren orange with carbon wing. Looking forward to your progress...

[da_ashman]

Aoshima really stepped up their game with this kit, this was just going to be a basic kit with a "part engine" but after they got so much interest they decided to go all out, So glad they did, looks fantastic! Cant wait to get one!!!

[griffin-gt40]

Originally Posted by da_ashman

Aoshima really stepped up their game with this kit, this was just going to be a basic kit with a "part engine" but after they got so much interest they decided to go all out, So glad they did, looks fantastic! Cant wait to get one!!!

What he said Mine just shipped yesterday now just need to wait ever so patiently for Canada Customs to clear it, which means it might be here Mon/Tues or about 3 weeks from now...

David

[lezdep]

More progress on test fit assembly. Nothing is glued on or permanently attached yet. I'm very impressed with the fit of parts overall.
Doors do not fit 100% likely because of thin plastic at their tops. But rest fits very well together. Body just clicks in place and leaves no
visible seems. Fit of windows is really amazing and they are quite thin for a plastic kit. Beside error with from gills and weak brakes, I
have no other issues to point my finger to. Aoshima has done really great job.

[denilsonvm]

Aoshima wheels looks much better than the Fujimi ones.

[lovegt40]

overall shape and setup seems top level.
Great car.....mine still in private wharehouse at hlj...

[blubaja]

Originally Posted by bradfordian

1 question I always have to ask is why oh why cant car model mfrs make the electronic boxs seperate?

Do you mean sell the components separately, or mold it separate? The one piece is seperate.

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10257857z5/70/5

[stevenoble]

Originally Posted by blubaja

Do you mean sell the components separately, or mold it separate? The one piece is seperate.

I think he refers to the electronic boxes at the back of the tub, which are, if I'm not mistaken, molded integral with the tub floor? Makes painting and detailing them a nightmare..

[hirofkd]

I think what bradfordian is talking about is the control boxes on the passenger seat. If you want to add wires, you have to cut those boxes out, otherwise you can't drill holes from sideways. I guess you can do the same trick as you would with Fujimi's molded-in seat bottom, where you cut the whole floor, fill the opening with a plastic sheet, then put the removed part back.

[engel07]

Is this the Black Car as Boxart-Version

or the orange 'Oversee'-Version?

I have the Kit ordered by AmiAmi in Japan with the 'Black Car' on the Cover of the Box.
This Kit does not contain the LeMans-Front-Lights!

The Sprues 1 and 3 from the top of the picture are not in Kit.
Also the Cover are missing:


I'm could not find any information, if the 'Oversee'-Version has the additional LeMans-Lights.

Regards
Torsten
www.scaleautofactory.com

[lezdep]

All my kits are black car box Japanese edition kits. No parts for head lights from LeMans First one I'm building
will be car from FIA championship and kit head lights are ok for that. But rest I planned to do as cars from LeMans.
So, will have to source proper parts from somewhere. I was quite surprised and puzzled by absence of those parts.
They were clearly shown on photos of sample, I fully expected for them to be included. Really curious why Aoshima
decided to not included them.

I would also be interested to find out what are the differences in export version of the kit, beside SMS CF decals.

[hirofkd]

Photos were deceiving, and I also thought the Presentation version would include the Le Mans head light.

Aoshima just announced that the 1997 Le Mans LARK livery is coming out early summer, and apparently it's Aoshima's first kit to include Cartograf decals.
(Murcielago R-SV 2010 Spa Winner will also feature Cartograf decals.)

Pre order of 2014 Shizuoka Hobby Show items should begin this week.

There shouldn't be any difference between JDM and export version of the GTR Long Tail kit, besides the decals and the box.
Murcielago SV export version also has a different box, and it's supposed to have a large "SV" logo decals, while the JDM kit has smaller ones.

Aoshima blog doesn't say why, and it makes no business sense to make different decals and boxes, but I've read the phrase "licensor approval" more than enough to make me believe that it has something to do with how the manufacturers want to market their brands. That's just my speculation, though.

[nascar49]

Originally Posted by hirofkd

Photos were deceiving, and I also thought the Presentation version would include the Le Mans head light.

Aoshima just announced that the 1997 Le Mans LARK livery is coming out early summer, and apparently it's Aoshima's first kit to include Cartograf decals.
(Murcielago R-SV 2010 Spa Winner will also feature Cartograf decals.)

Pre order of 2014 Shizuoka Hobby Show items should begin this week.

There shouldn't be any difference between JDM and export version of the GTR Long Tail kit, besides the decals and the box.
Murcielago SV export version also has a different box, and it's supposed to have a large "SV" logo decals, while the JDM kit has smaller ones.

Aoshima blog doesn't say why, and it makes no business sense to make different decals and boxes, but I've read the phrase "licensor approval" more than enough to make me believe that it has something to do with how the manufacturers want to market their brands. That's just my speculation, though.

The different box art has nothing to do with licensing , its all about marketing, Aoshima wants the export box art to be different then the Japan market kits, to entice US buyers to buy from their US disturbers, that is why the US version of this kit is different as well, it is going to have some different parts then the Japan market kit.