Fujimi Ferrari 458 Italia

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I didn't do a WIP, but I did post photos of the basic parts:

A Look Inside

It was fun to throw this car together right after getting it, just like a kid again

I love the 458, I've poured over photos, "built" ones I like on Ferrari's configurator. Can't wait for Revell's kit...

This kit is overpriced by a factor of two. It's clear that Fujimi didn't put forth any of the same effort as they did to the F430 or Scuderia. It honestly seems both rushed and over-simplified. Quality issues like some fitment issues (short rear axle, side glass), significant sink marks in the rear spoiler, seats, and windshield over the rear view mirror detail...

No photoetch, no transfers, no window masks...but priced like Tamiya's Aston DBS that has all those extras. And none of the quality issues.

Okay...it does look pretty slick when finished. If you have to be an early-adopter and have a 458, this kit is adequate; it's not like I'm suffering buyer's remorse, I'm just disappointed that Fujimi winged this kit. Maybe Fujimi will revisit it like they did after the initial RX8. The interior is the biggest disappointment; with integral seat bases and door panels molded to the floorboard/wheelwells. When built, the only obvious issue is with the door panels. The dash and seats look good; I did not paint over the molded brown for part of the interior, so the sink marks in the seat bolsters remain..but the seats do look pretty good, even having the hinge areas.

I'm on a roll w/white Ferraris. This is my first color choice; looks great w/my 612, and this weekend I'm building a white Testa Rossa "Lucybelle" that was race at LeMans in '58. My Revell 458 will be a completely different look..

[73superduty]

Alright, one more time. Yep, still like that combo......

[ales]

Bob, it looks very very good. I'm amazed how you can build kits in 2 days.

[lovegt40]

wonderful job btw Bob...

[Hiryu]

2 days for this level quality? That's amazing and extremely impressive.

[BVC500]

Nice job despite the issues, and I like to two tone treatment. I'm sure Revell's 458 will be nice, and certainly plagued with those two piece wheels they do. At least you can rob the Fujimi kit for its wheels and tires.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by BVC500

Nice job despite the issues, and I like to two tone treatment. I'm sure Revell's 458 will be nice, and certainly plagued with those two piece wheels they do. At least you can rob the Fujimi kit for its wheels and tires.

Thanks!

Revell's wheels don't bother me too much, in fact I really like the ones they did in the Superamerica. We'll see how the 458 wheels turn out; if they're lame I could take these and retrofit, and then install some custom wheels on this one. We shall see...these wheels are actually a tad tall; 24mm and the 599 19" front tires are quite a stretch to get over the wheels. And they're not particularly good tires, the stretching makes the sidewall look kind of square, losing the appearance of the "rim protecting" lip on the sidewalls.

[Ferrari TR]

Looks great.
Maybe smoked tails to wrap the whole black/white scheme together, though the red brakes work at a level.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by Ferrari TR

Looks great.
Maybe smoked tails to wrap the whole black/white scheme together, though the red brakes work at a level.

I may very well re-do them, I agree they'd look better with a darker tint. I also need to do the panel line washes; the paint on this thing doesn't like too much handling considering it has been painted less than 48 hours. Had to use modeler's nylon gloves to keep from getting sticky fingerprints all over it

[ales]

Just got the kit and had a first look at the parts ... you know, the most disappointing thing for me are the molded-in meshes (at the rear, for example) after the brilliant separate ones in the Scuderia kit. Did you manage to prime/paint the body without losing the mesh pattern near the tail lights?

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by ales

Just got the kit and had a first look at the parts ... you know, the most disappointing thing for me are the molded-in meshes (at the rear, for example) after the brilliant separate ones in the Scuderia kit. Did you manage to prime/paint the body without losing the mesh pattern near the tail lights?

It's still faintly visible; I shot the model in decanted Tamiya paint, though the last couple wet coats were from the spray can. It shrinks enough that you can barely see the mesh. Let's hope Revell is smarter about these details. The rear end was difficult enough on this thing to mask/paint, much less worry over filling the weak engraving w/too much paint.

[Decs0105]

That looks awesome, nice job!

[Style Model 27]

Wow ~ I love this color combination
Neat and tidy ...!
Too beautiful

[Veyron]

Originally Posted by ales

Just got the kit and had a first look at the parts ... you know, the most disappointing thing for me are the molded-in meshes (at the rear, for example) after the brilliant separate ones in the Scuderia kit. Did you manage to prime/paint the body without losing the mesh pattern near the tail lights?

I totally lost the mesh on mine....mostly because I did a color change and have several coats of paint on the body. The thing about putting in real mesh is that nasty compound curve on the end toward the tails.

[360spider]

Looks really good Bob.