WIP: R35 GT-R Showdown: Tamiya vs Aoshima vs Fujimi

[hirofkd]

I finished my Tamiya kit, and I'm trying to finish the others before Fujimi and Aoshima's Spec-V kits arrive in July. I used Gaianotes' EX Clear for the first time, and it turned out really well. It's a synthetic lacquer-based ac lyric, just like Mr. Color, Finishers and Tamiya TS Sprays, but the EX Clear's paint film feels almost like a 2-part urethane.

[hirofkd]

Aoshima and Fujimi joined Tamiya with their detailed GT-R kits, let me post some pics.

Tamiya's engine is no better than a diecast (sad...) There are a few more pieces that go with these large parts, but that doesn't improve much.



This is Aoshima's parts tree.


And here is a close up. Not bad.


But(!), is the R35 engine supposed to have a differential on each side???
If you are bothered by it, remove the one on the left side of the engine.


By far Fujimi engine is the most detailed. The kit has two additional trees, and...


...and the block, which is made by using the expensive multi-section sliding mold.


For those who miss Fujimi's usual crappy execution, no worries. The block is symmetrical, meaning no offset between the right and left side, which also affects the location of the cam covers. Also, Fujimi kindly added a better looking intercooler part. But this new part sits where the radiator is supposed to be. Consequently, there's no radiator in Fujimi kit.

[stump]

So.....at last, we finally get one of these with full detail......
I can't believe Tamiya is letting this go........

I may just have to pop for one of these Fujimi kits after all.....
Thanks for the update.

cheers
Greg

[xpeed]

Originally Posted by hirofkd

Aoshima's rear bumper is badly deformed. It's not that the bumper was incorrectly designed, but the outside must have shrunk faster than the inside during demolding. To correct this, carefully bend the entire back side, with a little more strength applied to just below the inner taillight circles. Bending the corners won't make it fit.

Really? I have the aoshima kit and I haven't had any problems with the fitment or deform when I was putting it together.

[lingeringsoul]

I thought it was Fujimi kit that had the deformity, I finished one and yes it was annoying and I didn't know how to fix it.

I have yet tot do the Aoshima kit, so hopefully, it'll be all right.

[Marianitem]

Hiroaki: after 2 or 3 years this thread is still great. Just to be sure, is the Fujimi kit you were talking about the 03767 id-2 kit? Beacuse after your review many GTR kits were released by Fujimi.
And what are the differences with Fujimi's VSpec version or club sports version, if you gave them a try?

[hirofkd]

I have Spec V kits from both Fujimi and Aoshima, as well as Fujimi's Club Sports kit. I don't have Aoshima's safety car version, but that must be just the stock GT-R with the roof-top light.

Fujimi's standard GT-R kit is already excellent, so the Spec V kit can't be bad, but there are some shortcomings, like the value for money.
I think Aoshima did a better job because they included more unique parts and engine details for less money. (Fujimi's curbside Spec V is priced 3600 yen, while Aoshima's detailed Spec V is 3200 yen)

Fujimi's Club Sports package is essentially the same as the Spec V kit, except for the stock front lip spoiler and rear seats, so you still get the front sports seats and Nismo wheels.
Fujimi's Tokachi 24h contender is just a look-alike street car with decals, so you have to fabricate the stripped down interior yourself.

Both wheels look good, but in this picture, the Fujimi wheels look more crisply molded. That's because the Aoshima wheels come painted in gloss black. Fujimi wheels are approx. 1 scale inch larger for it's one of the Inch-up disc series kits. Aoshima wheels are more accurate in size, and they are compatible with Tamiya tires.


Fujimi's exhaust tip is deeply molded and the tip is thinner than Aoshima's, but the size is identical.


Fujimi's lip spoiler is separate as in the standard GT-R kit, while Aoshima has the spoiler molded with the front fascia. Both look good, but Fujimi's air inlet has a raised lip, which is clearly noticeable.


Aoshima's sports seat is definitely better than Fujimi's. Aoshima has more 3 dimensional appearance, while Fujimi seat looks too flat.


Also, Fujimi's seat back is one-piece, while Aoshima included a separate back panel.


Spec V is 2-seater, so there are no rear seats, but just cross-hatched trims. Fujimi's rear seat back pieces are separate in the standard GT-R kit, but the bottom piece was molded with the interior part. Spec V's interior trim go over the stock interior, so the back piece looks fine, but the bottom is not recessed deep enough.


Meanwhile, Aoshima included a separate back trims as well as a new interior tab, so the rear section looks definitely better than Fujimi's.


So you can build a nice Spec V out of stock with the Fujimi kit, and the only problems are thin seat, rear interior bottom trims, and high price. Aoshima kit is almost perfect, but it still has the inherited problem of the poor-looking tires.

Here is a tip. Tamiya's Aston Martin DBS kit has GT-R tires, and the side wall looks way too thick. The tire fills the entire wheel arch, so it looks unrealistic to say the least.
So, if you happen to have both Aoshima R35 and Tamiya DBS kits, try swapping the tires.

Here, the Tamiya tires effectively fill the Aoshima's wheel arches, yet they still leave a realistic gap. And if you want to lower the ride height even further, you just have to cut a portion of the wheel housing. The shock parts are already adjustable out of the box.


And here's the DBS with the low profile Aoshima GT-R tires. This creates a reasonable gap between the tires and the wheel arches. You might have to modify some suspension parts a bit, but still, it allows you to lower the ride height easily, and the thinner side wall makes the car looks a lot sportier.


So, Aoshima R35 + Tamiya DBS is a winning combination, which allows you to solve the shortcoming of both kits.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Good idea to swap the tires around. Still it's too bad, at least to my eyes, how poorly Aoshima's GTR captures the GTR's lines. Tamiya and Fujimi GTR's look much more authentic. I built the Aoshima and Tamiya...ended up selling the Aoshima to someone, it just didn't "hit the spot" so to speak.

[MidMazar]

I still think im going to get all three and build them all in different b-kits and paint schemes. Your comparison was very helpful. Thanks

[hd221813]

Really useful comparison. I think I would choose the Fujimi kit.