Fujimi Ferrari BB512 in 1/16 scale.

[kitefighter]

Has anyone on this forum actually built one of these models? There's a tantalysing single picture of a Ferrari BB512 in 1/16 scale built on page 19 in the February 2011 issue of Scale Auto Magazine. The model is built by Michael Apodaca, entered in the SoCal NNL last year. Looks incredible with all doors, bonnet and engine bay opening.

[alvarol]

Hi.

Fujimi 1/16 kits are in my opinion very simplistic for such a large scale, I'm not saying they're not wort the build, they definitely are worth it.

The thing is, if you are a "seasoned" modeler and have high expectations on the finished model, then frustration may fall upon you my friend. Unless, you dedicate yourself to some scratchbuilding.

There is definitely the space for it, and normally, overall shape and fitting accuracy of these kits IS good enough to justify some "overtime" on detailing and adding the "missing bits" where they should be.

I have the 288GTO, and the 959 Porsche of this series, and no doubt, with proper work, the potential for ending up with two beautifull models is there.

Please notice, I don´t have the BB512 kit, this is just my general opinion on this Fujimi 1/16 series.

I will leave you with a picture of my 288GTO "mock-up" , and a link where you can see the overall kit parts of the BB512.

http://www.114gundam.co.kr/goods_det...?goodsIdx=3007

[kitefighter]

Originally Posted by alvarol

Hi.

Fujimi 1/16 kits are in my opinion very simplistic for such a large scale, I'm not saying they're not wort the build, they definitely are worth it.

The thing is, if you are a "seasoned" modeler and have high expectations on the finished model, then frustration may fall upon you my friend. Unless, you dedicate yourself to some scratchbuilding.

There is definitely the space for it, and normally, overall shape and fitting accuracy of these kits IS good enough to justify some "overtime" on detailing and adding the "missing bits" where they should be.

I have the 288GTO, and the 959 Porsche of this series, and no doubt, with proper work, the potential for ending up with two beautifull models is there.

Please notice, I don´t have the BB512 kit, this is just my general opinion on this Fujimi 1/16 series.

I will leave you with a picture of my 288GTO "mock-up" , and a link where you can see the overall kit parts of the BB512.

http://www.114gundam.co.kr/goods_det...?goodsIdx=3007

Thanks very much for your reply. I'm not a seasoned modeller, and wouldn't be able to machine my own parts to improve the model. However, from the two pictures you've kindly posted of the BB512 and the 288 GTO, it seems as if the basic shape and proportions are correct. Plus you get opening doors, bonnet and boot. I'd like to see one built up, but 1/16 seems to be a scale that has been squeezed between 1/18 diecast and 1/12 kits and diecast. I'd be very curious to see one built up.

[alvarol]

I'd like to see one built up, but 1/16 seems to be a scale that has been squeezed between 1/18 diecast and 1/12 kits and diecast. I'd be very curious to see one built up.

I really understand you my friend, there are a lot of scales to choose from in todays modelling (more than needed in my opinion) it can be very confusing and also frustrating, because sometimes a model you want does exist, simply not at the scale you wanted it to be.

1/16 is a pretty common scale at automotive modelling though, you will find that a lot of models have been produced at this scale, classic, sports and even military vehicles. I rather like this scale, as there is a lot of room for improvement and scratchbuilding.

If you really like the car, then you should give it a try and get that BB512.

Here is a link where you can see one allready built, well... barely see!

http://home.att.ne.jp/orange/evohati/Puramo.html

[kitefighter]

Originally Posted by alvarol

I really understand you my friend, there are a lot of scales to choose from in todays modelling (more than needed in my opinion) it can be very confusing and also frustrating, because sometimes a model you want does exist, simply not at the scale you wanted it to be.

1/16 is a pretty common scale at automotive modelling though, you will find that a lot of models have been produced at this scale, classic, sports and even military vehicles. I rather like this scale, as there is a lot of room for improvement and scratchbuilding.

If you really like the car, then you should give it a try and get that BB512.

Here is a link where you can see one allready built, well... barely see!

http://home.att.ne.jp/orange/evohati/Puramo.html

Thank you again for taking the time to reply and your kind words of encouragement. I think I will take your advice and get the BB512 and the 288GTO in 1/16 scale and one day, when I have more skills and experience, try and tackle them as long term projects. The models are very appealing as being among the more pretty Ferraris. The larger 1/16 scale is seems to me to be a scale for the more professional modeller that would be built for exhibitions. I remember looking at scratch built 1/15 models at the UK National Science Museum and model engineers such as Gerald Wingrove
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/wingrove.htm
Have you built any models in the larger scales yourself? If so, how do you think the experience compares with 1/24 scale models?

[alvarol]

The larger 1/16 scale is seems to me to be a scale for the more professional modeller that would be built for exhibitions. I remember looking at scratch built 1/15 models at the UK National Science Museum and model engineers such as Gerald Wingrove

Believe me, there is nothing professional about 1/16 scale, or any other scale.

. It is all about the pleasure modelling brings to you, and also a matter of personal preference on the subject model you want to build. So if you really like the beauty of, let's say a 288 GTO, then you should consider how much detailing you would like the model to have?...a lot? well, you could go for 1/24, but you know there is less room in it to "upgrade" and it will be more demanding on your skills.

If you choose 1/16, then it may go a little easier for you, more room, bigger parts, easier to work with. Another positive aspect of bigger scales is finishing (these are only my personal thoughts about this matter) bigger scales work better to get perfect results in finishing aspects (trim, painting, detailing) but then again this is also a matter of how experienced and skilled modeller you are at the moment. It all depends on a lot of factors.

Gerald Wingrove is a world apart from the "normal" modeller, he represents a lifetime of dedication and professionalism on several areas that made of him one of few in something wich is to me not just modelling, but something of true Art.
I have some of his books, and admired his models since I was 17 or 18 years old. I could say he is one of the responsables for my "addiction" to modelling.

Back to the Fujimi Ferraris, they are not perfect as I previously said, and you don´t have to keep them waiting for when you think you're ready to them. Just build them, they will be a good "school" for your modelling skills, and will turn nice even out of the box.

Here are some links where you can aprecciate the 288GTO, you will notice wheels are a bit small (on my pictured model I am using the wheels from the Fujimi F40) and headlghts are clearly oversized, simplicity of the model also becomes obvious on these pictures, but it is rather good in form and shape, wich combined with a nice paintjob turns out into a good-looker.

http://blog.paran.com/blog/detail/po...Album02&p_eye=

http://blog.paran.com/blog/detail/po...Album02&p_eye=

The last 1/16 model I built was the VW Kafer, or commonly known as the "bug". It depicts the original 54 model, the kit is a little old, and it shows, it was built quite a few years ago now. I leave you with a link to some pictures of my fully built model.

http://www.automodelista.org/viewtop...+1%2F16#p49648

[kitefighter]

Originally Posted by alvarol

Believe me, there is nothing professional about 1/16 scale, or any other scale.

. It is all about the pleasure modelling brings to you, and also a matter of personal preference on the subject model you want to build. So if you really like the beauty of, let's say a 288 GTO, then you should consider how much detailing you would like the model to have?...a lot? well, you could go for 1/24, but you know there is less room in it to "upgrade" and it will be more demanding on your skills.

If you choose 1/16, then it may go a little easier for you, more room, bigger parts, easier to work with. Another positive aspect of bigger scales is finishing (these are only my personal thoughts about this matter) bigger scales work better to get perfect results in finishing aspects (trim, painting, detailing) but then again this is also a matter of how experienced and skilled modeller you are at the moment. It all depends on a lot of factors.

Gerald Wingrove is a world apart from the "normal" modeller, he represents a lifetime of dedication and professionalism on several areas that made of him one of few in something wich is to me not just modelling, but something of true Art.
I have some of his books, and admired his models since I was 17 or 18 years old. I could say he is one of the responsables for my "addiction" to modelling.

Back to the Fujimi Ferraris, they are not perfect as I previously said, and you don´t have to keep them waiting for when you think you're ready to them. Just build them, they will be a good "school" for your modelling skills, and will turn nice even out of the box.

Here are some links where you can aprecciate the 288GTO, you will notice wheels are a bit small (on my pictured model I am using the wheels from the Fujimi F40) and headlghts are clearly oversized, simplicity of the model also becomes obvious on these pictures, but it is rather good in form and shape, wich combined with a nice paintjob turns out into a good-looker.

http://blog.paran.com/blog/detail/po...Album02&p_eye=

http://blog.paran.com/blog/detail/po...Album02&p_eye=

The last 1/16 model I built was the VW Kafer, or commonly known as the "bug". It depicts the original 54 model, the kit is a little old, and it shows, it was built quite a few years ago now. I leave you with a link to some pictures of my fully built model.

http://www.automodelista.org/viewtop...+1%2F16#p49648

Thank you so much for posting the pictures above and for your words of encouragement. I must admit to being slightly intimidated by the high standard of your work. The VW is particularly eye catching in that colour. The models look impressive with the opening panels. I think the larger scale is a double edged sword. Larger means less fiddly and more scope for improvement but also, the model has to be more detailed to look the part and the larger the scale, the more conspicuous the error in the model or the build.

The BB512 has always been a favourite of mine, ever since I saw one barrel out of a garage in London specialising in US Muscle cars.

[CrateCruncher]

I've built a couple of the Fujimi 1/16th kits. Overall they are an excellent value. The scale is not popular among modelers probably due to limited subjects. Though I've sold most of the ones I had I still have the BB512 because I was able to get a very nice sheet of brushed nickel photoetch from the German company: Autograph. As others have mentioned, there is a lot of room on these large scale kits that need to be filled with scratch details.

Follow the link and click on 1/16th in the left margin:
http://www.autographmodel.com/Englisch/Englisch.htm

[MidMazar]

Originally Posted by CrateCruncher

I've built a couple of the Fujimi 1/16th kits. Overall they are an excellent value. The scale is not popular among modelers probably due to limited subjects. Though I've sold most of the ones I had I still have the BB512 because I was able to get a very nice sheet of brushed nickel photoetch from the German company: Autograph. As others have mentioned, there is a lot of room on these large scale kits that need to be filled with scratch details.
http://www.autographmodel.com/Englisch/Englisch.htm

But do have to comment on that there isn't many aftermarket parts that companies produce for these. So for extra detail its mainly up to yourself figuring out a way of doing it.

[kitefighter]

Originally Posted by CrateCruncher

I've built a couple of the Fujimi 1/16th kits. Overall they are an excellent value. The scale is not popular among modelers probably due to limited subjects. Though I've sold most of the ones I had I still have the BB512 because I was able to get a very nice sheet of brushed nickel photoetch from the German company: Autograph. As others have mentioned, there is a lot of room on these large scale kits that need to be filled with scratch details.

Follow the link and click on 1/16th in the left margin:
http://www.autographmodel.com/Englisch/Englisch.htm

Thank you very much for the reply above. The availability of a photo etched upgrade is a major consideration for this model. Do you have any pictures of the BB512 you made to share? How did you find building the model in general?

[CrateCruncher]

Actually I haven't built it yet. It's down there on my to-do pile. I've built the 1/16th Testarossa(common) and Lambo Miura(rare). Both went together quite easily. The Testarossa is perhaps the nicest 1/16th kit I've ever seen. It's that good. Both got destroyed years ago in a move unfortunately.

If you are hell bent on the BB512 (I like 'em too) don't rule out the newish 1/24th Fujimi kit. It's nice with full engine detail and pop-up headlights I believe. Annnd, there is an early 365GT4BB version with downdraft Webers and triple lens tailights. Among ferrari collectors I hear that's the one to have because it's rarer/faster/lighter supposedly. Anyway, if you build a lot of kits there is some logic to sticking with 1/24th. Here is a link to the instructions:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10051694

Studio 27 and others make a photoetch fret for the 1/24th kit but don't expect it to be in the same league as Autograph:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10055760

[Helico]

I also have both 1/16 288 GTO and BB512 but haven't built them. The GTO is slightly different to the 1/24 version and have a few more parts. Unlike the GTO, the BB12 kit was designed to be motorized which I assume was quite popular back then. You can fit an electric motor into the engine. The instruction also tells you how to wire the lights. But some areas of the engine don't look right to me. I may be wrong. Hopefully some other people can verify this.

The GTO kit is worth buying and building. I wouldn't recommend BB12, but of course, I need to see the 1/24 version to compare with.

Oh, another thing. If you are in the market for a 1/16 GTO, look for the Testor version which is exactly a repackaged Fujimi. The Testor kit is often on auction on eBay for a lot lower price. I think I got mine for $30. Hope this helps.