Reviewers wanted for new sticky thread!

[Layla's Keeper]

Well, anyone who frequents the board surely has noticed the new sticky at the top here, and I can definitely say that it'll be as useful for new modelers as the FAQ's.

However, we will need reviews consistently contributed to the thread in order to make it useful, and many different reviews at that. I've already contributed one, and will contribute more. But given all the releases out there and the huge variety of subject matter I certainly couldn't cover it all.

I figure it'll take 10+ people, myself included, who are prolific kit buyers/builders and are inherently familiar with automobiles to create a worthwhile kit review thread. Heavy anti-Fujimi, anti-Revell, anti-AMT, or what have you biases won't be welcome. Also, all the reviewers are going to need to keep in touch with each other to make sure we don't have multiple reviews.

P-man was willing to make the sticky thread, and his efforts are greatly appreciated. Now it's up to us to make it work.

The rating system will be a 1 through 10 scale. A "ten" kit is going to have to be a rare example, encompassing incredible detail, revolutionary building features or options, near universally appealing subject matter, and 100% accuracy at a reasonable price. By the same token, 1's will be rare, having severe inaccuracies, poor detail, lousy fit, and being over-priced.

To give examples of each; a "10" kit would be Accurate Miniatures Mclaren Mk8B. A "1" kit would be the Lindberg reissue of the Pyro 1948 Lincoln Continental.

So, who's up for this? I want names and I want them pronto. Think of it this way; with the review thread permanent there'll eventually be no need to answer "Is this kit good?" threads.

[slk320]

You can count me in if you need me. I don't know if I fit your criteria but I am willing.

[chubbs36chambers]

My props to you thats a great idea i would help you but i lack the model building experience that this requires. But its a good thing cause i know people that bought models and the quality wasnt good so good luck to your project.

[drumcat]

im up for it im on this forums like 24/7 so pick me lol and i have built and own a very large amount of models

[Layla's Keeper]

Okay, SLK320 and Drumcat, glad to see you're enthusiastic. Just need some sample reviews from you guys to see what you can do. Just make sure to get in-depth on all the primary stuff; body, interior, chassis, and engine (if the kit has one).

The major points to judge a kit on are the following:

Accuracy: This must be held to above all else. A kit can get by with a lack of options, an obscene price, and fiddly fit if it's accurate to the 1/1 vehicle.

Fit & Finish: Does the kit build well? Are there any hiccups or unclear points in the instructions? Is there a lot of flash and mold lines? What about the quality of the chrome, clear, and other such finished parts? Do the decals lay down well and are they complete? That's fit & finish.

Value: Value is the last thing to judge, but it's crucial in determining where the kit lies in comparison to other kits. Basically, compare what the MSRP is to what you got. Things that up value are optional parts, highly demanded subject matter, and wide ranging usability. For instance, if Revell released an S13 240SX fastback kit in 1:24th scale with an SR20DET optional engine that would be a highly-usable kit because of all the applications for the parts therein.

So, pick a kit, review it on those terms, and PM it my way and you'll have your answer. And anyone else that's interested, the same goes for you. No preference to mods or beautiful women.....

....maybe to beautiful women.

[chaos]

Layla's Keeper- is it going to be one review per kit? I wouldn't mind being part of this.

[CamaroSSBoy346]

i'd definatly like writing reviews!

[slk320]

Ok. you got it

[Layla's Keeper]

Yes Chaos, definitely one review per kit. That's one of the reasons I'm trying to keep a tight leash on this; to prevent 70 reviews of the Tamiya R34 Skyline kit saying it kicks a$$ and nobody stopping to mention that Aoshima has a passable Cefiro kit.

I figure as soon as the thread has a good number of kits reviewed, we can go back and give second opinions. But that's a ways off.

Glad to have more interest, but remember. I'll need sample reviews. Once I have sample reviews, I can start making determinations as to who will be on the review staff.

[Layla's Keeper]

Afraid I don't have the PM, slk320. If you're going to e-mail the sample review to me, then e-mail it to [email protected]

Sorry about not being clearer before, but the e-mail account that my account here at AF is routed to is one I lost the password to a long time ago.

[CamaroSSBoy346]

Okay, i sent my sample review.

[Layla's Keeper]

Okay, I've read CamaroSSBoy's review. He's in. That leaves 9 more slots to fill. C'mon folks, get to those keyboards.

CSB, how about posting that AMT Camaro review in the sticky thread with some better paragraph breaks.

[slk320]

Just sent Pm and Email.

[dag65]

Well I wouldn't say I was a prolific builder, I have a habit of having 8 or 10 going at the same time. But I bet I could contribute 2 or 3 per year.
I am nearing completion on a Lindberg 61 Impala SS and the Revell Baldwin Motion Vette, so I could have those for you early next year.
I build mostly Classic American Cars, Muscle , Rat Rods....
I have a pretty good collection going so over time I think I could contribute quite a few.
Drop me a line if you are interested.

Darin

[Layla's Keeper]

Okay, two more slots have been filled. So currently, the review team is;

Myself.
CamaroSSBoy346.
bigfrit.
slk320.

Dag65, "prolific builder" doesn't necessarily mean "prolific project completer". Also, subject matter isn't that important, as we're going to need to cover a lot of different kits. Just make sure that you don't review a kit that's already been reviewed. You can send a sample review my way and we'll see what can be done.