Review: Crazy Modeler F430 Challenge upgrade set (EP-0031)

[Robi J]

Despite I bought their street F430 upgrade set months ago, this is my first Crazy Modeler set I’m really going to use. Prolific and fast, they naturally developed the set intended for the street version, both for the Fujimi tools.

The set feature five different frames



The first one A, thin and delicate like paper, carries all the grilles for the bodywork; Ferrari emblems, script and prancing horses (even for the seat’s headrest); dashboard instrument plate and steering wheel plate; net retain for the cockpit (but not used in the Challenge version); F430 logo for the dashboard; caps and plates for the engine bay; frame for the sliding windows


Set B, definitely thicker than A, includes anti-skid plates for the cockpit floor (will be a pitty to paint them); footrest plates; oil cap; hood fasteners and license plates


Set C, same thickness of B, carries windshield wipers; pedals; towing hooks; fuel fillers; rear bumper exhaust grille; shift paddles; Ferrari logos; rollcage stiffeners. A small but precious frame includes pre-cut Ferrari scripts for bodywork and brake callipers; front lights and mirror faces; Pininfarina logos and prancing horses


Set D, the thicker one, includes the brake discs. Two options available: wheel on and wheel dismounted, so different disc faces and hubs are provided


Instructions are simple but rather clear


I did not have the possibility to check all the parts, but I wanted to test-fit at least the most important ones.
Brake discs are very well done and fit perfectly the callipers, I guess they need extra care to be assembled but will look like the real thing



The grilles for the front air intakes also fit perfectly the kit parts



The upper rear grille fit the opening with no margin, be careful when cutting the kit part and cross check often. It was impossible for me and I have to correct the opening now


fit of the lower grille is ok


Rear bumper exhaust grille is slightly oversized, needs to be properly sanded down


The grille to be located on the rear diffuser fit perfectly the kit opening


All the bodywork grilles fit very well, very minor filing would be necessary for the lower grilles on the front bumper and on the side skirts. Fuel fillers feature each four parts and look very realistic




The sliding windows frames are the exact copy of the relevant frosted areas on the kit windows


Small but important details for the engine bay are included, here shown a cap and a Ferrari emblem, perfectly sized


The dashboard will receive an instrument plate,


the shift paddles,


and a very nice plate for the steering wheel


All the anti-skid plates fit perfectly the cockpit floor, no filing necessary



Pedals and footrest are well replicated but need to be carefully installed to look realistic


For the rollcage a stiffener is included, slightly oversized


Generally speaking I’m impressed about the quality and, especially, about the fit of the parts. I’d like to thank Laurel at Crazy Modeler for the sample.

Roberto

[TireGaint]

awesome...cant wait to get start of my set. Thanks, Robi J

[gionc]

Wow Robi, seem amazing! It's a shame they cut apart the caliper portion: the whole disk would be better, also becouse they seem to do perfecly the floating screwing bolts: I'm looking forward to see finished

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Looks pretty nice, but the window slides aren't correct done in metal (the frosted glass in the kit is more realistic looking in scale, and still no air jacks? Seems a shame to go to all this detail and the kit is still lacking the three air jacks. Especially for using the brake parts that depict the car w/the wheels off. Perhaps another aftermarket firm will make some decent air jacks for this model??

[mikemechanic]

Wow Robi, between your build-up and review of the photoetch I will be making an instant order.

Mike.

[kevincow]

wow that's look petty good thx for that Robj

[robrex]

Great review Robi!

[Hiroboy]

Nice review Rob, I can't wait to see more of it

[5ynergyx]

I'm impressed with both the quality and your reviews as well!

[klutz_100]

Avanti!
Great review, great parts, great kit - I'd love to make this.

Thanks Robi

[auw12]

now you've got everything you need to finish the epic building~~~i'm looking forward to it!

[Robi J]

Originally Posted by auw12

now you've got everything you need to finish the epic building

Yes, I have no further excuses

Robi

[Gamerxz]

ROB... More progress Man!... i been waiting soooooo long to see this kit finish since that time when we both started the F430 challenge threads at the sametime!

[Robi J]

Originally Posted by Gamerxz

ROB... More progress Man!... i been waiting soooooo long to see this kit finish since that time when we both started the F430 challenge threads at the sametime!

You're right ...but I'm terribly LAZY !!!

Roberto

[nugundam93]

wow...those PE parts are great!