galaxyg Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Background: Although the original GT40 is a bit too 1960s in its design for my tastes, I do love the way the 2000's follow up looks - the sharpening up of the shape and details and modern production engineering make it look just right. It was a long while before I even knew there was a model kit of one, and then I found this one by Polar Lights, itself a reboxing of an AMT snap-fit kit. I did wonder if a snap-fit kit would be any good but after a long think (years, on-and-off!), this November I decided to give it a go anyway and buy one online. I started it within a few days of it arriving in the post. Pros: There is a lot of detail, with a great interior and a full engine. Being a snap-fit kit, everything fits together correctly and this makes putting it together easier than a needs-glue equivalent. The seats and their silver inserts being a highlight of kit engineering made to make life easy for the builder - the kind of thing you'd expect from Tamiya not AMT. Not having to glue some of the fiddly transparent parts is also very helpful, amongst other things. The decals are great quality, easy to apply and have spares and enough options whatever colour you make your build. The transparent parts are really clean and shiny, and the overall shape and proportions of the car look good. The door mirrors are solidly mounted as are the seats. Cons: The wheels, brakes and tyres are not good, lacking details and having a solid area around the brake disc. The tyre treads are too thick and seem like winter tyres. Also once assembled, the calipers rotate with the wheels. The instructions are not great quality, have omissions and also mistakes in the correct decal numbers. The painting guide is also incorrect in some areas. Despite the comprehensive decals, there are no front-to-back stripes unless you mask and paint your own. Most of the chromed parts are not chrome on the real car but aluminium, and the chrome is a nuisance to remove. Fitting the body to the chassis is work. The initial impression of the kit on unboxing is something which is thick and toylike although building it deconstructs this impression. Verdict: Remarkably good. It's a better kit than you'd expect and builds just like any other decent quality kit, despite the expectations of what comprises a snap-fit kit. Very much recommended if you like the subject matter. Build notes: Built over the course of 3 weeks in December 2022. Aside from a few bits of mesh it's built entirely out-of-the-box. It's painted with Tamiya Silver (for the stripes) and Land Rover Scotia Grey for the rest, from a Halfords rattle-can. It's clearcoated with Mr Hobby Gloss Premium. I am very very happy with the way it's come out, and how photogenic it is. 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 That scrubbed up beautifully, and looks the beast that the real thing is. Excellent and tasteful colour choices as well. Just goes to show that one shouldn’t dismiss a kit just because it’s snap fit (see also Monogram 1/72 B-26 and various Meng kits…). Brilliant. best, M. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 That is very nice and indeed the colours suits the car very well. Lovely work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 I'm not surprised that you're happy with it as it looks stunning! The colour combination is gorgeous! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Looks really nice. You have built this very nicely. Merry Christmas! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toftdale Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Great build - its definitely made me think differently about how I view snap together kits. Thanks for sharing - Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Definitely a good end result. As I said in the thread, the colour suits it surprisingly well too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 That is really very nicely done, excellent paintjob in a colour that really suits the car - and I normally hate grey cars! Good photo's to, they show the build off very well indeed. Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 That looks fantastic, a super job on it. I can feel a need coming on. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkyChiken Posted December 26, 2022 Share Posted December 26, 2022 It does build up into a lovely model, personally, I really like the subject, but was worried about the snap kit not being great. Its also quite expensive! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted December 26, 2022 Share Posted December 26, 2022 Oh nice, that is a lovely colour for it, love the photo's! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desert falcon Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 That’s a fantastic looking Ford GT 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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