Fujimi, variable quality?

[MC Bodge]

I have built some Fujimi 911s in the past. Very detailed Enthusiast models of a 911R and 2.7RS. A simpler, but good, 80s Turbo based on a similar body. They appeared accurate and quality was very good. I also built a wide arched Hakosuka that was simple, but quite good.

I have built some others which were really poor. A Ferrari 348 and an early 4 door Skyline which looked terrible (and inaccurate) next to the Hakosuka -and fit only for the bin, really.

I recently opened up an E30 M3 which, even at first glance, is blatantly different in proportions to the real thing and very different to the artist's impression on the box. I'm not sure what I'll do with it.

The poor quality models appear to have been designed to be battery powered and share parts. They are more like toys than proper models. I won't be buying any more.

Were the 911s and other Enthusiast models originally from a different source?

Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 17th February 09:20

[dr_gn]

Look on Scalemates, there’s probably a full timeline for the kits you’re asking about, which will show their origin and when they were released.

[Gary29]

Not sure about the exact history of that Fujimi M3, but Scalemates.com is a great resource for this kind of thing,m and you can often trace back the history of a certain kit.

If you're looking for a nice E30 M3 kit, then the Nunu (was Beemax / Aoshima) do a nice version, I just picked one up myself actually to built a '91 BTCC car from.

https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/nunu-124...

Lots of aftermarket decal schemes if you plan on building a race version, bit limited if you want to build a road car version, maybe a track day warrior would be more suited.

[MC Bodge]

dr_gn said:

Look on Scalemates, there’s probably a full timeline for the kits you’re asking about, which will show their origin and when they were released.

Thanks

[MC Bodge]

Gary29 said:

If you're looking for a nice E30 M3 kit, then the Nunu (was Beemax / Aoshima) do a nice version, I just picked one up myself actually to built a '91 BTCC car from.

https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/nunu-124...

Thanks. I might use the one I have to try some body modifications.

[generationx]

Yes generally the Fujimi "Inch Up" series (such as the M3, 190 2.3-16 and many Japanese saloons do appear to be designed for running electric motors, a bit like the early Tamiya 1/24th kits. The difference being that Tamiya generally got the proportions bang on whereas, especially (and notoriously) with the M3, Fujimi went a bit mad. However a lot of their 1/24th kits are great - Ferraris P4 and F40LM, Ford GT40 and Porsche 911 GT3 to mention just a few.

Fujimi should also be praised for resurrecting the 1/20th Formula 1 genre when Tamiya seemed to have almost abandoned it, with some nice subjects like the 80s Ferraris, early 90s McLarens and the Brabham "fan car". This seemed to prompt Ebbro to follow suit and should be applauded.

[MC Bodge]

generationx said:

The difference being that Tamiya generally got the proportions bang on whereas, especially (and notoriously) with the M3, Fujimi went a bit mad. However a lot of their 1/24th kits are great - Ferraris P4 and F40LM, Ford GT40 and Porsche 911 GT3 to mention just a few.

Had I known about the M3 notoriety, I'd not have bought it. It really is terrible. I'm thinking about making a convertible or a banger racer.

[MC Bodge]

Are Aoshima kits better? How do they compare with Tamiya kits?

[Spottedlaurel]

MC Bodge said:

Are Aoshima kits better? How do they compare with Tamiya kits?

There's a question! The answer is on average better than many Fujimi (particularly the 1980s models), but not as good as Tamiya. Some of the early-mid '80s Tamiya kits were also motorized, but they don't seem to be too compromised because of it. Doyusha's Nostalgic Hero range are the worst in that regard, with shallow interiors and variable scaling.

On the current releases of older mouldings they even admit themselves they're not up to current standards:


1:24 Aoshima Nissan Skyline 2000 GTX-E.S GC111 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I had the Revell issue of the Fujimi E30 some years ago and had to move it on.


1:24 Revell BMW Alpina C1 Kit (E30) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Their early '80s Skyline R30 is pretty bad too, I'm contemplating building mine as a convertible as the roofline is far too flat.

The origins of this Aoshima kit date back some years but with a bit of care it built up nicely:


1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

The interior was fairly crude however, and the battery compartment that sits underneath the bonnet is visible here:


1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This Fujimi kit is nicely detailed and proportioned:


1:24 Fujimi Nissan Skyline 2000GT-B (S54B) kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

And their Fairlady Roadster was a good kit with an engine and reasonably delicate details:


1:24 Fujimi Datsun Fairlady Roadster kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Most Hasegawa kits are a pretty good alternative to Tamiya, they seem to be bringing out kits with completely new tooling and offer some interesting subjects. Not many have engines however.

Edited by Spottedlaurel on Wednesday 17th February 20:34

Edited by Spottedlaurel on Wednesday 17th February 20:35

[RobFerrari]

MC Bodge said:

Are Aoshima kits better? How do they compare with Tamiya kits?

I mainly build Tamiya kits. However I have built a couple of Aoshima ones, specifically their 1/24 Honda Beat and 1/24 Reamemiya RX7 Savannah. I enjoyed both, particularly the Honda Beat.

My Aoshima kits have come from Kent Models, who offer a very good selection of them and I imagine would offer some good opinions too.

However the majority of my collection is, and will remain Tamiya.

[MC Bodge]

I decided to have a go at making the roof-chopped & oddly-proportioned Fujimi "E30 M3" (see below) look more like an E30 M3.




There is still a bit of blending work to be done, but it is an improvement over the original shape.






I've never tried body modifications like this, so it has been a good learning experience.