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Tamiya Simca 5 Staff Car finally completed.

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  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Tamiya Simca 5 Staff Car finally completed.
Posted by Bronto on Thursday, October 4, 2012 6:38 PM

I picked up the Tamiya Simca 5 staff car today.  It is an interesting looking little car.

Lets start with the good:

-First time this subject has been done in plastic.

-Kit seems well engineered.

-Markings for 3 vehicles - 1 gray WH, one gray WL, and one black civilian.

Disclaimer:  If you do not wan't to hear anything bad about a kit, or from a "Rivet Counter"  then don't read any further

The bad:

-Lots of ejector pin marks (underside, inside body, inside doors, on suspension parts)

-No option for closed roof

-Soft suspension details

-Solid front grill

-Lackluster interior details (Blobs for pedals, no door handles)

-And worst of all - NO TIRE TREAD

I know that aftermarket will eventually appear to correct these items, but I believe they should be in the kit to begin with.

I will be building this this weekend, and will post in progress pictures.

Here are the sprue shots.

Lack of tire tread is evident here:

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Thursday, October 4, 2012 6:57 PM

Interesting choice of subject, look forward to seeing what you do with it.

  • Member since
    August 2012
  • From: Parker City, IN.
Posted by Rambo on Friday, October 5, 2012 4:50 AM

Never seen this kit before I will be watching to see how it comes. I agree there should be a option for closed roof in the kit at the least.

Clint

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Friday, October 5, 2012 7:05 AM

Wait a minute... I can see a few squiggly lines that might be intended to be tire tread. I had to get really close to the monitor, but there was something there.  Indifferent  Now I'm blind!

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Australia
Posted by Blitzwing on Friday, October 5, 2012 7:09 AM

Is that a new Tamiya kit or a really old one? I've never seen that one before.

URL=http://picasion.com/]

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Posted by Bronto on Friday, October 5, 2012 9:28 AM
It is tamiya's newest.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Friday, October 5, 2012 11:51 AM

I thought this car was familiar, as I have 3 of these in resin sitting in the process of being built. The Simca 5 was a French license built version of the FIAT 500 A Topolino. The FIAT 500 A was very common in Italian military use. Model Victoria has had that vehicle in resin for several years in 3 vesions - Civilian, Military and North African, I am building all 3 versions. The Tamiya version would be of course less expensive.

www.modelvictoria.it/.../fiat_500_topolino.htm

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
    January 2010
Posted by CrashTestDummy on Friday, October 5, 2012 3:49 PM

subfixer

Wait a minute... I can see a few squiggly lines that might be intended to be tire tread. I had to get really close to the monitor, but there was something there.  Indifferent  Now I'm blind!

Yeah, looked like some tread there to me.  Perhaps even in scale!!  At first blush, I would think an attempt at a closed top would be fabbed up with some brass rod and tissue paper.  If not tissue paper, perhaps some foil.  Just a thought.  Looks like a cute kit, begging for detailing. 

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

G. Beaird,

Pearland, Texas

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Posted by Bronto on Friday, October 5, 2012 5:37 PM

Got all of the underside ejector pin marks filled, all 19 of them!

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by PANZERWAFFE on Friday, October 5, 2012 6:21 PM

I had a lot of interest in picking this kit up so will be following along.  Agree those details should be present in these new kits.  What are your plans for the solid grill?

Rob

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Posted by Bronto on Friday, October 5, 2012 6:50 PM

Not quite sure yet.  Probably will try thinning it out from behind, if that doesn't work just scratchbuild a new one.

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by PANZERWAFFE on Friday, October 5, 2012 7:45 PM

Yes

Rob

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Friday, October 5, 2012 8:50 PM

I almost picked this kit up this evening at my LHS..... Hmm

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Posted by IBuild148 on Friday, October 5, 2012 11:25 PM

I just ordered 2 of these on Monday. I am in for watching, Espicially what you do for the grill,

IBuildOne48

Teach modeling to youth!

Scalefinishes.com

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww122/randysmodels/NMF%20Group%20build%20II/Group%20Badge/NMFIIGBbadgesmall.jpg

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Philippines
Posted by constructor on Sunday, October 7, 2012 5:08 PM

Is it a real Tamiya kit or a rebox kit? The sprues does not look Tamiya to me.

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Posted by Bronto on Sunday, October 7, 2012 9:02 PM

It is a real Tamiya kit.  It is typical moldings for them - simplistic details but great engineering.

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Sunday, October 7, 2012 9:02 PM

Contructor...it's a Tamiya kit, as stated previoiusly.  I just might get it for KB vehicle.

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Monday, October 8, 2012 7:09 AM

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Posted by Bronto on Monday, October 8, 2012 2:36 PM

Reading that review makes we wonder if we are even building the same kit.

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by Gear Head 6 on Monday, October 8, 2012 2:46 PM

I was looking at some real Simca 5s on U-tube and the closest thing to a door Handle was a small lever on the inside and outside of the "suicide" doors.  The widows slid opened so it there are no hand cranks on the inside doors. The pedals really look like oval blobs.

They could have included a spare closed roof cover but the Tamiya kit is a very good simple model of a very simple car. Also there does seem to be faint treads on the tires which may be accurate for the full sized vehicle. 

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Posted by Bronto on Monday, October 8, 2012 4:04 PM

The pedals and under the dash are FAR from "oval blobs."   It is correct there are no hand cranks for the windows, but the doors latches as seen at the front edge of the doors are not included.

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Posted by Bronto on Monday, October 8, 2012 6:58 PM

Rebuilding of the dash is done.  Dials were drilled out, and new switches added.

Edit:  sorry for the terrible picture, I cant seem to get it to come out without a bunch of reflection.  I will take another one once it is painted.

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Dallas
Posted by KINGTHAD on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 8:45 AM

What is it with you and tires first the B-25 now this......Bronto's rescribe tire shop.

ps-where are my floats.

Thad

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Posted by Bronto on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 9:59 AM
What is it with kits having crappy tires. :)

Your floats are in the same place you saw them on Thursday!

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 7:51 PM

Nice job reworking the dash. Yes

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Dallas
Posted by KINGTHAD on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 8:37 AM

Are you redoing the pedals? or are they hidden from view in the final build.

BTW.....I talked to Brett yesterday and he is sending out a hit squad out to ya for trashing his review.

Thad

  • Member since
    April 2003
Posted by fomocomav on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 12:38 PM

I plan on making a hard top out of mine.  A bit of .005 plastic, maybe .010, and just cut in a window.  I found a picture of a grand total of ONE hard top, but that is all the proof I need.  My body was crushed when I opened the kit, so I have to wait for Tamiya to send another before I know for sure which plastic to use.  Bronto, nice job on the dash!

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Posted by Bronto on Friday, October 19, 2012 11:14 AM

Thanks all for the nice words.  I had some time to do a little bit more work.  The pedals are rebuilt, and the front grill is half-done.

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Friday, October 19, 2012 7:45 PM

Like what you've done with the dash and pedals.

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

  • Member since
    August 2012
  • From: Parker City, IN.
Posted by Rambo on Friday, October 19, 2012 7:53 PM

the pedals are looking much better now

Clint

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