Decent F1 kits... ?

Have you checked out the Tamiya kits? I don't know if they have engines or not, but I don't think I have ever built a bad Tamiya kit!

Post it in the F1 GB as well in the Group Build Section.  All Tamiya kits are 1/20, 'cept some older ones in 1/12 for their large scale series.  Personaly I'd say they give the best quality and detail for the price.  They all have nicely molded and detailed engines included.  Remember I asked you once regarding some wiring I can add to 1/24 and 1/20 kits, those are what they are for.  Most resin kits are down right expensive and some don't even come with the engine at all. 

If you are looking at 1/24, since you are a car guy and all, the newer Revell Germany kits, TF102 or F2003GA on, have improved in quality but the details such as the suspension or the included engine are still plain if not darn toyish.  Nonetheless they are a quick build with a bunch of filling and sanding hours.  The decals make up for them as well. At the same time most of their selection are not offered by Tamiya and can only be found on the Studio27 1/20 resin line-ups.

Off of my head, Protar and Wave all had 1/24 F-1 kits but the prices on ebay generally goes over most Tamiya kits sans the newer ones.  I have 2 Gunze 1/24 kits but they are more like motorized toys...

I have a F1 Benneton Schumacher (1995) Academy kit I got years ago, but still haven't even started! Maybe I should do that before buying another $50 armor kit lol.

Hmm tried posting the link but it won't let me paste it here. I've never done an Academy kit before, hope its good.

Tamiya are good F1 kits, but they haven't released or even given news of anything new since the Fw24, and this is now going OOP. Tamiya have for the time being turned their back on F1. Revell Germany are releasing 1/24, but these are not as refined as the Tamiya kits.

I've got the 2003GA, and its a nice kit, but its no Tamiya F2000 or F2001. The resin kits, as stated are just too darn expensive... Red Five are releasing the FW28 in 1/20, and it does include an engine. But at £110 this is one pricey kit.. I guess I'll have to save, but me and resin, + the price do not get along..

Sadly, if F1 is your thing, then it's either back catalog from Tamiya, which means ebay and shops that sill have some, or Revell 1/24, but these are cheap, and some of the aftermarket guys are releasing upgrades for these kits. The MP20 and the F2005 have a good selection of aftermarket now...

If you still want modern 2001 onwards F1 in 1/20 then resin is your only choice, and at £100 + a kit, and some do not have engines, and the clean up needed these kits are territory for the rich, experienced, and those who want a challenge I'm afraid...

It seems the F1 plastic builder is a dying breed... Sadly. But if your an F1 resin builder, then its a case of how bigs your wallet... I do find this pretty sad actually, and Tamiya have basically turned their backs on a loyal band of plastic kit builders... TBH, I think the damage Tamiya are doing to themselves will be long lasting, even seeing them quit the plastic car market, and this is not good news...

Resin markets will grow, but the audience for such kits will lesson, as most do not have the skill, time or money for resin kits. They are, mostly crude, un-licensed and expensive products, bought by those who are hungry to satisfy their thirst for F1 model building..

Rant over..

mickbench wrote:

It seems the F1 plastic builder is a dying breed... Sadly. But if your an F1 resin builder, then its a case of how bigs your wallet... I do find this pretty sad actually, and Tamiya have basically turned their backs on a loyal band of plastic kit builders... TBH, I think the damage Tamiya are doing to themselves will be long lasting, even seeing them quit the plastic car market, and this is not good news...

With all these new nice quality diecast 1/18 and 1/24 modern F1 cars available to collectors or enthusiasts, and the fact like you said the modern more popular kits are only available in resin, I can see why our group is slowly diminishing. As for a confession, I even have a 1/24 hotwheels diecast MP4/14 and F2004 on my desk just for display.

Ah mickbench... car models are the source of your power! :)

Okay, I'm new to this, but have a confession to make... I've got quite a few F1 Tamiya kits in both scales... but mostly because they donated parts to other things that I build. But, having met up with a co-worker from England who's a huge F1 nut and who gets discs sent from home every two weeks, my interest in the open wheel has re-ignited (not a NASCAR or other auto race fan, but I do like F1 and even some Indy... and MotoGP, don't get me started. Good stuff)

Now, I've had the same problem tracking down kits, and it seems you've got to be quick and grab the Tamiya 1/20s, only...

Well, used to be that the 1//20 scale used to only really differ in the body and external appearance. The power plants and internals were similar from kit to kit (the 1/12 took care of you though) Is this still the case?

I would greatly love to turn to building some of the F1 cars, and if there are any Indy, would love that as well (I just can't quite justify the resin kit prices). Skill-wise, got a way to travel, but I am hoping beyond hope that when I think that I can do one justice, they'll still be around.

satanshollow: that Academy B195 is an absolutely woeful kit. General outline is ok, but it still needs a bit of work. The headrest behind the driver is the big one that needs to be bulked out - it's too small. And the wheels/tyres are a touch on the small side, though that one is easy to fix. Other than that, it's alright. Provides a good platform to do Ligier's JS41 from that year too.

shaun68 wrote:

satanshollow: that Academy B195 is an absolutely woeful kit. General outline is ok, but it still needs a bit of work. The headrest behind the driver is the big one that needs to be bulked out - it's too small. And the wheels/tyres are a touch on the small side, though that one is easy to fix. Other than that, it's alright. Provides a good platform to do Ligier's JS41 from that year too.

Thanks for the input.

How are the decals? I've heard that they tear really easily :(

mickbench wrote:

It seems the F1 plastic builder is a dying breed... Sadly. But if your an F1 resin builder, then its a case of how bigs your wallet... I do find this pretty sad actually, and Tamiya have basically turned their backs on a loyal band of plastic kit builders... TBH, I think the damage Tamiya are doing to themselves will be long lasting, even seeing them quit the plastic car market, and this is not good news...

Tamiya is going to quit the car market What the crap??? When did this happen?

eizzle wrote:

mickbench wrote: It seems the F1 plastic builder is a dying breed... Sadly. But if your an F1 resin builder, then its a case of how bigs your wallet... I do find this pretty sad actually, and Tamiya have basically turned their backs on a loyal band of plastic kit builders... TBH, I think the damage Tamiya are doing to themselves will be long lasting, even seeing them quit the plastic car market, and this is not good news... Tamiya is going to quit the car market What the crap??? When did this happen?

I have not heard that either. If saddly true I would imagine F1 mismanagement would be to blame( although I do like the "Pump gas" rule). They are as bad as FIM was for motocross back in the day. "What a euro bike didn't win, Change the rules!" Sorry about the rant. (Senna fan here). When he was Honda Powered, He was one of the best.(OK I'm a Honda fan too..Senna was great in a soap box derby car..) Berney Eklestone what can I say. Politics and Money buy horsepower.....I mean wins...there I go again... I tried building the revell/ag Jordan Honda....it's half done, and back in the box. Tamiya is a good choice.

Not gonna get on any boxes - will most likely fall off whilst concentrating on getting my fingers cleaned up!

Academy B195 - not the kit you want to build to experience F1 builds for the first time! Can end up a very nice kit, but it might dull your sence of willingness to approach the subject again.

As for what's out there - I echo what most have allready said. Tamiya's kits are great. Revell are ever-improving. Huge step up from the EJ10 I build to the Sauber and from what I've heard the newer ones are even better (F2003 & MP4/20).

As for the multimedia kits... heck,they're a bit pricey. Not nearly as bad as some guys make them out to be, though. I might go so far as to say I might buy one a year, just to build something more current. But then I ran into 1:43rd, which gives you modern multimedia F1's at a smaller price. Quite tricky to build, as well!

So, go for Tamiya if you want to build a nice kit, not new F1's (newest being FW24). Then I'd say it's Revell or one of the resin makers' kits, depending on what you want. If it's your first F1, I'd advise the F2000 or F2001 from Tamiya - great build and easy colourscheme.

Yes its all been said. Tamiya and then get the aftermarket stuff and transformation kits to broaden the collection slightly.

If you really want to collect and build F1 cars then 1/43rd is the only way to go. Sure pricey but 95/100 kits are very very good and your building skills will develop quickly. Kits range from 2005 back to the dawn of time (or F1 anyway!)

I don't think i'm going to bother with the B195 next. Its either going to be a Dragon/Tamiya armor kit, or a Tamiya car kit.

Thanks for all the great input and replies guys.

I'm not planning on a hugh collection, just a few kits.

Maybe I'll try to find what I'm looking for from both Tamiya and Revell of Germany.

My 12 year old son seems to enjoy the easier less detailed kits right now. 

Thanks again guys!

Jim,

I model F1 in 1/12. I'm also a bit of a dinosaur as I can't stand the new F1 cars. Anything after 1980 doesn't much interest me.

Thunder Valley Models is supposed to coming out with Cosworth/Ford DFV engine kits for the 1/12 modelers.http://www.thundervalleyf1.com/main/?page_id=4

 

Thanks Jim