I was in my local hobby shop yesterday continuing to search for the new STi WRX Tamiya model, when I stumbled upon the Tamiya WRC Arai Version. Cool Prodrive Corsa wheels and the corresponding "Spike" and Piggy face logos...can't wait to get it together...now where's my blue paint??http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

Funny you should mention that, I bought the very same model last wednesday, and I can't wait to build this thing. Check out this thread that I started about it http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/Forum1/HTML/022841.html

Good Luck building!

-Mike-

Here's a picture of the box

<IMG SRC="http://abacus.sj.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/7826350e691b292fb106fd14c/i-1.JPG" border=0>

It's kinda funny how I have all of these WRC models except for a Subaru. Now I can go back to building my PIAA Accord and Corvette ZO6.

-Brian

Here's some of my WRC cars.

<IMG SRC="http://wsphotofews.excite.com/025/pq/2B/ud/nz41697.jpg" border=0>
Tamiya Ford Focus WRC

<IMG SRC="http://wsphotofews.excite.com/011/YL/jr/AA/qe63927.jpg" border=0>
Tamiya Toyota Corolla WRC

<IMG SRC="http://wsphotofews.excite.com/010/Kg/Fr/uZ/qw69188.jpg" border=0>
Tamiya Peugeot 206 WRC

-Brian

Hey B Tapper...
Nice models man!
I have all of those kits, I just haven't built them (along with the other 55 Tamiya car kits I have piled up, hee hee). I have all of the Tamiya Imprezas, yet I have only built one of them, the '98 Safari (see pics below). Currently on the bench is the '99 Corsica, and the '98 NZ EVO V. Both should be done at the same time here pretty soon. FOr my next project though, it will be an Impreza duo. I've got the conversion kit for the '00 P2000, and I'll also bereceiving a resin door kit. So I'll be making the '00 Portugal (P2000) with one open door, and the '00 Monte Carlo (WRC 99), with the other open door.

<IMG SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=152556&a=11730672&p=44311475&Sequence=0&res=high" border=0>


<IMG SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=152556&a=11730672&p=44311472&Sequence=0&res=high" border=0>


<IMG SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=152556&a=11730672&p=44311478&Sequence=0&res=high" border=0>


<IMG SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=152556&a=11730672&p=44311481&Sequence=0&res=high" border=0>

Happy modeling!
Gotta fly!
Skippy

55 tamiya kits http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/eek.gif
So that's what about $1400 in kits?

I guees I will have to go out and get a Subaru WRC car, and that new WRX kit.

-Brian

Yeap, that's right Brian, about $1400 in Tamiya car kits. I am a huge Tamiya fan, and whenever and new car or aircraft kit comes out, guess who's the first to pick it up??!!?? http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif So, they start to pile up. I usually spend about 20-40 hours on a regular build, little or no extra detailing. And about 50-200hrs or more on the stuff with extra details. Big conversion jobs, like the one I'm gonns be doing coming up here, will probably break that mark, making them a 250-300 hr. job. I may be overstating it a bit, but I do plan on superdetailing them. I've been doing this quite a while (22 years), since I was 3 years old, it's great fun and I still enjoy it to this day. Of course, I'm my own worst critic http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif
Oh yeah, before I forget, the reason I replied to this was to say that the new WRX STi, is about a week or two away from relese, and you can bet I'll have one of the first boxes out there http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif I've seen a built up kit at TamiyaCon this year, and it looks great. I'm almost positive the WRC version will follow. It seems stupid for Tamiya not to put one out. I'm waiting!!! And you can be sure I'll post when the new WRX comes out. And if you have trouble finding the kit once it does come out, PM me, and I'll see what I can do for you. K? As always.....
Gotta fly!
Skippy

It's not the R/C car, it's the 1/24th scale model. I'll try to post pics later.

nice job b_tapper!! I'd have to say that whoever builds these models has tremendous patience!!

Patience? Patience you say? Heh, that a life-long ambition. You have to learn it, and after 22 years of doing it, I still am! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif
Yeah I can get hairy after a while, and even now, I can only go an hour or two at a time, before I have to take a break.
Gotta fly!
Skippy

Is there any good place to find the Tamiya models (and other models, for that matter) online? Like a store that has the new releases right away and has decent prices? I haven't built a model in years but I really want the new STi.

Thanks,
-J

c172skipilot: can you pm me when the new wrx kit comes out? thanx man.

STiLust:
The new WRX STi kit is not out yet, but I will post when it is....
So ZuWrx, keep an eye out for when I do post, and if not, yeah sure, I can PM ya,no problem!

Places to find Tamiya models.....
I'm not familiar with your area STi, so online you can go to HobbyLink Japan (http://www.hlj.com)
or
Hobby People (http://www.hobbypeople.net)

HLJ, is of course, in Japan, and with the exchange rate, you can get kits a bit cheaper than you can here, even though shipping does cost ya a bit, and you have to wait a couple weeks. But their selection is outstanding, and they have many things not easily or not available at all over here. I've ordered from them over a dozen times, and have been very happy with their service.
Hobby People is a chain out here in CA, but they've gone web now and so you can order from them. Now I've never used the mail order side of it, I just go to the store, they know me there now anyways (I basically AM their Tamiya model income). But their prices are usually 10-20% below retail.

Anyway good luck, and it's now a little late in coming, but I'm sure the STi model will be out very soon, stay tuned!
Gotta fly!
Skippy

Ok, that HLJ link has got me excited. They seem to have good prices and awesome selection, BUT no way to calculate the shipping before an order. So, about how much does it cost to ship a few models from Japan? I realize it will cost me more than you since I'm on the other side of the US, but give me some idea and at least I know what to expect.

Also, how does the quality of the Hasegawa kits compare to the Tamiyas? Thanks for any info.

-J

OK, STi, you ready?
First, about HLJ....
Yes, there's no way to tell what the shipping cost will be until you actually get the item shipped. But, if you read the HLJ FAQ page, it'll tell you what it is usually. But what i normally do, is just add about $10 to my order. $10 is a nice round number and it's prtty close to what I actually pay. I order a lot fo decals form them, and since they're quite small and lightweight, they usually ship for aroun $5-6. But one or two kits will be around $10. Add another $5 for every 2 kits after that. Yeah it's pricey, but it's still just a bit cheaper than retail here. And for the stuff that isn't readily available here, it's very well worth it. I've gotten awesome decals sets and conversion parts that I won't find for anywhere near that price, if at all here in the states.

Hasegawa vs. Tamiya.....
hee hee, well you picked the two arch rivals! Since we're talking about car kits, I'll limit my comparisons to that. There's one thing that Hasegawa kits have that Tamiya kits usually don't: photoetch details and harness material. But that's about all Hasegawa has over Tamiya. I mean I do buy some Haswgawa car kits, but only if Tamiya doesn't make that particular model. Which isn't to say Haswgawa kits are bad, they are nice kits, but Tamiya's are phenomenal. I mean yeah I'm an avid Tamiya fan, and I'm sure there' probably somone who will disagree with me, but not in whole. I doubt you'll find anyone that has a lot of bad things to say about Tamiya kits. They are simply the ultimate in scale fidelity, ease of construction and overall appearance. I have yet to find a Tamiya kit with any flash, bad fitting parts, or overly tricky assemblies. Tamiya kits are just excellently designed and thoroughly engineered. Sure there are small gripes here and there, but what kit doesn't have those? And I'm sure I'll get people to disagree with me on this one: Tamiya kits are worth every penny, if not more. At and average of $28-30 a kit, I can see how some would consider it pricey, especially since Tamiya just had a 10% price increase
across the board!, but the prices will stay that way for a long time, it was just time to do it. But for example, I bought 5 , count them 5 Hasegawa 1/24 Toyota Corolla WRC cars because they all had different decals sheets. I wasn;'t aware that Tamiya was also doing a Corolla kit. So of course I bought it, and regretted spending $100 on the other kits! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/eek.gif Like I said, not that they are bad, a Hasegawa kit is 90% of what a Tamiya kit is, but that extra 10% makes all the difference. But given a life/death choice I'd choose Tamiya any day of the week and twice on sunday! Aircraft models, that's another story, for another time....PM me if you wanna hear it.
And thus, so as not to neglect the other readers of this post who didn't have questions and are wondering when I'll shut up, I will say.....
Gotta fly!
Skippy

P.S. hope that helped you out a little STiLust!


[This message has been edited by c172skipilot (edited May 22, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by c172skipilot (edited May 22, 2001).]

awwwww http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/blush.gif , thanks, it was nothing.....
But (sigh)...that's my windshield in that pic! haha!
I did get my replacement window just today as a matter of fact!
Like the pics, though, looks like you painted it a diff color? Or not paint it at all? Doesn't matter though, the finish looks very smooth! Nice job!

Gotta fly!
Skippy

i really like the top view of the 22B, man i wish i had one or enough money to make my 2.5 a 22B.

i finally have some pics of mine and its all thanks to c172skipilot. this guy is the shiznit. hell of a nice guy. my wrc would have been windshieldless if it wasn't for him. again thanks man.

<IMG SRC="http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/image_uploads/22B-1.jpg" border=0>

<IMG SRC="http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/image_uploads/22B-2.jpg" border=0>

Yep, Skippy is the man when it comes to WRC modeling in my book. Skippy, your Tamiya painting advice was well taken - my conversion is coming along nicely. (For those new to the thread, I bought the '98 Safari kit in Skippy's pix dirt cheap - like $US8 - from HLJ, along with decals and a conversion kit to convert the car to the '99 Argentina [WRC 99] winning car of Kankkunen.) If I can take good quality pix when I'm done, I'll post them.

Thanks,
Ed

PS: Skippy - what did you do to get the clear portion of your taillights looking so good? Bare Metal Foil or paint under the lenses?


[This message has been edited by lark6 (edited May 24, 2001).]

hey auricom,

that 2nd pic of your model, the one from the top angle, looks familiar. it looks just like the pic that subaru used for advertisment for the 22b.. was that what you were going for?

btw, now i gotta go out and buy all these models, man some of them are freakin nice!

actually i wasn't going for anything, just took the pic.

Who wants to see more of my models? I have a digital camera and I am bored.

-Brian

ME! And I want to hear all of Skippy's model buiding tips! I bought a few models a couple years ago and never got around to building them. I have a Porsche 959, BMW M6 and Mazda Miata (all Tamiyas.) I want to practice on a couple of those before I get my WRX STi, so I'm in information gathering mode on the best way to paint/build them.

I'm not a rookie to this, I've probably built 75+ models, just none in a good while.

Thanks,
-J

Oh hey B Tapper! Keep the pix coming! Would love to see them!

Lark: I painted the tailight slots on the body shell with Testors Chrome Silver, it's shinier than the Tamiya X-11 silver, so it shows through better. Yes, you can use Baremetal foil, the Testor silver comes very close to the polished look of the foil. Try it and see, but remember to paint the light well on the body shell, and not the clear light part itself. The only thing that I paint on the clear part itself is clear red or amber, and I usually paint it from the rear of the clear part. Someties that isn't enough, and I will paint the front, but I always start with the rear, if it looks good, then I leave it be, as I did with the '98 Safari WRC.

STiLust: PM me if you wanna know the paiting technique I use, or if someone remembers the post I wrote that on, post the link.

Hope that helps guys, happy modeling!
Gotta fly!
Skippy

<IMG SRC="http://wsphotofews.excite.com/024/Xt/iM/MU/dk32209.jpg" border=0>

More pics here (http://community.webshots.com/user/b_tapper1)

They are not that good I thinks the batteries were dying on the camera.

-Brian

Hee hee, Brian, there's an old addage in the modeling world.... "We don't start out as kit collectors, we just end up that way!" http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif
I visited a guythat made 1/72 scale aircraft, he had a wonderful collection about 250 of them in four display cases. Everything you could think of, he had. 250 that he had on hand, he said, "I have over 600 models" 600? Yup, he opened his closet and the underpinings of his display cases to show boxes and boxes and boxes of kits. "There's the other 400 or so....." http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/eek.gif
See what I mean? I think that'll be me pretty soon! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif

OK guys that want replacment parts:
PM me and give me until the beginning of next week, so I can just go there and get them all at once, sound good?

Iceweazel:
New kit numbers are all over the place, since the type of kit represents the new kit #. The '99 Peugot 206 kit # is 24221, and the '00 206 is kit #24226. The new WRX STi is #24231. But note that the new age Impreza is not available yet, you can only order it.

Hope that helps y'all out, happy modeling!

Gotta fly!
Skippy



[This message has been edited by c172skipilot (edited May 24, 2001).]

I finnaly went and looked at HoobyLink. You should of never of told me about it. I can see why you have so many Tamiya kits now. For around $60 I can go out and get 3 model with shipping. At my Hobby Shop $60 would only buy me 2 kits. They did have a WRX wagon there. Didn't see what I wanted though...I know someone has to make a model of the B4 Blitzen or any of those new hi-po Legacies. Wonder if anyone makes a 323GTX or any of those older rally cars like the Lancia Stratos also. Hmmmm models or car mods such a hard choice. Look at what you have done to me http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif

-Brian

http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif don't you know Brian? The i-Club is ee-vil! Like the Froo-its of the de-ville! eeeee-ville! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif
Yeah, apparently there's not a lot of Legacy kits out there, just a couple Aoshima wagon kits, and a few Hasegawa WRC kits. Now the Lancia, you got many choices, Hasegawa being the cheapest and one of the best. Best overall would be the Modeler's kit, but that is hella $$$ Even coming from HLJ, it's still $165! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/eek.gif And it's a multimedia kit, meaning resin/metal/photoetch parts. And unless you've worked with that stuff before, I'd really think twice about spending that kinda money for a car kit. Not to discourage you or anything, but just letting ya know what you're in for. Or you could even go for the 1/12 Doyusha kit, but that's pretty big, and somewhat pricey. But as far as good quality at a decent price, Hasegawag is the way to go on that Lancia kit. There's also a myriad of kits available in 1/43 scale built and unbuilt, but I'm not sure there's any 323's. I know you could find Lancias no problem though. Those are even a bit harder to find though. Lemme know if you're interested in those, I know of a place down here that sells a lot of those 1/43 kits.
Happy modeling!
Gotta fly!
Skippy

Can't find the B4. Found a 323 but not a GTX. Found my Lancias, love those old rally carshttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif I know all about those multimedia kits, a little pricey though. I just can't imagine spending that much and screwing it up (really good at doing that).

-Brian

Sweet! Multimedia kits are a blast, yet you have to get it just right, I mean after spending all that money on it.....
I do have plans for a Studio 27 F1 kit in the near future, just haven't gotten them courage (or $$$) to order one just yet.
Happy modeling!
Gotta fly!
Skippy

I think we need a Model/Toy Forum here. I wanna see pictures of everybody's models and show mine when I get some done!

I just spent an hour+ in my dad's basement gathering up my abandoned modelling supplies (as well as some unbuilt and half-built models - including a 1/8(!) scale Citroen 15.) I probably just saved myself $50 at the hobby shop with all the paints that I found that are still good, not to mention brushes, glue tips, sandpaper, etc.

Now I have to decide where to set up shop http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif.

-J

niiiice Avex NSX Brian! I like!
Yeap, I have all of the NSX's (NSXi? http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif ) Avex/Dome Mugen, Mobil 1, Castrol and Raybrig. But of course, they are in my "to do" pile of 50+ kits! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/eek.gif .... but I dunno you may have inspired me to make it now, haha!
Gotta fly!
Skippy

Anyone care to post the more recent Tamiya
kit part numbers? My local shop orders
the kits for me, but its been a year or
2.

I have a pile of old ones to get on
top of, but I want to get some new ones
including the Peugot and the new-age imprezza.

iw

Nice job you guys....currently im in the process of making a custom VW bug from a crappy Monogram kit (my budget does not include Tamiya Kits presently)...should be done before I die....http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gif
Hey Skippy, can you get me a window kit too for the 1/24 WRC 99 Impreza? my rear window was cracked when I got the kit, but I built it anyways.....

That nsx was probably my favorite to build. The hole body is made up of decals. I'm now starting to pile up the models now too. I start building one, need something for it I don't have, go to the hobby shop and I end up getting another model. I think I have 5 models just sitting in their boxes. Not much compared to all of your Tamiya models just sitting around.

-Brian

Ya know I was thinking of suggesting a toy/model/memorabilia forum, but the mods get inundated with requests for so many forums.....ah well....I would even offer to moderate.
Brian, just find a nice table and invade it! Haha! I have a drafting table that I converted to a workbench, that has all my stuff on it, course most of the area is taken up by tools and paints. The bottom however has a lot of room for storage....yes that's where I keep most of my unbuilt kits. But it's chock full now, I have kits all over my room now! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif
Gotta fly!
Skippy

Does anyone know how or which glue doesn't melt the plastic parts... Or is it supposed to melt to fuse the plastic together?

Plastic cement like Tenax 7R and testor's plastic cement is made to weld the two pieces together. Superglue, epoxy, and white glue does not melt the plastic. Clear paint also makes a good glue.

-Brian

Brian is absolutely right, Atlas, the plastic is supposed to be welded together like metal is. The regular Testors tube glue is crap, I would never suggest using it. It melts and destroys the plastic into a pulp basically, ans is very hard to work with. There are so many more, much better choices out there now. I use Testors new gel in the triangular bottle. It has a metal applicator needle and it bonds great. Also Testors plastic cement in the round,pink bottle is good, but be careful it is very thin and runs like thinnner. The best stuff out there specifically for plastic, is Tenax 7R, yes, but even better is Ambroid ProWeld, which I use religiously. It bonds extremely well, but again, it is very hot stuff and will marr the plastic if it runs too much, and it does run, also like thinnner. CA is another great adhesive, but it's the most expensive. I use Pacer Zap-A-Gap CA+, which is the medium consistancy, mostly for filling seams and glueing photoetch parts, etc... But yoiu can use it as a main building glue. I dunno about the clear paint though, Brian, I have heard of it being used, but mainly as a canopy or window glue. It doesn't really weld the plastic as much as it forms a barrier bond.
Gotta fly!
Skippy

That's what I'm talking about clear or small parts with the clear enamel.

That PIAA Accord has to be one of Tamiya's worst kits. Maybe I'm just used to the parts fitting together perfectly.

-Brian

http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif hahahahaha! yeah,I agree Brian, that Accord was definfitely not among the top echelon of Tamiya's productions, very uncharacteristic of them! Ah well, it's still a Tamiya kit! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif
Yeah, for clear parts though, I use Aleen's Gold tacky glue, the same stuff I use for my paper models, for the aforementioned reasons, and it doesn'r craze or fog the clear plastic like CA and plastic cement can. Also, it's removable with some effort, shold you make a mistake!
Gotta fly!
Skippy

That Accord just gets worse and worse. The parts fit about as good as a 30 year old kit. At least it is looking good.

-Brian

hey thanks c172skipilot. Local store guys
were kindof annoyed when I came in. No
one had been buying the Tamiya rally cars
since I got scarce. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/frown.gif But they had several
waiting for me to choose from. Picked
up the peugot 206 and thinking about going
back as they had a 99 wrx and the VI lan-evo.
(I only have a 5 here)
they had the arai, looks nice.

They did ask me about hasegawa, and they
had a few there. Think I'll try a few,
as they had a nice selection and they're
a couple bucks cheaper than the tamiyas.

Hey b_tapper, which Lancias did you find?
I'm looking for Deltas and an 037.
Hard to find the older stuff, I always
end up ordering.

Still need the last couple Celicas as well
as the Audi S1.

iw

The Lancias I found @ HobbyLink (http://www.hlj.com/)
Stratos
037
Delta

Here is the link to my LHS
J&C Hobbies (http://www.jchobbies.com/)
I'm amazed he doesn't have a pic of his new Viper posted there. I'm pretty sure I helped pay for a lot of that Viper.
He even Auto-x it.

-Brian


[This message has been edited by b_tapper (edited May 25, 2001).]

What kit should I build next?
I can try to make an i-club.com Imprezahttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

-Brian

No problem Weas.....anytime! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif
Hey Bri!......hmmm habout......hmmmmm....still thinking.....
what you thinking of making? Another rally car? F1? Touring? Bike?...... hee hee, here are my future benchplans:
Rally: Finish '99 Corsica, and '98 EVO V, then start the 2 conversion Imprezas.
F1: Finish F310B, and MP 4/13, then start on Ferrari F1-2000
Touring: hmmmmm NSX? Skyline?
Bike: I really wanna build that Kawasaki Ninja, or one of my NSR 500's ('98 Doohan, '99, or Nastro Azzuro)
Road cars: Porsche GT3, or Ferrari F360.....or the Skyline!...argh! I just can't decide!!! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif
Gotta fly!
Skippy