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Cracka
Peter Hardy (Cracka)
AU

Fulfilled dreams

Comments

8 27 March 2021, 04:15
Tim Heimer
Sounds like the Car of your nightmares! It's such a disappointment when you really want to enjoy building a kit and it becomes a nightmare!! Only good thing I can say is that comes out of it is improves your skills from the challenge!
27 March 2021, 05:11
Peter Hardy
Y'know Tim, what boils my piss is it is sold at a similar price to a Tamiya or Fujimi kit so I have every right to expect a model, not a glue together toy. I will do what I can but the recycling rubbish bin is just outside the hobby room. It might sprout wings!
27 March 2021, 05:44
Marc Le Bayon
Wasn't an old Esci kit?
27 March 2021, 07:42
Tim Heimer
My friend I have battled a lot of these turd car kits only to make some good looking builds, and trust me! they have came close to being deep sixed! I still have many incompleted!
27 March 2021, 16:03
James C
I know your pain and experienced something similar with the Tamiya M24 Chaffee tank I built last year which was just a reboxing of the old 1980's vintage Italeri kit (which was mediocre at best) with the addition of some stowage items and a cheap replacement metal barrel. In rebranding with the Tamiya logo on the box, the retail price gets magically tripled! To rub salt in that wound I wasted a set of metal Friuls on it too! Grrr! 😠

Will follow if you decide to press on with it 👀
27 March 2021, 19:09
Rui S
I'm hoping that you turn this difficult model into a real beauty 👍 That's part of the fun😉
27 March 2021, 22:00
Martin Oostrom
James, if it says 'plastic made in Italy' steer clear!
Italeri si one of my least favourite brands. Unfortunately or fortunately, sometimes they're the only one selling a certain model.
Peter, I'm sure you'll make a beauty out of this pig 👍
27 March 2021, 22:24
James C
Yeah, I have since purged most, if not all the Italeri molded kits from my stash, with the remainder being Italeri re-boxings of other brands like Kinetic. Will never trust Italeri again as I've been burned a few times now. Another common issue I've encountered is with their decals. While usually beautifully printed, and having a tendency to lay down flawlessly... I've had issues a number of times with their decals being either under or over scale.

@ Pete - If your building it as per the box art, it may pay to check and measure them as they may need trimming slightly if over size.
27 March 2021, 22:29
Kerry COX
Your perseverance is commendable Peter. 👍
I would have imagined the imprint in my wall would have been better in detail than the detail that's missing in this build if I was having to deal with the poor quality of the parts involved.. 🙁 🙁 🙁
But knowing your dedication and forgiveness for such short comings, the end result will certainly be something to marvel at. 👍 🙂
Cheers bud. 👍
27 March 2021, 22:34
Rui S
I really have to disagree here, because I've made some of Italeri 1/35 kits and like them and I respect ITALERI and always will. obvious, just my insignificant two cent, I know, but anyway I had to say it, here and elsewhere.
I've lots of Italeri models in my stash and I sure don't intend to throw them into the garbage.
I also see many of their kits in the respectful Tamiya boxes...😎
I've also read about some Dragon pigs and that dosen't make Dragon negligible 🤔
27 March 2021, 22:45
Martin Oostrom
Rui, everybody is entitled to his own preferences. And you sure build them pretty 👍
27 March 2021, 22:57
Rui S
@Martin, in that sense ofcourse I agree with you 👍 and thank you for the compliment.
I didn't say that Italeri is my favorite brand, but since I remember, they sure deserve my respect and consideration😉
27 March 2021, 23:01
Peter Hardy
Ok All, I have built four Italari kits, all but one automotive and have a few more in the stash, again, all automotive. Of the four I have built 2 were twenty year old mouldings and I expected what I got. This one the box was marked 2018. I didn't check Scalemates for the tooling history and probably deserve the result. As Martin and Kerry pointed out I will not just throw it together cover it with jam and call it done. My disappointment is rooted in the price that was paid for the kit, it was a gift, and feel my daughter has been ripped off. I will get over it but if you look at the moulding of the wheels and the actual construction of the kit it is clear that it was never designed to be an accurate representation of a Range Rover.
Rui you are correct in that correcting inaccuracies are meat and potatoes for us. Don't be hard on me, I ordered a four star meal at a four star restaurant and got soggy fish and chips. Sure, it will take away the hunger but eye fillet does have a more palatable flavour than cod.
Jimbo, the car will be built without all the Police stuff but I take your point on the decals and their "scale", thanks for the heads up!.
Tim as you know I am new to building cars, you are probably responsible for my downfall.
Maybe I am just sulking, just ignore me and I will grow up eventually! 😉
28 March 2021, 05:40
Kerry COX
Peter, Do they have a thumb sucking corner here on SM. ?
Just wonderin' 😉
28 March 2021, 06:28
Martin Oostrom
Every build of mine has one, just for me and my friends 😄
28 March 2021, 07:08
Kerry COX
We are all not alone when it comes to that kit that 'just don't fit'. ! 🙁 🙁 🙁
28 March 2021, 07:41
Rui S
@ Peter, I fully agree with your disappointment and understand your revolt, and noone deserves it.
Nowadays we have the internet so IMHO, you should type in a little and mail Italeri with your complaint and discontent as you just described it here.
This can only help them to set foot on the ground and improve their behavior.
At least we, the main stakeholders, will be aware that we did what we had to do, right? I am sure they will understand the message..., or not 🤔
P.S. As you can see in my previous coments, I didn't say that you will "just throw it together cover it with jam and call it done." instead, I'm hopping that you make a nice filet mignon with it😉
28 March 2021, 12:00
Tim Heimer
Guys it is profits that they care about not accuracy or quality. This is why they put out these old kits without any improvements. A lot of us see a kit and say hey it least it's out there to build, and they know this! Round2 puts out a lot of these kits from the original makers, and since they bought them out they can use their names. So Lindberg, MPC, AMT, and a few others are just put out as they were before without updating or improvements because of cost, even as something simple as updated decals.
28 March 2021, 17:06
Lode Schildermans
A lot of interesting s, but the grumpy ol' man will surprise us all, as he always does
31 March 2021, 21:32
Peter Hardy
It's ok Rui! I got you wayyyyyyyyyyyyy up there on a very high pedestal so if you reckon I am being unfair I will be being unfair. You know kits are so good these days when you do happen on a substandard moulding it does hit hard.
Tim, honestly, as I don't compete and NEVER look under a completed kit again I don't know why I got so wound up.
Lode, you have me pegged perfectly!
1 April 2021, 11:51
Rui S
Peter, I apologize if I bothered you and if my comments seemed to be morally presumptuous. That was not my intention.
I was just trying to encourage you to do your best with this kit and not throw it in the trash, because (for me) it would be a waste, either with this kit of yours or any other kit of any brand.
That was my hope and it was in that sense that I gave my two cent. I don't want or need to be waayyy up on any pedestal, I don't have the level for it. if my comments were annoying to you, I'm sorry. I will try not to repeat that.
P.s. Any time I hear mates Talking about trowing kits into the garbage, it hit's me hard also, like a sacrilege? But hey, don't mind it's just me (maybe because when Young had to wait years to buy that kit with a great box art in the store) being sentimental about it.

1 April 2021, 12:44
Tim Heimer
Well I have to say I knew the odds were good for you to push through even though it's a bite on your nuts. Like you said you're not competing, and neither am I. To be honest I have 3 completed kits with the bonnet glued shut because of poor quality and probably another 3 that I put no detail on the under carriage because it was so bad. I don't mind if they give you Something to work with, as was noted, that's our meat and potatoes. It's always gratifying when you turn a turd into a piece of art!
1 April 2021, 16:44
James C
For the record, I personally have never thrown a kit in the garbage... no matter how bad it was. That's just madness, and I'm way to stubborn for that. BUT, I have had a major sell off on the local trading website of what I consider inferior brands/kits (and continue to do so) as the revenue I receive for them gets recycled into either better kits, accessories or beer money. Most of these early purchases were originally made prior to my discovery of Scalemates, with it's ability to look up a kits history etc.

I tend to agree with you Pete and Tim. It bothers the hell out of me when kits get re-released or rebranded, and then fobbed off on the unknowing consumer at sometimes 3x the original asking price as something new, or with a replacement decal sheet on a 60's era kit that doesn't even fit it, even though they were supposedly designed for it. Italeri is particularly guilty of the latter with their 1/48 scale aircraft kits and AMT with their 1/25 scale muscle cars with worn out molds. I don't know how much of an issue it is with retailers in the US or Europe, but we down here in Australasia tend to get screwed over royally with pricing; presumably due to being much smaller markets and the shipping distances etc.

At Rui, it's ok to agree to disagree mate... I'm sure we're all big enough and ugly enough not to take anything too personally😉 And I also partially agree with you in that Italeri 1/35 scale armour is (usually) quite good value for money... that is until they get re-issued and rebranded as a Tamiya kit.

Anyway, sorry to hijack the build Pete 👍

1 April 2021, 19:11
Kerry COX
If you guys knew Peter Hardy the way I do. You will find a bloke who hates to admit defeat and only lays blame where criticism is deserved.
The one bloke I can trust to be straight up with his opinion on me and others he knows and with total respect for any one who differs.
And after seeing how much he has tried to make something good out of this kit and others he has tackled over the last couple of years and all the drawbacks this hobby offers, I doubt you will see the imprint of it in his workshop wall, as that is just not in his nature and something I do admire in him and I am always happy to say I am happy to spend time with him as we talk about the best ways of doing things to get the best result out of our hobby.
Peter is a most inspirational guy. Getting me and others to look at our hobby in ways we never contemplated.
I am positive there will be a great result with this Range Rover, as there is no spare waiting in the wings if things don't turn out. !
Just watch this space. 😉 👍
1 April 2021, 19:27
Rui S
@ James, I may have misunderstood Peter's words or his meaning.
I am not very fluent in English, and sometimes strugle to understand some expressions.
1 April 2021, 19:28
Kerry COX
Rui. Your heart is in the right place mate. 👍
All good intent. 😉
1 April 2021, 19:29
Rui S
@ Kezza, I'm sure you are right about Peter and having a Mate that speaks his true thinking, it's always great.
Thank you for you words, Mate 👍. I think we are now putting too much pressure on Peter 😉
1 April 2021, 19:49
István Szücs
So the Aoshima's kit would be a better chose. But I hope, you'll win, and you will build a beauty.
1 April 2021, 19:56
Kerry COX
Cheers Rui. Your comments are always with good intent. It's always good to read your thoughts, as there is a lot of experience that comes with them. 👍 😉
1 April 2021, 22:22
Peter Hardy
Rui! Mate! Please! I do admire you and hold your opinion very highly! I meant no offence and am guilty of not only forgetting that English is not your first language but Australian English with it's nuances and outwardly confusing complexities, shite! Here I go again! Rui, I appreciated your comments and their message. And I also appreciate someone for whom I have an enormous respect takes the time to comment and encourage others. Marty PM'd me and told me that my comments read as hostile to a non English speaker. For that I am great full as I do get it wrong here sometimes. Please forgive me and do give me time to grow up, I am still a kid at heart! As for pressure, I eat it for breakfast! I appreciate your friendship Rui, please forgive me mate. Pete
1 April 2021, 22:26
Rui S
Mate, no problem. I'm sure that if we were talking in person with a nice cold beer on our hands there would be no misunderstandings 😄
I think i should have translated your words on google, before answering, my mistake.
You are one of my Mates here, and I always find funny and highly motivating, your comments (when I understand them clearly😉 on my albums, for that I thank you.
As to what really matters now, how is the "pig kit" treatment going on?
P.s. You are not the only kid on the block, hehehe. So no harm done.
2 April 2021, 00:39
Peter Hardy
Rui, I am isolated at the moment after being tested for wuhan flu. I am very sure I don't have it, but I do have some sort of flu and after having part of a lung removed 18 months ago it has to be treated very seriously. So, where am I at on the bench? Well, I have a Lotus body ready for 2K, a Range Rover ready for primer, a Space 1999 Eagle ready for primer and a Fujimi Lamborghini Countach getting prepped as I cannot breath if I start up the airbrushes. The Range Rover will be put in a display case when completed and the underside will NOT be on display. I am hopeful that another few days will see me at the spray booth!
2 April 2021, 00:51
Rui S
Hey Mate, that's some bad news. 🙁 I had similar kind of surgery when I was 18, in England, and so I'm trying to escape Covid has hell. Take care and the time to recover completly. We can wait. But wow, I didn't suspect that you where tackling so many kits at the same time... 👍 Stay safe Peter.
2 April 2021, 01:15
Peter Hardy
Istvan, I wasn't even aware of an Aoshima kit! I really should spend more time on Scalemates!
2 April 2021, 01:21
Peter Hardy
Tim and Jimbo, this is indeed an interesting subject. It seems I am not alone! Also on my bench at the moment is a Space 1999 Eagle, a "to be assembled before being played with" toy. Far worse than the Range Rover but it was sold as such, and it's no surprise or disappointment when opened. So, the annoyance is as Tim said so perfectly, that it is sold as something it isn't. Round 2 is known, but rebranded kits from 20 years earlier only damage a brand's reputation. I have just bought and secretly (shhhhhh) started a Fujimi Lamborghini Countach which I bought specifically because it wasn't an Italari kit. Well, after viewing the contents it may as well be! The box is branded 2018 but the flash indicates a much earlier tool set! Definitely a rebrand! I have learned many useful lessons on this site and I can now add one more to the list.
2 April 2021, 01:33
Tim Heimer
Buying a model kit and voting for a politician are about the same, they both can be deceiving! LOL
2 April 2021, 05:09
Lode Schildermans
Space 1999, that brings childhood memories back. I loved that series at the time, as Buck Rogers as well. Well, Peter, I am definitely looking forward to your progress on this Range Rover as the Space 1999 Eagle.
As for the discussion about the English language, and especially the Australian slang, it is sometimes hard to get for a non native English speaking, but knowing you here on SCM for quite some time, I start to read between the lines 😉
2 April 2021, 05:36
Peter Hardy
Tim! A politician is always deceiving! A model needs to be researched properly on Scalemates BEFORE purchase! Lesson learned! We should have a catch up on Skype soon too!

Lode, I cannot paint at the moment and am building an impressive stack of plastic bits and pieces that need the stuff! The Eagle is just a soft plastic toy really, not a proper model but I will be playing around with paint and moon dust to see what can be done, just for fun! RIP Martin Landau!
2 April 2021, 07:59
Rui S
I used to LOVE the Space 1999, in every way, and I also made (centurys ago), the Airfix kit, bought from England.
I wil make an album with my EAGLE. Now I decided, I have to show my great qualities at the time ? ? ?,
Be careful Pete, it will be hard to beat mine?

Space 1999, EAGLE | Album by mig
2 April 2021, 22:18

Album info

A long time ago in a place far away lived a young man with a Suzuki LJ50 4x4 who dreamed of one day owning a Range Rover. And one day he did! This is his dream!

12 images
1:24
In progress
1:24 Range Rover Police (Italeri 3661)

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