5 replies to this topic

[MG Brown]

Readers may remember that at the 2008 iHobby Expo, resurgent Chinese plastic model company Trumpeter was showing test shots from their then-imminent 1/12 scale static model kit of the 1966 LeMans 24 Hours winning Ford GT40 Mark II.

No- that was not a mistype. The kit shown was in 1/12th scale sporting 310 individual pieces, soft rubber/vinyl tires, photo etch, pre-painted "gold" wheels, and no less than 5 chrome and satin plated "trees".

Due to Trumpeter taking the time to correct some inaccuracies on the original tooling, the kit was delayed from the original early 1st quarter 2009 release date to late second quarter.

I am happy to say that the first examples of this kit are arriving in North America as I write this, and although I do not have one to personally review (yet), the early reviews indicate something along the lines of a combination of the best of the Fujimi Mk II and the IMC Mk II 1/24 kits, then supersized.

The following pix of what's in the box describe in better detail than I could write in words (these were found on the internet and are not my photographs).














Note that for some reason the photographer placed the wheels "inside out" for the photo above. Rest assured that the actual wheels look quite nice and realistic.

I am not sure what the MSRP is for this kit, but the "street price" appears to be under $200 US.

A number of after-market and "garage" companies have expressed that they will offer "superdetail" kits for the Trumpeter Mk II.

[MG Brown]

Some additional research reveals that Scale Motorsport (SMS) is planning a super detail "builders kit" for the Trumpeter Mk II expected to be available this fall.

As part of the research, SMS visited Holman-Moody's race shop and were allowed access to original Mk II blueprints, spares stocks and never-raced cars still at their shop in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Check the SMS website for details and updates on this product.

[team burrito]

I am not sure what the MSRP is for this kit, but the "street price" appears to be under $200 US.

I bought the latest issue of "Scale Auto" magazine yesterday and the ad shows the MSRP to be $259.00.

[MG Brown]

My price estimate came from several current "buy it now" auctions for this kit on ePay for under $200.

[team burrito]

One site is under $200 with shipping. Good deal for us, bad deal for the local hobby shops.

[MG Brown]

I now have access to one of these kits so if you have specific questions, ask away.

First blush shows a massive amount of detail such as A/N fittings, braided oil & fuel lines and flexible cooling hoses included.

Strangely there seems to be little wiring for electrics such as engine ignition in the kit. I would say that this would be far easier to add by the modeler than the detail items that ARE included.

For sure I will be doing what I can to photo document the Mk II wiring at Road America this weekend.