12/24/2001
The latest issue of F1
Modeling and Racing On WRC 2001 Vol.4 are out. Reversed the
order in F1 Modeling Magazine Page.
11/23/2001
F1 Modeling Schumacher
Special is out.
11/20/2001
To everyone's surprise, Tamiya has announced that they will produce the
kit of Ferrari F2001 in 1/20 scale.
11/7/2001
Tamiya has revealed the upcoming Nissan 350Z kit. (Due Dec. 6th
2001)
http://www.tamiya.com/japan/products/24246z/z.htm
It represent the pre production model, which was shown at Tokyo Motor
Show recently. Many details were revised, such as a smaller radiator
opening and larger headlights, and the new Z looks much more refined than
the Z-Concept shown in Detroit. I saw the real car in person at the
motor show, it wowed both men and women. I think it deserves the
name Z, and it's the first pick for my next car. The kit will be
released on Dec 6, 2001, and the real car will hit the local show rooms in
the summer of 2002.
Also, MB CLK DTM 2000 Original Teile, Subaru Impreza WRC 2001, and Opel
Team Phoenix are out by now.
Recently, I bought a Fujimi FD3S RX-7 kit, and I was quite surprised to
see the chassis of some other car,( most likely Skyline.) The front
shocks are too long that it looks like it's preparing for the Safari
Rally. Details will be posted later.
10/12/2001
The 993 GT2 instead of 996, that's all I want to say now. (sigh)
10/06/2001
Tamiya is reissuing two Z-car kits prior to the release of all new Z33
kit. One is the S130 280ZX T-Bar roof, and the other is Z31 300ZX.
Both are unique reissue, because each kit contains two body and related
parts, so that you can make two bodies in different colors and switch
whenever you feel like to. Sure, I had many situations where I
couldn't decide which body color to use, BUT(!) isn't body most time
consuming part of modeling?
Also, the details of the upcoming S2000 Type V kit was announced.
The differences from the previous kit are 10 spoke wheel, left hand
steering dash board, hard top and new steering wheel to represent the VGS
steering system.
9/15/2001
Tamiya's announced the new items, that will be shown at the hobby show,
and they are...
Impreza WRC will not like the street car, as the sales rep suggested at
the last hobby show. Although I was hoping for Audi, the Astra is a
welcome addition to the new DTM series. Not sure about how the S2000
type V would be like. Would that include the engine like they did
with the two FD3S RX-7 kits? If that happens, I don't have to buy
the expensive Sakatsu engine kit. Whether you like the design or
not, the Z is coming back, and Tamiya will release a kit in December.
Finally, no F1 car is listed, but there still be a possibility of pleasing
surprise at the snow. Also much rumored Taiwan 996 GT3R and Bentley
Speed 8 didn't seem to be approved either. However, the latest news
revealed that they will release the GT2, the most powerful Porsche ever.
The drawing on the back was prepared by myself for possible conversion.
Hasegawa is said to release an all new Lancia Stratos '77 Monte Carlo
winner next year.
Aoshima will release not only Toyota Celsior, but also Lexus LS430 in
December. They will also release the Honda Accord Wagon in December.
They are all priced at 1800 yen.
Fujimi will release a series of Impreza WRX STi, and they are version
IV, V and VI. I thought those would be Hasegawa tool, since Fujimi
doesn't seem to have resources to produce that many new tools, but they
are bland new kits. Also, they will release brand new Chevy Astro
kit in 1/24 scale. I don't remember any modern Astro as a plastic
model in 1/24 (or 1/25) lately.
Hobby Show will take place at Makuhai between Oct 13 and 15.
A book called Ferrari F1-2000 Perfect File is released. It's a
reprint of F1 Modeling vol. 8
plus illustrations to cover each race. No advertisement in the book,
and it's priced at 2310 yen. People on the Japanese news group say,
"If you see it, you will want it." Next issue of F1 Modeling will
feature retro F1, mainly the Tyrell to show respect to late Ken Tyrrell.
8/10/2001
Tamiya's releasing variations of the Mercedes DTM2000. The
Warsteiner and Original Teile are due in August and September.
Tamiya's also going to modify it's 360 Modena coupe kit to release the
spider on 26th of September. Fujimi's Lancer Evolution VII is a
modified reissue of their evo kit. Chassis and part of interior are
from the previous Evo kit, but the body, dashboard and wheels are new.
6/23/2001
Tamiya's New Age Impreza WRX STi is uploaded in the Current Project
page. Grand Prix Modelista Vol. 2 has been released, and it features
the 2001 cars and Tyrrell P34 six wheeler.
6/21/2001
If you are looking for something unique from this year's Le Mans,
Sakatsu's going to release the Dome S-101 in September. It's an
officially licensed product to cerebrate the return of Dome to the
endurance race after 15 years of absence, and Dome fully cooperated with
the project.
Studio 27 has announced that they're going to release the Audi R8 2001.
F1 Modeling Magazine Vol. 10 has been released. Please follow the
link, Articles at the top of the page for magazine reviews.
6/16/2001
The host of my web page is changed, and the old page serves as a
pointer to this new page.
Tamiya's Impreza kit has been released. The kit is vary
simplified, and the front wheels are not posable either. It was
designed so, because most of the expected buyers are not full time
modelers. Tamiya representative says that this doesn't mean all
Tamiya street cars are gonna be like this, and they will continue making a
detailed model according to the subject. Also long discontinued 956
and 962 are available now. The Mercedes CLK DTM2000 kit is due June
27th, and it's a semi detailed kit with a V8 engine.