Hasegawa's 'Collectors Edition' 1/24 Toyota 2000GT

Lode Schildermans
Kerry, I'm in to follow a new car build 🙂

Alexander Grivonev
Nothing better than unboxing a fresh parcel👍. May I ask what you guys in AUS pay for shipping from Japan? Should be a bit cheaper than shipping to Europe.

Kerry COX
Alex. It cost me $20.00 Au for shipping and the kit was $73.00. 🙂
Not too bad really. But the shipping from the USA or Europe is triple that ! 🙁
Lode. G'day mate. Good to have you along for the ride. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Daniel Klink
Uiuiui fantastic ..following... My dreamcar

Kerry COX
Daniel. Pull up a chair mate. The assembly will not be too far off. 😉

Daniel Klink
Got me a big Wingchair and a Springbank 18 to enjoy that upcoming Feast for the eyes 👍
The start is very promising already 👍

Kerry COX
Thank you Daniel. 🙂 👍
So far, the white metal parts I have assembled have gone together just as all Hasegawa kits do. !
The detail is crisp and I personally can't fault the castings. 👍

Rui S
Well well well, look who's back 😉 I'm in for ride, ofcourse. 👍

Kerry COX
Rui. Cheers my friend.
A nice way do get my 'drive' back. ! hahahaha 🙂🙂 🙂

Rui S
I agree, 😄 nice work on that white metal 😎

Kerry COX
Thanks Rui. The metal bits were a nice touch for this kit.
I was not expecting the detail it has, but a bonus is what it is really. Very happy with the result. 👍

Rui S
Yap, and I see that you considered keeping some seam lines. Now agree, but a few years ago, I had to make them all disappear (like a maniac). Now I've change my actions, because in reality, there are many things that also have seam lines, so that's the way to go 👍

Kerry COX
I do agree. As some metal castings have the seam lines and look the part. 👍
Getting rid of all seam lines is not all that smart. 🙁
I learned the hard way too, losing a gold for being over zealous. !

Alexander Grivonev
Honestly I never understood the appeal of "white metal parts" except that they may add a little more weight to the model. They are harder to work with, the casting quality is worse than with plastic or resin and most of the shiny metal surface is covered with paint anyway afterwards. Not to mention that the makers can demand excessive prices for the "Limited Edition" factor. Am I missing something?

Kerry COX
Alex. My thoughts on the 'white metal' aspect is that Hasegawa do produce items of high detail and quality, and that was the pulling power for me, and as you say, most of the detail is covered with paint any way. But having the bonnet open on any vehicle is a bonus, and it encourages those among us to go that extra mile and add as much finer bits and pieces as we can, and most will be created or scratch built, but that is half the fun of this hobby, getting the smaller things done. I can never understand the appeal of 1/72 scale, but wow, look at what those who do produce. It's all in the eye of the beholder.

Alexander Grivonev
Absolutely agree with every aspect you described. As you know I am a fan of walking the extra mile myself. 🙂

My only argument is "why white metal"? Why this particular material? What can white metal do that plastic or resin can't? I am absolutely sure Hasegawa can recreate the white metal parts from this kit even finer and more detailed with mold injection.

In airplane modeling white metal is often used for the landing gear which provides extra stability which makes sense with the flimsy struts. But for car engine parts I do not see any reason whatsoever using white metal except for the added weight and perceived "value" with it.

Kerry COX
Alex, I believe you have the answer in your question. 👍 😉 "The weight". hehehehe
It now looks more robust than resin or a plastic multi part item build, and, the big advantage is, if you do make a mistake, it is straight into a bath of acetone to break down the super glue and it all comes out exactly the same as it did when you started, so you can attack it again................no loss. !The metal gives me the ability to have the parts take a lot of handling while the build goes on, and believe me, this engine as it is now has had far more 'handling' than I really intended to do. Having had to drill to a larger size, all the areas that have locating lugs that need that extra help in staying in place and as flush as I can get it all to fit. Don't get me wrong as I sprout all the advantages that white metal brings to the bench, as I have found this medium quite tedious to work with here, but it's a lot better than seeing delicate parts go to the bin because they failed the robust nature of finishing off the detail I have at my disposal . I have never seen or built a metal car engine before and the novelty factor of that alone is one part of the kit I can enjoy a little more, knowing there are fewer of these than most car builds. Besides, my joy factor is a lot greater knowing I still have it all in one piece and not in the bin or against the wall so to speak. 👍 🙂
Cheers. 👍 😉

Alexander Grivonev
That's it, I am converted!

Sorry for having coerced you to that lengthy answer, I am a pain in the a** sometimes 😄
Btw one of my next projects is probably going to be the Tamiya Carrera GT in 1:12 (a 1:12 car build is definitely due this year) and what do you know, it is full of white metal parts!! 👍 Maybe this is exactly what I need to acquire a taste for it.

cheers to Straya!

Martin Oostrom
These are good times for a modeler. Alex and Kerry giving advanced courses on how to build the perfect model. Thanks to you both! 👍

Kerry COX
WOW. ! Martin. You certainly know how to make a bloke feel good about his work. 🙂 🙂🙂
Thank you my friend for such gracious words. 👍
Kez. 😉

Lode Schildermans
Making difficult tasks look as simple as you do, Kerry, is the true art of modelling. And you happen to excel into that. And your a great tutor to the bunch as well

Tom ...
👀

Kerry COX
Lode. You are most kind and I am humbled that the master maritime engineer likes my work. 🙂 👍

Peter Hardy
Intriguing question Alex and an informative answer Kerry. The only time I have ever used white metal is for tracks on armour. I will also try it one day when I can get to master not superglueing my fingers together! I am very impressed with the sheer amount of additions and modifications required and executed just on the engine and fittings. I have been following for a while but have not actually commented thus far as this project is beyond my comprehension in so many ways. Kezza, I look forward to the progress and please keep the comments coming on the pics. I learn so much from the Masters and enjoy every minute you blokes spend with me!

James C
Completely missed this one, but impressive work as always Kerry.
I particularly like the way that you annotate the pictures with notes and pointers. Fantastic! Any updates?

BTW, I too love to use white metal on my armour builds. The extra weight just adds so much to the completed builds.

Kerry COX
James. 🙂 Thanks a million for your popping in and having a gander mate. 👍
As for the updates. The painting will have to be postponed for a while, having had a big failure, using a paint I was not accustomed too, being the SMS white, that almost started a melt down of the body work, finding out that the paint I used was designed for use on 'LEXON' plastics, used in mostly radio control body materials. 🙁
The 'in picture' comments and tips are done using the microsoft 'paint' program. Choosing the image in 'paint', then using the tools available to get the 'text' and colour one requires to get the effect. Quite worth while having a dabble if you get the chance to experiment a bit. 👍 😉
BTW. I am really impressed with all your builds and the effort you have made to display them as well as you have. 👍
Most inspirational mate. 😉
The white metal items in the build were all part of the kits items, being the 'Special' version of their most popular kit from a few years back. I still haven't seen one 'in the flesh' yet. 🙁

Martin Oostrom
Sorry to hear about your paint adventure. Is the body salvageable, or is a new kit required?

Rui S
This was going so Nicely. Even with that Paint issue I'm hopping you can finish it the way you wanted 👍

James C
Thanks mate and that's sad news re the paint issue on the body shell.
I hope that it's salvageable.

Kerry COX
Thanks for your concerns lads, but I am pleased to say that as soon as I noticed the change in surface texture, I started with the paint removal as soon as possible and now, all that is needed is a gentle polish and I am back to the start of the paint cycle. 😉
I was not thinking of the difference in plastics and the paint for the different types, as the SMS white had brilliant pigmentation and covers with one cote usually, and that was what I was after.
But all is good and no shell/body replacement will be necessary. 👍

Daniel Klink
Phewwwwwwwwww!!!!!!
Glad to read this Kerry! So kerry on Sir 🙂

Kerry COX
Mr Klink. Both you and me are relieved it was not terminal. !!! hehehehe 😉

James C
👍👍👍

Lode Schildermans
I always am amazed about your skills and how to deal with issues in your attempt to strive to perfection. It is indeed a lesson to all of us builders that one can always learn, and we can learn from one of the best. Thanks for all your lessons and advice when we need one

Kerry COX
My good friend Lode. I am most humbled by your kind words and it means a great deal that you have said what you said. I am always striving to do the best I can, and at this stage of my old life, it gets a bit more testing to make that mark. I do love to see the amazing efforts and results of all my mates here on SM, as it helps keep me stay focused and enthusiastic about this wonderful pass time. 👍
Cheers good buddy. 😉

Peter Hardy
Blow me away almost every build Kez, very creative punch! Nice result too. I dips me lid Sir!

Peter Hardy
It will be in your settings for newsfeed Kez.

James C
Nice to see you progressing on this one Kezza. The dash is looking great mate 👍

Kerry COX
Thank you so much JC. It's been a while since I attended any attention, but with all my paint blunders, I think I have it solved.
More images about to be uploaded. 😉

Kerry COX
It's finished. I hope you like it. ?

Lode Schildermans
Kerry, a question not to be asked 😉. I scrolled the complete album for noticing what an achievement this beauty is. A beauty in every detail. I pity the other competitors.

Kerry COX
Lode. Aren't you the charmer. ! hehehehe 😉
That is a really welcome compliment my friend. Thank you so much.👍

Jv
Impressive work Kerry
Thanks for sharing

Ben M
That's a beautiful result. The subject is very attractive. Thanks for all the tips as well!

Kerry COX
A big thank you to all your comments ,suggestions and praise. I am most grateful.
Kezza. 😉