Great review. I bought and built the Magnifier kit as it is more challenging, but also more satisfying when you complete it well. I'm tempted to get it again so I can build the other livery (I built the no 2 black one originally)! It is a very good kit for the price, and I really can't justify the over doubling of price for the Meng version. PS The Magnifier does come with the door decal letters F-O-R-D for you to apply individually, or you can make it a DORF!!!
That painted Meng model with the seams still left on the already painted exhausts and probably still on the rest of the model would drive me mad and would end up with me painting the whole model again. I’d personally save myself £330 to £420 & get the trumpeter/Magnifer branded model kit.
David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA (Saturday, 21 September, 2024) I quite enjoy for practical reasons (I admit that I find it enjoyable, too) to see kits of the same vehicle in the same scale (e.g., two good-quality 1:32nd-scale kits of the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang USAAF air superiority fighter) in a side-by-side comparison. I also would like to see a simultaneous build-comparison video, showing each individual part as it appears in the assembly sequence juxtaposed to its analogue; and especially, to learn an assessment of the construction process itself (naturally making allowances for differences in the build sequence). Thanks!
I've seen both kits and find if you have experience building large scale kits the Ex-Trumpeter version is better. The Meng is really over priced by far. The Meng is over simple and near toy like if you are a stickler for the accuracy of the parts shape. As a builder for 65 years I'll take the Trumpeter over Meng. Just my opion.
I'm pretty sure that the magnifier one is just a knock off of the trumpeter gt40, which I'm pretty sure had a license with Ford, so the magnifier is just a knockoff
Are the sprues prepainted or are they made from colored plastic? Thats a major difference since any cutting/ sanding would strip the paint of the parts and thats makes things bit annoying and difficult :)
OK this is about the Meng kit...but regarding the Trumpeter one- hmmm. What were they thinking of? over thick plastic, many parts of the car simply missing, toy lke 60's era chrome on plastic, errors that would have been easier to copy the original than do what Trumpeter did, the steering rack is simply a toy, pedal box is junk, wrong tread on the tyres, no spare tyre, no distributor(?) or ignition wires & a lot more. Having looked at the Meng instructions on-line, they also have made some parts not like the original so neither kit is ''perfect'', but Meng have made more of an effort and the fit appears to be very good. Shame that Ebro does not have a go as they produce some wonderfuly thin and detailed plastic for their smaller scale vehicles. I am attempting to make a decent model from the Trumpeter version but it entails a whole lot of work. Probably never buy another Trumpeter kit based on what I have with this one.
Excellent previews of a classic car. After watching this, I've always wondered why (V8) Supercars hasn't got on board with 1/24 plastic kits. I know diecast models are well covered but given we all like to build scale modelling kits, I reckon (V8)Supercars is missing a possible goldmine in licensing possibilities.
I am building the MENG unpainted version at the moment and can say, in my opinion buy the cheaper version and get some FORD decals! There is so many things incorrect in this model, at this price point $467.50 AUD it's a rip off. It shows how FORD and SHELBY will put their name to a product is about money only and not factual detail. The use of shiny black vinyl tubing for brake lines is just one example, race cars have stainless braided lines, the list is long. I don't know how accurate the cheaper versions are but I can say, spending so much on the MENG leaves a bad taste.
Just finishing up the Magnifer GT-40. I cannot recommend this kit. The parts are ill fitting, requiring significant modification. The instructions are poor, there's no decent painting instructions and parts were missing. Half the parts came chrome plated, which required them to be stripped and repainted. Save your frustration and buy the MENG kit. I wish I had!!
I couldn't understand why all the parts were chromed? Like the cam covers and brake discs could have been chromed but noting else needed it! Also my wheels and engine block were prepainted which I found odd
Also something about the trumpeter one(magnifier) is that I have it and the steering barely works at all, bu tyou can see that the magnifier one looks way more accurate with the front lights
I’m from the U.K, I was looking at my one today and It has got the Magnifer & Trumpeter on the box. Here in Blighty I got the kit for just shy of £100 or $180AUD. The unpainted Meng kit is £270= $510AUDand the painted version is anywhere from £430 - £530 that $775AUD to $995AUD.
I've noticed Meng really does try to cater to the inexperienced modeler with too much money. I can use a hobby knife and airbrush. I'll just stick with the Fujimi 1/24 version and add a resin engine. Both these 1/12th kits are very toy-like in my opinion.
They are both toys more than anything else. If you were a serious modeller you would not buy the pre painted/coloured as the mould seams are still there meaning you'd have to re-paint. Tamiya would wipe the floor with them if it did a GT40.
![[auto Le Mans Series] 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II 1/12 Trumpeter - 2024 HERITAGECON 16 SILVER MEDAL WINNER](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/aEWHktXYgOI/mqdefault.jpg)
![[auto Le Mans Series] 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II 1/12 Trumpeter - 2024 HERITAGECON 16 SILVER MEDAL WINNER](/img/tr.png)
You make some really viable points, however, $120.00 USD compared to $499.00 USD!
Great review, nice to have a good clear voice, no Ooos and Arrrs, speaking at a hearable pace 🎉🎉
Great review. I bought and built the Magnifier kit as it is more challenging, but also more satisfying when you complete it well. I'm tempted to get it again so I can build the other livery (I built the no 2 black one originally)! It is a very good kit for the price, and I really can't justify the over doubling of price for the Meng version. PS The Magnifier does come with the door decal letters F-O-R-D for you to apply individually, or you can make it a DORF!!!
Interesting that you bought and like the model, yet you end the comments by taking a jab at the Ford name?
Thanks! That was very helpful. Cheers!!
That painted Meng model with the seams still left on the already painted exhausts and probably still on the rest of the model would drive me mad and would end up with me painting the whole model again. I’d personally save myself £330 to £420 & get the trumpeter/Magnifer branded model kit.
Yup, exactly my thought exactly!
David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA (Saturday, 21 September, 2024)
I quite enjoy for practical reasons (I admit that I find it enjoyable, too) to see kits of the same vehicle in the same scale (e.g., two good-quality 1:32nd-scale kits of the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang USAAF air superiority fighter) in a side-by-side comparison.
I also would like to see a simultaneous build-comparison video, showing each individual part as it appears in the assembly sequence juxtaposed to its analogue; and especially, to learn an assessment of the construction process itself (naturally making allowances for differences in the build sequence).
Thanks!
The difference being that the Magnifier/Trumpeter kit actually looks like a GT40! The Meng; not so much.
I've seen both kits and find if you have experience building large scale kits the Ex-Trumpeter version is better. The Meng is really over priced by far. The Meng is over simple and near toy like if you are a stickler for the accuracy of the parts shape. As a builder for 65 years I'll take the Trumpeter over Meng. Just my opion.
would someone provide pictures of an American V8 to the model companies.
There’s a lot of sanding on the Meng pre painted model. All of the sprew parts have mould lines.
I'm pretty sure that the magnifier one is just a knock off of the trumpeter gt40, which I'm pretty sure had a license with Ford, so the magnifier is just a knockoff
there are "mold-lines" on the Meng kit
Are the sprues prepainted or are they made from colored plastic? Thats a major difference since any cutting/ sanding would strip the paint of the parts and thats makes things bit annoying and difficult :)
9:56 , i think he mention 😊
OK this is about the Meng kit...but regarding the Trumpeter one- hmmm. What were they thinking of? over thick plastic, many parts of the car simply missing, toy lke 60's era chrome on plastic, errors that would have been easier to copy the original than do what Trumpeter did, the steering rack is simply a toy, pedal box is junk, wrong tread on the tyres, no spare tyre, no distributor(?) or ignition wires & a lot more. Having looked at the Meng instructions on-line, they also have made some parts not like the original so neither kit is ''perfect'', but Meng have made more of an effort and the fit appears to be very good. Shame that Ebro does not have a go as they produce some wonderfuly thin and detailed plastic for their smaller scale vehicles. I am attempting to make a decent model from the Trumpeter version but it entails a whole lot of work. Probably never buy another Trumpeter kit based on what I have with this one.
Excellent previews of a classic car. After watching this, I've always wondered why (V8) Supercars hasn't got on board with 1/24 plastic kits. I know diecast models are well covered but given we all like to build scale modelling kits, I reckon (V8)Supercars is missing a possible goldmine in licensing possibilities.
I would love to see Tamiya jump on that for sure.
I am building the MENG unpainted version at the moment and can say, in my opinion buy the cheaper version and get some FORD decals! There is so many things incorrect in this model, at this price point $467.50 AUD it's a rip off. It shows how FORD and SHELBY will put their name to a product is about money only and not factual detail. The use of shiny black vinyl tubing for brake lines is just one example, race cars have stainless braided lines, the list is long. I don't know how accurate the cheaper versions are but I can say, spending so much on the MENG leaves a bad taste.
$25 "packaging" on the Meng kit
MAG-NI-FY-ER
oh, that was driving me nuts!!... glad it wasn't just me
My biggest complaint with the Meng kit is the incorrect shape of the headlights and covers. The Magnifer kit is much more accurate in this area.
The rear glass is also not the correct shape
Yes, the Meng front end is atrocious.
Just finishing up the Magnifer GT-40. I cannot recommend this kit. The parts are ill fitting, requiring significant modification. The instructions are poor, there's no decent painting instructions and parts were missing. Half the parts came chrome plated, which required them to be stripped and repainted. Save your frustration and buy the MENG kit. I wish I had!!
I couldn't understand why all the parts were chromed? Like the cam covers and brake discs could have been chromed but noting else needed it! Also my wheels and engine block were prepainted which I found odd
Also something about the trumpeter one(magnifier) is that I have it and the steering barely works at all, bu tyou can see that the magnifier one looks way more accurate with the front lights
This video isn’t even accurate. Trumpeter sells that same kit less than 1/2 price as the meng and it has ford printed right on the box.
I’m from the U.K, I was looking at my one today and It has got the Magnifer & Trumpeter on the box. Here in Blighty I got the kit for just shy of £100 or $180AUD. The unpainted Meng kit is £270= $510AUDand the painted version is anywhere from £430 - £530 that $775AUD to $995AUD.
I've noticed Meng really does try to cater to the inexperienced modeler with too much money. I can use a hobby knife and airbrush. I'll just stick with the Fujimi 1/24 version and add a resin engine. Both these 1/12th kits are very toy-like in my opinion.
great preview - very informative!
Anyone got a match on the gulf blue?
I dont think gulf blue was used for ken miles' car......i think it was the light blue used on Ford's mustangs back in that era....
Might have been Ford Diamond Blue
Zero Paints produce the blue used on Ken Miles’ car.
Cool vid but the Magnifier kit is showing out of stock & has been for a while 😕Please don't plug stuff you don't have in stock.🙄
They are both toys more than anything else. If you were a serious modeller you would not buy the pre painted/coloured as the mould seams are still there meaning you'd have to re-paint. Tamiya would wipe the floor with them if it did a GT40.
Whoa! 650 bucks for a model car?!?!?