1/12 Trumpeter GT-40

[leafs004]

Speaking of the Trumpter version, it’s currently on sale at hobbylinc.com. So if you’re in the US and thinking about it, great time to grab one. I did, not sure what I’ll do with it yet as I want to see the Meng first.

https://www.hobbylinc.com/trumpeter-for ... cale-05403

[ssobier]

Back in 2012 I started a WIP thread converting the Trumpeter MkII kit into the '66 Sebring winning roadster driven by Miles and Ruby. The project remains uncompleted, but the thread does explain many of the short comings of the kit and how some of them can be fixed:

https://www.f1m.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=17285

Briefly, the body is fine and the kit can be made into an acceptable curbside model. The front compartment and cockpit are OK, there is room for improvement but no drastic issues. Where the kit really falls down is the engine and engine compartment. If built OOB, the rear chassis and the engine will literally have holes and gaps and there are many other issues. The thread explains and illustrates most of this and may be helpful for anyone thinking of buying the kit.

From what I have seen of the Meng kit it is a huge improvement over this one.

Steve Sobieralski

[fatfrog]

I was told this kit is being re-release by Trumpet under a different brand and the price is almost half of it’s original. Not sure it’s true but this could very well happens with Chinese manufacturers.

[bestbalsakits]

I was told this kit is being re-release by Trumpet under a different brand and the price is almost half of it’s original. Not sure it’s true but this could very well happens with Chinese manufacturers.

they left out the ford license, wich appears to be close to 50% of kit price.
Now you're buying 'a sports car' no gt40.

Wim

[scaleautofactory]

I was told this kit is being re-release by Trumpet under a different brand and the price is almost half of it’s original. Not sure it’s true but this could very well happens with Chinese manufacturers.

Yes, re-release under a differnt brand and without Ford-Logos.
https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10696114

[Daryl_Huhtala]

With the passage of time and the rise in the collector's market some of the Mk.IIs have undergone thorough restorations which result in a wonderful increase in info on these cars.
Take a look at these sites;
https://www.raredrive.com/gt40-restoration
http://gt40.rkmotorscharlotte.com/

[tubegenius]

Got mine today. As we all expected, it is the same kit that it always was. Though I've never seen the original kit in person, everything I've heard and read leads me to this conclusion. I'm quite happy though, that I didn't pay the Ebay asking price of $300US plus shipping for an old one. Icon tires will be ordered, and maybe some 3-D printed bits will offered by someone. Roman, if you would still like pictures of the body, let me know.

[allnie]

I am afraid we see why for instance Tamiya don't release that many new racing car kits. The license fees are now insane. If Trumpeter can sell the kit for ½ price - just because they don't need to pay royalties - it explains why the kits get's much too expensive for the market. And the manufactures don't get very much profit - even though the price for the kit is very high.

[sky1911]

Got mine today. As we all expected, it is the same kit that it always was. Though I've never seen the original kit in person, everything I've heard and read leads me to this conclusion. I'm quite happy though, that I didn't pay the Ebay asking price of $300US plus shipping for an old one. Icon tires will be ordered, and maybe some 3-D printed bits will offered by someone. Roman, if you would still like pictures of the body, let me know.

Just a quick question - you have the "US Sports Car 24 hour endurance racing car" model that is now sold by "Magnifire", has basically the box art of the Trumpeter one but costs about half of that and is the same kit? If so then no, I don't need the pics. I have the old trumpy kit, bought it at a time when they could be had for 130€ in volumes on fleabay.

Now if someone can get their hands on the Meng version of the GT40 - that I would like to see pictures of the box content of.

Thank you

[tubegenius]

It is exactly as you describe. The Ford decal for the lower stripe behind the front wheels is now 4 individual, non-connected letters. No need for pictures, it is what you think it is.


Edit: How are the typical licensing fees determined? Do kit manufacturers bid for them? Are they set by the owners, take it or leave it? It seems to me that pricing a license absurdly high ultimately results in no revenue at all, as is the case here.