Got this kit today, along with the Jaguar XKR GT3 (which I've also posted a review of), so here's a look at the first proper new tool cars since 1977 (excluding snapkits and reboxings). - I'll repeat some of the text between reviews as it applies equally to both.

The box is the same size as a standard Series 3 box, but about half an inch deeper, which is needed to fit the sprues in:




Inside you get three sprues of light grey plastic, one sprue of clear plastic (separately bagged), and a white plastic body shell (separately bagged):


The white plastic is nicely finished, with a smooth but not overshiny surface (no texture present), panel lines are moderate, about the same width as seen on recent 1:72 aircraft, but not as deep.  Remnants of sprue gates all appear to be internal, as are the ejector marks:


Sprue D (clear sprue), thickness of clear parts looks appropriate, and clarity/smoothness is good.


Sprue A (front view):


Sprue A (reverse view) - showing detail in interior and seat, which both have ejector pin marks to take care of:


Sprue B:


Sprue C:


Instructions - the correction sheet appears to just correct the orientation of the brake calipers, both now on the side facing the centre of the car (incorrect version showed both on the outwards side):



Colour painting guide (the orange is all done by decals):


Decals... unfortunately Airfix appear to have gone back to the dot matrix printers for these, as although the dots are fairly fine, they are still visible, mainly in the orange, yellow and pink parts.  The white parts do look a little thin, but the light body colour should help mitigate this:


Apart from the decals, this looks like a top notch kit, and with the white body shell, it lends itself to being painted in a variety of other colours, as this car is used by several racing teams (such as the two teams currently competing in GT1, one of which is an all white body with red details), or you could invent your own.

It will also be interesting to see how well the decals fit the complex bonnet, there is a separation into two pieces to help it past one set of vents, but the front vent has no such separation.

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Tom's Portfolio
2012 Stats - Started: 4, Finished: 5, Bought: 23

Nice review, thanks for posting it. Looks very interesting, I may have to get one of these.

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For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic.
Before the dark times - before the Empire...

Another good review, nice clear photos too.  :thumb:

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The ancient sages said - "Do not despise the snake for having no horns, for who is to say it will not become a dragon?" So may one just man become an army.
Airfix Club 564448

Never built a car model  :oops:  but I'm tempted to get one

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BAGGY

Very tempting  :twisted:
Maybe we should do this or the Jag for next years CarGB  :idea:  It would be nice to do a single subject  8-)

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and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983
My Portfolio & Workbench

I have just bought the DB9 in my local Modelzone, a purchase based purely on the excelent photographs that Mr T posted!!

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BAGGY

My local Modelzone didn't have any.  I'll be getting one when I see one though as it looks a good kit.

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If I can build a Spitfire in 2 1/2 hours why can't I finish a Group Build on time?

it appears that the molding for the aston and the jag are exactly the same as the scalextric versions, just without the running gear

I believe the CAD is shared, but the tools are individual  :wink:

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and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983
My Portfolio & Workbench

Yup, each sprue and the body are marked with the airfix ATML codes, which have been on all the new tools of the past few years.

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Tom's Portfolio
2012 Stats - Started: 4, Finished: 5, Bought: 23