I have just started my second kit from this company. Some years ago I built their Skyraider and found it an excellent kit. Now it is the turn of their P51 Mustang.
There are divided opinions about this manufacturer with some people claiming them to be over-engineered and/or overly expensive. I beg to differ.
The whole concept for their kits is different to other companies. When I build a Tamiya, Hasegawa or other manufacturers kit it is in part a ‘homage’ to those who flew, fought and often died in these machines.
Zukie-Mura is different in that these kits are just as much a ‘homage’ to those who designed and built these aircraft and deservedly so.
Let’s look at this Mustang for example.
The packaging shouts quality from the strong box to the individually wrapped sprues and the careful way the transparencies are protected. Then we have the instructions, or should I say manual. ZM provide everything you need to guide to to a good result with their kit. Sloppy Dragon instructions, they are not, basic Trumpeter guides, no, scrappy Revell instructions, no. These are masterpieces of instructions. Take a look at a few pages.
Note that they actually tell you what the parts represent, not just provide a drawing of an anonymous part.
But of course there is also the matter of the plastic. Take this for detail:
Note the cylinder positions. Now there is no way this detail can ever be seen but it is an education in how an engine works. This is something of a trade mark for ZM and this is one thing that gives rise to the accusations of over engineering. I like it. These people care about the models they produce and this is their way to show that they are more than just a big corporate out to make money. They are enthusiasts with a sense of humour.
They produce overall fine detail. The moulds are not quite as clean as Tamiya, the plastic not quite as good quality. But there is not much in it.
So far I have just been working on the engine, the fit has been excellent so far. I am not sure how well the panels will fit around the skeleton on this aircraft and I am not sure just how well suited it will be for a NMF. But this is part of the challenge.
I still think that the Tamiya P51 remains the best 1/32 P51 model money can buy but this ZM kit is not far behind and provides an alternative build experience with its completely different engineering. As modellers we are lucky to have two such excellent kits of this iconic aircraft. For those for whom cost is an issue then there is the Revell kit as well providing us with a superb choice in 32 scale. Now if only ZM would do a Spitfire to give us the same range of options for that iconic aircraft.
There are divided opinions about this manufacturer with some people claiming them to be over-engineered and/or overly expensive. I beg to differ.
The whole concept for their kits is different to other companies. When I build a Tamiya, Hasegawa or other manufacturers kit it is in part a ‘homage’ to those who flew, fought and often died in these machines.
Zukie-Mura is different in that these kits are just as much a ‘homage’ to those who designed and built these aircraft and deservedly so.
Let’s look at this Mustang for example.
The packaging shouts quality from the strong box to the individually wrapped sprues and the careful way the transparencies are protected. Then we have the instructions, or should I say manual. ZM provide everything you need to guide to to a good result with their kit. Sloppy Dragon instructions, they are not, basic Trumpeter guides, no, scrappy Revell instructions, no. These are masterpieces of instructions. Take a look at a few pages.
Note that they actually tell you what the parts represent, not just provide a drawing of an anonymous part.
But of course there is also the matter of the plastic. Take this for detail:
Note the cylinder positions. Now there is no way this detail can ever be seen but it is an education in how an engine works. This is something of a trade mark for ZM and this is one thing that gives rise to the accusations of over engineering. I like it. These people care about the models they produce and this is their way to show that they are more than just a big corporate out to make money. They are enthusiasts with a sense of humour.
They produce overall fine detail. The moulds are not quite as clean as Tamiya, the plastic not quite as good quality. But there is not much in it.
So far I have just been working on the engine, the fit has been excellent so far. I am not sure how well the panels will fit around the skeleton on this aircraft and I am not sure just how well suited it will be for a NMF. But this is part of the challenge.
I still think that the Tamiya P51 remains the best 1/32 P51 model money can buy but this ZM kit is not far behind and provides an alternative build experience with its completely different engineering. As modellers we are lucky to have two such excellent kits of this iconic aircraft. For those for whom cost is an issue then there is the Revell kit as well providing us with a superb choice in 32 scale. Now if only ZM would do a Spitfire to give us the same range of options for that iconic aircraft.
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