Small detour during the lunch break …
The package is imposing, as usual with the large FMS scales … it doesn’t fit in the trunk of the I10.
Let’s go for the striptease…
Classic FMS box, with flaps on the ends this time…
There are the usual elements of most brands with technical details and a bit of blah-blah. On the flap, a checkbox lets you know if the packaging matches what you asked for as a color … in my case, blue, because it reminds me of Joustra’s FJ40 and everyone will probably rush for the yellow one.
The polystyrene box, trademark of FMS / RocHobby productions.
As usual, the car is well wedged… little risk of damage related to the package handling …
In front of the car, we find a bag that includes the mirrors, running boards, front plate holder and plates (unfortunately 1 copy of each, so no front plate), too fragile to be installed before transport surely … and a Tamiya key to remove the wheels.
At the bottom of the box, the 4-way radio now classic at FMS and a quality control tag.
And here is the beast out of its lair… with all the sticky stickers still on the openings (what a pain these things are)
To give you an idea of the size… Jimi is 21cm, Jones is 30cm and the inbred is 31cm.
Under the hood, without magnets, just held closed by lugs and held open by gravity by resting on the windshield, we find… a big void… this time FMS has skipped the wheel arches…
The engine is apparently a new 550 35T … let’s hope it has more engine braking than the previous one. In any case, it is no longer motley, that’s already an improvement.
The controller is this 1040 purge …. common FMS, a 1060 doesn’t cost much more.
The battery holder is, unfortunately, still the same, limiting the use to batteries less than 23mm thick if you want them to fit.
All the doors open … but for the front doors, it’s like the real ones, you have to turn the handle.
This will limit the risk of doors opening while driving…
We will appreciate the interior, with its soft (not adjustable) seats and the attention paid to details, such as the sticker on the glove compartment.
On the other side, it’s the same… with the steering wheel that turns with the wheels as on FMS’ other large scales.
At the back, the tailgate and doors also open, but in a more conventional way, with a not necessarily very reliable lug hold.
We will appreciate the quantity of polystyrene “burito” … with a rather vague utility since nothing risks moving inside during transport.
The interior is well detailed with the seats covered in fabric and whose seat can be raised. You will have to be careful to raise the seats at the beginning … the lug that holds the feet in the floor is mounted tightly …
Finally, let’s move on to the chassis… which has remained almost the same since the Willys, given that it is still the same at the base, including the axles… with however one new feature… a Panhard rod…
Panhard bar that was installed with 4 triangulated links, but hey, we’ll say that it’s the little Bonux gift from the Chinese, they give us an extra upper link justincase … and on the wrong side compared to what was planned on the bridge, the fault of the position of the servo which should be on the driver’s side. But anyway it’s the intention that counts and they are making progress …
For some strange reason … they installed a metal rod at the rear wings … maybe for more strength … it will prove interesting later to install homemade mud flaps.
As for dampening … it’s not complicated, there ain’t any 😀
Well at least there is clearly no oil …
To come back to the figurines, it is 1/7 more than 1/10, so the figurines for 1/10 will not fit great at the front, unless you find a more youthful look than Jimi. At the back on the other hand, it can do the job if you do not look too close.
Fitting the mirror rods is a pain… no choice but to attack the upper screw at an angle, despite the relative flexibility of the arm… and with tiny screws to make matters worse (so I started screwing next to the hole for a mirror but it’s only obvious from very close up).
The mirrors are just clipped on the rods … I don’t give them much time before being lost … it would be better to add a dot of cyano.
Among the body details… the Land Cruiser badge on the wings and the position lights, without LEDs but which could be equipped with them if wanted.
The rear plate bracket…and the hole in the bumperettes that allowed the optional rubber cone to be installed.
The other license plates, unfortunately only one copy and as flat as a flounder. And the metal badges for the rear… without double-sided. The “4Wheel Drive” badge is too big… but it’s nice to have thought of it.
Being 1/7 like the Mashigan, you have to count on figurines with less common dimensions, from 22-23cm to 25-26cm … some ideas:
_ Big Jim: not the sexiest figurines, they show their age, but quite easy to find second-hand with more or less clothes and accessories and at prices that remain reasonable (not for all sellers)
_ Playmate Toys: brand of figurines that has a few copies with good dimensions, quite articulated and dressed in fabrics … notably Star Trek in 9″ (23cm) or 26cm (Billy Eilish … a young thing)
_ Play Arts: brand with figurines oriented towards video games/manga with a few articulated copies in the range that interests us …
_ Bandaï, Hasbro: during their history, these brands have occasionally released 10″ (25cm) figurines … it’s a bit of a lottery but you can come across gems … by against the most interesting ones sometimes reach mind-blowing prices
There are also series made around a celebrity or a universe … Mickael Jackson exists in at least 2 versions of 25cm (a Thriller, a Billy Jean) … and of course Star Wars which does not lack figurines of all sizes … but it is not always easy to find the information.
If you are into Wrestling … AEW offers very articulated figurines of a little less than 25cm with lots of hands and / or accessories …
Although a little short on legs with its 21cm … Jimi could look good behind the wheel … enough for a quick first ride while waiting for the final pilot, and as long as we do not open the doors …
With its 26.5cm, the soldier of my Sawback (HM Armed Forces) is on the contrary, a little too tall, but it is more because of the beret than anything else … without, which would bring it back to 26cm, it would be correct … tall, but correct.
25cm is definitely the best… even if the seat base could do with being moved forward (it’s a bit short in the arms).
Another compatible figure, although the installed photos are not flattering… it was a long day.
She is given as 25cm … but is a hair taller than “Cindy”. With a minimum of massage, her butt should fit the seat better. She comes with a backpack that will complete the vehicle’s load, unlike the baton, blaster and saber.
Tux Stang