New Knight Rider Model Kits

[Jasonps3]

Hi guys, I'm new here and if you like making model cars, there's two new Knight Rider kits from Aoshima. These kits are based on the Season 3 Cars, the scale is 1/24 and it comes with a light up light sensor. Here where you can order it (Warning, it 55 dollars):

http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/kengte.aspx?sc=13///136///607

Here's the prototype:




Here's the final product version:

[Lost Knight]

Awesome. The seats are jacked up and once again there is no silver paint going over K.A.R.R.'s wheel wells (I'll be willing to bet he'll have an amber scanner again, too), but other than those minor quibbles the models look great. The first prototype reminds me a lot of K.I.T.T. from "Junk Yard Dog."

[sarfraz]

I'd seen the pre-order for this a while back on hlj.com but didn't think much of it as I suspect it was going to be a remould of the ERTL kit released ages ago. Looking at these pictures though, that doesn't seem to be the case. One thing has confused me though. The pre-orders state painted body for KARR and are cheaper than KITT. Is that inferring that you need to paint the body for KITT or does he come fully painted (with KARR only being the shell) hence the additional cost......very odd???

Sarfraz

[Victor Kros]

From what I read, KARR won't have a animated scanner only KITT will unless they changed that. They consider the silver paint job more of a bonus I guess. I agree the seats are way off.

=VK=

[sarfraz]

....that really is an odd choice to omit the scanner for one version, but that does look like whats going to happen.

I do think they look the most accurate models exterior wise, wonder if they got the dash right? I wasn't that keen on the 1/18 Joyride KR noses, they seemed somewhat wrong.

Sarfraz

[Stargazer]

I'd be curious to see if they come out with a SPM version.

Oh and the scanner on KITT looks to be better than the first one... hence the trailing of the scanner. I also think I see a red front side marker rather than yellow.

[sarfraz]

Think this might help everyone:

http://www.oshipee.com/omami/e-photo-sh ... 008_02.htm

....half way down there more pics of the completede model. Of interested is the dash. It looks like a single monitor?

Sarfraz

[Lost Knight]

....half way down there more pics of the completede model. Of interested is the dash. It looks like a single monitor?

Sarfraz

Yes, it definitely looks like the 1-TV dashboard, which makes sense seeing as how these models are apparently based off of Season 3. It's about time more models were made with the 1-TV dashboard. The scanner trail effect also looks like the best I've seen on any model, so far. Worlds better than the JoyRide/Aoshima models, at least.

[sarfraz]

The 1/43 Aoshima KR cars also came with a 1 screen dash aswell.....

Sarfraz

[Lost Knight]

The 1/43 Aoshima KR cars also came with a 1 screen dash aswell.....

Sarfraz

Yes, I believe they were the only other K.I.T.T./K.A.R.R. models ever made that had it and they were only available as Japanese imports. Not that I don't like the 2-TV dash, but there's way too much of it on models and even replicas.

[cajunknight0153]

not bad, looks alot like the ERTL versions which are better cuz they're bigger

[sarfraz]

Your welcome to your opinion. I personally don't think the ERTL 1/18 is as good as it could be. The rear screen, tail-lights and the front nose are inaccurate compared to even the 1/24 ERTL model let alone the tiny 1/43 Aoshima KR cars. I am utterly amazed at the exterior form accuracy of the 1/43 Aoshima KR cars. The interior dash isn't quite accurate but it does a good attempt at the one screen dash.

Fundamentally the profile of the 1/18 ERTL car just doesn't seem right. This may be heresy to many but I can't justify the 1/18's place anywhere near the top of the KR models pile. Its a larger scale so its got no excuse for the crude form of the front nose. Its not sharp and the cutout section for the sports light is just cheap.

Sarfraz

[Lost Knight]

Fundamentally the profile of the 1/18 ERTL car just doesn't seem right. This may be heresy to many but I can't justify the 1/18's place anywhere near the top of the KR models pile. Its a larger scale so its got no excuse for the crude form of the front nose. Its not sharp and the cutout section for the sports light is just cheap.

Sarfraz

Speaking of the accuracy of front noses on models, the only die-cast model to ever get the Seasons 1-3 nose right is actually the Corgi K.I.T.T. It perfectly captured the slightly rounded edges and slight dip down the middle along with the turn signal blackouts.

The noses on these models are supposed to be Season 3 noses, but in actuality they look like the sharper, neater, Season 4 nose, but only with the indents of the blackouts without actually having the blackouts. The Season 4 nose has no blackouts or indents for the blackouts, so once again we have an inaccurate nose.

But hey, at least they finally got the amount and color of the fog lights correct, for once.

[sarfraz]

I dunno it looks pretty good to me but I see what you mean. To be fair you could probably get some sand-paper and round off the edges prior to painting. I don't think its that inaccurate but you got to ask yourself is this still better than any of ERTL's attempts and the answer is yes!

Sarfraz

[Jasonps3]

More photos and a Video!

http://www.aoshima-bk.co.jp/kokuchi/knight/knight.html

[sarfraz]

*faints*

Thanks for the link. Pop up lights, different dash boards for KITT and KARR, awesome scanner.....man wheres my credit card!!!! Best ever KR models!

Sarfraz

[sarfraz]

PS: I've folded like cheap paper and placed my order at hlj.com for KITT

Sarfraz

[crashb648]

I'll add them to the wiki. Thanks for sharing!

[crashb648]

Done