Round2 Acquires Star Wars License

[Hunk a Junk]

I am so pleasantly surprised to learn Round2 remastered the TIE wing panels to be more accurate. I couldn't see clearly in the video, but I wonder if they removed the two toothpaste tube caps AMT added as "engines" inside the rear hexagon port. If so, well done!

 

[Hunk a Junk]

Unboxing video of the Razor Crest:

First impressions: I don't like the styrene they used. The details and panel lines all look soft -- at least in comparison to the Revell. The Revell has that pebble texture to the surface that some don't like, but the details seem crisper overall. The engines have more cut outs than the Revell, but both will require some mods. If you want to add an interior to the R2 kit we'll need to hog out the area where the landing gear go. Not a major issue, but an additional pain when the Revell already has a full interior. I'll still reserve judgment until we get some better looks and reviews, but right now I think the Revell has a slight edge for me as the better kit.

 

[Poakwoods]

Yes, too soft. It's a little bit of a disappointment, perhaps it's just a matter of styrene quality. Unfortunately Bandai has accustomed us too well
I had expectations about this new tool, especially as a proof of quality for future 1/32 scale kits...

 

[robn1]

Don't judge too harshly based on a Youtube vid, wait for some hi rez photos first. Their Space: 1999 and Trek kits have some fine looking details.

 

[edge10]

I am so pleasantly surprised to learn Round2 remastered the TIE wing panels to be more accurate. I couldn't see clearly in the video, but I wonder if they removed the two toothpaste tube caps AMT added as "engines" inside the rear hexagon port. If so, well done!

Unfortunately, I think the Crest caps are still there.

I think I borrowed the hatch on mine, from the TIE Interceptor snap kit (I better not give those away!).

 

[Hunk a Junk]

Unfortunately, I think the Crest caps are still there.

I think I borrowed the hatch on mine, from the TIE Interceptor snap kit (I better not give those away!).

It's not a huge deal. Easy to just drill out the hexagon panel and replace with sheet styrene. I guess since technically the panel is a "window" it needs to have a clear sheet in there anyway.

 

[StevenBills]

Yikes. Just cancelled my preorder.

SB

 

[Fett_Ish]

I am disappointed

 

[Fett_Ish]

Well,I was going off memory and now that I review some Revell builds,meh,it’s fine. I wasn’t about an interior anyway so as long as it is’nt a pig to build,I’m not as disappointed.

 

[robn1]

 

[edge10]

Perhaps the detail isn't as soft as it first appeared.

 

[Fett_Ish]

Perhaps the detail isn't as soft as it first appeared.

Yeah,I think the “silver’ plastic does it no favors. I will be getting aftermarket guns though.

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

For those wanting to not have to deal with the vacuum-metalized finish... Super Clean. I'm not sure if it's available outside the U.S. But something comparable has to be. If anyone wants to enquire -- or wants me to enquire -- I'll ask them if they have any recommendations for foreign markets. But the stuff is amazing. Immerse the part(s) in it, and within a few seconds to a few minutes, the plating just starts going away. Don't touch it. It's a powerful de-greaser and it will break down your skin oils and your hands will feel papery and dry and wrong for hours. Maybe use a toothbrush for any irrationally stubborn spots, but almost all of the plating will just disappear with no harm to the plastic.

I always hated how you always get the little nub of non-plated plastic where you clip it from the runner. I'd rather start with a bare, clean substrate and add my own metalizer.

 

[robn1]

This kit isn't plated, it's just silver plastic.

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

This kit isn't plated, it's just silver plastic.

Oh, ew. Both better and worse.

 

[ggriffaw]

Oh, ew. Both better and worse.

What concerns do you have with the plastic?

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

Metallic plastic never looks like metal, so it'll need to get painted/coated. I prefer gray or black plastic to work with, as I can more clearly see my surface prep and anything I miss in primer/base layers. Metallic plastic is even worse than white, in my preference. Purely subjective.

 

[Millenniumf]

Every time Round 2 releases a kit people complain about soft details and then when it's released they're like, "Huh, the details are sharper than they were in the photos." I'm still excited about these kits and based on my experience with the Oberth and K'Tinga kits I'm looking forward to the TIE Fighter kit because it should look fantastic in person if they maintain their standards for large kits.

 

[Dedalus5550]

Every time Round 2 releases a kit people complain about soft details and then when it's released they're like, "Huh, the details are sharper than they were in the photos." I'm still excited about these kits and based on my experience with the Oberth and K'Tinga kits I'm looking forward to the TIE Fighter kit because it should look fantastic in person if they maintain their standards for large kits.

I think they are always sharper on the actual product. I'm thinking of reviews, too, where the reviewer specifically states the images don't do justice. That said, many people look at images with that mindset. These images suggest very soft details.
Mike Todd

 

[Hunk a Junk]

Soon we'll have side-by-side comparisons to the Revell and we'll know which company has the sharper detail. Revell still has the textured flat surfaces, but I can sandpaper those if they bother me. Both kits will have their pluses and minuses, but Revell's interior gives it leg up for me. In a perfect world, Bandai's level of detail, crispness, and molding quality would become the baseline, but we don't live in that world yet.