Did it and went out and bought one of the “new” Bandai Ghibli kits.
So far I was shy of doing so as the “new” kits are more expensive than the original kits(Tsukuda), which had a few problem areas. [;)]
Nice to see that Bandai didn’t just repackage the kits but provides new toolings for them. Haven’t checked any of the other kits yet, but going from the Nausicaa on Moewe kit they should look good.
Parts split is way different now and some details seem to have been accurised.
New features include bottom vents that are moveable open/close, engine hatch is now a removeable cover and no longer needs to be cut off when done in open position. Display stand is now in a clear smoky plastic.
Moewe and it’s engine has an all new construction, Bottom wings are still split left/right but got tabs for aligment, top wing comes now in 3 sections, left/center and right.
The Nausicaa figure also has a new parts split Head, arms, torso, skirt, upper legs and lower legs plus the kit comes with decals for her eyes and eyebrows(2 sets)
Might get the Laputa Flapter next as I always liked the design, but the original kit had some serious fitting problems.
Thanks for the review on the new Bandai kit. I have seen them on the shelves, and had wondered if they were just the old Tsukuda kits.
Just saw Miyazaki’s new film, “Hauru no Ugoku Shiro” (Howell’s Moving Castle), and it’s full of Miyazaki’s trademark mecha (in addition to the cool moving castle!). Hopefully there will be some kits!
Ok, I did it went and got the Flappter Kit too. Don’t care much for the Ohm and Kai kits.
What does the new Flappter kit have in common with the old one, short answer not much. [;)]
Parts split is totally different and way more parts than in the old one. Front of the Flappter seems now also to mate nice & smooth with the main body part.
Separate grill and cooler are a nice touch too.
Wings and their attachement points look way more solid now, will know more after I assembled one.
Another part that they fixed nicely is the windscreen and the handrails that got now proper attachment points. Figures are also much nicer.
New addition are 2 flaps in the bottom that can be opened/closed.
Nice touch is the optional part in case you don’t want to use the supplied stand.
While most of the times I am not too impressed with Bandai Kits, I must say they did a nice job on those 2 kits and finally they got the treatment that they deserved.
In short quality that is worthy to bear the Studio Ghibli name.
FYI, the kits are supposed to be smap-together(one of the reason why I hesitated to buy them), but I won’t worry about that they will be assembled like any other kit.
So far I have only looked at the parts on the spures, but I must say that the few extra bucks are worth paying for the new toolings.
So for the ghibli fans go out and get those kits before they are gone.
Just had a look at the moewe and discovered some interesting stuff.
The upper half of the wing has detail where the wings are suppose to fold upwards for storeage.
Looks like it takes little effort (cutting lower wing and ailerons) to make it into a lot of a stored moewe.
Akuma, it’d probably be quicker and cheaper for you to order the kits from Hobby Link Japan than if I bought and shipped them to you. Scott at HLJ always has great prices and low shipping charges.
Plus he pays me a lot to send business his way.
(Just kidding about that one!)