At this weekend’s model show, a friend sold me this kit. It is made by Nitto and looks to be a high quality sci-fi kit with springs, tubing, metal rods, and even a miniscule light bulb to allow the head(?) to light up.
I have several questions regarding this kit. First of all, a lot of the instructions are in Japanese, mainly painting instructions and some other sundry directions. If any of you (J-Hulk?) can translate these writings, I would appreciate it.
I did a couple of remedial internet searches regarding this kit to see if their were any build up reviews, but most English speaking sites tell about the actual vehicle (notional) and the sci-fi series it comes from. I found several Japanese and an Italian site, but again, due to language problems, do me little good. They do show me that there are plenty of superb modelers out there who build vehicles from this series.
I love Nitto’s S.F.3.D kits. You may have discovered this already, but the S.F.3.D. series has since been renamed “Maschinen Krieger.” All the kits are the same, though.
HobbyLink Japan (www.hlj.com) carries the whole line.
I agree with Matthew, those are fantastic kits. Does anyone know of an online hobby shop that carries the Ma.K reissues? None of the local shops have them. I would love to find a ‘Jerry’ !
Rob,
Just curious (read ‘nosy’) [;)], how much did you snag that kit for? I’ve seen them go for $50-$60 on eBay.
He gave it to me for $20. It was still sealed, but I opened it to take a look inside. Impressive looking model. I notice several mainstream model parts that must have been used to detail the original masters: a 1/72 scale radial aircraft engine, several Vickers machine gun ammo drums and a German canteen. Although this thing is battery powered, it does not look as exciting as the armored fighting suit guys.
The whole concept of the SF3D line is that they are kitbashed models done by Kao Sonthingorother. If you look at the Hornise and Fleadermouse you will even see the wings from the Monogram Cylon Raider kit. A few of the suits have main bodies built up off of large scale motorcycle gas tanks.
Sorry Cobywan, I have to disagree with you. I have been into these incredible kits since I first found out about them about 7 years ago. The original series was developed by Kow Yokoyama with Kunitaka Imai and Hiroshi Ichimura in the mid to late 80’s. They were one of the first multimedia kits ever done. Yes, some of the suits have a ‘gas tank’ look to them, but there was nothing similar produced by any company before or since. Where did you get your info? No offence, just curious. Who is Kao Sonthingorother? I have never ran across that name in all the research I have done on S.F.3.D.
Kao=Kow Phoneticaly the same. My knoledge is common among the SF3D fanbase. (Of which I am not.) Go ahead and diagree but you are wrong. I can’t question my own eyes. I mean I have looked at the kits sid by side. I mean there is no question. At all. I can’t even believe yo are serious in your post. Really. I have been aware of the kits since they first came out.
You are aware that “Kow” also designed the 1/20th scale Zoid Golom. There are a lot of people who know a lot about this stuff. And a friend of mine is one of them. Kow even joined thier message board last year.
Kao=Kow Phoneticaly the same.
OK. Yokoyama - Sonthingorother. Umm … yeah, Phoneticaly the same.
You still haven’t listed your source.
And, yeah. Kow is working again.
Oh, BTW. Who exactly is Kao Sonthingorother?
Thanks for the info.
P. S. Please post the link to your S.F.3.D. website. I have 23 original S.F.3.D.'s and the first game.
I think “Sonthingorother” loosely translates into the phrase “something or other” meaning you don’t quite remember what the word was.
From the website I did find, the models were orignally scratchbuilt by Kow Y. using various procedures,and kitbashing was one of them. I also seem to see a ping pong ball as among his more common materials. Pretty ingenious.
BTW, my friend had the kit marked at $35, but towards the end of the show offered it to me for $20.
It is fun to spot the parts from other kits. The main body of the Gustav and Heinrich suits is clearly a Hughes 500 helicopter fuselage turned on end, and the Hornisse/Fledermaus engine bells are from the Saturn V. Lots of familiar material shows up under close examination.
OK, My apologies to the board. (I get a bit testy when it comes to S.F.3.D.) After reading the latest posts by Matthew and Rob, I did a little comparing for myself; and you guys are right. But I have to ask - If the masters were kitbashed instead of original sculpts, wouldn’t marketing the kits violate a pile of copyright laws?
Not really. Most of the Star Wars studio models were made from bits and pieces from just about any model imaginable in the LA area. The resulting creation is something entirely unique.
This is a rather nice Kit, not my favorite one though.
The SF3D Kits been around for about 20 years now. Kow Yokohama who did the designs did also all the early Zoids Designs.
The reason for the designs is explained in the SF3D history, it asumes that Germany won WW II and that not much new technology was invented after that.
And, yes, they were kitbashed hence the liberal use of Motorbike parts too.
The Kits weren’t available for a long time due to a licence dispute between Kow Yokohama and Hobby Japan, HJ owned the SF3D name while Kow Yokohama owned the designs a few years ago Kow got permission to re-release the Kits under a new name.
The Kits are still original with a few changes to decals and packaging of course.
In the meantime there have been a few other Companies adding Resin Kits of original previously unreleased designs or offering conversion Kits.
I got into them when they were first released and at that time they were mindblowing considering that they featured lights, wires and simialr parts, even by todays standard they are still very good kits and well worth the buck.
Pity, is that NITTO is not issuing any of their non-SF3D kits anymore.
this last site is (i believe) where you can purchase (mail order only) any of the kits they are currently running.
E-bay U.S.A. might also have some for a decent price
look for philhobb as the seller.
these kits are GREAT…and a joy to build
their history only goes back to the 80’s designed by a Japanese (Kow) a master, about the Germans (winners of WWII) who come under the scrutiny and attack of the Austrailians…who have stolen and improved upon as rebels, the suits the Germans have designed.
the nitto line offers air vehicles and fighting suits.
good luck
