Revell 1/24 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti By Jacob Russell

Background

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, the latest in a long line of 2 + 2 cars from Maranello, debuted at the 2004 Detroit Motor Show. The name of the car refers to its engine (6 litre, 12 cylinders) and, although designed by Pinifarina, also pays tribute to Sergio Scaglietti, builder of Ferrari bodies in the post World War Two period. It shares its 575 horsepower engine with its predecessor, the 575M Maranello, but with higher compression, multipoint fuel injection, and an electro-hydraulic F1 sports gearshift. The location of the engine, behind the front wheels, provides almost exact equilibrium in axle load distribution. The 612 Scaglietti is a large, luxuriously appointed, and heavy car, weighing over two tons. Despite its weight the car is very quick: 0-100 MPH in 4.4 seconds, 0-125 mph in 15.5 seconds, and a top speed of 196 mph. It is an imposing car, with a price tag to match.

The Kit

The kit is packed in a sturdy cardboard box, containing five plastic bags. It consists of 124 parts - 86 white, 20 chrome, 14 clear, and four“rubber”. The instructions are very detailed with nice drawings and a logical build sequence. The molding of this kit is very good, not quite to the standards of Tamiya or Fujimi, but close. The windshield wipers are individually molded, which is a nice touch. The brakes feature a single piece to depict both rotor and caliper and are only fair.

The engine has 16 highly detailed parts, which will lend themselves to detail painting-and perhaps also some spark plug wires. The chassis has complete exhaust and suspension detail, and the front wheels are poseable provided the instructions are followed. The interior is well done and achieves a nice compromise between detail and build complexity. It looks busy and complete. The chrome parts are also well done, albeit slightly thick. These pieces are better done than in the Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano reviewed last month by Gerry Nilles. Their brightness is more realistic and akin to Tamiya’s approach. The windows are all separate moldings and while the windshield and rear window are engineered to mount from the outside of the body, the side windows attach to the inside of the body.

The body is nicely done with minor sink marks confined to the area between the rear upper wheel wells and taillights on the rear fenders. The decal sheet is very comprehensive and includes the instrument panel. However the proportion of the so-called “California:” plates are completely wrong-more like European plates than anything else!

Conclusion

If you have looked inside the box of any new Dragon 1/35th scale armor kit, then you are well acquainted with the word complexity. This kit is nothing like that, but it IS more complex than the average muscle car kit. It is highly detailed, the build sequence is involved, and you will need to take your time to realize the potential inside the box. Add the Lion Roar photo etched set reviewed below, and you will have a very accurate model of an important member of the Ferrari family. I like this kit and I recommend it.

Review kit courtesy of Skyway Model Shop.

References:

Concept Carz website: