1/24 white metal car kits (UK cottage industry)

[Matt Bacon]

Hi, all.... following some discussion on my XJ13 thread, I though I'd share some thoughts on the white metal kit makers I have experience of. There aren't that many in 1/24: the majority of the white metal catsers are primarily in 1/43, the popular die-cast scale. I'm also restricting myself to kits using white metal to make relatively traditional scale models, not unassembled diecasts (though some of the makers did offer built and painted versions of the models from the factory).

Wills/SE Finecast

The best detailed, fitting and engineered 1/24 metal car kits I've built. Very high levels of finesse on details, full engines, and comprehensive kits. Range is a mixture of a handful of 20s/30s classics (plus the Silver Ghost), a variety of MGs and Minis. MGA is still unique, B has now been done by Aoshima in various guises, and there's a GT coupe body transkit from C1 models. Minis from Revell, Tamiya and Hasegawa. So the 30s cars and MGA are currently the standouts. Now available from Squires Tools, who took on the range from the original owners.

Auto-kits

Wide range of subjects, pretty nice but a little cruder and less detailed than the Finecast kits. Finecast took on the Auto Kit range on years ago, and they are also now available from Squires. Range is much more focused on period racing cars from the 30s-50s, with many unusual types you won't find anywhere else. Lotus 7, MG M and TD, and Austin 7 fill out the range. A step up from the "Merit" plastic 1/24 kits (which they will look good with as part of a collection), but not up to the standards of the Heller plastic racecars in 1/24.

K&R Replicas

Well-shaped, accurate, and somewhere between Auto-Kits and Finecast in terms of finesse and detail. A very wide range of vehicles across scales, but in 1/24 primarily focused on Jaguars. C-Type (the only one in scale I know), D-Type in various body forms, XK120, XJ13 and Mark2 and XJ6 saloon varieties. Mercedes 300SLR, 1954 Ferrari 375 and Healey 3000Mk2 and 3 complete the set. Full detail engines in some. Still trading, but seem to be running down stock of the 1/24 kits.

Western Models

I don't own and haven't built any of these. From what I can see they are premium products, up to Finecast Standards, and command substantially higher prices (though that may be because they are out of production, so eBay demand sets the price, whereas the other kits are available new from the makers). Anyone who has thoughts on these, please feel free to add to this thread!)

Not British: Precision Classics -- looking to my friends across the pond to add any details on these. Very high-end brass model kits, with castings using jewellery materials and methods. The only one I've seen is a Porsche 356 Speedster, but at £500 for a 1/24 kit, I think I'll pass. They do seem to set the quality bar, though, and it's _very_ high. Again... if you know more (were there any more than the Porsche, or is it a beautiful one-off dream...?)

please, anyone who wants to add information, dispute my thoughts, or share other manufacturers I don't know, do pitch in!

best,

M.

 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Great information. Thanks. I need to hunt down the K&R XJ-6.

I have a very few English kits in 1/24, only one I can recall at the moment being a C-type Jag.

Monogram did some metal-body kits with well-detailed plastic innards, a Jag 120, MG TC, '56 T-bird, maybe more.

They build up very well with a little extra effort, and Monogram released the same kits with styrene bodies.

Edited January 19, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy
TYPO

[Richard Bartrop]

Monogram also released a 1931 Packard in metal, as well as a Duesenberg.

[Pierre Rivard]

Thanks Matt. Last year I purchased a set of Dunlop racing wheel&tire set from K&R and was disappointed with the quality of the parts. However your review of K&R indicates that I may have received a bad set and that maybe I should give them a try on a classic Jaguar kit. 

[Bainford]

3 hours ago, Matt Bacon said:

Hi, all.... following some discussion on my XJ13 thread...

 

 

You have an XJ13 thread?!!

[Ace-Garageguy]

3 minutes ago, Bainford said:

You have an XJ13 thread?!!

 

[Gramps46]

Matt,

The only one I can add to your list is the Auto Replicas Ltd Frazer Nash T.T. Replicas, 1933 No. 1002.  I have not unpacked and examined the kit but the box says it features chrome plated fittings, real leather trim, rubber-like tyres and steel axles.  Plus full engine detail and real wire spoke wheels.

Gary

[Matt Bacon]

Hi, @Gramps46... your review on this site of "Porsche 356 Diecasts" from 2020 mentions the Precision Classics kit with an eBay photo. Did you ever discover if they had any others in the line-up?

All the best,

Matt

[Gramps46]

2 hours ago, Matt Bacon said:

Hi, @Gramps46... your review on this site of "Porsche 356 Diecasts" from 2020 mentions the Precision Classics kit with an eBay photo. Did you ever discover if they had any others in the line-up?

All the best,

Matt

I never did find any more Precision Classics Matt.