Mirror Models: Over engineered or what?

[Ian M]

Just sitting fighting with my second Mirror Models kit. Is it just me or are they far to over engineered. Far to many parts that are so small they are almost impossible to work with and many sub assemblies that could just as effectively been modelled in at least halv the amount of components. Not only making them unnecessary difficult but also very fragile.
I dont consider myself to be a beginner but I am very close to giving up on them, Mirror models, which is a shame as they do make some of the more sought after British Military models.
Half an hour at the bench and I have had enough for the day.
Also do they all contain PE parts that are so thin, they might as well cut them out of baking foil! Seriously just look at them a bit odd and they buckle and twist! Grrrr.

[yak face]

Sounds frustrating Ian , a lot of makers these days seem to think that the higher the parts count the more they can get away with charging for the kit. As you say sometimes they might use twelve parts when it could have been moulded as just a couple and as for the pe - if i use it ive always got a lot of tiny pieces left on the fret that are just too impossible to use , honestly sometimes they are about as big as a full stop , how the hell am i supposed to glue that with a contact point about two microns thick!!! Another thing is that people think just because its on the pe fret you have to use it ,but often the moulded detail youre removing is just as good if not better and more realistic , not being as flat as pe, a good example is brake lines , they just look wrong being flat .

[scottie3158]

Ian,
I agree I built their wrecker lots of parts where 10 parts could have been replaced with two. Also often there are no positive location marks. They do build up to good kits but your right over engineered.

[Dave Ward]

I was looking to make an 'Otter' armoured car - at almost the same time, IBG & Mirror Models came out with their versions. Not only was the Mirror Models version more expensive, but the instructions showed parts that were not included in the base model, you had to buy a detail set from their associated company LZ models! The complexity seemed pretty much the same. The IBG model came pretty complete, and looked more like a production item, the Mirror model looked more short run. I eventually bought the IBG model ( still in the stash )
Dave

[Steve Jones]

I built their CMP. So many issues and mistakes including a hole in the cab floor! Would never touch a kit of theirs ever again

[Ian M]

but often the moulded detail you're removing is just as good if not better

The real problem is that most of the PE parts in their kits are the only part, i.e no plastic alternative! All very noticeable as well.

the Mirror model looked more short run.

The Moulding on those I have done has always been clean and crisp. No issue there, its just the ridiculous parts count.

Would never touch a kit of theirs ever again

I am much in the same mind. I'll suffer those in the stash though.
But I am glad that I am not the only one that thinks this.

[JR]

I've built the T 20 tractor some time ago, the tracks were a nightmare, over engineered and so small. Nice company to deal with and that was a good point .Libor who runs Mirror models is also connected with Thunder Models from China, I built the St Tractor from them, also very thin parts and hard to glue sections that were too thin. Details are great, but I'd the plastic is too thin and flimsy if takes all the fun out of modelling .

[rtfoe]

Hi, I guess it's for those hobbyist who love 1,000 or more pieced puzzles to wittle their time away. I have seen some builds and they look good but in a marketing sense the target will be niche and few. Manufacturing too could be a headache. It will sell as they offer some unique subjects for collectors.

Cheers,
Richard

[Ian M]

It will sell as they offer some unique subjects for collectors

That is what pushed me into the trap. They do think that there is more to models than another German panza V and have a good base or allied trucks.

Libor who runs Mirror models is also connected with Thunder Models from China, I built the St Tractor from them, also very thin parts and hard to glue sections that were too thin.

I hope that the Scammel trucks are not to bad. So want to build a few of those.

[JR]

That is what pushed me into the trap. They do think that there is more to models than another German panza V and have a good base or allied trucks.


I hope that the Scammel trucks are not to bad. So want to build a few of those.

There are I'm sure some reviews out there on the Scammell trucks Ian, go to PMS, he has done a review. Find these to be the best and fair .

[bilbo]

That is what pushed me into the trap. They do think that there is more to models than another German panza V and have a good base or allied trucks.


I hope that the Scammel trucks are not to bad. So want to build a few of those.

I’ve just bought one of the IBG scammell pioneers, on the basis that they are a slightly simpler build than thunder models. I’ve built the thunder models tractor which I enjoyed but, by heck, it made me have to think. I didn’t want that with a larger model. Plus point was that I could look in to the IBG box in the shop and I couldn’t in the thunder models box

[Ian M]

Today's thrilling instalment.
After a good week of avoiding the hobby room I returned today.
Plan was to fit the seats and other bits inside then drop the body on.
Found that I had put the external steering box gubbins on the wrong side! Duh So off with those and put them on the correct side. Not much point in having the control pedals on the right and the steering wheel on the left. Fun to drive though I guess.
For Every one part I got glued in place there after, three got knocked off. Normally I leave all such parts to the end but being so insanely small I would totally screw the paint. Hence put on befor painting!
I am now sitting with a cup of coffee and leaving it a while befor more carnage happens.

[bilbo]

Today's thrilling instalment.
After a good week of avoiding the hobby room I returned today.
Plan was to fit the seats and other bits inside then drop the body on.
Found that I had put the external steering box gubbins on the wrong side! Duh So off with those and put them on the correct side. Not much point in having the control pedals on the right and the steering wheel on the left. Fun to drive though I guess.
For Every one part I got glued in place there after, three got knocked off. Normally I leave all such parts to the end but being so insanely small I would totally screw the paint. Hence put on befor painting!
I am now sitting with a cup of coffee and leaving it a while befor more carnage happens.

Ian which model are you building? I’m sat looking at the 3 mirror models that I have in the stash and wondering if I should just trade them in for Lego....

[Ian M]

Ian which model are you building?

It's the Morris Mk II C8 Quad. (Tried one a while ago which was a resin kit...... I sort of bounced it off the floor and that's not kind to resin kits. Maybe one day I will get back on it...).
I also have a couple or Ford trucks. Really looking forward to those now. :tongue-out3:

[Ian M]

I’m sat looking at the 3 mirror models that I have in the stash and wondering if I should just trade them in for Lego....

Although a pain to build they do make a good looking subject. They are not so much as shake 'n' bake though. More plough the field, sow some wheat. Wait for it to grow and ripen, harverst it, make it into flower then bake a bread kind of thing. But home baked bread tastes soooo good.