September has arrived, and Aoshima apparently celebrated by opening the warehouse doors and letting everything out at once. This week brings movie cars, modified Japanese classics, an aggressively widened Lamborghini and a beginner-friendly Supra that will not demand an airbrush before introducing itself.
Let’s look at what is coming to the 1/24-scale workbench.
Aoshima Sends the DeLorean Back to the Workbench
Few movie cars are as instantly recognizable as the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Aoshima’s latest version, the Back to the Future Part I Time Machine with figure, is scheduled for release during September.
This edition adds a figure of Marty McFly in the driver’s seat, giving the finished model more life than a standard parked-car presentation. It also creates several possible display ideas, from a simple road scene to a full diorama complete with flaming tire tracks. (Just remember that adding real flames is not an approved weathering technique.)
The movie connection gives this release appeal beyond the usual model-car audience. It could attract science-fiction builders, film collectors and anyone who has ever looked at a stainless-steel sports car and thought, “Yes, that seems like a reasonable foundation for time travel.”
MOVIE MECHA No.BT-05 Aoshima Back to the Future Delorean
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
Liberty Walk Turns the Aventador Up to Eleven
Subtlety will have to wait outside while we discuss the LB-Silhouette Works Lamborghini Aventador GT Evo Ver.1.
Scheduled for September, this 1/24 kit recreates Liberty Walk’s extremely aggressive interpretation of the Aventador. It features exaggerated fenders, a deep front end, extensive aerodynamic bodywork and a rear wing large enough to receive local television stations.
This kit should be particularly attractive to builders who enjoy custom paint, unusual finishes and carefully tuned stance. The large body panels also provide a good canvas for candy colors, metallic finishes or more experimental graphics.
Fit and alignment will matter. Wide-body kits tend to make small stance errors more visible, especially around the wheels and fenders. Test-fitting the suspension and temporarily mounting the wheels before final assembly will be well worth the effort.
LIBERTY WALK No.25 Aoshima LB-Silhouetta Works Lamborghini Aventador GT Evo
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
Pagani Adds the Tempesta Treatment
Builders who prefer exotic cars with slightly fewer external appendages can consider Aoshima’s Pagani Huayra Pacchetto Tempesta.
The Pacchetto Tempesta was a factory performance package created for more circuit-focused driving. It added specialized suspension, a titanium exhaust and revised aerodynamic pieces, including a front splitter and rear diffuser. Those changes should make this version distinctive without hiding the Huayra’s original shape. It also provides a good opportunity to experiment with carbon-fiber decals, metallic finishes and contrasting interior colors.
The Huayra is not necessarily a quick weekend project. Its complex surfaces and exposed details reward careful preparation. On the other hand, nobody chooses a Pagani because they want the automotive equivalent of plain oatmeal.
SUPER CAR No.15 Aoshima Pagani Huayra Pacchetto Tempesta
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
The TRD AE86 Trueno Gets Serious
The Toyota AE86 has appeared in street, drift and anime-inspired model collections for years. Aoshima’s TRD AE86 Trueno N2 offers a more competition-focused version of the familiar chassis.
The N2 treatment gives the Trueno much wider bodywork and an unmistakably purposeful stance. It is an appealing choice for builders who like the AE86 but want something different from the familiar tofu-delivery and drift-car themes.
This kit also creates an excellent comparison opportunity. A factory-stock AE86, a street-tuned version and the N2 race car could demonstrate how dramatically one basic platform can change.
Apparently, the answer to “How much fender does an AE86 need?” is “Yes.”
TUNED CAR No.29 Aoshim aTRD AE86 Trueno N2
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
Two More Tuned Japanese Favorites Join the September List
Aoshima also has two additional Japanese custom-car releases scheduled for September.
The C-West Mazda RX-7 FD3S dresses the third-generation RX-7 in recognizable period tuning equipment. It should appeal to builders interested in late-1990s and early-2000s Japanese tuning culture.
Meanwhile, the Nissan S30 Fairlady Z Aero Custom takes one of Japan’s most famous sports cars in a modified direction.
Both kits provide room for personalization without requiring a completely scratch-built project. Different wheels, ride-height adjustments and carefully chosen paint can make either car look dramatically different from the box art.
They are also good intermediate projects because they introduce stance and fit considerations while retaining conventional plastic-kit construction.
TUNED CAR No.69 Aoshima C-West RD3S RX-7
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
MODEL CAR No.30 Aoshima Nissan S30 Fairlady Z Aero Custom
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
A Blue Supra Offers an Easier Starting Point
Not every builder wants to begin with 200 pieces, five shades of black and an instruction sheet that resembles an engineering exam.
Aoshima’s JZA80 Toyota Supra in Blue Mica Metallic is part of the Snap Car series and is scheduled for September. The kit uses pre-colored components and simplified press-fit construction, reducing the need for paint and glue.
That makes it a good option for first-time builders, younger modelers or experienced builders looking for a relaxing project.
Pre-colored does not have to mean toy-like. Careful panel lining, detail painting and a polished finish can noticeably improve a snap kit without turning it into a six-month commitment.
Aoshima is continuing this approach with an EK9 Honda Civic Type R and a DC2 Integra Type R Custom Wheel version planned for October. The Integra will include just 32 pieces plus options for standard or lowered ride height.
That is an especially clever feature. Beginners can assemble it in factory form, while more confident builders can start experimenting with stance.
Snap Car No.08-BM Aoshima JZA80 Supra Blue Mica Metallic
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
INITIAL-D No.23 Aoshima Nino Miya Daiki EK9 Civic Type R
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
Snap Kit No.22CU-CW AOshima Honda DC2 Integra Type R
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
New Wheels for Tuned and VIP Builds
Aoshima’s September offerings also include an Advan Racing RS 19-inch wheel set.
The package contains wheels, stretched low-profile tires, decals and poly caps. Aoshima notes that some modification may be required, so builders should check axle fitment, wheel depth and fender clearance before reaching for the glue.
For VIP-style projects, Aoshima has previewed a Kranze LXZ 19-inch set for October. The glossy chrome finish and stretched tires should work particularly well on large Japanese luxury sedans.
Wheel swaps remain one of the simplest ways to transform a model car. They are also how a quick weekend build somehow becomes a full custom project with modified suspension, new brakes and three paint samples. These things happen.
TUNED PARTS No.45 Aoshima Advan Racing RS 19″ Wheels
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
TUNED PARTS No.87 Aoshima Kranze LXZ 19″ Wheels
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
Two Hasegawa Limited Editions to Watch
Hasegawa’s September catalog includes a pair of limited-edition 1/24 releases.
The Mitsubishi Galant 2.0 DOHC Turbo VR-4 RS represents an important but less frequently modeled chapter in Mitsubishi’s performance history.
The Mecha-Doc Subaru 360 combines Japan’s tiny “people’s car” with markings connected to the popular automotive manga and anime series. That crossover could make it particularly attractive to collectors, especially if availability outside Japan is limited.
As always, “limited edition” does not necessarily mean impossibly rare. It does mean that waiting until everyone else discovers it may be an unnecessarily exciting purchasing strategy.
20627 Hasegawa Mitsubishi Galant 2.0 DOHC Turbo VR-4 RS
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
SP654 Yoroshiku Mechadock Subaru 360
Where to Buy: www.BrookhurstHobbies.com
