SMTS Models

1/43 1967 Eagle-Ford

Kit Number: RL100

Reviewed by  Robert Merz, IPMS# 47532

MSRP: $90.00 Distributor website: www.grandprixmodels.com (Grand Prix Models, UK) SMTS Models website (no direct sales): www.smtsmodels.demon.co.uk SMTS (Scale Model Technical Services) is a longtime manufacturer of fine 1/43 scale car kits; most notable are their line of Indy 500 cars, spanning the 1920s to present day. They also have a vast line of American and European road race cars, and classic sports cars. The kit is nicely cast in white metal, and contains photo-etched, vacuform, rubber, machined-aluminum, and chromed parts. It also contains decals for two versions of the 1967 Eagle: Gurney’s car #74, and Grant’s car #42. Instructions are single-sheet copier-style with an exploded parts view. While not terribly detailed, they more than suffice for assembly. Most parts, such as body and chassis, are cleanly cast in white metal. These parts have good detail, and are cast thickly enough to endure handling/construction, but not so thick as to ruin the graceful lines of this land rocket. Other parts include the driver’s seat/cockpit, cockpit levers, steering wheel, exhaust, engine fuel pod, engine valves, etc. The suspension arms are also of white metal, with some parts being chromed. Once polished, they should give a nice visual approximation of the real thing. Other chromed parts include the mirrors and roll bar. If one were so inclined, these parts can be stripped and re-painted to taste. Photo-etched details come on three frames, and include delicate engine supports, front and rear wings, fuel ports, and other parts. The wheels are a multi-media affair, with rubber tires, white metal rims, some machined-aluminum parts, and PE details. Rounding out the parts are the engine trumpets (machined aluminum) and the windscreen (vacuform). SMTS produces very nice kits and, for the earlier Indy cars, they are the primary source. As with all kits, improvements can be made. First, the kits is white metal and though well packed in a sturdy box with foam, these delicate parts will get bent; so one will need to take time and care to straighten parts. Next, while it is tough to represent in 1/43 scale, some of the rivet detail on the main body can be improved. On my example I will sand them off, re-mark and re-drill them. If one were to follow this example, I would advise taking photos of each side of the body, and from the top down, so that the rivet locations won’t be forgotten (there is a distinctive pattern). The only real "problem" with the kit is the decals… SMTS is not a large company, and their decals are "good" but not "great." In my example, a good portion of white is missing from my white stripes, and for this reason I have chosen to purchase a set of aftermarket markings from IndyCals (www.indycals.net $6.00 for the sheet). All in all, this is a superb kit of a very interesting and attractive car, and I highly recommend it. [Editor's Note: Robert is interested in starting a 1/43 scale SIG; if interested please contact my DFL/SIG persona at jratzenberger@ipmsusa.org and I'll forward the info on to him.]