Nicely detailed kit that is very well designed
The kit is well detailed, parts are modern design and use locating pins, casting is very clean with little to no flashing. The highlight of the kit is how parts are placed on the sprues. Chrome parts a attached to minimize and hide missing plating where parts are connected to sprues. Even non-plated parts are laid out to hide sprue connection points.
Instructions are nice heavy, glossy paper with a page of color images. Details on original body and interior colors are provided. Be sure to read the instructions as many parts require a specific build order that is not clear buy the diagrams alone.
The Hornet offers many two tone paint options. I would definitely build this kit again or one of the variants.
Build notes:
Test fit parts before gluing because many alignment holes have flashing that needs to be removed.
Wait on gluing the exhaust down pipe to the manifold until installing the engine in the chassis. This simplifies aligning it to the exhaust pipe.
Be sure to install the brake backing plates facing inward, as shown in the instruction diagram.
Do not glue the radiator to the frame. Instead cut the tangs off and install in the body. It is a very tight fit in the body and it is best to press it into the body instead of hoping to slide the radiator in with the chassis. Install the hoses to the engine before placing the body and radiator on the chassis.
The rear window is connected to the rear side windows. I was not able to fit them in together. The side windows are placed too far forward. Instead cut the rear window free from the side windows and then cut a 1/16 from the section that joined the rear and side windows, then install separately.
It seems like some of the part numbers are left to right reversed in the instructions. For example the side mirrors, but I could be wrong.
The kit really needs Bare Metal Foil. Applying to this model is easier than most.
Nice Model...Just OK directions
Model parts well formed and fit well. Detail on some aspects--wheel assemblies, supports, etc. have very confusing directions (not clear as to what fits where). Directions lack master list of parts that are supplied.