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MI6 reviews the new Casino Royale 1:18th scale James Bond
car from RC2 - the infamous Aston Martin DB5... |
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RC2 1:18th Aston Martin DB5 Review (Casino Royale)
19th October 2006
The Aston Martin DB5
is the first of two cars from RC2 to celebrate the release of Casino Royale. The latest DB5 in the 1:18th scale range is the quintessential
James Bond car, first seen in Goldfinger
(1964) and periodically throughout 007's adventures on the silver
screen and in videogames.
Above: The 1:18th scale Aston Martin
DB5 by RC2 |
In the new film Casino Royale we learn how James Bond obtains his beloved Aston Martin DB5. According to screenwriters Purvis and Wade, there were several variations on him getting the car, but they settled for him winning it off on of the antagonists in the story. RC2 make a welcome return with the second car of 2006 the Casino Royale Aston Martin DB5.
Unlike the previous DB5 model based on the Goldfinger, the DB5 featured in Casino Royale is gadget free. Therefore, RC2 have had very little extra to add to this model.
Exterior
Based on the DB5's appearance in Casino Royale, RC2 have set about creating an iconic vehicle. All four wire rims are free of any flashing and create the desired illusion. The tires are detailed with tread but could have received more attention when being fitted.
The silver finish on the metal body captures the dynamic 60's styling and classic grill. All the additional detailing has been created out of plastic with a chrome finish. Bumpers, vent fins, window seals, wipers and wing mirrors are all present. All the attachments to the metal body are strongly affixed and cleanly modelled. The license plates used on the film DB5 are American in style - square - whereas the plates on the model are European - rectangular!
The windows and other clear fittings are absolutely perfect. Both doors have the windows missing, wound down. All the light fittings are finished in chrome. The headlights show the actual headlamp and the taillights are solid clear plastic.
The underside shows the transmission, gearbox and exhaust system, which has visible flashing. This car does not have any suspension which will be featured on some of the other cars in this range, but there are more details visible on the underside, such as the spare wheel holder.
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Interior
Starting with the trunk, it is finished in a soft material rather than a hard textured plastic. The material from the trunk continues on the floor in the passenger compartment adding texture. All four seats are formed out of hard plastic with clean detailing. Both forward seats have silver elements which are carried over to the dashboard, door interiors and gear stick. A finishing touch for the compartment is the gloss brown steering wheel. The DB5 featured in Casino Royale is left-hand drive whereas this model is right-hand drive. Finally, the hood opens away from the car to display the 6 cylinder inline, 325BHP engine, made up of several components forming an accurate representation at this scale.
Above: The packaging features the Casino Royale logo and playing cards motif |
Packaging
Clean collector friendly packaging, the box has windows on four faces. The rear face gives pictorial details of other cars in the series. This is the first car Bond car issued by RC2 not to include a Q-CD.
The car comes taped up and screwed to a hard plastic base. The plastic base fits snugly into the box and only allows the flaps to be closed in a securing order. There is no tape seal on the externals of the box which ensures your don't damage it when removing the car.
Overall
RC2's second DB5 is impressive but suffers some simple oversights such as the steering wheel and license plates being incorrect for the new movie. The car is definitely not flawless with some of the smaller detailing suffering blemishes. It is clear that this is the Goldfinger DB5 minus the gadgets, which shows how much work went into the earlier car. Priced at £34.99 in the UK, and $39.99 in the USA, the car is slightly more expensive than the average 1:18th scale car.
MI6 Rating
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