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MI6 reviews the first 1:18th scale James Bond
car from RC2 - the infamous Aston Martin DB5 complete
with model gadgets... |
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RC2 1:18th Aston Martin DB5 Review
27th March 2005
The Aston Martin DB5
is the first of the new RC2 1:18th scale range and is the quintessential
James Bond car, first seen in Goldfinger
(1964) and periodically throughout 007's adventures on the silver
screen and in videogames. RC2/Joyride have entered a diverse market,
with several companies having previously held the 007 car licence
and produced similar 1:18th scale cars from the Bond universe.
Above: The 1:18th scale Aston Martin
DB5 by RC2 |
Exterior
Based on the DB5's first appearance in Goldfinger, RC2 have
set about creating an iconic vehicle. 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 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 the spare wheel holder.
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.
A removable roof hatch is metal and fits loosely into place
and acts as part of the famous ejector seat. There are a
few detailing stickers on the body that add to the superb
exterior appearance. |
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Above: The revolving number plate
Above: The ejector seat
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Interior
Starting with the trunk, it is finished in a soft material
rather than a hard textured plastic. Most the space however is lost
to the pop up shield. 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. 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 displays all
of the DB5's special features. |
Packaging
Clean collector friendly packaging, the box has windows on four
faces. A small montage of clips of the car is show on the front
and side faces. The rear face gives pictorial details of the gadgets
and a little information on the car (see above). There are no
instructions explaining how to work any of the gadgets or documentation
on the car and its famous role in Goldfinger. Even if included
on the Q-CD, it would have been a welcome addition.
The car comes taped up and screwed to a hard plastic base. Once
the tape has been removed the roof will no longer stay attached
to the car. 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.
Above: The tire slasher
Above: The bullet proof shield
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Gadgets The DB5
is fully loaded with gadgets:
- Rear Wheel tire slasher - on both the left and right
rear wheels the slasher extends for only a few millimetres
.
- Pull out front indicator light (hidden machine gun)
- a little fiddly to reveal, but once down the machine
guns do not protrude very far.
- Pop up bullet proof screen in the trunk for protecting
the rear window - this spring load shield is made out
of plastic which reduces the feel. It is activated by
a small switch within the trunk.
- Pull out rear light cluster for dispensing oil and nails
- small fingers are need, however these are features great,
and the little dispenser can be pulled out and the silver
cap flipped up.
- Driver side ejector seat - remove the roof first, and
activate the seat by pressing the button in the middle
console between the seats. It is not powerful enough to
launch the chair out of the roof, but is still one of
the best features of the car. Replacing the chair is simple.
- Working front steering - with a little effort the stiff
steering wheel can be turned thus moving turn the front
wheels
- Pivoting front and rear license plates - another great
extra is rotating license plates on both front and rear
featuring the three plates from the film.
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Q CD
This little business card size CD-ROM sets this range of 1/18 scale
cars apart from past versions - in principle. The disc features
2 wallpapers, an interactive gallery of stills and 360 degree view
of the car, and images of the cars gadgets. The quality of the images
and presentation are poor, requiring a major re-think on RC2's part.
Above: A view of the DB5 with all
lids, doors and flaps open. |
Overall
RC2's first James Bond 1:18th scale car from RC2 is very impressive
- the DB5 has been depicted accurately with an assortment of extras.
However, the car is definitely not flawless with some of the smaller
detailing suffering blemishes and oversights. The extending bumper
struts are loose and poorly fitting, and the shield would have
been more appropriate in metal. If RC2 improve the Q-CD and continue
this standard of quality throughout their Bond range with all
extras it will be a pleasant change to see the James Bond license
being used to a high standard. With no extras listed for some
of the announced cars its unclear what will be the main selling
feature. 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
Other Models
Joyride Entertainment (part of the RC2 group) secured the James
Bond license in 2004 and plan to release twelve cars over the
two years. The range will visit a mixture of famous cars from
the 20 film canon. The models are expected to retail at £34.99
in the UK, and $39.99 in the USA (prices may vary). Updated release
dates are estimates and are subject to change. RC2 had a proposed
Bond 21 car for a 2005, but due to the film being moved to 2006
its unclear what will happen. Expect a further six cars to be
announced in the near future.
