** UPDATE ** Sun Star has confirmed that the definition of “re-tooling” is in fact using the old tooling or mould, but releasing Routemaster in a new colour. I hope that clears this up. Cheers DS team!
Sun Star has the “re-tooled” 1:24 1964 Routemaster – Red upcoming for the December 2015. This piece is from Sun Star’s Large Scale Series, so do not be deceived by the 1:24 scale, this thing is HUGE. Model features high detail inside and out. We asked Sun Star for clarification of the term ‘re-tooled, our definition is upgraded. We’ll keep you posted…
The model is most definetely not upgraded (as the former models have already been excellent – I have three of them). The only differences I see are the side indicators which are now represented by prints. This is not very accurate, as the “real thing” features protruding clear indicators. Apart from this tiny difference I can see no tooling changes.
It obviously is meant to represent one of the vehicles used on the “Heritage Routes” in London, the sections on route 15 where Routemasters can still be seen and used in everyday service. Unfortunately it is not an accurate model. While Sunstar tried to include some of the modern changes to the Routemaster, like the forward facing camera (that’s the black square printed on the front fascia) and the bright yellow colouring of all grab rails, they have failed to do the most obvious changes, like the new rear light clusters and the strip lighting – here we still have the small light bulbs that have been discarded on the real vehicles in the 1980s. Add to this the wrong coilour of the adverts (they should be blue) and I cant’t help but feel very much disappointed. I hope it’s just an early sample…
See update provided by Sun Star. Thank you.
Beware the pitfalls of language translation! :>) In relation to the turn signal indicators, I’ve lost one of mine, it seems to be a major flaw on the model. Otherwise I’m more than happy. I bought one of the original batch of green ‘London Country’ versions with the quad headlights.
Quite likely you’ve lost a turn signal. For all their good points, Sun Star models have a knack of dropping something at some point. My Mercedes-Benz 220SE shod its logo, my Aston Martin DB5 dumped a door-handle, and my 1:12 Morris decides it doesn’t like its decals very much and they look much better on the floor or up the vacuum cleaner.
Don’t get me wrong: I love the feel and detail of the Sun Star models. Just buy some glue with them, that’s all.
Come on Sunstar, model it correctly for the price, it should be spot on.
If you cannot do it correctly, don’t bring it out, amongst other items pointed out by other people, even the wipers are not correct, great shame.
Hi, as someone who grew up going to school on most models of the Routemaster and who has ordered the Sunstar model. Can anyone explain why the cream painted moulding separating the top section appears to be so badly executed? As seen in your photo 3 above. We have 5 Routemasters (real ones), and none are like this or any of the 2760+ built for LT. I also spoke with Sunstar about the Nash/Austin Metropolitan’s colours-they were NEVER ever made in those grungy colours.