The next ship in my Eaglemoss vs. The world series is the Kazon Raider that we are introduced to in Star Trek: Voyager. We first get to see one of these vessels in the episode titled, "Alliances"
Eaglemoss Issue # 106 is a bit exciting for me. For the first time in a very long time, I can actually bring you a true Eaglemoss vs. The World article in much the same way that I had written them way back in the day. My earliest articles often brought you comparisons of other small scale pre-built and pre-painted models. I did this because I had found a serious lack in comparative data and wanted to give back something that I wished had been offered back when I started collecting. And so, here we are, taking a look at my Eaglemoss, Furuta and MicroMachine models of the Kazon Raider.
Memory Alpha and Beta don't actually have very big articles about these types of ships. What they do say is, "The Kazon raider was a small starship originally used by the Trabe. Many of these vessels fell into the hands of the Kazon after they overthrew the Trabe in 2346. The Kazon used them as warships and patrol ships."
If you would like to read more official stuff on this type of ship, feel free to check out the following links:
Kazon Raider Information: Memory Alpha LINK and Memory Beta LINK
Ex Astris Scientia did a nice article talking about the various ships of the Kazon fleets. You can read that article at THIS LINK.
Speaking of fleet, since Eaglemoss doesn't seem to have plans at this point to produce other Kazon ships, here is my MicroMachine fleet of Kazon vessels.
Although I don't write these articles to review MicroMachine models, the fact remains, I own a full set of these and do like to show off. Especially that rare Kazon Torpedo shuttle. Here is a quick look at the MicroMachine models.
I don't know whether they have faded with time, or if they truly were this color originally, but the MicroMachine models are a lot lighter in color. And that will be all I'll talk about in regards to these tiny models.
Eaglemoss vs. Furuta
As I started getting into collecting and wanting to expand my collection, I found a serious lack of comparative data out there showing the various small scale pre-built and pre-painted ships available to the collector. And so I set out to provide this information myself and hopefully help someone make a wiser decision in which model to buy. My collecting preferences is that the model be between 4 to 6 inches which is why I don't include certain manufacturers like HeroClix. The only reason I show MicroMachine from time to time is because I happen to have obtained the full collection of them years ago and want to show them off.
So now I present to you what I like to call "the gravy shot", a series of pictures I wished I had seen long ago, and the main reason I started this blog.
Top = Eaglemoss / Bottom = Furuta
Top = Eaglemoss / Bottom = Furuta
As you can see, the Furuta model is a bit smaller than the Eaglemoss model.
Normally, when I did these sorts of reviews, I would just do them in alphabetical order based on the manufacturers. Since I already showed off the smallest model, the MicroMachine, let us break from my tradition and move on to looking at the next one in size.
Furuta
I have made it a habit now, that when I review a Furuta model, I point out that Furuta is a Japanese company that produced a series of gashapon toys. Gashapon toys are meant to be nothing more than cheap little $1 to $5 bubble gum machine prizes. I want to remind my readers of this fact so that they can take any critical reviews I may make in the spirit it is given. I am in no way expecting these toys to be on the level of a Hallmark, Eaglemoss or Hot Wheels toy. I found a neat video about these types of toys and you can check that out at THIS LINK.
Wow! It's been a while since I shared that little tidbit. That felt good. I have been chomping at the bit for a long time to have a reason to share this little gem.
The sculpted and molded details on the top and sides of this model are really amazing for a small cheap toy.
I don't think I ever looked this closely at the Furuta model in all the time I've owned it. I have to say that those exposed sections are really cool looking.
The paint is really well done too. Although there is some misalignment in windows and some other panels, they still did well in representing the important areas of the ship. I was particularly impressed with the Kazon crest on the side of the ship.
The bottom of the model isn't quite so detailed but they still did a decent enough job to keep in nice looking.
The joins and seams are a bit more visible on this model, especially at the rear of the ship. Given the cheap cost of the toy initially, I think we can forgive Furuta on this.
The end result was a model that I was very proud to display since up until recently, no one else had produced a Kazon.
Eaglemoss
Eaglemoss has certainly tried to put some work into this model. The sculpting and molded details are decent enough. Sadly, the details suffer from what I have called the Eaglemoss Melted Marshmallow Syndrome, or EMMS. This is best described as a softening of details where they appear more rounded, less edgy and a bit out of focus. Sort of what happens to a marshmallow as you heat it up to it's melting point on a camp fire.
When you compare the Furuta model with the Eaglemoss model you can see what I mean, especially along the sides of the ship and those exposed areas.
That being said, Eaglemoss still did a great rendition of the ship. Honestly, if I didn't have the Furuta model to compare it with, I might have been a bit more forgiving.
The paint work is OK. The windows along the ship's spine do not align with thier molded counterparts. As I look closer at the different areas of the ship, the paint just seems a bit sloppy and blobbed on in certain areas, which is a bit disappointing. They at least made the Kazon crest look good.
The bottom of the model is a little bit better when it comes to the molded details, however, the paint seems to be lacking, and even just sort of gives up around where the "beak" joins the rest of the vessel.
When you look at the "wings" on that last picture, it appears that the flashing isn't cleaned off enough either. I'm not sure what I think about that. It almost looks like the molded details on the top of the wing are slightly out of alignment with the bottom details.
I will say that the joins and seams are much better with how they were hidden into the ship's natural lines.
And that is all I really have to share at this point on this class of ship. As for pricing, I will continue with the tradition of rounding up the most inexpensive Buy-It-Now prices from eBay at the time of this article's writing (February 2018).
Eaglemoss = $27
Furuta = $8
MicroMachine = $8
NOTE: Prices were researched last on February 21st, 2018. You can also currently order the Eaglemoss model right from the company themselves for around $23 (shipping unknown).
I haven't said that last bit in such a long time!!!
It's at times like these that I remind myself that Eaglemoss does a great job bringing us models of ships that no else produces. And they are very lucky for the most part these days to not have any competition because it's when they are squared up against someone else, they sometime just don't measure up. I am wondering if maybe the are getting a little lazy with the lack of competition. And I really hate to say that in this case, the much cheaper Furuta model is a better model. I just loved the crisp details and the extra attention to the paint work, and let's face it, you can't beat the price.
I will say that if the Eaglemoss model was the only choice, I would have recommended it. It's a nice looking model, however, it just simply is the better of the two
As always, I hope you found this article useful and informative. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to comment below.
So for now, "Live long and prosper!!!"
Additional Links To Photos Of My Collection:
Eaglemoss Furuta
MicroMachine Comparative Shots
Other Reviewers Take On The Eaglemoss Model:
Some Kind Of Star Trek
Star Trek Starship Collection
MicroMachine Comparative Shots
Other Reviewers Take On The Eaglemoss Model:
Some Kind Of Star Trek
Star Trek Starship Collection
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