Micro Ace A4168 - What is it?

[scott]

I can tell that it's a 185, but other than that the auto-translations aren't making any sense. Anybody know anything about this one?

[Hezekiah Strawbody]

 

I can tell that it's a 185, but other than that the auto-translations aren't making any sense. Anybody know anything about this one?

 

MicroAce for some unknown reason released 2 batches of the 185 in either 'tentative' or 'imaginary' colour schemes - I gather most did not sell well as they are often still seen on shops at greatly reduced prices 

 

April 2003

A4160 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - tentative orange Odoriko scheme - White with orange diagonals

A4161 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - tentative red Odoriko scheme - White with red diagonals

A4162 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - tentative green Odoriko scheme - White with green chevrons

A4163 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - tentative blue Odoriko scheme - White with dark blue chevrons

 

July 2003

A4164 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - imaginary JNR Tokkyu scheme - Cream with red window bands

A4165 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - imaginary rainbow scheme - White with multi-colour diagonals

A4166 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - imaginary Shonan scheme - White with green & orange diagonals

A4167 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - imaginary 3 tone blue scheme - White with 3 colour blue diagonals

A4168 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - imaginary yellow/green scheme - White with green & yellow diagonals

A4169 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - imaginary medium blue scheme - White with dark blue diagonals & stripes

[scott]

Aha! Thanks for that--that explains the wording of the translations and the lack of identifiable locations or railway names.

 

Actually not a bad idea for a weirdo like me. :-)

[miyakoji]

Just in case anyone's still interested in this... http://webstation.sakura.ne.jp/models/ready/jnr185-900_darkblue/

 

Some of these variations look pretty cool.

[kvp]

Does anyone know where can i get this set?

"A4164 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - imaginary JNR Tokkyu scheme - Cream with red window bands"

    

 

This is a very nice imaginary paint. (the 2nd picture is from wikipedia and was made in 2012)

[katoftw]

Limited edition in 2003. Good luck. I'd guess in some small train hobby shop in Japan is still any exsist.

 

Remind me in October and I'll have a look for you.

Edited July 6, 2014 by katoftw

[miyakoji]

It's amazing how similar the model is to the real thing, considering the model came about 8 or 10 years earlier.  I wonder if anyone at JR East was aware of it.  There's just some slight difference on the front around the built-in headmark, and at the crew doors where the red bands meet (or don't meet, as on the model).

 

http://taka110.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2012/03/185h2433-281c.html

 

It's also interesting to see Microace's take on the Shonan version of the 185, which is a lot different than what JRE ultimately did.

 

http://www.microace-arii.co.jp/products/img/A4166_p.jpg

[cteno4]

Kvp,

 

Might try nariichi-san to keep an eyeball out for you. He does personal shopping at reasonable rates and haunts some hobby shops. Also I expect yahoo.jp auctions might have it.

 

Jeff

[kvp]

Yes, i already wrote a message about this... :)

[miyakoji]

kvp, Jeff is right, you can probably find one of these if you look around enough.  I'm just searching on the Microace model numbers, I'm seeing some results between $120US and significantly more.  The second post in the thread, and the page I linked, both say that these are still available, I guess there isn't too much demand for something that never existed.

 

Does anyone have Microace models from 10+ years ago?  Is the detail/quality the same as more recent products?

[katoftw]

 

Does anyone have Microace models from 10+ years ago?  Is the detail/quality the same as more recent products?

Judge for yourself. Hobby Search and Tam Tam have more detailed photos. I think they are similar. But that is only looking at old pictures. Edited July 6, 2014 by katoftw

[JR 500系]

Hi! I totally missed this thread.. Thanks miyakoji san for directing me here.

 

Sharing some thoughts on this since I just received my latest 185 series, the A4168 185 series EC 7 car limited edition set - imaginary yellow/green scheme - White with green & yellow diagonals, which I posted some pictures in the 'What your post deliver...' thread.

 

Being a over 10 years model, but being brand new, the motor is fine running, but it is the same type like the A4140, Furu-Furu painting version 1. The motor car is a whole block of motor! It does run very smoothly even at low speeds, but perhaps since I bought this as a brand new set it should run nicely.

 

Everything else is like your old 185 series, comes with destination decals for the sides and the front LED screen. It is however, printed with JNR logo which suggested a fairly older version.

 

Fact be, i'm not really liking this model. I bought it since it was brand new and fairly cheap but now then I see it doesn't really appeal to me. Perhaps i'll like to let it go at the price I got it.

 

Hoped that helps! Cheers!

[Ochanomizu]

Hello Mr JR500,

 

Sorry to report but A4140, and A4160 to A4169 all have the full-size motor in car.  Despite this, they are actually quite rare.