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Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20160420*
1978 Corvette Indianapolis 500® Pace Car 1:24 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-2168 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The Corvette, known colloquially as the Vette, is a sports car manufactured by Chevrolet. The car has been produced through seven generations. The first model, a convertible, was introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after the type of small, maneuverable warship called a corvette. The third generation Corvette, patterned after the Mako Shark II concept car, was introduced for the 1968 model year and was in production until 1982. C3 coupes featured the first use of T-top removable roof panels. It introduced monikers that were later revived, such as LT-1, ZR-1, Z07 and a Collector Edition. In 1978, the Corvette’s 25th anniversary was celebrated with a two-tone Silver Anniversary Edition and an Indy Pace Car replica edition of the C3. This was also the first time that a Corvette was used as a Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500. The 1978 25th Anniversary model introduced the fastback glass rear window and featured a new interior and dashboard. The Indy 500 race is called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and the Corvette, “America’s Sports Car”. It’s a dream matchup! During the 62nd Indy 500, for the first time ever, a Corvette brought the racers to the line. The selected ’78 Vette was powered by a 350 cubic inch V-8 engine. It probably could have given some of the racers a run for their money.

For the Modeler: This review covers the Revell 1:24 scale ’78 Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car release. This is a Re-release (Re-Pop) dated from 2004 and has been since re-released in a more current version. This kit is number 85-2168 but the current catalog number is 85-4188. Revell placed this version as a Skill Level 3 in 2004 but now places it as a Skill Level 2 for the intermediate builder. This kit features separate T-top clear panels, a detailed 5.7 liter V-8 engine and complete Indy 500 Pace Car decal graphics.  The build consists of 70 parts molded in White, Chrome and Clear with Vinyl tires. The decals are the waterslide type and gives you dash details and stripes for the body plus the Indy specific decals. The instructions are typical Revell book format. The buildup is quite simple with a nice motor that can benefit from some aftermarket touchups. The chassis is multiple parts and looks good when finished. The interior is a tub style and detailing is difficult, but most everything is Gray. The body needs the front and rear fascia installed and it is best to do this before painting. Overall the dimensions are: Scale: 1/24, Length: 7-3/4″, Width: 2-7/8″, Height: 2″.

Covered in this Review:  If you want to perfect your build; basic construction; preparing parts for better finishing; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; exhaust detailing; test fitting; front and rear suspension construction; mating the chassis to the body; complete engine construction and finishing; chassis installation; using decal setting solutions for that “painted on” look; dashboard detailing; making realistic looking tires; interior detailing; gauge decal map; engine bay detailing; using “clear” glue for glass installation; decal preparation and application; make “carpeting” from craft flocking; tire and wheel differentiation; making crystal clear windows with floor wax; interior tub orientation and installation; detailing the taillights; installing a homemade set of spark plug wires; removing the copyright script; a gauge decal map; identifying and removing the copyright script; masking techniques for tutone painting; undercarriage construction and finishing; identification and repair of parting line seams; are all fully examined in this 16 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

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Right On Replicas, LLC ©2016 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here.

Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20160414*
Peterbilt Cabover Pacemaker 352 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #759 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

Peterbilt Motors Company was founded in 1939. They are an American manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty Class 5 through Class 8 Semi trucks. From the early 1960s until the mid-1980s the company was based in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, with its headquarters and main plant all in Newark California. Peterbilt model numbers traditionally started with a “2” for single drive rear axle tag axle models, and with a “3” for dual drive rear axle model from 1939 until 1981. 282/352: Tilt-cab cab-over-engine models that replaced the Model 351 (non-tilting) cab over with “Panoramic Safe-T-Cab” in 1959. Formally nicknamed the “Pacemaker” by a staffer at Peterbilt after an in-house name contest in 1969 (the winner got a color TV). From 1959 to early 1969 the headlights were closer to the radiator and the UniLite cab was all hand tooled. The Pacemaker cab was refined through the 1970s. Pacemakers 352s were available in cab sizes ranging from 54″ to 110″ bumper to back of cab (BBC). A 352 Pacemaker appeared in Knight Rider as super-truck Goliath, and the “cab-over Pete” is referenced in the classic CB radio song “Convoy”.

  

For the modeler: This review covers the re-release (Re-Pop) of the AMT Peterbilt Cabover 1:25 Scale kit by Round 2. This is Kit #AMT759 in the current catalog. This kit started out in 1970 and has seen multiple releases over the years. Most of the releases were just decal changes. AMT considers this a Skill Level 3 kit. You get over 250 parts molded in White, Chrome, Clear and Clear Red with Vinyl tires and Metal axles. The decals are waterslide and this version is the Bicentennial Edition 1976. The instructions are typical old style AMT. Many of the parts are the same as found in the Pete California Hauler kit. In fact the motor, whole Chrome sprue and interior parts are identical. While the frame is shorter you will end up with excess parts as you get all the plates and air tanks for the 359 that you will not use on this 352. But what modeler doesn’t like extra parts? The motor is a nice build and is quite detailed. The frame builds straight. The interior tub and sleeper area is fully detailed. The cab is a single piece and is straight and solid. The chrome is crisp and clean but flash is an issue throughout the kit because of it’s age and you need to take extra time to clean up the parts before assembly. Overall size is: Length: 10”, Width: 4”, Height: 6”.

 

 Covered in this Review:  If you want to perfect your build; basic construction; preparing parts for better finishing; alternate assembly sequence suggestions for fit and ease of finishing; abrasive choices; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; test fitting; using white glue for the window glass; front and rear suspension construction; fifth wheel detailing; shock and torsion bar placement; detailing the tires for realism; chassis construction and detailing; engine construction and detailing; fuel tank notes; interior detailing; optional finishing ideas are explained; preserving the cab detailing; air ride construction and installation; duallie assembly sequence; perfect accents with marking pens; detailing the turn signals and roof lights; adding blackwash detailing to the grill; mounting the A/C unit; detailing the dashboard; mirror construction sequence; installing the driveshafts; dealing with unwanted chrome plating; mounting the cab steps; leftover kit parts; attaching delicate parts; exhaust alignment note; using floor wax to make crystal clear window glass; decal preparation and application; using decal setting solutions for that “painted on” look; are all fully examined in this 24 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

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Click the Buy Now link below to purchase the full Step-by-Step review for $4.95 USD.

Important – You MUST click on the “Return to Right on Replicas, LLC” link after you’ve made your purchase to download your review!

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2016 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here.

Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20160408*
P-40 Warhawk Eggplane Series Hasegawa Kit TH9

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground-attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational service. The Warhawk was used by most Allied powers during World War II, and remained in frontline service until the end of the war. It was the third most-produced American fighter, after the P-51 and P-47; by November 1944, when production of the P-40 ceased, 13,738 had been built, all at Curtiss-Wright Corporation’s main production facilities at Buffalo, New York.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Hasegawa Hobby Kits “Eggplane Series” Kit TH9 P-40 Warhawk. This is a Deformed Shape design kit that creates a plane based on the P-40 Curtiss Plane but in the basic shape of an EGG. There is a complete series of planes available and this kit is dated 2008. The kit is a glue and paint kit so I would rate it at least Skill Level 2. There are 24 parts molded in Olive Drab and Clear. The decals are waterslide with multiple designs and are very crisp. The instructions are simplistic and written in Japanese with English subtext. Assembly is simple and this is an average of a weekend build. There is no true SCALE to this as it is deformed and not to shape. It does have the basic elements of the real plane and is a fair representation of a cartoonish version. Consider this a Caricature of the plane. Overall dimensions are: Length from nose to tail: 3-1/4”, Wingspan: 5”, Height: 2”. Scale: Egg-ish…

Covered in this Review:  If you want to perfect your build; basic construction; preparing parts for better finishing; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; test fitting; front suspension build; mating the chassis to the body; complete engine construction and finishing; chassis installation; using decal setting solutions for that “painted on” look; dashboard detailing; making realistic looking tires; proper brake caliper orientation; window trim and engine bay detailing; using “clear” glue for glass installation; decal preparation and application; make “carpeting” from craft flocking; tire and wheel differentiation; making custom floor mats and license plates; using Gravity Colors for a top-notch finish; brake caliper finishing and orientation; making heavy window tint with Alclad products; proper directional tire orientation; making crystal clear “glass” with floor wax; removing the copyright script; a gauge decal map; undercarriage construction and finishing; using spare decals to create gauge faces; expanded car and designer history; suspension construction and detailing; are all fully examined in this 10 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

100% money back guarantee!

Click the Buy Now link below to purchase the full Step-by-Step review for $1.95 USD.

Important – You MUST click on the “Return to Right on Replicas, LLC” link after you’ve made your purchase to download your review!

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2016 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here.