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Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20160404*
Peterbilt California Hauler 359 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #866 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. The Newark plant closed in 1980 and manufacturing all moved to Denton TX and Madison TN. The Model 359 was Introduced 1967 as the first long-nosed conventional Peterbilt. In 1967–1972 it had the small-windowed “Unilite” cab. The first 359 was spec’d as a wrecker and sold to Coast Counties Peterbilt. In 1973, the 1100 series cab with bulkhead-style doors debuted and the distinctive “Corvette” dash added in 1977 its formal name “Dash of Class”. The 359 was in production until 1987, when it was replaced by its successor the model “379”. 1987 Peterbilt produced the “359 Classic”, a limited run of 359 trucks with numbered dash plaques. The bulkhead style doors of the 1100 series cab are still used today. The sleeper debuted on a 359-127″ and can be seen in the 1978 brochure “Best in Class”. This truck also featured the first set of rectangular headlamps. The first raised roof sleeper was on a 359 in 1986 and with changes carried through to the 379 family.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Round2 Kit in 1/25 Scale of the Peterbilt 359 California Hauler. This kit is a Re-release (Re-Pop) and was first seen in the early 70’s. This is released under the AMT line and is Kit #AMT866 in the current catalog. While no Skill Level is given this would be a Skill Level 3 for advanced builders. There are roughly 250 parts molded in White, Chrome, Clear and Clear Red and has Vinyl tires with Metal axles. This kit has seen life as many other kits and been the basis of quite a few other releases over the years. It is one of AMT’s more popular kits. That being said Round2 has cleaned up the molds and the parts are crisp with good detail and little flash. The assembly is detailed with a full motor, chassis and interior to assemble. The cab is one piece with the fenders separate on the hood. There is no sleeper included in the kit. The chrome is bright and details crisp. The tires are good quality and not warped. Unfortunately you get no dash decals but the body decals do give quite a few options of companies and two stripes. The instructions are typical old style AMT. Overall size is: Length: 11-1/4”, Width: 3-3/4″, 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; 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; detailing the dashboard with homemade decals; mirror construction sequence; installing the driveshafts; using Alclad II paint for window tinting; removing unwanted chrome plating; mounting the fuel tanks; roof accessories  map; leftover kit parts; attaching delicate parts; using floor wax to make crystal clear window glass; decal preparation and application; using decal setting solutions for that “painted on” look; are all examined in this 27 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 20160330*
Fruehauf Flatbed Trailer 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #617 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

A semi-trailer is a trailer without a front axle. A large proportion of its weight is supported either by a tractor (Semi) or by a detachable front axle assembly known as a dolly. A semi-trailer is normally equipped with legs, called “landing gear”, which can be lowered to support it when it is uncoupled. Semi-trailers vary considerably in design, ranging from open-topped haulers to refrigerated enclosures known as Reefers. Semi-trailers are more popular for transport than full trailers, which have both front and rear axles. Ease of backing is cited as one of the semi’s chief advantages.

For the Modeler: This review covers the Re-Release (Re-Pop) of the AMT Fruehauf Flatbed Trailer by Round2. This is Kit #AMT617 in the current catalog and was released in 2009. AMT has released this kit countless times and it has been a popular kit over the years. It was originally seen first in the 70’s during the boom of Big Rig models but has been a mainstay ever since. It is still as popular today as it was then. This is a 1:25 scale kit with a Skill Level 2 rating for Moderate Builders. It contains over 110 parts molded in White styrene with Vinyl tires. You get a vinyl hose and chain for the load and lines also. There is a highly accurate undercarriage featuring cross-members with angle-braced landing gear and a tandem axle configuration. The decals are quite detailed with rig decals and bonus items you will use on other builds. Overall built dimensions are: Length: 18-1/2”, Width: 4”, Height: 2-1/2”. Plan on some extra shelf space when paired with the tractor of your choice as you will top TWO FEET in length!

Covered in this Review:  If you want to perfect your build; basic construction; preparing parts for better finishing; removing the copyright script; removing flash and sprue tabs; frame assembly; realistic detailing for the trailer lights; frame assembly sequence; functional  considerations; tire/wheel finishing; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; test fitting; detailing the landing gear; making realistic tires; tie-down chain assembly and detailing; optional landing gear choices are discussed; making optional license plates; chassis detailing and installation; alternate assembly sequence suggestions for fit and ease of finishing; complete front and rear suspension assembly notes; making a realistic wood finish for the trailer bed; hydraulic hose installation; decal handling, preparation and application; using aftermarket ODT stripes for realism, are all fully examined in this 14 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 $3.95 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 SnapShot Review 20160329*
Joey Logano #22 Shell Penzoil Ford Fusion 1:24 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-1473 Review

Review and Photos by Doug Cole

Joey Logano is a professional stock car racer on the NASCAR circuit. He has been very successful and has a number of firsts on his record.  Logano won Rookie of the Year honors in 2009.  He was the youngest driver to win races in two of three NASCAR divisions; the Nationwide series and the Sprint Cup series.  He also won the 2015 Daytona 500 race.  Currently driving for Team Penske he is seen in the yellow and red #22 Shell Penzoil Ford Fusion and continues running very competitive races wherever he appears.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the 2015 release of the Joey Logano #22 Shell Penzoil Ford Fusion 1:24 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-1473. This is kit #85-1473 in the current catalog and is rated as a Skill Level 2 kit for moderate builders aged 8 years and up. The build itself is a SnapTite Max kit with self-adhesive stickers. You get 35 parts molded in Gray and Black with a pre-painted body. The tires are Rubber and it has Metal axles. The glass is clear with the black window surrounds already printed on them. The body comes molded in bright yellow with red accents and has a full sheet of colorful stickers. This kit was designed to be a “transition” kit aimed at moving the novice builder into the glue together category but still allowing for a great looking product to display.  The instruction sheet is a very easy to follow fold-out eight page design in the the typical book format that Revell usually has. Overall dimensions are: Length: 8-3/16″, Width: 3-1/8″, Height: 2-3/8″.

Overall: This is an enjoyable quick builder designed to be easy enough for youngsters to finish and look great when they are done. That helps bolster their confidence and keeps them interested in modeling.  The fact that it features one of NASCAR’s big stars is another plus for trying to get youngsters into the hobby of building models and not just buying a diecast version.  This kit fits together extremely well and there is hardly any flash.  I did have to open up some of the square holes on the driver’s safety net but that was all! There’s really not much you need to do to the kit to make it a great shelf model but there were a couple enhancements that could be made.  I used a black sharpie to color the safety net and highlight the wheel hubs and Lugnuts.  Just those simple things help the overall appearance but you could also pick out some highlights on the chassis for further detailing the molded-in features.

One noticeable omission from the kit is the lack of Goodyear logos on either the tires or wheel wells like the real vehicle and the kit could use some generic instrument panel gauges. I found that all of the snap tite connections were positive and worked well.  One place that the construction could use a dab of glue was on the rollbar and cage.  Those connections are really just posts and sockets and they won’t really stay together on their own although they are trapped by the roof when the body is put into place.  Also, don’t look for stickers #27 & #37 called out on the instruction sheet for the rear spoiler they’ve been omitted from the sheet.

If you’re looking for a top-drawer easy builder and great looking display to help get your youngster into building models, this kit will not let you or the child down. The instructions call for an hour of build time but it might take small fingers a little longer to place all those stickers.

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.