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Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20160217*
Katiusza Rocket Launcher 1:35 Scale Italeri Model Kit #242 Review

Review and Photos by Steve Hardwick

After the adoption of 82mm rockets in June 1938, they developed a piece or mobile artillery that could deliver a volley of rockets in a target area and then move again to relocate. These were called the BM-13 in Aug 1939 by the end of the war they could mount it to: ships, tanks, river boats etc. This weapon was inexpensive and could be manufactured in light industrial installations.  The design was relatively simple,. It consisted of racks of parallel rails on which rockets were mounted, with a folding frame to raise the rails to launch position.  Each truck had between 14 and 48 launchers with a 132-mm diameter M-13 rocket 132-mm By the end of 1942, 3,237 Katiusza (also called Katyusha) launchers of all types had been built, and by the end of the war total production reached about 10,000.

For the Modeler: This is the Italeri Katiusza Rocket Launcher kit #242. It is 1:35 scale, and a Skill Level 2 recommended for ages 10 and up, and a piece count 225 plus. Although they are no longer in production they are available at online auctions or larger hobby stores. This kit gives you three crew figures molded in green.  There are three parts trees, one rubber tree, one clear glass tree, and one waterslide decal sheet.  Instructions come in a quad-folded, double-sided black and white layout with 16 steps and separate areas for decals, painting instructions and the three figures. As far as older kits go Italeri has hit this one out of the park with added detail and superb part fit. An extensive part count moves this out of the novice builder’s range and brings it to the intermediate to expert level.  I have built the kit to replicate the box art. Also, I added some optional weathering (NOT required) but really helps make the kit look amazing. As an example of detail, just the driveline alone consists of 62 pieces, not counting the 10 tires and rims. This is a glue required kit and the colors suggested are Model master; Black, White, Khaki, Grey, Bare Metal and USSR Khaki. The completed dimensions are; 9”L x 4” H x 2½” W with the rocket launch rack lowered.

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; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; test fitting; complete wheel and suspension construction; instruction errors explained; detailed rocket launcher construction and finishing; decal version considerations; where “not” to use glue, wheel assembly sequence; weathering methods explained; crew figure painting scheme; working with fragile pieces; making realistic looking tires; wheel assembly orientation; detailing the cab interior; construction techniques to avoid gaps; simulating wood grain; blast shield assembly; launch rail construction detail; rocket installation methods explained; spare tire construction and installation; headlight grill placement; how to use old decals successfully; avoiding decal silvering; assembly and orientation of the driveshafts; decal preparation and  application; dullcoat and weathering sources and techniques;  are all fully examined in this 21 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 SnapShot Review 20160205*
Patriot LADAR MPQ53 1:48 Scale ARII Model Kit #A682 Review

Review and Photos by James Yeager

The Patriot Missile is the Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target was designed in the United States and came into service around 1981 to the present. There was over 1106 launchers in the Unites States and over 170 launchers were exported to other countries. Much like RADAR, the LADAR (LAser Detection And Ranging) unit tracks airborne objects but uses laser light instead of radio signals. Some countries that have the patriot missile are; Germany, Egypt, Greece, and Israel however there are other countries as well that have the patriot missile system. The patriot missile system replaces the Nike Hercules and the MIM-23 Hawk. The patriot missile system was originally manufactured by Raytheon however now it is currently being manufactured by Lockheed Martin & Boeing.

For the Modeler: This review covers the ARII kit A682 that is 1: 48 scale, the skill level was not indicated but I would rate it a Skill Level 3 on the current scale. The trailer kit can be found under the MIcro Ace/ ARII trademark 641521 but online auctions are the most likely source for these 1990’s kits. The pieces are molded in olive drab, and smoke grey clear, metal axles with water slide. There are 82 pieces to this kit and very well laid out instructions. The instructions are primarily in Japanese with some English translations. There is an app you can download to your smart phone to translate the instructions. The dimensions are; tractor 7 1/4 L X 2 3/4 W X 3 3/8 H, trailer 7 L X 4 ¼ W X 4 1/8 H, tractor and trailer 12 3/4 L X 4 ¼ W 6 ½ H.

The model was spray painted Rust Oleum Camouflage Olive Drab and detailed with Model Master Flat Black. The soldiers are painted Testors Flat Tan (uniforms), Testors Flat Brown (Camo pattern), Model Master Flat Black (Boots and head phones), Model Master Gun Metal (Sunglasses A19), Model Master Insignia Red (beret A19), Model Master Skin Tone Warm Tint (faces and hands). I added some weathering detail with the Tamiya Weathering Master Set A; sand and light sand.

Overall: There were no flash, sinks, or injection pin errors that I found during the assembly of this kit. One issue I had with this kit is that the tractor could not be identified. Another issue with the kit is there is a soldier in the sitting position however there is no place to accurately place a sitting soldier. There is no real interior in the tractor so the soldier cannot be installed into the interior of the cab anyway. A third issue was the lack of guidance on how to place the decals for the tractor and the trailer. This kit was fun to build and would go great in anyone’s collection especially history and military collectors making a Patriot battery or diorama.

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 20160128*
Chip Foose 2013 Challenger SRT8 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4398 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The Challenger is the name of three different generations of American automobiles produced by Dodge. From 1969 to 1974, the first generation Dodge Challenger pony car was built using the Chrysler E platform, sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda. The second generation, from 1978 to 1983, was a badge engineered Mitsubishi Galant Lambda. The third, and current generation, was introduced in early 2008 as a rival to the evolved fifth generation Ford Mustang and the fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro. The new version was a 2-door coupe which shared common design elements with the first generation Challenger, despite being significantly longer and taller. As with Chevrolet’s new Camaro, the Challenger concept car’s pillar-less hardtop body was replaced with a fixed “B” pillar, hidden behind the side glass to give an illusion of the hardtop. The LC chassis is a modified (shortened wheelbase) version of the LX platform that underpins the Dodge Charger.

The original Dodge Challenger was Chrysler’s entry into the “Pony Car” muscle car wars of the 1960s. The Dodge Challenger of today, while having very familiar styling, is a very different car. Its technology is very modern and so is its performance at 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds. Now Chip Foose, the famous car designer, has made the Challenger even better.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the first release of the new 1/25 Scale Foose 2013 Dodge Challenger by Revell. This is kit #85-4398 in the current catalog and is rated as a Skill Level 3 kit for intermediate builders. The kit is a NEW RELEASE with no previous versions available. The build itself is just above a SNAP kit and more of an entry level Glue kit. You get 45 parts molded in Gray and Black with Chrome. The tires are vinyl and it has Metal axles. The glass is Clear and Clear Red with the Black window outlines already printed on the glass. The body comes molded in a Lime Green Metallic with Black and has Waterslide decals. The instruction sheet is a fold-out one-page design unlike the typical book format Revell usually has. Overall dimensions are: Length: 7-7/8″, Width: 3-1/4″, Height: 2-5/16″.

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; kit extra items described; mating the chassis to the body; complete engine construction and finishing; chassis installation; clamping methods; 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; making crystal clear “glass” with floor wax; removing the copyright script; undercarriage construction and finishing; using online images to create gauge faces; using decal setting solution for that “painted on” look; expanded car and designer history; suspension construction and detailing; are all fully examined in this 18 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 $2.95 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.