Blue Bandito 1929 Ford Street Rod 1:24 Scale Monogram Model Kit #85-4020 Review

Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20141124*
Blue Bandito 1929 Ford Street Rod 1:24 Scale Monogram Model Kit #85-4020 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann 

The Ford Model A of 1928–1931 was another huge success for the Ford Motor Company, after its predecessor, the Model T. First produced in October 1927, but not sold until December 1928, it replaced the Model T, which had been produced for 18 years. The Model A came in a wide variety of styles: Seven different Coupes, two Convertibles, two Phaetons, two Tudor Sedans, four Fordors, Town Car, Victoria, Station Wagon, Taxicab, Truck, and Commercial. The Model A was the first Ford to use the standard set of driver controls with conventional clutch and brake pedals; throttle and gearshift. The Model A’s fuel tank was located in the cowl, between the engine compartment’s fire wall and the dash panel. It had a visual fuel gauge, and the fuel flowed to the carburetor by gravity. A rear view mirror was optional. Model A was the first car to have safety glass in the windshield. By the 50’s and 60’s “Hot Rodders” started looking for cars and trucks to restore and turn into “souped up” rides; the Model A was the perfect vehicle!

 

For the modeler: You may ask, “Where have I seen this model before?” This is kit is a reissue of the famous Monogram “Blue Beetle”. The original Blue Beetle was issued one time in 1964 and has a market value in the $200 range. Most modelers assumed the tooling was gone forever, but here it is again at a price we can all afford. Well, almost all here again… First this IS the “Blue Beetle” in all its glory with all the original parts including that elusive Scuba Gear! But since Revell seemed to have some licensing issue with the name the original decals are not included and it is now called Blue Bandito. Second, over the years Revell has re-released this kit in alternate versions and this version not only has all the original parts but a whole slew of additional custom parts to create a different version completely. With an original parts count in the 80s this new release has 117 parts molded in Blue, White, Chrome and Clear with Vinyl tires. This is a 100% step back into nostalgia, while the parts are clean and molding crisp the details are lacking and the build-up is simplified, this is a kit of the 60’s. In fact the Copyright dates are 1964 on the parts but the sprue also includes the reference codes for when the Re-Pops were released in Yellow and Silver Styrene. Revell does rate this a Skill Level 2 kit for Moderate Builders. The kit is in 1/24 scale and overall size is: Length: 6-3/8″, Width: 2-9/16″, and Height: 2-13/16″.

***NOTE*** Thank you Bob Black at Drastic Plastic Model Car Club for the references to the original Blue Beetle listed on the Drastic Plastics Club Page

 

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; engine construction and detailing; where NOT to use glue; using white glue for glass parts; detailing the engine bay; dashboard detailing; authentic interior color scheme; front and rear suspension build sequence; version considerations; chassis installation; removing unwanted script and labels; making realistic tires; using “clear” glue for the windows; expanded kit history with references to the original “Blue Beetle” predecessor; making your own custom license plates; identifying and removing mold lines; adding an aftermarket magneto; wiring the engine for authenticity; using spare parts to add detail to the engine; modifying unwanted chrome parts; customizing your build; SCUBA gear finishing; suspension construction and detailing; are all fully examined in this 19 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

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