Diamond Reo Tractor 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #719 Review

Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20151218*
Diamond Reo Tractor 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #719 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

Diamond Reo Trucks was an American truck manufacturer from 1967 until 2010. Diamond T and Reo Trucks were combined to form the Diamond Reo Trucks Division of the White Motor Corporation. Reo dated back to 1904 when Ransom E. Olds, founder of Oldsmobile, began building motor cars, and Diamond T dated back to 1905 when C.A. Tilt began building vehicles. In 1971, Francis L. Cappaert of Birmingham, Alabama, bought Diamond Reo from White. And, at about the same time the Diamond Reo C-116 series was introduced. Despite new model introductions and excellent reputation Diamond Reo was forced into bankruptcy on December 6, 1974. One year later Loyal Osterlund and partner Ray Houseal bought the rights to Diamond Reo Trucks and made room to continue production in their Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, facility, originally a dealership and maintenance facility. The single model C-116 Giant was continued in production with the Cummins NTC-290 diesel engine as standard power. Production for 1978 was 131 units. By 1985, the Harrisburg plant was expanded to be able to produce 10 trucks per day, although output continued at about two per day. The company continued to build about 150 Class 8 trucks annually through 1995 all as Diamond Vehicle Solutions LLC. In the early 2000s Diamond Vehicle Solutions marketed the T-Line series described as “a blend of vintage Diamond T heritage and modern engineering”. These trucks were manufactured until 2010 with parts manufacturing lasting until 2013. Diamond Reo Trucks is now defunct.

For the modeler: This review covers the re-release (Re-Pop) of the AMT Diamond Reo Tractor released by Round2. This is a recent re-release from late 2011 and is still available in hobby shops and online. From the Website: “AMT’s Diamond Reo Returns in Original Packaging! By popular demand, AMT’s vintage Diamond Reo tractor is being reissued in Retro Deluxe, format, featuring original packaging and an expanded decal sheet that is sure to delight model truck enthusiasts. It even includes a miniature kit box that can be displayed with the completed model! This super-detailed kit was scaled from official factory blueprints and will make an outstanding additional to your collection of AMT large trucks and trailers!” This is a Skill Level 3 kit for advanced builders and is in 1/25 scale. The kit contains over 250 parts molded in white, clear, transparent red and amber with chrome parts, vinyl tires and metal axles. Overall the build is straight forward with sub-assembly style construction. The parts fir is good and there is little flash or mold marks. The directions are done in 12 steps but assembly needs to be stretched out to more steps as this review will show. Take your time and this will result in a nice shelf model and possibly a show model with a little extra effort. Overall Dimensions: Length: 10-1/2”, Width: 4”, Height: 5”.

 

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; suspension construction; fifth wheel detailing; shock and torsion bar placement; detailing the tires for realism; chassis construction and detailing; detailing with foil; engine construction and detailing; fuel tank notes; interior detailing; contest model considerations; duallie installation; detailing the turn signals and roof lights; adding blackwash detailing to the grill; detailing the dashboard with homemade decals; mounting the fuel tanks; combining instruction steps into sub-assemblies for better finishing; leftover 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 fully examined in this 17 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

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