Right On! Replicas

Right On Replicas, LLC SnapShot Review 20151223*
Drag Nut by Ed Roth Revell Model Kit #85-1382 Review

Review and Photos by Doug Cole

Adorned in red, white and green here’s a fellow that knows how to dress for the season! Looking every bit the spittin’ image of the main character in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and a little bit like his cousin Frank,  this odd fellow is celebrating in his unique way – with a hot Chevy small block sleigh.

For the Modeler:  This review covers the re-release of the Drag Nut by Ed Roth Revell Model Kit #85-1382.  This kit was first released in 1963 and there are some things that will remind you of that.  Mainly, you’ll notice the thick sprue attachments points and the lack of chrome parts.  Another thing you might remember is how much shear fun it is to build one of these old Big Daddy kits!  As you can see, the kit can be finished in many ways.  You’ll often see Drag Nut adorned in standard skin tones sporting his 20’s style helmet.  I decided to give this nut a more familiar look so he could show off his elegant (though slightly graying) raven black locks up top.  Using some of the sprue stock in the box I also fashioned a pair of electrodes to help him get a jump start like his cousin Frankie!  His ever-present sidekick Rat Fink – much like the Grinch’s dog Max – is also highly detailed and easily painted to look anyway way that you choose.

Overall: There were no decals with this kit but the old Ford was begging for some flash so I put a few pinstripes on it from the parts box. As I mentioned, the sprues are pretty thick and it works best to trim them off away from the part then file down the stubs.  The basic halves themselves are pretty thin-walled so I used Superglue for most of the construction.  To add some bling, I wrapped the front axle and engine valve covers with foil.  Aside from the all-around seams that you’ll need to fill in, this kit fit together very well for its age.  If you want to have some fun, build one with a youngster and let your imaginations run “wild in the streets!”

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 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 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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Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 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 20151216*
Don Garlits’ Wynnscharger Dragster 1:25 Scale MPC Model Kit #810 Review

Review and Photos by Doug Bartley

In the early days of drag racing, post-World War II Central and Western United States military aircraft pilot training fields had become available for alternate uses, including auto racing. Don Garlits’ first drag race car was built under an oak tree at his home in North Tampa in 1954. He used an electric welder and a gas torch to modify an old 1927 Ford Model “T” Roadster to accept a 1948 Mercury block, a 1939 Ford floor shift transmission, and a 1948 Ford differential and axle. That early T-Bucket’s quarter mile performance was a 13.5 second elapsed time, at a top speed of 93 mph. It was this successful, formative roadster that would give Don the beginnings of his first rail-type dragster. He took off the body, moved the engine back and located the seat behind the drive axle, a design invented that same year by Mickey Thompson. This would be the 12.1 second, 108 mph slingshot dragster with which Big Daddy would win the first NHRA race he entered, when the NHRA Safety Safari came to Lake City, Florida.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Don Garlits’ Wynnscharger Dragster 1:25 Scale MPC Model Kit #810. MPC rates this as a Skill Level 2 kit for intermediate builders and this is a great model for the 1/4 Mile, Drag, or Race Car collection. The kit comes in 70 parts molded in White, Chrome, Clear, Black, and a vinyl seat, motor drive belt, and tires. Assembly is straight forward with sub-assemblies and final assembly sequences. The motor is nicely detailed and with some basic wiring; looks really good. The body is a multiple part unit. Also included in this kit are a nice set of decals, miniature display box, vintage retro deluxe packaging and a Bonus Wynnscharger T-shirt iron on. Overall dimensions are approximately: Length: 11″, Width: 2″, Height: 2″.

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; highlighting and detailing the engine; suspension build sequence; using “clear” glue for window glass installation; complete chassis detailing; front/rear tire Installation; using decal setting solutions for that “painted on” look; how to wire the engine using an add-on wired distributor; identifying and removing the copyright script; modifying the front suspension for fit; making realistic looking tires; a ‘crystal clear’ window glass treatment; steering controls installation; how to repair damaged chrome with foil; decal placement is discussed; complete engine construction and finishing; suspension construction and detailing; are all fully examined in this 15 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 $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 ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here.