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Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20151106*
BRE Datsun 240Z 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-1422 Review

Review and Photos by Doug Bartley

In December 1965 Brock started his own design firm and motor racing team, Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) which worked with Hino, Datsun and Toyota. GT cars Brock designed for BRE clients included the Hino Samurai, the Toyota JP6 and the Triumph TR-250K. Brock continued racing, now driving his own Lotus 11 MKII and paid rides with a TVR and Mercury in the NASCAR series. Brock began performance development on the Hino 900, which then evolved into their Hino 1300 Contessa. When Toyota took over Hino, Brock approached Datsun. BRE became the west coast Datsun factory race team and competed in 1969 in the SCCA DP class with Datsun 2000 roadsters, in 1970 and 1971 in the CP class with the 240Zs (SCCA National Champions ’70-’71) and in 1971-72 the 2.5 Trans-Am Series races with the Datsun 510s (National Champions ’71-’72). The race team was disbanded at the end of the 1972, due to the fact the competition withdrew from the series and Brock moved on to hang gliding. The BRE Z car was a very stark car. It had a rollbar, stock brakes front and rear, a lot of horsepower and a pretty paint job. And some suspension work we did our own struts, shocks, spring and anti-roll bars. Other than that, it was not a highly modified chassis.”

For the Modeler: This review covers the Revell kit #85-1422 BRE 70-71 Datsun 240Z. The kit’s copyright date is 1972 so the original issue was right after the team disbanded.  It is a Selected Subjects Program – Limited Production – One-time offering kit that is rated a skill level 3.  I agree totally with that, in that there are a few steps that if you follow the instructions that should be altered for best results and some challenging decals.  This kit consists of Original Issue Parts numbering at 105 parts molded in White, Clear and Chrome parts, as well as having Vinyl tires and Tubing (used for engine oil hoses).  The molding of the parts shows the age of the mold in that there is some minor flash to be removed but little or no mold lines or sink marks, making it a good kit overall. The 6 cylinder motor is quite nicely detailed with 5 vinyl hoses running throughout the engine bay. The chassis and suspension are all also nicely done. The body consists of three main parts, body, nose and rear panels, as well as the hood and front/rear spoilers. The decals are excellent and go on very nicely with the help of the Microscale two-part system for decal application.  The paint scheme is two-tone Red over White that will require masking and there’s a detailed explanation in the full review. The overall dimensions are: Length: 6-5/8 “, Width: 2-5/8″, Height: 1-15/16”.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Revell kit #85-1422 BRE 70-71 Datsun 240Z. The kit’s copyright date is 1972 so the original issue was right after the team disbanded.  It is a Selected Subjects Program – Limited Production – One-time offering kit that is rated a skill level 3.  I agree totally with that, in that there are a few steps that if you follow the instructions that should be altered for best results and some challenging decals.  This kit consists of Original Issue Parts numbering at 105 parts molded in White, Clear and Chrome parts, as well as having Vinyl tires and Tubing (used for engine oil hoses).  The molding of the parts shows the age of the mold in that there is some minor flash to be removed but little or no mold lines or sink marks, making it a good kit overall. The 6 cylinder motor is quite nicely detailed with 5 vinyl hoses running throughout the engine bay. The chassis and suspension are all also nicely done. The body consists of three main parts, body, nose and rear panels, as well as the hood and front/rear spoilers. The decals are excellent and go on very nicely with the help of the Microscale two-part system for decal application.  The paint scheme is two-tone Red over White that will require masking and there’s a detailed explanation in the full review. The overall dimensions are: Length: 6-5/8 “, Width: 2-5/8″, Height: 1-15/16”.

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 the dashboard; interior color scheme; front suspension build sequence; dashboard detailing; how to detail the turn signal lenses; using “clear” glue for window glass installation; complete chassis detailing; removing unwanted chrome from parts; making realistic looking engine exhaust; detailed driveline installation sequence and timing; detailing the engine bay; front/rear tire installation; engine hose lengths given with alternate attachment methods; enhancing the grill with black wash a hassle free chassis to body installation technique; using decal setting solutions for that “painted on” look; window trim detailing with foil; removing body emblems; correcting instruction errors; how to wire the engine; identifying and removing the copyright script; making realistic looking tires; engine bay plumbing sequence;  masking methods; complete engine construction and 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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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 SnapShot Review 20151104*
Commando Car 1:35 Scale Italeri Model Kit # 550320 Review

Review and Photos by Steven Hardwick

Over 600,000 Jeeps were built for WWII. Some of them are still in use today by civilians.  The Commando Car version was used to oversee operations and was armed with up to five machine guns and had extra fuel capacity.  The first SAS (Commando) jeeps in Europe were of the airborne style designed to fit into gliders.  To make them fit easier, the running boards were removed as were the grab handles on the sides. The tools were also removed or relocated, usually to the rear.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Commando Car 1:35 Scale Italeri Model Kit #320. Released in 2010 this is a reissue and one of three similar kits, with 113 parts. It can be done as a medic jeep, a 4×4 Utility truck or the Commando Car. This kit is still available at online retailers and auction sites, and can be found in certain hobby stores.  Based on the Italeri “1/4 ton 4×4 Truck” which is what is known as a Willys jeep (just like using “Commando Car” instead of “SAS Jeep”) this is actually quite a nice kit and an improvement on earlier Italeri models. The kit comes with two large parts trees, molded in dark green, clear and one separate figure (extra tree). It also features a molded drivetrain with leaf springs, a separate steering wheel, dash panel and shifter.  Accessories include a shovel, spare wheel, jerry can, and an axe. A simple three page fold out instruction sheet printed on both sides and a simplistic three color painting guide.  The finished dimensions are: Length: 3¼”, Width: 1½”.

Construction: Even though some of the detail is a little simplified the sprues are well molded with very little flash, minimal mold seams and discrete injector marks. The directions are straight forward but I would NOT build it in the steps as the instructions tell you. Break it up into similar parts modules for fit and finish improvement.  You’ll also end up with a few spare parts used in the base jeep but not in this version including the Garand vehicle mounted holder, the rear seat, the rear mounted jerry can, windscreen and the radio aerial. There’s also a driver figure included who comes from the original Italeri Jeep and is presumably supposed to be American coming as he does with three US helmets. But the detail on him is so bad he is best binned, I have finished him to show how it would look complete.  To make this kit accurate a little scratch building is needed listed are a few things I have researched. (The main thing being the long range tanks are too wide, they should be square in profile, and the fuel tank under the passenger seat is missing. This should look the same as the tank under the driver’s seat with two straps under it that come up and attached to the sides of the body.

Overall:  I enjoyed building this kit right out of the box.  The Commando car is a great little kit, but with a little work can be a show winning kit. Great lines and easy construction make this build very enjoyable and straight forward. There are no decals included with the kit so you’ll have to get those from the aftermarket or your spare parts bin.

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 20151102*
Ford Ranger Pickup Truck 1:24 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4360 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The F-Series is a full-size pickup truck from Ford which has been sold continuously since 1948. The most popular variant of the F-Series is the F-150. It has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States for the past 32 years, and the best-selling pickup for 43 years, and the best-selling vehicle in Canada. The 1980 F-Series was redesigned with an all-new chassis and larger body; this was the first ground-up redesign since 1965 but is the Seventh Generation of the model line. The exterior styling of the truck was redone to improve aerodynamics and fuel economy. This is the first generation of trucks to incorporate amenities such as power mirrors, power windows, and power door locks.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the re-release (Re-Pop) of the Revell Ford Ranger Pickup. This is Kit #4360 in the current catalog. Revell has released this kit in multiple box arts and forms in the past and this is the first re-release since the original 1981 kit to be seen in this form. Revell rates this a Skill Level 2 which is ages 10 and up and requires paint and glue. The kit consists of 78 parts molded in White, Clear and Chrome and has Vinyl tires. The decals are a new design to create a 2-tone. The instructions are in the typical book format Revell has been using. Note there are errors in the instructions. You get a full motor assembly that is great to detail. The chassis is multiple parts and lends itself to very easily lifting the suspension for making a larger 4×4. The interior is the typical tub of the 80’s. The body is a multiple part unit and can be fully assembled prior to paint. The tires are a hard vinyl with no markings. Overall the finished size is: Length: 7-13/16″, Width: 3-15/16″, Height: 3″.

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 dashboard; interior color scheme; suspension build sequence; flocking the carpet for optional interior realism; how to detail the turn signal lenses; using “clear” glue for window glass installation; complete chassis detailing; Gravity Colors color information; detailing the engine bay; front/rear tire Installation; enhancing the grill with black wash;  using decal setting solutions for that “painted on” look; window trim detailing with foil; using markers for great looking window surrounds; installing the sun roof; modifying the shock mounts for proper fit; correcting instruction errors; how to wire the engine; identifying and removing the copyright script; making realistic looking tires; a ‘crystal clear’ window glass treatment; complete engine construction and finishing; suspension construction and detailing; are all fully examined in this 21 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 ©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.

Ford and the Blue Oval are property of the Ford Motor Company.