Right On! Replicas

Right On Replicas, LLC SnapShot Review 20150228*
Ford F-350 “Duallie” Pickup 1:24 Scale Monogram Model Kit # 85-7806 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

This is not one of our regular SnapShot reviews. Yes, there’s a great kit review involved, but this is an exercise in expanding your abilities to create your own custom build.  The base model is a Monogram Ford F-350 “Duallie” kit that has been modified and has had many additional Aftermarket parts added. Once you have been building models for a time you may want to expand your abilities. Or, many times the vehicle you want to construct is just not available. What you are left with is the Aftermarket companies. There are tons of small businesses that specialize in Scale Model parts only. Many companies produce RESIN BODIES or parts that were never seen in large production companies like AMT, Revell, MPC, Monogram or the such. Quality varies widely on these items so due diligence and research is important. With Social Media like Facebook the multitude of Forums it is much easier to find out the information now than ever before. The important part of taking on projects like this one is preparation. Research your subject, search for all your parts and necessities and prepare your build BEFORE you ever touch one part. Once you have your plans in place, supplies and parts in hand and everything you need for your build you can get to work.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Monogram Kit#7806 in 1/24 scale. The kit has been released multiple times and this one is a Re-release (Re-Pop). The same kit is available as an F-350 Dually and as an F-250. The kit is considered a Skill Level 2 for Moderate Abilities as it needs paint and glue for assembly. Overall this is a great kit with lots of potential. The motor is detailed and looks nice finished. The chassis is nice and the rear frame is open allowing it to be stretched quite easily. The body is solid and represents the F series Ford trucks nicely. The interior is detailed and looks correct. Assembly is straight forward. Fit and Finish is good and there is little to no issue with the final assembly. Overall a good quality kit. The AFTERMARKET items I used came from multiple sources. Some of the companies I used on this build are; Morgan Automotive Details, BnL Resins, Detail Masters, and E-Bay Seller Johnnytech10. Plus some of my own details I created. My overall finished build is: Length: 15”, Width 4”, Height: 3”.

 

Overall Impression:  First off let me remind the readers this build is a CUSTOM and requires much more work and skill than the average kit assembly. Although the kit is Skill Level 2 this would be more to a Skill Level 4 or 5 build.  The Motor build is straight from the kit with the exception of detail wires from Morgan Automotive Details. The kit details are nice and build up is easy. The addition of detail wires and a distributor are simple and will not affect the overall build fit but will greatly improve the looks. For a “Contest Quality” build motor details are almost a necessity. The interior was also built stock from the kit. I did add additional details from my own parts collections such as folded maps, work orders and other items I printed. I used items from Detail Masters “Interior Junk Collection 2” and “Radio Faces” Photoetch items for added details. The cab was also directly from the kit and was built as instructions recommend. I did replace the side vent windows and back side windows with real automotive tint glued in place of the glass. The greatest construction issue was the chassis. To create a chassis that fits the working Rollback Flatbed you must Stretch the frame rails. Cutting the frame at a straight location right behind the cab I was able to add the needed length and create a new frame with Styrene Strips. I added cross members and built the suspension by kit instructions, just making a new driveshaft. The actual Rollback was purchased as a READY TO ATTACH assembly on E-Bay from Johnnytech10. His work is top notch and high quality. The bed will properly lift, slide and move as it should and the rear lift will work up, down and pivots side to side. It will also slide open to allow a tire to fit. The assembly is well built with Styrene. Final parts like winches and bumpers are from BnL Resins. Their items are good quality with typical resin clean up. Construction can be time consuming on builds like this as you have to do a lot of modifications and some building from scratch. Although the bed was built and ready to attach I had to fit the frame and chassis to its application. These are in scale and fit good but are not specific for this truck it is a generic assembly that requires custom fitting. This is not a NOVICE BUILDER kit, I do recommend you have model building experience to attempt this kind of construction. But once finished this is a showpiece on your shelf!

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 20150225*
Porsche 911 American Roadster 1:24 Scale Italeri Model Kit #3680 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The Porsche 911, pronounced Nine Eleven, is the flagship of Porsche and has had one of the longest continuous production runs of any modern vehicle. It originally was designated as the “Porsche 901” (901 being its internal project number). 82 cars were built as 901s. However, Peugeot protested on the grounds that in France it had exclusive rights to car names formed by three numbers with a zero in the middle. So, instead of selling the new model with another name in France, Porsche changed the name to 911. Many variants have come from Porsche designers and passed off assembly lines including the 911 Spyder (Convertible Roadster). This vehicle boasted the unique features of being the body of a Turbo Cabrio with the engine of the Carrera 2.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the ITALERI Kit 3680 1/24 Porsche 911 American Roadster. This is Skill Level 3 for the Advanced builder. Skill Level 3 is listed as 14 years and older by Italeri. The kit is a direct Re-release (Re-Pop) and can be found in different box art designs. The kit consists of 96 parts molded in Silver, Gray, Black, Chrome and Clear with Vinyl tires. The majority of the motor is one piece as this is an advanced Curbside kit. This is quite normal for European model kits. Just the rims and mirror faces are Chrome. The chassis is simplified. The interior is a multiple part tub and detailed nicely, details on the dash are done with decals. The body is also multiple parts but can be assembled and painted as a unit prior to completion. Decals are basic with just body badges and dash details, there are no custom items but you get USA and European tags. Overall dimensions are: Length: 6-15/16″, Width: 2-15/16″, Height: 2-1/8″.

 

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; explaining instruction errors; making realistic tires; dashboard detailing; gauge decal map; authentic interior color scheme; making custom plates and floor mats for your model; front and rear suspension build sequence; chassis installation and detailing; using “clear” glue for the windows; expanded kit history; where “not” to use glue; engine blank finishing for realism; identifying and removing mold lines; adding carpet flocking to the interior; front and rear wheel differentiation;  decal preparation and application; using floor polish to make perfect windows; contest build suggestions; are all fully examined in this exclusive 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.

Right On Replicas, LLC SnapShot Review 20150222*
2014 Mustang GT 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4309 Review

Review and Photos by Doug Cole

At 50 years old the last solid axle version of the iconic Mustang is probably the best one ever made The GT version has always been the performance leader and it comes standard with a 420HP V8 with a six speed transmission. Looks like the Ford stable pulled out all the tricks they learned from the SVT group and created a refined and powerful muscle car worthy of its namesake.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the skill level 2 designed 2014 Mustang GT 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4309. About the only reason this is a skill level 2 kit is because it requires glue for assembly. That this kit was spawned from a SnapTite model is evident. Even though glue is required in some places the positive placement points with posts and receivers mostly work without it.   Additionally, there is some paint recommended for this model to finish off details like engine parts and turns signals etc.  That probably explains the 3 hour assembly rating on the package. The kit is precisely molded in gray, black, and chrome plated parts with clear pre-installed windows, vinyl tires and transparent red taillights.  There’s virtually no flash and the pre-finished paint is excellent.  This is an exceptional kit for the novice builder. It assembles easily according to the instructions. Right out of the box, with a little liquid glue, it can be built in a half hour.  It then becomes a prideful shelf display or ready-to-play model. On the other hand, the kit is really loaded with detail and for the intermediate modeler it makes a great base for advanced techniques and detailing.

As far as added detailing goes; this kit is ripe for the pick.  Even though the engine has but nine parts, the molded in detail is excellent.  Picking out those features with color and shades will give you a very detailed looking engine.  The good news is that although this kit is based on a snap version, the hood is opened on this release and the one-piece chassis is open to view the engine from top and bottom. With some parts stash decals and a little paint for accent, the dashboard will show off its’ very detailed gauge section too. Same thing with the chassis, it’s molded-in but has much more detail to pick out than most one-piece chassis do.  It also sports a separate front suspension to give viewing access to the engine from underneath.    Finished dimensions are: Length: 7¼”, Width: 3”, Height: 2”.

 

Overall; This is a great first kit for the novice builder moving into the realm of glue kits.  You won’t find a car kit that has this intent more clearly engineered than this one.  Although it’s a simple kit it has great detail and room for optional work by the advanced builder.  For accomplishing its mission in that regard, I give this kit 10 out of 10 stars!

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.