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Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20150219*
Citroën Xsara WRC 2004 1:24 Scale Italeri Model Kit #3698 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The Xsara World Rally Car is based on the road-going Xsara but ultimately having very little resemblance to it under the skin. It was one of the most successful cars ever to compete in the World Rally Championship. The car took Frenchman Sèbastian Loeb to 28 rally wins, three consecutive Driver’s Championship titles from 2004 to 2006 and Citroën to three consecutive Manufacturer’s Championships in 2003, 2004 and 2005. In 1999, the WRCs predecessor, the two-wheel-drive naturally aspirated Xsara Kit Car, won overall in Rallye Catalunya and Tour de Course. This car was considered the best car in the class. In 2001 the Kit Cars category was withdrawn and was replaced by Super 1600 and Super 2000. In 2002, French driver Sèbastian Loeb was going to win the Monte Carlo Rally but he was given a penalty because of an illegal tire change. He took a win later on the Deutschland Rally. In 2003, the Citroën Xsara was been more competitive. In Wales GB, the leader Richard Burns suffered a blackout and withdrew from the rally. Sèbastian Loeb made a lot of mistakes on last round and unfortunately, he lost the last round and the championship by just one point. However, Citroën got the manufacturers’ title and in 2004 Sèbastian Loeb won the championship.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Italeri Kit #3698 Citroën WRC 2004 in 1/24 Scale. Heller makes the only 1/24-scale kit of the Citroën Xsara rally car. Italeri repackaged Heller’s parts with decals for a 2004-season car. Heller has offered versions of this kit with markings from 2001, 2003, and 2005. As such, this kit  would be considered a Re-Release (Re-Pop), and they are readily available at online hobby shops. There is no Skill Level listed on the box but an additional box sticker from the US distributor states 14 years of age and older. I would rate it a minimum Skill Level 2 as it requires paint and glue. The kit comes in 70 parts molded in White, Red, Clear, Chrome and Vinyl tires. The kit itself is fairly well done, with a detailed interior but no engine or suspension detail. The body is where the car really shines. The lines look correct and the overall design is proper. The decals are Cartograf and are of high quality. There are a ton of individual decals and you must take your time to do them. The car utilizes three colors on the body and there are no masking lines to help with color transition. Overall dimensions are: Length: 7”, Width: 3”, Height: 2-1/2”.

  

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; explaining instruction errors; making realistic tires; dashboard detailing; gauge decal map; authentic interior color scheme; front and rear suspension build sequence; chassis installation; using “clear” glue for the windows; expanded kit history; identifying and removing mold lines; fender well identification; roll cage construction and installation; orienting the directional tires; front and rear wheel differentiation; preparing the roof for add-ons;  masking techniques explained;  decal preparation and application; how to use decal setting solutions; using floor polish to make perfect windows; are all fully examined in this extensive 15 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

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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 Step-by-Step Review 20150217*
SA-2 Guideline Missile on Launcher 1:35 Scale Trumpeter Model Kit #00206 Review

Review and Photos by Robert Brynes  

The Russian built SA-2 Surface-to-Air missile had a solid fuel booster rocket that launched and accelerated it, then dropped off after about six seconds. While in boost stage, the missile did not guide. During the second stage, the SA-2 guided, and a liquid-fuel rocket propelled it to the target.  One of those targets was the famous U-2 plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers that was shot down over Russia in 1960. The reusable SA-2 launcher rotated 360 degrees and typically raised the missile between 30 and 60 degrees for launch. Removable wheels allowed the launcher to be moved quickly. In fact, North Vietnamese SAM crews could pack up and move a site in about four hours.
 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Trumpeter Kit #00206 modeled in 1/35 scale. This kit was originally released in 2003 and has had a couple re-issues with new parts; as in this release. You can find this kit in your local hobby shop or online.  It is a Skill Level 2 kit for the intermediate builder.  This kit contains 158 pieces molded in light gray and olive green plastic. This kit is pretty easy to find at online hobby stores and in some full line shops too.  It also features a highly detailed missile and launcher base with control panels.  This model features a rotating base and illustrated instructions with waterslide decals depicting markings for Soviet/North Vietnamese and Egyptian forces.  Overall assembled size is: Width: 5½”, Height: 3½”.
 

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; clarifying the instructions; clamping methods; using Alclad products for realistic finishes; using floor polish as a sealer; restoring a flat finish for authenticity; launcher assembly; where “not” to use glue;  expanded subject specifications; decal preparation and application; how to use decal setting solutions; are all fully examined in this extensive 22 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 $3.95 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 Step-by-Step Review 20150213*
Opel GT 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #729 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

 “Is that a Vette?” The Opel GT springs from modest beginnings. Germany’s Adam Opel AG in Russelsheim built sewing machines and bicycles before turning to cars. Like General Motors, which acquired Opel in the late Twenties, its stock-in-trade was practical, reliable family transportation at a fair price, and it maintained an enviable reputation for the same right into the Sixties. The Opel GT was styled chiefly by GM’s Clare MacKichan, who played a big part in designing the 1955 Chevrolet before his tour of duty in the Russelsheim studios. This may explain the up-front similarity between the GT and the newly styled ‘68 Corvette, with the same low, sharply profiled nose, blade-type bumper, and hidden headlamps. The latter operated manually on the Opel, revolving up out of their recesses to give the car something of a frogeye look. The Opel GT is a two-seat sports car first presented as a styling exercise in 1965 at the Paris and Frankfurt motor shows, and introduced as a production model late in 1968. It relied partly on components from the contemporary Opel Kadett B and had a body made by French contractor Brissonneau & Lotz. Its styling has been likened to the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette which went on sale in September 1967, which in turn was styled after the 1964 Pontiac Banshee.
 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Round2/AMT kit AMT729 modeled in 1/25 scale. This kit is a Re-Release (Re-Pop) from January 2013 in Special Original Art Series packaging using the original painting.  The kit is a Skill Level 2 for the moderate builder. The model can be purchased in either a White or Yellow colored Styrene. My sample has over 130 parts molded in Yellow, Chrome, Clear, Clear Red and Vinyl tires. Also included are metal axles and Velocity Stacks. Although not noted on the box this is a 3n1 kit. You can build it Stock, Custom or Drag. There are two full motors included; the Stock 4 cylinder 1.9 Liter or a Buick 6 cylinder. There are two full tire sets plus Drag Slicks, and the tires have nice pre-printed lettering! The chassis is fairly basic however the lower front body fascia is molded to the chassis making paint detailing tricky. The interior, much like the real car is fairly sparse. Pay close attention to the instructions for  the version you are building. There are multiple parts assemblies and the instruction are not 100% clear. That’s why we do Step-by-Step reviews. Overall assembled size is: Length: 6¼”, Width: 2¾”, 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; complete engine construction and detailing; explaining instruction errors; making realistic tires; dashboard detailing; gauge decal map; authentic interior color scheme; front and rear suspension build sequence; chassis installation; making realistic tires; using “clear” glue for the windows; expanded kit history; making your own custom license plates;  carpeting to the interior pan; identifying and removing mold lines; detailing the engine bay; suspension construction and detailing; decal preparation and application; how to use decal setting solutions; using floor polish to make perfect windows; are all fully examined in this extensive 19 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.