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Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20150105*
1956 Chrysler 300B 1:25 Scale Moebius Model Kit #1207 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The Chrysler 300 “letter series” were limited production, high-performance luxury cars built by Chrysler from 1955–1965. Each year’s model used a new letter of the alphabet as a suffix, except for “I”, reaching 300L by 1965, after which the model was dropped. The 300 “letter series” cars were among the performance based vehicles built by U.S. manufacturers after World War II, and thus can be considered one of the earlier muscle cars, though much more expensive and exclusive. The ‘56 300B was fairly similar externally to the ‘55, distinguished only by a new tailfin treatment. Two new engine models of the 354 ci (5.8 L) Hemi V8 with either 340 or 355 hp were available. Performance was a little better than the previous year’s, being measured at almost 140 mph.  New interior options included a Highway Hi-Fi phonograph player. Only 1,102 of the 1956 300B’s were sold.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Moebius Models Chrysler 300B from 1956. This is a Skill Level 3 kit in 1/25 scale. Moebius recommends builders over 15 for this Skill Level. The kit is molded in Gray, Chrome, Clear and Clear Red with Pre-Printed Whitewall tires. There are 12 sprue trees with over 130 highly detailed parts. The motor assembles into a very detailed Hemi. The chassis is multiple parts and again has a lot of details. The interior is a multiple part tub with the dash details as decals. The body is crisply molded with only minor mold lines on the C-pillars. There is a decal sheet included with necessary scripts. The instructions are VERY DIFFERENT than the usual US kit on the market today.  The Instructions are a Tri-fold 8.5”X11” with one side in full color! The front page is the box art in color with prerequisite warnings. The interior part has the construction sequences in a blue tint with written step by step build instructions. One full page shows built up areas that include the interior, engine compartment, chassis underside, dashboard, engine out of the car and a front and rear three quarter view. These are also used to place the decals. On the back of the instructions is a table that shows what parts of the car are painted what color. All of them are referenced to Testors paint by name. For the exterior colors it does reference Testors paints, but recommends buying more closely matching lacquers from an aftermarket paint company. Overall built dimensions are: Length: 8-3/4”, Width: 3”, Height: 2-3/4”.

 

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; using white glue for glass parts; avoid damage with this body to chassis alignment method; dashboard detailing; gauge decal map; authentic interior color scheme; front and rear suspension build sequence; chassis installation; removing unwanted copyright script; making realistic tires; using “clear” glue for the windows; expanded kit history; making your own custom license plates and floor mats; carpeting to the interior pan; identifying and removing mold lines and ejector tabs; detailing the engine bay with gloss variations; hood hinge considerations; techniques for  avoiding finish variations; suspension construction and detailing; using foil to create dazzling chrome trim; decal preparation and application; how to use decal setting solutions; aligning the steering box and exhaust;  make 3-D looking springs; using floor polish to make perfect windows; are all fully examined in this extensive 20 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 20141216*
US Coast Guard Cape-Class Patrol Boat 1:82 Scale Lindberg Model Kit #HL216 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The USCG Cape-class patrol boats were 95-foot steel hull patrol boats with aluminum superstructures. They were built in the 1950s and served until the 1980s and were unnamed until 1964, when they acquired names of US capes of land. Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, all 36 boats in this class were built at the United States Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland. The Cape-class cutters were equipped as coastal sub-chasers, with a forward-firing “Mousetrap” ASW weapon and depth charge racks aft. There were three sub-classes or types that evolved as missions for the boat changed. The Type A was outfitted primarily for ASW, Type B was Search and Rescue (SAR) and Type C was more commercial in use. The paint scheme with the Coast Guard “racing stripe” wasn’t introduced until the 1964 when the ships were named. Prior to 1964 the hull was white with just the registry numbers on the side.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Round 2 “The Lindberg Line” kit #HL216. It is a 1:82 Scale Coast Guard Cape Class ship. The kit has over 180 parts molded in White and Clear with a roll of Black thread. This is a Skill Level 2 for the moderate builder as it requires Glue. It is a Re-release (Re-Pop) of the original Lindberg kit and contains all the original parts! Previously, Lindberg offered a motorized version of this kit also. It has seen multiple box arts and even been under different brands in the past. The hull consists of multiple parts with the main deck in one piece. Many of the details are small so take care as you assemble it. There is an updated set of decals that includes four different versions that can be assembled. This is one of Lindberg’s best large-scale ship kits, not to mention the only plastic kit of a post-war USCG cutter. The kit represents a Cape-class cutter in “as built” configuration. The basic shapes of the hull and superstructure look right, and many of the smaller parts, such as the Mousetrap launchers and rockets, are quite finely molded; and, with a bit of scratch-building work it is a good basis for an excellent model. Overall dimensions of the kit are Length: 14-1/2”, Width: 3”, Height: 6-1/2” on the stand to the top of the radar mast.

 

Covered in this Review:  If you want to perfect your build; basic step-by-step 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; building the deck structures; proper side rail location placement; official and alternate color selections; using decal setting solutions for improved appearance; paint notations; version considerations; finishing the display stand; adjusting for hull width variations; where to use “clear” glue for the windows; installing the “thread” rails;  identifying leftover motorized features; masking for proper hull detail are all fully examined in this 14 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 ©2014 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 20141210*
LST (Landing Ship Tank) 1:245 Scale Lindberg Model Kit #HL213 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The LST, or Landing Ship Tank, was originally developed in World War II as a way of transporting tanks and trucks. LSTs first saw action in the Pacific theatre, and were extensively used in the 1944 D-Day landings by both British and American forces. By the end of the war the LST would find its way into every theater of the war serving as troop and vehicle transports, repair and supply ships, and even launching aircraft! Known to its crews as the “Large Slow Target”, the LSTs were 328 feet long and sailed at only 9 knots! LST’s were built by shipyards across the US, including many that were sailed down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to the sea! The defensive armament of LSTs varied but was usually a mix of 40mm and 20mm AA guns sometimes with a 3″ gun at the stern. The LST was designed to run up onto the beach and then pull itself off by winching in an anchor dropped off the stern. It could hold tanks and trucks both inside and up on deck. Originally the ships used an electric elevator to access the deck but later ships used a ramp. There was also a cargo hatch in the deck forward of the aft superstructure for additional access below. LST’s were equipped with two or more LCVP’s hung from davits on deck to aid in landing troops. They were designed to carry a 114′ LCT on deck, which was slipped off by tipping the LST to one side! Today the USS LST Memorial, located in Mobile, Alabama, has a fully restored LST and museum. 

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Round 2 “The Lindberg Line” kit #HL213. It is a 1:245 Scale Landing Ship Tank (LST) from the World War II D-Day invasion. The kit has over 185 parts molded in Gray with a roll of black thread and waterslide decals. This is a Skill Level 2 for the moderate builder as it requires glue. It is a Re-release (Re-Pop) of the original Lindberg kit and contains all the original parts. Lindberg previously offer this in a motorized version. This kit has seen multiple box arts and even been issued under different brands in the past. The hull is a single piece with the deck in two parts. Many of the details are small so take care as you assemble it. There is an updated set of decals that include FIVE different versions that can be assembled.  I chose to build LST 325 which actually landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day and is now berthed at Evansville, IN as a memorial museum.  Overall dimensions of the kit are Length: 16”, Width: 2”, Height: 6” on the stand to the top of the mast. This fun kit is easy to assemble and fills an important void in the WWII lineup.

 

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; removing unwanted copyright script; building the deck structures; proper side rail location placement; official and alternate color selections; paint notations; version considerations; finishing the display stand;  identifying and repairing leftover motorized features; masking for proper hull detail are all fully examined in this 12 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 ©2014 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here.