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Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20141023*
Richard Petty Dodge Dart Sportsman 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #819 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

Known to many simply as “The King,” NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty is the most decorated driver in the history of NASCAR racing, winning a record number 200 career races and seven NASCAR Cup championships during his illustrious career. During the 1970’s he also ran Late Model “Kit-Cars” on local Short Tracks in the Southern Outlaw Asphalt Series. He ran a Dodge Dart Kit Car for a few races in the mid 70’s, once at Dixie Speedway outside Atlanta in 1975. While not his normal “Ride” for NASCAR Richard was known to race many different styles of cars including Drag Racing. The Dodge Dart was just one of many local race cars he drove and he did not drive this but a few times. The purpose of his driving the car was to test and prove the design as his company, Petty Enterprises, was selling this as a Kit Car that other competitors could purchase for their race teams. The car was a success.

 

For the modeler: This review is based on the 1/25 scale Round 2 AMT Kit 819 Richard Petty Dodge Dart. AMT rates this as a Skill Level 2 for the Average Builder. This is a direct Re-Release (REPOP) of the kit from the 70’s and has not been seen in this version since then. The decals have been replaced with a new upgraded quality sheet. It has 100 parts molded in White, Chrome Clear and Vinyl tires. The parts look to be in very clean condition with next to no flash or mold lines. Round 2 has done a nice job with cleaning up the old molds. Details are crisp but simplistic due to the age of the actual molds. Like most Retro Deluxe kits this has the “Mini-Box” card to make a small version of the kit box for your display. Round 2 also gives a really nice Parts Preview on the bottom of the box so when purchasing a kit you know what you are getting before you buy. This is a really nice option for a newcomer to gauge the difficulty of a build somewhat.  “They said it would never be reissued, but the Kats at AMT have proven them wrong again! The necessary tooling has been uncovered for this famous version of the Chrysler Sportsman kit car. It will now be offered to delight modelers again for the first time since the 1970’s! Complete with full color decals to replicate two different versions of the car, it will be even better than the original! Retro Deluxe packaging will also be featured.”  Finished dimensions are: 7-5/8″ length, 3-1/2″ width, 2″ height.

 

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; using floor polish to make spectacular window glass; sources for patented “Petty Blue” paint; car version considerations; background on the real Petty Dart; detailing the hood and trunk lid latches; detailing the engine bay; dashboard detailing; paint specs for authentic colors; authentic interior color scheme; making realistic tires; engine construction and detailing; removing copyright scripts; suspension construction and detailing; making realistic tires; how to use Bare Metal Foil for realistic looking trim and panels; using setting solution for decal application; mold seam and ejector pin identification and repair; decal preparation and application; are all fully examined in this 15 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

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Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20141020*
Space Shuttle with Fuel Tank and Boosters 1:72 Scale Monogram Model Kit #85-5089 Review

Review and Photos by Robert Byrnes

The United States Space Transportation System (STS), commonly referred to as the Space Shuttle, provides complete Earth-to-Orbit and return capabilities with versatility unmatched in the world. The Space Shuttles flew a total of 135 missions since the very first launch which took place on April 12, 1981.  The 6 Shuttles (Enterprise (Test Vehicle) Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour) Accumulated 1330d 18h 9m 44s Flight time, and traveled around the Earth 21,158 times.

For the Modeler: This is a review of the Space Shuttle with Fuel Tank and Boosters; a 1:72 Scale Monogram Model Kit #85-5089. Revell rates this build as a Skill Level 3 for the advanced builder. This boxing was released in 2011. The kit contains 128 parts molded in White with waterslide decals. The instruction set is very clear and well laid out. The kit features; a display stand to hold launch ready shuttle with fuel tank and booster rockets, a detailed opening cargo bay with optional payload assemblies, authentic NASA markings for six different Shuttle liveries, (Enterprise, Columbia, Discovery, Challenger, Atlantis and Endeavour). Finished Dimensions are: Height 80cm (31 ½”), Wingspan 33.33cm (13 1/8”). For this review I’ve decided to build Discovery, STS-95. That was the flight where Senator John Glenn went back into space for a second time at the age of 77 as a Mission Specialist on October 29, 1998.  It was the 25th flight of Discovery and the 92nd mission flown since the start of the Space Shuttle program. This is a very large and impressive model and you’ll need some shelf space to display it as the centerpiece of your space models collection.

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; detailing the engine bay; removing copyright scripts; how to use Bare Metal Foil for realistic coverings and accents; version considerations; display stand construction and detailing; methods to replicate insulation; using Alclad paint to simulate metal surfaces; techniques for painting uneven surfaces to simulate aging; paint mixing specs for perfect paint match; clamping methods for construction; using clear glue to install the windows; masking techniques; detailing the flight deck; strengthening the shuttle bulkhead join; landing gear considerations; using floor wax to prep for decal application; assembly techniques for constructing the cargo bay doors; weathering techniques; using setting solution for decal application; mold seam identification and repair; decal preparation and application; are all fully examined in this exhaustive two-segment 50 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 $4.95 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.

Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20141015*
Ferrari 250 GTO 1:24 Scale Revell of Germany Model Kit #07077 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The 250 GTO was produced by Ferrari from 1962 to 1964 for entry into the FIA’s Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. GTO stands for “Gran Turismo Omologato”, Italian for “Grand Touring Homologated.” The numerical part of its name denotes the displacement in cubic centimeters of each cylinder of the engine, Chief engineer Giotto Bizzarrini installed the 3.0 L V12 engine from the 250 Testa Rossa into the chassis from the 250 GT SWB and worked with designer Sergio Scaglietti to develop the body. After Bizzarrini and most other Ferrari engineers were fired in a dispute with Enzo Ferrari, development was given to new engineer Mauro Forghieri, who worked with Scaglietti to continue development of the body, including wind tunnel and track testing. Unlike most Ferraris, it was not designed by a specific individual or design house. 36 cars were made in 1962 and 1963. In 1964 a ‘Series II’ was introduced, which had a slightly different look. Three such cars were made, and four older ‘Series I’ were given a ‘Series II’ body. It brought the total of GTOs produced to 39. When new, the GTO cost $18,000 in the United States, and buyers had to be personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and his dealer for North America, Luigi Chinetti. In 2004, Sports Car International placed the 250 GTO eighth on a list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s, and nominated it the top sports car of all time. Similarly, Motor Trend Classic placed the 250 GTO first on a list of the “Greatest Ferraris of all time”.

 

For the modeler: This review is based on the Revell of Germany version of the Ferrari 250 GTO in 1/24 scale. This is kit # 07077 and Revell rates this build as a Skill Level 5 for Very Challenging. The box is dated 2013 and I find no Copyrights on the parts themselves. Research does show at least one other box art for this kit from 2007 and the contents are the exact same with different decals so this is a Re-Release (REPOP) kit. The kit contains 202 parts molded in White, Black, Metal Gray, Chrome and Clear with Rubber tires and Metal springs. The instructions are very clear and well laid out, being a European model it is in multiple languages. The decals are crisp and high quality. You get 3 Race car versions or Stock decals. The parts are free of most flash but the injection mounts are overly thick on many of the parts and will require extra work to remove. The motor is a 12 cylinder well detailed part. Build up is straight forward and the finished look is nice. Being a race car the interior is sparse but so was the real car. Not much about it, not even door panels. The body looks to be accurate and the lines are replicated nicely giving the correct look. Even though they nice in their own right he tires are very deeply molded and look out-of-place on this car. The rims are a multiple piece unit and are considered one of the highlights of the kit. A quick search online shows a few different upscale detail kits for this car. The kit itself is still available at online hobby stores. Contest builders can go nuts detailing this one for First Place! Overall size is roughly: Length: 7” Width: 2-3/4” 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; using floor polish to make spectacular window glass; making custom plates for your model; detailing the engine bay; dashboard detailing; paint mixing specs for authentic colors; realistic seat belts; authentic interior color scheme; door/hood hinge installation; headlight nacelle colors and detailing; window surround detailing; making realistic tires; engine construction and detailing; removing copyright scripts; suspension construction and detailing; making realistic tires; how to use Bare Metal Foil for trim; using setting solution for decal application; mold seam and ejector pin identification and repair; detailing the instrument panel; decal preparation and application; are all fully examined in this 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 $4.95 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.