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Archive for September, 2016
Lindberg Model kits: 1959 22ft Owens Deluxe Cruiser Boat!
Following the release of the 1959 Century Coronado, we have the 2nd boat found hidden in the Lindberg tool collection — the 1959 22ft Owens Deluxe Cruiser with Twin 50HP Outboard Motors! With smooth lines and sturdy built, this is the roomiest 22 foot yacht. The combination of distinctive two-tone colors makes a beautiful boat and the large deck and spacious cabin makes a comfortable experience. Equipped with twin outboard engines – this luxury cruiser has been designed to combine performance and functional benefits with the beauty and comfort.
Like the Coronado the Owens boat also is connected to another famous designer, Raymond Loewy. Raymond Loewy was know for creating logos for Exxon, Shell, BP, TWA, Nabisco, Quaker, and the U.S. Postal Service. He created the USCG stripe as seen on Lindberg’s US Coast Guard Patrol Boat. Most notably he redesign the glass Coke bottle, replacing the embossing with white letters and changing the contours to create the iconic shape we know today.
AMT’s 1949 Ford Coupe Is Truly A “Gas,” Man!
Coming into the end of the year, we’re pretty excited about our re-release of AMT’s great 1949 Ford Coupe. We’re giving it an extra special Retro Deluxe treatment featuring a all new Don Greer painting recreating the “Gas Man” gasser, and wrapping that into one of our “silent” box faces so you Kats can enjoy the art simply on it’s own.
And if what’s on the box isn’t enough to grab you, we putting in some of those famous goodies we’re famous for. This issue will contain newly tooled “custom” wheels for those who want to build a show car version. These new wheels match the originals lost long ago.
No matter what version you decide on – stock, custom or gasser, we are included four different tire combos! M&H wide piecrust slicks, Firestone narrow whitewall piecrust slicks, wide-white stock Firestones and Goodyear Polyglas GT’s!
The final custom touch will be the red-tinted windshield and headlights, which is in addition to the standard clear parts.
Watch for AMT 1949 Ford Coupe at the end of the year.
Star Trek Model Kits: U.S.S. Enterprise D & Aztec Decals sneak peek
Here is a preview of 2 upcoming Star Trek releases, the AMT955 1:1400 U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D kit and the Aztec decal set for that kit. They will be sold separately.
The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D model kit will be coming out first. This all-plastic model kit is 18 inches long when fully assembled, and features a removable saucer section and dome base with metal support rod. This special edition is molded in clear plastic, which allows the modeler the option of lighting the kit. (Light kit not included.) Also included are standard marking, pennant, registry, and lifeboat decals; and complete instructions.
The 1:1400 U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D Aztec decals will be released shortly after the base kit. The set will include 4 – 9.25 x 13.25 inch decal sheets and placement instructions. If you pick up the Enterprise D kit make sure you don’t miss out and keep you eyes out for the Aztec decals!
Coming off the Shelf – ’68 El Camino Done in Derby Style
The Kats at AMT are getting ready to release a tasty little treat for all the Chevy fans out there.
The Derby Champions KIT II, featuring a 1/25 scale 1968 El Camino, will be loaded with goodies!
Key features will include: colorful retro-styled packaging, BONUS Soap Box Derby racing car, Chevy SS396 V-8 engine, 2-in-1 pad printed tires which offer “Red Line” pinstripes on one side and Goodyear Polyglas lettering on the other, Torq-Thrust mags, stock Rally wheels, colorful display base and expanded decal sheet with many options.
Build it stock or custom, the choice is up to you! And when you’re finished, proudly show it off on the full-color display base provided.
Keep a look out for this retro-styled gem in your local hobby stores late fall!
Round 2 Model kits: Building a Reputation
First a quick apology… Technical difficulties prevented me from posting this yesterday, which would have made it a bit more pertinent.
Nostalgia… We are fully aware that this factor may be the most significant thing that provides the success we have with our AMT, MPC, Polar Lights and Lindberg models. Many of us remember building kits as kids. Some saved their builds and have done their best to hold onto them to this very day, but I’m betting the greatest majority suffered similar fates trying to withstand a black cat or twenty. Even still the surviving “fan” in each of us has drawn us back over time and Round 2’s faithful (and usually improved) reissues of vintage plastic kits supply the kits we remember so well the in WAY that we remember them.
I’ve made no secret of my love for comic books and just as most modelers do, I have my own list of “Grail” comics, but I was lucky enough recently to obtain the one item at the top of my list. It is something I thought I would have to wait a long time to find and had limited hopes of having the cash on hand to purchase when found. But the stars aligned for me this time so I could experience the jubilation of landing the “thing” of my dreams. Some middle-aged men need a hot rod. Others are equally as happy to obtain a 1/350 scale TOS Enterprise or 22” Eagle Transporter. For me, it was a comic book spinner rack just like we remember from our childhood. Some of my earliest memories are of going to our local supermarket (the building still stands and was only ever as big as a 7-11 we have today), going to the cereal aisle to pick out the one box that seemed to offer the best balance of fruity/chocolaty/sugary goodness with the best prize soon to be dug out of the bottom. This was immediately followed by a jaunt to stand in front of the spinner rack while my mother shopped. It was for all intents and purposes my baby-sitter for the rest of the trip to the market. Mom had no fear I would wander anywhere else. And in those days, it wasn’t child endangerment if any other adult was around to ensure I wasn’t kidnapped. Oh, what a difference 40-odd years makes… But now, I have one of my own to fill with reading copies and books I clearly recall buying directly “off the rack.”
I mention this tale as a means to touch on the fact that I know what it is like to finally find a fan-grail and how I appreciate the opportunity to create products that fill that level of demand for our consumers. Though I can’t “regret” it, because it is out of my control, I just wish we were in a position to do more and more quickly. That said, I want to assure you we have the ball rolling on a few big things… Grail-level things. Things sci-fi modelers have been asking for for a long time and I’ve been saying “maybe someday” kinds of things.
As I’ve been filling my spinner rack I’ve taken notice of some of the model kit ads that showcased our brands. Heck, half the fun of looking at old comics is looking at those goofy old ads. Here are a few I’ve found…
Lastly, I’d like to take a moment to officially commemorate the 50th anniversary of STAR TREK. We can all appreciate the future it imagined for us and even the gadgets we already enjoy 250 years ahead of time. With hand held communicators & computers and now replicators, transporters should be right around the corner. The characters are truly iconic and will always be… but because of my relationship with the model kits we’ve developed, I think I like the U.S.S. Enterprise the best. She was a character, and most of the episodes I liked the best featured her as a main component. So, here is to STAR TREK, Captain Kirk & crew, and the U.S.S. Enterprise. Live long and prosper…
AMT’s Flying Wedge is Set To Take Off Again!
After many, many months of research and design, we’re finally ready to release our beautiful Original Art Series issue of AMT’s Flying Wedge Rear Engine Dragster!
This was quite the endeavor as the entire body sections had to be retooled, so we took this opportunity to compare it against AMT’s other wedge dragster based on Steve McGee’s Black Beauty. While the two kits were similar, the original Flying Wedge kit’s body was lacking detail and the original McGee kit wasn’t quite accurate. So this time, we authentically duplicated the rear wedge section to match the real McGee car. The wedge section also features additional detailing like sheet metal rivets and in our research, we discovered that the rear lip of the wedge was adjustable by means of a piano hinge along the back. We’ve added that hinge detail, making the this kit the most accurate 1970’s style wedge dragster kit you can build.
The photo shown is an early test mockup, but you can see the complete engine shroud and added details.
The Flying Wedge Original Arts Series issue also features newly tooled front body sections, plus a new one-piece injector scoop!
We’ve also updated the decals to include the original markings, plus added the white stripes as seen on the box lid, which were never included with the original kit.
As with our other Original Art series releases, the kit contains a fantastic print of the box art suitable for framing.
Set to be released later this fall, be sure to pick up this great AMT kit at your hobby retailer!
Kat Chat: Create Some FRICTION!
Remember the early days of promotional models with “friction motors” in them? Well, the Kats at AMT do, and they’ve put a fun spin on the idea with the new Rev ‘n Roll SpeedKit series! These wild, modified – but instantly recognizable cars are all about fun, easy assembly and playability, for even the most die hard video game-obsessed kid! They’re slung way low with gleaming chrome wheels on wide low profile tires, have pre-painted and decorated bodies and best of all… they screw together in a matter of minutes!
Once built, you can rev ’em up and watch these radical rides roll on their own via the included friction motor! Assembly couldn’t be simpler. Snap in the motor and axle assemblies and screw the rest together with the provided screwdriver! It’s about as close to instant gratification as you can get in model building.
Four different cars are featured in Series 1: a killer Camaro, mighty Mustang, cool Corvette and fantastic Ford GT! Collect ’em all and watch for more to follow!
Give your favorite kid or grandkid a chance to do something fun and creative while their thumbs take a break from the games. Let ’em build an AMT SpeedKit Rev ‘n Roll friction car and get all revved up!
The Camaro is shown below. Dig this bad boy… it looks mean and fast, just standing still!
Until next time, Build It… Rev It… ROLL IT!
