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1:32 Kitbash: 1930 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup – Part 1
As mentioned in a previous post the Lindberg 1:32 Customizable Show Rod 2-pack will be out soon and one of the cool features is the many parts that can be used to customize the kits – 125 parts to be exact! The kit includes instructions to build the 2 cars in three different ways but with the parts being interchangeable you could customize many more.
Often not seen in 1:32 car kits are detailed engines and the Show Rod kit includes 2. I realized the Lindberg line has many older 1:32 releases that could be kitbashed with the Show Rods. My goal is to use the parts in the new release to customize the Lindberg 1:32 1930 Ford Model A Pickup, item number 72134. For the paint inspiration I will use the 1975 boxart of Lindberg 1:24 Freaky Ford. Check out my next post to see my progress.
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Coming off the Shelf – Honda Road Racer Makes A Comeback!
The folks here at MPC are happy to announce the re-release of a classic race bike. The Dick Mann Honda Road Racer! This BIG 1/8 scale kit, is packed with a whole lot of chrome, a 4 cylinder 750 CC engine, velocity stacks, four exhaust pipes, racing fairing with windscreen, racing gauge and short racing handle bars. Not to mention, improved decals and an awesome vintage package featuring a classic painting of Dick Mann in action!
So, for all the bike fans out there, keep a lookout for this sweet build. Coming soon to a hobby store near you!
Autoworld Exclusive: AMT’s Streetle Beetle In A Limited Release!
AMT has again come up with another great Autoworld Store Exclusive and has taken the opportunity to offer a truly unique and wild street rod!
The Streetle Beetle – is it a VW? Is it a classic?
It’s a little of each, with some trick custom touches like a sectioned chassis and beetle body, classic car hood, grille and headlights. At the rear of this modified Bug is a “Continental“ trunk lid, to complete that street rod look. You can build your version with a choice of mag or deep-dish “baby moon” wheels.
We’ve expanded and completely updated the decals with improved “woody” panels, custom accents, license plates and more to finish of your kit in style. Combined with our signature Retro Deluxe packaging, you’ll want to get this Beetle before it’s gone. Be sure to visit autoworldstore.com for details and availability in November.
MPC Models: And now for something completely different…
This blog entry is based on true events. Every last word of it. I can assure you. Really…
[harp strings]
[race car sounds. Yes, we know it is in the silent vacuum of space, but race car sounds are cool.]
[Eeeeart!]
Smallnier: Hey, watch where you aim that thing.
Hoodstrom: I think the batteries are worn out.
Smallnier: Just shake it a little.
[Beeeep.]
Smallnier: See. Told ya.
Smallnier: Smile, you’re on Candid Camera.
Hoodstrom: Professor Mortonman, it’s Jamie Hoodstrom. We just passed through the laser barrier and we should be able to take a few manual measurements off the Nuclear Waste covers in a couple of minutes.
Professor Morton: Alright, Hoodstrom. We are watching you closely.
Hoodstrom: Something seems off about these things. Let’s see how big this one is…
Hoodstrom: They seem a lot smaller than they did in that footage of the Eagle crashing into waste area 2 last week. They looked like they should have been 8 feet tall or more.
Smallnier: It might be your imagination.
Hoodstrom: I dunno… They don’t look like the ones closer to the center of the field where the waste gets unloaded off the Eagles…
Smallnier: Probably just a different model.
Hoodstrom: But they were almost the same diameter as the waste cannisters. When we moved the storage caps off those last week, they were bigger…
Smallnier: That’s because they used the 22” miniature for one shot instead of the 44”.
Jamie: What?
Smallnier: Oh, nothing…
Hoodstrom: something also seems different about them compared to the ones I see outside my apartment near the Eagle landing pad.
Smallnier: Now, see. That really was an interesting camera effect. You see, the shot used the 22” Eagle miniature. (You can tell it by the fact that it doesn’t have the elbow linkage behind the landing gear) But yet they made the cones at yet another scale to force the perspective in the background…
Hoodstrom:… Anyway, these control handles look a lot different too.
Smallnier: You are right. They don’t look anything like Plastruct relief valves. Hey, what is wrong with your eye?
Professor Morton: It’s an increase in brain activity. Smallnier, get Hoodstrom out of there. I think he is in trouble.
Hoodstrom: What the heck is Plastruct? What do you mean different models? These cones must have been built in four different sizes. That is just crazy! I’m losing my mind!
Smallnier: Well, it isn’t anything to get too upset about. Hey, watch out for those boxes! In the moon’s lessened gravity they are bound to bounce far up into the air!
Smallnier: Okay, maybe not. Let me help you up.
Hoodstrom: I’m suddenly in the mood to dance!
Smallnier: Okay, why not? Not one else is around…
Hoodstrom: I feel so funky I bet I can jump over the moon buggy!
Smallnier: Showoff! Hey, watch out for the laser fence.
Hoodstrom: Wha!?!
Hoodstrom: AAAHHH!
Stay tuned to this space for some upcoming announcements about MPC’s Space:1999 kits. And this blog was only based on fact so much as the Texas Chainsaw Massacre was based on true events. Your mileage may very…
Coming off the Shelf – Papa in the Works!
It’s time for a sneak peek at the companion kit to one of our most recent releases… Tyrone Malone’s Papa Truck! We gave a hint last month, and to those who caught on, congratulations! So, here it is.
This 1/25 Scale, skill level 3 kit excited builders back in the day, and is now “in the works” to make an encore appearance in just a few short months! With a “few” meaning around December, if all goes well. Regardless, the Papa Truck is on the way, and as usual, the KATS here at AMT have added a few extra tasty upgrades to make it well worth your while.
For starters, the Papa Truck features all of its original, super-detailed Kenworth truck tooling. In addition, builders will find 10 pad printed tires (to spice up their builds), PLUS a large decal sheet with improved graphics — including: extended exterior stripes that now wrap around the back of the cab, more accurate colors/details, and ALL NEW interior cab stripes. To top it off, this delicious kit comes wrapped up in retro-styled packaging featuring authentic photos!
So, to all the builders out there that already have the Super Boss, get ready, cause the Papa Truck is right around the bend!
Hope you enjoy it, and we’ll see ya soon!
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…
