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Archive for the ‘Round2 Models’ Category
Polar Lights Model Kits: 4 weeks of Christmas Part 2
Continuing weekly Polar Lights Model Kit updates for the month of December, here is a look at the U.S.S. Reliant mockup that was reviewed recently. This is a much anticipated addition to our Star Trek line of 1:1000 scale kits. This is a new source and the prototype had a few unexpected flaws (like the wavy saucer) as well as the usual amount of fix up we find that is required. A slight mishap resulted in broken Starboard phasers.
Other than that the ship isn’t in too bad of shape overall, but as anyone reading this blog will know that the devil is in the details. Most notably are the grid lines on the top of the ship, not just the saucer section, but the rear end as well. We’ll get that fixed up as well as the other 20-odd points of interest pointed we out to the factory.
Next week… Kong!
Polar Lights Model Kits: 4 weeks of Christmas Part 1
My blog writing has been rather erratic this year. All I can say is that the day-to-day business of developing Polar Lights model kits is easy to get caught up. There is rarely a lull in our breakneck working pace. In an effort to make up for some of my lapses, I have weekly blogs scheduled for the month of December… or at least leading up to Christmas…
Let’s kick off the month with a check in on our upcoming Alien Executive Officer Kane resin figure kit. Right now we are looking into a production source. Once that is settled, we’ll be able to finalize its release date. Here are some pics of the rapid prototype that arrived recently.
Next week… Reliant!
1967 Shelby GT-350 Mustang from IPMS
We are so pleased to recieve so many great reviews from the modeling community. Here is another one from the IPMS. The 1967 Shelby GT-350 Mustang was not your average Mustang. It was powered by the Ford High Performance 289 engine and many special improvements. However, since this version was intended to be a production car and to be purchased by the general public, it included the Deluxe Mustang Interior, power brakes, power steering, optional air-conditioning, and optional automatic transmission.
Even so, its performance was superior for its time:
- 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds
- Ran the ¼-mile at 91 mph in 15.3 seconds
- Top Speed of 129 mph
The kit comes with a basic engine that has optional valve covers and can be dressed up to the builder’s desires. The interior is rather Spartan, and I guess that, for the time frame, even a Deluxe Mustang Interior would not be all that elaborate. The painting instructions for the interior are skimpy, at best. The online references and photos of existing examples mostly show an all-black interior with very little extras.
To read the entire review please visit http://web.ipmsusa3.org/content/1967-shelby-gt-350-mustang
Modeling memory…
From time to time I get posts about fan favorites. This recent message from Sheila. My favourite memory was when I found out that AMT had re-released the 1976 AMC Gremlin X, I was so excited that when the kit was released, I bought seven of them! I own a 1975 Gremlin, so I thought a ’76 would be good enough, but then AMT re-released the 1975 AMC Gremlin X! I am now working on a model of my real car! Also, quite recently, I found out that MPC was re-releasing the 1978 AMC Pacer X, and when it gets released, I’ll have to buy some of those too!
What are some of your own favorite modeling memories?
Meet the designer
Jamie Hood (Polar Lights)
Jamie is a lifelong resident of North central Indiana he attended the Columbus College of Art & Design where he studied illustration and design. A lifelong comic book fan, his areas of interest spread throughout science fiction and fantasy.
He began his career in the RV industry before moving on to Round 2, LLC, where he has worked on the Forever Fun line of collectible holiday products and the Polar Lights, AMT & MPC brands, where he has a genuine interest in guiding the company’s line up of science fiction model kits.
According to Jamie, his favorite kit is the one he hasn’t started yet, but he enjoyed working on the Wolverine figure.
His greatest moment of modeling success was the praise he received for the 1701 ship produced in 2012, especially that from Paul Newitt.
1967 Shelby GT-350 Mustang
The IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Society) have great product reviews and love to show off their latest works of art.
The 1967 Shelby GT-350 Mustang was not your average Mustang. It was powered by the Ford High Performance 289 engine and many special improvements. However, since this version was intended to be a production car and to be purchased by the general public, it included the Deluxe Mustang Interior, power brakes, power steering, optional air-conditioning, and optional automatic transmission.
Take a look at the full review:
1967 Shelby GT-350 Mustang
http://web.ipmsusa3.org/content/1967-shelby-gt-350-mustang
My First AMT Kits…
Occasionally I receive posts from customers and individuals who like to model; the following post was submitted in response to an older post that asked about “first kits”. We love to hear about your memories and your models. Please feel free to jump in and share your own.
My First AMT Kits…
By: Jim Ervin
Every time I think of my first AMT model car kits and how I found them, I’m reminded of a prophetic cartoon in one of my old model car magazines. A grandfather shows a model car kit to a child and says “In my day we could build a model kit 3 ways.” Now, at age 66, I’m old enough to be repeating those very words except there are no grandchildren or children either. I suppose my model car collection and my restored Model A coupe are my children.
The first of my “children “came along in the first year of AMT kits. 1958. I was on holidays with parents and brother and sister. We traveled from the Vancouver, B.C. Canada area down to Spokane, Washington that year to see the Grand Coulee Dam Our old ’49 Dodge proved very dependable for the trip. In every town we stopped, I always went into the local drug store or souvenir shop to buy a pennant of the town. In Spokane, I found myself in the basement of a rather large store and there in the corner was a stack of AMT model car kits. The attraction was immediate. The black and white pictures of the real cars on the side of the box were all I needed to become interested. I picked out a ’58 Ford and ’58 Pontiac convertibles and likely talked my mother into paying for them. I recall fitting the parts together one night at a campsite, since we were camping in those days, and couldn’t wait to get home to build them.
I later regretted my customizing attempts which involved the usual body putty, detail sanding and brush painting. Still I saved them and have the Pontiac almost rebuilt as a custom. The boxes on the other hand, were cut up for their pictures. Many model kits have come way, both cars and airplanes since (and even before) 1958. But sometime in the 1980’s, I made contact with a model car enthusiast in Louisville, Kentucky. We exchanged a few letters and he mentioned that he had some AMT models to sell. Among them were a ’58 Ford and ’58 Pontiac, both built stock and unpainted. He didn’t mention that he had the boxes and instruction sheets as well. Those were just a nice little surprise when I received the package in the mail. I’ve since built the ’58 Ford and my picture shows it and the now disassembled Pontiac.
My collection now includes lots of other automotive related stuff, Matchbox Toys, Dinky & Corgi Toys, books, magazines, license plates, name plates, etc, and still those pennants. But that’s how it all began for my AMT collection.
Sneak peek of the Wicked Witch sculpt!!!
Take a look at the new Wicked Witch from Polar Lights – we expect her and her winged monkey to fly in late spring or early summer 2014. I will post more details when I get them.
New York Comic con is just around the corner!
New York Comic con is just around the corner – October 10-13, 2013!
Round 2 will be there – stop by and see us at booth 443. You won’t want to miss our new model kits, die-cast cars, slot cars, Forever Fun, Captain Action, and even the Wicked Witch of the West will be in display.
http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/
Alien Kane figure
ALIEN made audiences cringe in 1978 and played a major roll in cementing science fiction as the next great film genre. Among the intricate set and spaceship design work, the costumes contributed greatly to the film. The environmental protection suit is the focus of this resin model kit of Executive Officer Kane. The resin parts capture every detail down to the quilted pattern of the suit. The kit focuses on the tension-filled moment where Kane first encountered the bizarre ALIEN life form in its embryonic egg. The kit is engineered to allow realistic lighting effects. Everything rests on a detailed base as well. Decals and illustrated instruction sheet are included to finish the model.
