Doug Cole
Reviews By Author
|
2013 Camaro ZL1Published:
The Revell website sums up this vehicle nicely, “The 2013 Camaro ZL1 is the most technologically advanced Camaro ever made. In 1969, the original ZL1 was a custom-built COPO ordered car with an all-aluminum 427 c.i.d. engine. It was a bold move for its time. Stepping ahead more than 40 years, the 2013 ZL1 is even more robust, with a 6.2 liter supercharged V-8 pumping out 580 horsepower.” Construction and DetailingThis review covers the skill level 4 (12 years and older) 2013 Camaro ZL1 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4307. The reason this is a skill level 4 kit (using the new skill level rating system 1-5) is because it requires glue and decals for assembly and needs to be painted. Even though glue is required the positive placement points with posts and receivers… more |
|
Foose Design 2015 Corvette StingrayPublished:
Chip Foose has added his touch to this new release of the 2015 Stingray with a definite nod to the iconic styling of the 1978 Indy 500 Pace Car. This is another “transition” kit from Revell meant to give the novice some experience with glue joints and decals but it will still look great on the shelf. That gives them an all important ego boost and they can still say “I made that!” with pride and move on to more detailed kits. Construction and DetailingThis review covers the skill level 3 (10 years and older) Foose Design 2015 Corvette Stingray 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4397. About the only reason this is a skill level 3 kit is because it requires glue and decals for assembly in the pre-decorated series of kits. That this kit was spawned from a SnapTite model is… more |
|
Kenworth W-900 WreckerPublished:
If you needed to tow a really big rig – you would need a really big wrecker! This replica kit does the real thing justice and it’s got pretty good quality for an older mold. The KitThis review covers the Re-release of the Kenworth W900 Wrecker by Revell in 1/25 scale. Although it’s not really described as such, this is a 2-N-1 kit. You could also just build it as a day cab, as those parts are in the kit too. This is kit #85-2510 in the Historic Series of kits. Revell rates this as a Skill Level 5 for advanced builders and it contains 411 parts molded in White, Chrome, Clear and Vinyl and has Chain and Cording and crisp waterslide decals. The instructions are typical of the Revell “book style” format. This is a previously released kit (Re-Pop) and has been seen in… more |
|
1972 Oldsmobile Indianapolis 500 Pace CarPublished:
The 1972 Oldsmobile that graced the Indianapolis 500 race as the pace car that year was a stunning anomaly. It was the first time a car was provided by someone other than an automotive manufacturer. The auto giants were reluctant to provide one because of the previous year’s accident so Hurst stepped in to fill the void. Miss Hurst (Linda Vaughn) helped kick off the race too. The KitThis review covers the 1972 Oldsmobile Indianapolis 500 Pace Car 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4197. This is a re-release as it has seen other boxings in the past, but it is an exceptionally clean kit for its age. The box art also conceals the fact that this is a 2-n-1 kit, as you can also build a stock 442 model from the kit’s optional parts. This model has 143 parts molded in white,… more |
|
Ford Ranger Pickup TruckPublished:
The Ford Ranger has been the number one selling vehicle in America for over three decades. It’s hard to argue with that kind of success. The KitThis review covers the Ford Ranger Pickup Truck 1:24 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4360. This is a nice clean kit with some pretty good detailing and it is one that can readily be improved with some additional work. Just adding some foil to the trim and a wired engine makes it a standout on the display shelf. This is a re-release as it has seen other boxings in the past. This kit has 78 parts molded in white, clear and chrome with vinyl tires. The decals are newly designed for a two-tone color scheme. The instructions are well presented, although there are some errors in it. It has a nicely detailed engine and interior.… more |
|
2014 Corvette StingrayPublished:
Not only did they give the seventh version of the Corvette stunning looks, it has a matching performance clocking in at 0 to 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds. The new Stingray has everyone turning heads, and it’s still a great bargain for a personal luxury roadster. Construction and DetailingThis review covers the skill level 3 (10 years and older) 2014 Corvette Stingray 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4350. About the only reason this is a skill level 3 kit is because it requires glue and optional paint for assembly in the pre-decorated series of kits. That this kit was spawned from a SnapTite model is evident. Even though glue is required, the positive placement points with posts and receivers make assembly easy. Additionally, there is some paint recommended for this… more |
|
BRE Datsun 240ZPublished:
After dabbling in automotive design at GM, Pete Brock started his own design firm in 1965 known as Brock Racing Enterprises, (BRE). His designs were successfully used in GT, CP and Trans Am class racers in the sixties and early seventies. This kit replicates the C Production class winning 1969 Datsun 240Z driven by John Morton. The KitThis review covers the BRE Datsun 240Z 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-1422. This is a Limited Production SSP Series model and a re-released kit from 1972. Produced as a one-time offering kit and rated a skill level 3 build. I think that‘s about right due to some difficult decals, tutone paint, and some altered build sequences. There are at 105 parts molded in white, clear and chrome parts, along with vinyl tires and engine tubing. This… more |
|
Kenworth W-900 Aerodyne ConventionalPublished:
After being developed in the early sixties the W-900 Series truck has proven to be such a value that it is still being produced. Its dependability and value have made it a perennial favorite with owner-operators. The KitThis review covers the Kenworth W-900 Aerodyne Conventional 1:16 Scale Monogram Model Kit #85-2508. This is a larger scale kit with a mammoth footprint. This kit has been released before in other forms but the parts have not really changed over the years. It is appropriately rated a skill level 3 build. Because of the sheer size and having to use some altered build sequences to provide for good finishes I would agree with the rating. There are 278 parts molded in blue, black, chrome and clear and including vinyl tires and waterslide decals with a nice… more |
|
Starsky & Hutch Ford TorinoPublished:
Starsky & Hutch is a 1970s television cop show that featured the two characters David Starsky and Ken 'Hutch' Hutchinson as California policemen. The drama of the show was enhanced by frequent car chase scenes featuring their bright red “Striped Tomato” 1975 Ford Torino. The KitThis review covers the Starsky and Hutch Ford Torino 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4023. A long anticipated 2015 new release, this model was produced to replicate the TV show car and contains only parts for that version. As such, it has only 88 parts molded in red, black, chrome, clear and clear red and includes vinyl tires and metal axle pins. The decals are nicely done including the massive white stripe. The instructions are nice and clear with paint callouts. It has a nicely… more |
|
Honda NSR 500 HB Honda (1989 WGP500)Published:
Team Honda put together an impressive stream of innovative and successful racing bikes in the late eighties and through the nineties. This kit represents the Honda NSR 500 ridden by Pierfrancesco Chili to a sixth place finish in the 1989 WGP500 race. The KitThis review covers the Honda NSR 500 “HB Honda” (1989 WGP500) 1:12 Scale Hasegawa Model Kit #21714. A 2015 release, this model is rated by Hasegawa this a level 3 skill kit for advanced modelers and I would agree with that. The sheer amount of detail and number of decals requires a lot of patience and focused attention. This kit has 179 pieces and is molded in grey, white, clear, black vinyl tires with waterslide decals, and illustrated instructions. Nearly every piece of the original vehicle is represented in… more |