Reviews of products for scale automotive models, including motorcycles and motorized vehicles.

Review Author
Richard Cop
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$56.99

The kit represents Prime Minister Josef Stalin’s personal Packard V-12. I found it difficult to get information on how this car was acquired. It was rumored that we (the US) gave him dies to make the car, but it’s unknown how true that is. I was able to get a few pictures, but my computer was giving me a fit, trying to get on a Russian site (not ICM’s), so I stopped.

The V-12 engine was a very durable engine. Packard had modified these to adapt them to marine use in our PT boats. Rolls-Royce licensed Packard to build the V-12 framed Merlin, which powered many British and Canadian aircraft, including our own P-51 Mustang, for better performance at high altitude than the Allison engine.

I like this kit, and in the hands of a modeler with greater ability than mine, this car could really sing. There are some problems that need to be addressed, though.

Review Author
Dale Huether
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$25.99

The Kit

The kit is for a 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery, custom designed and built by Gene Winfield. The kit can be built three ways – stock, street, or strip. The kit comes with enough parts to build two motors and come with a motor stand to place one motor on. The motor can be built three ways, too.

The instructions are well drawn and easy to read, but provide no color scheme to follow. It lets you paint it your way.

The Build

Before beginning, wash all the parts in soapy water to get any mold release agents off them. You begin construction with the motors; there are enough parts to build two. The interior is constructed next, adding both seats and the dash. Next, add the tires and rims by fastening them to the steel axles provided. The interior has enough room to add other accessories, should you desire.

Review Author
Dale Huether
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$25.95

The Kit

The kit for the AMC Gremlin X is a reissue. It can be built two ways – either stock or as a pro-stock dragster. This kit has a lot of detail and is very nicely done, very true to the real Gremlin X. The model is nice and heavy and durable.

The instructions are well drawn and easy to read. The instructions have all the parts numbered, but the parts are not numbered on the part trees. You will have to figure it out by the drawings.

The Build

Construction begins with the motor, which can be constructed stock or as a drag motor. Whichever way you choose, it’s highly detailed and true to the real thing.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Aoshima
Scale
1/12
MSRP
$72.00

History

Introduced in November of 1987, the NSR 250R was the second generation of the NSR line. In what many would call the best year for the NSR line, that model year introduced many innovations that made it a race winning performer. The most significant advance was the PGM module that controlled the carburetor performance, based on input from the throttle and speedometer to adjust the carbs in real time. This was the first computer control of its kind on a Honda motorcycle. This was in conjunction with the Honda RC, or” revolution control” system, an adjustable exhaust valve that constricted outflow at low RPM and opened at high RPM to produce optimum power at any throttle setting. Added to coated pistons to reduce friction wear were larger tires to keep the bike on the road and a powerful 249cc engine producing 49 hp. I’ve never ridden a motorcycle over 125cc and I thought that was impressive!

Review Author
Joseph Guarino
Published on
Company
Aoshima
Scale
1/12
MSRP
$54.95

The parts are molded in gray, black, and chrome. According to the instructions, the first step in assembly is the motor. The locating pins are small, making it hard to line up the parts. I used a slow-drying plastic glue rather than cyanoacrylate to make sure it was aligned properly.

Then I dip-painted the fenders, gas tank, carry boxes, and parts F-9 and F-10, using a special process with water and paint. I sprayed black and chrome into a five-gallon bucket filled with water, then hand-dipped each completed and prepared part in. As I withdrew the parts, the paint, floating on top of the water, coated each part in a swirling, soft-edged pattern.

Review Author
Randy Robinson
Published on
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$59.99

History

The new Mini Cooper launched in the US in 2001 and was instant hit with American car buyers. In 2010, BMW introduced the fourth and, to date, the largest addition to the Mini line, The Mini Cooper S Countryman All-4. The Mini Countryman is the first in the Mini series to feature a five-door hatchback design and four-wheel drive. In the styling motto of “as many different MINI’s as there are drivers”, the Countryman is available in a variety of color options, including the “UNION JACK” which features a flag design on the roof and mirrors.

Review Author
Walt Fink
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$24.95

Rockets Away! Revell’s new kit of what was essentially the first factory muscle car is a welcome nod to us “longer-lived” modeler-folks who can recall the marriage of GM’s first OHV V-8 and Oldsmobile’s clean styling as being either our first cars or someone in our family’s. The phrase “Not your Father’s Oldsmobile” comes to mind and no…this one wasn’t…exactly…but my Dad did have a ’51 Eighty-Eight which – even as a ten-year old – I recognized would go like the proverbial scalded ape.

Review Author
Steve Jahnke
Published on
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$65.00

1/24th scale, molded in “WRX” mica blue, black, clear and chrome; includes window masking templates, photo etched parts on an adhesive backing, and metal hood brace. The kit makes one version.

History and Research

The Subaru BRZ (B=boxer enginer, R=rear wheel drive, Z=last letter in the alphabet) is a result of a joint collaboration between Toyota and Subaru. It was designed as a world car and is known by the names Subaru BRZ, Toyota GT86, and the Scion FR-S. They are all powered by a flat “boxer”-style 4-cylinder engines in all models and is engineered by Subaru. Most of the rest of the development of the car was the work of Toyota.

Review Author
Steve Zajac
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$25.99

To honor funny car racers of the ’60s and ’70s, Round 2 LLC announced last year that it will be releasing a new drag racing memorabilia line called "Legends of the Quarter Mile." The first model kit released was Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick's 1969 GTO funny car known as the "Super Judge." Hailing from Morrison, Illinois, Beswick is a legend in his own time. He is the most well-known Pontiac drag racer in the world. For over 50 years, his successes have made him a fan favorite. Keep in mind this nostalgia kit was originally issued in 1969 by MPC, and has been reissued several times since, this time in a very cool original box art. As it’s an older kit, expect to spend considerable time cleaning up the parts. Round 2 has also added "MH Racemaster" printed slicks and very nice Beswick decals. The assembly breaks down into several sub assemblies:

Review Author
Clarence Wentzel
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$26.99

Background

Some of the most exciting racing can be found with American Sprint Cars. The series may also be called “The World of Outlaws”. These cars feature a high power-to-weight ratio and huge wings. These small cars race around dirt tracks and thrill crowds around the country. Steve Kinser has been one of the biggest stars in this series with over 550 “A” feature wins and 20 championships during his career.

This kit features the 2011 series markings of Steve’s car which was sponsored by Bass Pro Shops. This car features an eye-catching scheme of black, white, and a florescent red. Steve’s car owner is Tony Stewart.