Review 20151218
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20151118* Diamond Reo Tractor 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #719 Review Diamond Reo Trucks was an American truck manufacturer from 1967 until 2010. Diamond T and Reo Trucks were combined to form the Diamond Reo Trucks Division of the White Motor Corporation. Reo dated back to 1904 when Ransom E. Olds, founder of Oldsmobile, began building motor cars, and Diamond T dated back to 1905 when C.A. Tilt began building vehicles. In 1971, Francis L. Cappaert of Birmingham, Alabama, bought Diamond Reo from White. And, at about the same time the Diamond Reo C- 116 series was introduced. Despite new model introductions and excellent reputation Diamond Reo was forced into bankruptcy on December 6, 1974. One year later Loyal Osterlund and partner Ray Houseal bought the rights to Diamond Reo Trucks and made room to continue production in their Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, facility, originally a dealership and maintenance facility. The single model C-116 Giant was continued in production with the Cummins NTC-290 diesel engine as standard power. Production for 1978 was 131 units. By 1985, the Harrisburg plant was expanded to be able to produce 10 trucks per day, although output continued at about two per day. The company continued to build about 150 Class 8 trucks annually through 1995 all as Diamond Vehicle Solutions LLC. In the early 2000s Diamond Vehicle Solutions marketed the T-Line series described as "a blend of vintage Diamond T heritage and modern engineering”. These trucks were manufactured until 2010 with parts manufacturing lasting until 2013. Diamond Reo Trucks is now defunct. Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. For the modeler: This review covers the re-release (Re-Pop) of the AMT Diamond Reo Tractor released by Round2. This is a recent re-release from late 2011 and is still available in hobby shops and online. From the Website: “AMT's Diamond Reo Returns in Original Packaging! By popular demand, AMT's vintage Diamond Reo tractor is being reissued in the Retro Deluxe format, featuring original packaging and an expanded decal sheet that is sure to delight model truck enthusiasts. It even includes a miniature kit box that can be displayed with the completed model! This super-detailed kit was scaled from official factory blueprints and will make an outstanding additional to your collection of AMT large trucks and trailers!” This is a Skill Level 3 kit for advanced builders and is in 1/25 scale. The kit contains over 250 parts molded in white, clear, transparent red and amber with chrome parts, vinyl tires and metal axles. Overall the build is straight forward with sub-assembly style construction. The parts fit is good and there are little flash or mold marks. The directions are done in 12 steps but assembly needs to be stretched out into more steps as this review will show. Take your time and this will result in a nice shelf model and possibly a show model with a little extra effort. Overall Dimensions: Length: 10-1/2”, Width: 4”, Height: 5”. BUILDING CAVEATS: Having organization and a proper work area is important if you want to build a model properly. But even without dedicated space a place to leave your build while you work is necessary. Being able to lay out your parts organized helps the build as you are not digging for parts in the box possibly losing or damaging them. Also you really should have a place to let painted parts cure. Throughout the review you will find OPTIONAL IDEAS that I suggest. These are completely your choice. Not doing these steps will in no way affect the build, they are just ways to offer some personal and custom touches to your builds. OPTIONS will be noted. One of the best parts of model building is using your imagination to create the build YOU want! Unless you are building a “Factory Stock” or a “Replica” your choices of color and build options are completely up to you. The instruction give recommendations but you are free to substitute whatever options you want. There is no “Wrong way” to build your kit! Have fun and enjoy your hobby. Review the instruction sheet thoroughly to get familiar with the assembly sequence. Decide your color scheme in advance and your custom options so you can build accordingly. PIC 1 This is the box art for this kit as released in the 2011 Retro Deluxe version. Unless otherwise stated I use Testors Tube Glue (Orange Tube) for assembly of the parts. Other adhesives used in the construction are Superglue and Elmer’s White Glue. Paints consist of Testors Enamel or Tamiya Acrylic bottle paints and different brands of “Rattle can” spray paints. Many parts are finished using 1:1 automotive use paint products shot with an airbrush. One of the major benefits of using automotive paint is a very fast drying time. You can get just as good results using Spray can products but they require a longer drying time. Automotive paint is FULLY cured in less than a half an hour and clear about 6 hours. Use a good quality airbrush to paint automotive products because Lacquer Thinner will destroy the cheaper ones quickly. Assembly paint colors may vary from instructions as I use simplified colors that most model builders should have on hand. Before beginning your build soak and wash your parts with a mild detergent like DAWN to remove any mold release agents and help with paint adhesion. Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. Note to remember: Always follow the Manufacturer’s Safety and Use Guidelines when using any of the products mentioned in the review for your own protection. PIC 2 PIC 3 Here are the decals for this build. The quality is very high and color registry is good. There is a small carrier around each decal. These decals float easily and will set quickly. Normally it is preferable to use a setting solution to help move the decals in place on your build and to allow extra time to place them. I personally have found Microscale Industries products to be the most compatible with all the different manufacturers of decals. PIC 4 PIC 5 Start by assembling the motor prior to painting. It will be built in subsections, painted and then assembled. Assemble the block. Add the following parts in place: rocker arm covers, breather, oil filler cap, water neck, filter, front cover, oil pan, oil line, after cooler, intake pipe, dipstick. Paint that unit Tan. Assemble the transmission and both air cleaners and paint Steel. Assemble the exhaust manifold and the turbo parts and paint Steel as well as the water manifold. Assemble the upper oil cooler and add the oil cooler, paint this unit Black. The alternator is Aluminum. The starter, belts, fan, fuel pump and line, fuel filters and Freon compressor are all Flat Black. Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. PIC 6 PIC 7 Assemble the motor. Add the transmission. LEFT SIDE: Add the starter, water manifold and then the exhaust unit. Add the oil cooler. RIGHT SIDE: Add the fuel pump, filters, and line. FRONT: Add the three belts, alternator, fan, and Freon compressor. PIC 8 The tires need to be prepared for assembly. To give the tread a road worn look use 220 grit sandpaper to press and roll the tread on. All the tires are the same so location is not an issue. PIC 9 PIC 10 The front and rear rims are different. Make sure to use the proper parts in assembly. The wheel inner spokes are either Body Color or an alternate accent color. The inner and outer wheel flanges are Aluminum or Steel or can be solid color to match the spokes. I did a custom Blue Steel Monotone rim combination. The rear brake drums are Chassis Color or Flat Black. Assemble the front rims by attaching a wheel flange front and back to the spoke. Assemble the rear rims by attaching a front and rear wheel flange to the spoke. Add the brake drum and hub cover. Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. Note: The instructions recommend full assembly of the chassis and suspension prior to painting. This will involve multiple steps from 3 to 7 in the instructions. Assemble all of the chassis that is painted in these next steps. Then paint the finished chassis and finally add the remaining parts. PIC 11 Assemble the main chassis rails. PIC 12 Start on one frame rail and add the engine mount, rear tranny support and cross member, assemble and add the intermediate cross member, add the rear cross member. Add the other frame rail. Install the front and rear cab mounts and the leaf springs. PIC 13 The rear suspension is next. Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. PIC 14 Assemble the axles, add the backing plates and six air chambers with two brake chambers on the rear.