AMT/Ertl car kits stink!

Granted, they're not the best out there, but I don't think I would go so far as to say that they suck. I cut my teeth into AMT/Ertl kits when I first started modelling, and even now I still pick up a kit or two here and there. Don't know about that particular kit, but they're not that bad really. Fairly detailed, and I love the fact that they come with a full engine compartment. Definitely not Tamiya, but at an average of a third of the price, you can't go wrong.

QUOTE: Originally posted by zokissima Granted, they're not the best out there, but I don't think I would go so far as to say that they suck. I cut my teeth into AMT/Ertl kits when I first started modelling, and even now I still pick up a kit or two here and there. Don't know about that particular kit, but they're not that bad really. Fairly detailed, and I love the fact that they come with a full engine compartment. Definitely not Tamiya, but at an average of a third of the price, you can't go wrong.

I guess you're right, that was kinda harsh.

AMT kits are 'hit or miss' as far as fit goes. Some are quite nice, like the '97 Ford Explorer I've got, and some are terrible. Don't dismiss them all, just ask for recommendations from the members here or over at Scale Auto as to which kits are better then others.
Good luck!

How are the 67 GTO and the 49 Merc? I'm planning on chopping them both and seeing how much modification I can do to them. Just because I can. I want to put modern rims on them as well and who knows what else, but they're there so I can take a break from the olive drab and yet still build something.

I,m building a 95 Z28 AMTERTL kit. The hood doesn't even come close to fitting and lining up with the front end. I 'll have to make a new hood thats a bit longer to eliminate the gap. First I need to learn how to cast a resin part.
Scat

the 49 merc is an okay kit the only real problem i had was the hood was to short and it left a gap between the firewall and the hood

I have missed much more than hit with AMT kits myself. I understand taht all kits are going to have thier problems , but the main ones I have encountered with AMT should have been caught right away. You want a challengeing kit, try out on of thier American Lafrance fire truck kits. That is a nightmare in a box.

The '68 GTX convertible and the '70 Coronet aren' too bad, just some minor fit issues with the interior tub. The GTX is kind of nice with it's separate interior side panels.

The '49 Merc is better off with the more customizing you do. The chassis is not great and the trunk lid fit is poor at best. I've chopped the top, opened the doors and pancacked the hood so the problems are no longer an issue.

yea, but what can you expect when paying 10$ i have had an ok experience with some of there kits. some are good, some are bad. but i have to say that the detail is crisp on all the kits i bought, the only problems were fit.

Forgot to say the worst thing about AMT. Thier customer serveice. Sent them an email a while back about a problem, they said they would get back to me. Maybe they will one day. Nothing like Academy, got a reply in a day and new parts soon after at no charge.

I have to agree with those mentioning price, these kits are pretty cheap, as far as poor fit I wind up hacking most of them up anyway (ambulances, fire engines, rescue squads etc) so that doesn't bother me much, just think of it as scratch build training

You shouldn't have to cast a new hood, just fill the gap with putty and sculpt the correct fit, I've done this a few times.

Thanks for the warning Lizardquig, I've got two of the ladder trucks and 2 engines stashed away, I'll make sure to eliminate other stress befire starting them.

Finally for alot of the kits what choice do you have? you could be spending $30-40 for an import or resin kit an have the same problems.

Older tooling, basically anyhting prior to the late 80's or early 90's, aren't the best, but newer stuff is awesome, like the 60 Ford, 57 Chevy, 57 Chrysler, 58 Plymouth, and many others.
Lee

Hey Aaron, let me know before you start one and I will try to come up with a list of things that were problems so they don't suprise you. I did a kind of review for the ladder on my site , the pumper is right along the same lines with the stuff that is the same.

http://lizardsworkshop.50megs.com/ladderreview.html

I was building the pumper and making a list of about 25 improvements on it until the paint on the cab got messed up. Back burnered it until I feel like stripping it and starting all over.

LemonJello,
From my dad's experience with the 67 GTO, you would do better to modify the Revell '66. He wasn't happy w/the engine detail, and complained of trim pieces on the body that he swears aren't on the real thing. I'm building the revell kit, and it's really nice. Only things to do would be to make some new rocker panel moldings and revise the taillight panel.

He also received a reply to his letter about missing parts stating : we are a distribution center and don't carry spare parts. Take the kit back to the retailer.

Myself, I'm having problems with the new plastic they're using. It doesn't take paint well at all.

Glenn

QUOTE: Originally posted by lizardqing Hey Aaron, let me know before you start one and I will try to come up with a list of things that were problems so they don't suprise you. I did a kind of review for the ladder on my site , the pumper is right along the same lines with the stuff that is the same. http://lizardsworkshop.50megs.com/ladderreview.html I was building the pumper and making a list of about 25 improvements on it until the paint on the cab got messed up. Back burnered it until I feel like stripping it and starting all over.

I bought 2 ladders and 2 pumpers just to have since who knows when they will be available again but I'm in no hurry to get into them anytime soon, I tried building the pumper years ago and remember it being a beast, plus it was the first model I had built in some time. I'm having more fun with the 50-60's stuff anyway if I could just finish something. I will keep you in mind though when I finally get to them.

That '46 came out really nice, I remember you putting it up awhile back but I just went through the whole build up, nice job, I'm going to try and cram so I can at least finish one of the tankers by the end of the EV build date, I get distracted so easily. BTW how did you change the stance of the truck, you mentioned doing it but didn't say how, I have that same kit and eventually plan to make it into a pumper (probably an open cab since the doors are seperate) so it would be handy to know how you did it.

Also I'm still building a website for emergency vehicle modeling and that '46 ALF you based your model off would be great if you could get some more pics of it, I have been trying to use a 3/4 view front / left and rear / right and then front, sides, rear and any close up detail shots that are appropriate including the ALF logo (really close up for printing a decal), 600x800 and 72-100dpi would be great (again except for the logo, higher res would be nice if possible since it will be printed). I have a few others that fit the period but most are in pretty poor shape so something mostly complete would be a nice addition. I'm basically using a format something like the photos of the '48 Ford I sent you awhile back.

I started working on the site last spring but it quickly grew to a size requiring a pay site, so I'm taking my time to get it right (since I'll be paying for the space) but I hope to put it up by Christmas or so.

If you can get some pics and email them to me that would be great,
no rush and if you can't thats ok, too.

aaron.woods@earthlink.net



Sorry for hijacking the thread you may now resume bagging on AMT

Aaron- I fixed the stance by adding some strip styrene int he slot where the front yoke goes into. Just built it up until I had the right looking stance.
I'll see about getting those pics as soon as I can. Have not had to many chances to get to the station lately with work being busy. I do have a full side view that I took a couple of weeks ago. I'll get what I have together and get them to you and then you can let me know what else you need.

Thanks, and again no rush on the pics, I'm still building.

What I am putting together is pics of equipment (nozzles, hurst tools, hose etc) and vehicles to help with ideas for building emergency vehicles for those that may be emergency vehicle access challenged so a 3/4 view front and back is nice anything more is a bonus, I'll add the pics you have on your site if that is ok with you.

I lucked out last summer finding a couple of 30-40's Seagraves, Macks and Pirsch engines and trucks in a junk yard but they were pretty beat up so I'm looking for more old stuff to balance out the newer stuff thats easier to find. The '48 Ford was in good shape but the rest were clearly waiting for some major restoration.

No problem. Go ahead and use the pics on the site if you want , I don't mind.

I'm building the 240Z Datsun and so far there are no pleasant surprises... this is my first car to build since 1978 or so, so maybe I'm not up on modern kits but the fit so far is good, takes paint well etc... nothing fancy about it.. but as a real life (former) owner of a 240 and 260Z there's nothing fancy about them either... a hot straight 6 cylinder 210hp engine in a car that maybe weighs 1300lbs... translated ::rocket::

No bells and whistles.. airconditioner was an add in on the 240Z that sat under the glove compartment area.. (mine never worked)

but the way that car handled you didn't care...

Anyway I digress... the kit is ok.. and I noticed in the interior headliner is stamped Monogram.. so this is a redo molding...

hey, i just picked up a 240z revell model, looks great. just wish it had louvers!

I'll have to agree with mississippivol concerning the '67 GTO. It has a lot of fit issues, even the axle holes are drilled in the wrong places. The Revell '66 kit is much, much nicer.
Personally, the subject is more important to me than the quality of the kit. A crappy kit is just that much more of a challenge.
Even a bad plastic kit is better than trying to carve a car out of a block of wood!

I think that AMT is great! Wide range of subjects, cheap, (I've bought several AMT's just for the extra parts). Yep, they leave alot to be desired sometimes, but so what? Thats why we own saws and sandpaper.

The one AMT kit that really jerked me was the 72 GMC pick up. The second I opened up the box, I started looking for the razor saw. The cab inner fender wells are way off the mark, so I had to cut em out, and vacuform new ones, once that was done, (and 400 hours later), that truck won everything wherever it went.

At least I know what I'm in for when I buy one.

Steve

Well I've built the older AMT's and the newer releases, the older ones need a lot of help as for the newer ones their are really nicely engineered, and praticlly fall together, as with all model companies they still pump out the oldies but goodies (inwhich are a Pain to build) and then they get a major up grade and start pumping out some really great kits