Hi there. I'm new to the site. My brother uses finescale modler.com as well as building many WWII aircraft and the like. I usually build model kits of things I enjoy as well, and that is usually Nascar race cars, the 1:24scale ones.
I have discovered a few problems with one particular manufacturer and thought I would post it online so others will not fall into the same trap as I have. For those of you who have experienced the same situation as myself, you will know what I am dealing with.
Recently I purchased a 2004 Dale Jr. Budweiser Monte Carlo kit from AMT/Ertl. Skill 2; no problem. Purchasing it was the first problem. Actually the first problem started before that. I had assembled a 2001 and 2002 car that was built by Revell/Monogram and those came together very sucessfully and I was very pleased with the results. Not seeing a 2003 version of the 8 car by Revell, I purchased one from AMT/Ertl. The 2003 car came out looking.. ok, but not as great as the 2001 and 2002 cars. I figured I could learn from my mistakes and build a great 2004 car, purchased from AMT/Ertl.
I bought the car from my local hobby shop with high expectations. The engine/chassis of the car went together great, and looks awesome, with some modifications. I had to add the "Earnhardt Bar" to the roll cage, the bar that goes parallel to the front window (that some kits leave out but others don't; I had to add this one on). The Earnhardt Bar was put into place after a driveshaft almost took out Dale Earnhardt one race; Nascar deemed that they needed something better in place than window brackets. Ok enough history... back to my particular car. I also had to cut away the dashboard of the car to allow for the remodificated ignition boxes; Nascar deemed in 2004 that the ignition boxes on all cars needed to be placed in the front window towards the right for all teams to see. Also, cutting away part of the dashboard because the body of the car sat with the front end up in the air and the back towards the ground- this leveled it out.
Problems occured after I started to apply decals. I realized that the decals were very brittle and most of them fell apart as I was applying them. Very frustrating. The goodyear decals on the tires did not apply at all; I had to glue them down. Hopefully it won't look too awful bad, more than it already does. I also ran into problems with the front window not fitting. It came from the manufacturer bent. I eventually glued that in and held it down for 24 hours with clothespins...
I emailed AMT/Ertl with my problems and they informed me that they do not carry or stock replacement parts and all that they suggested was to return the kit to where I purchased it, after I had over half of the kit assembled and painted.
I am glad to say that my next kit will be a 2005 Monte Carlo from Revell/ Monogram. If anyone has purchased from AMT/Ertl and has not yet assembled, I suggest returning the kit. I am very frustrated at the look of the car and am not very proud of my effort. I am more frustrated with the attitude of the company and how they did not seem to want to help me in building a sucessful replica.
Thank you.