Rocketfin Plastic Model Car, Figure, Aircraft Kit Blog

Ferrari 333 SP LeMans 1/24

2006-07-08T05:20:00.000-07:00

The Ferrari 333SP is now available from Gasoline Models. It's originally produced by BBR, but being 1/24 scale, it's a keeper if you are looking for this subject, which seem to be traditionally lacking when plastic kits are made. It seems like F1 kits abound everywhere (both Revell Germany and Tamiya produce those), but none of the SSP series cars.

The kit is produced for a Pilot sponsored blue color scheme (not the traditional Ferrari Red), but I am sure you can alter it to any of the series sponsors and setups.

Wacky Racers Cartoons

2006-07-08T04:59:00.000-07:00

Came across this site the other day. If you are of a certain age (like me), you will remember the Wacky Racers. I would say Muttley went on to become a 'Star" after those toons. Not to mention Penelope Pitstop. There are various teams involved, each of them hilarious in their own way. Which would be your favorite?

Anyway, take a look at the desktops, they are nostalgic to say the least. :-)

Wacky Racers Desktops Here

Speed City Resin Model Dodge Dart AFX

2006-07-08T04:36:00.000-07:00

Just want to to introduce a new company with some resin products. Especially if you are a Dodge fan of the old AFX drag racing. Scott at Speed City Resin is cranking out some 65/66 Dodge Darts.

One product specifically is the Gene Snow Rambunctious car. The car includes body, bumper, grille, hood, dash, and taillights. It looks like a pretty clean and crisp offering. Scott also offers some racing parts to go with your build, such as Halibrand mag wheels and Hilborn injection manifolds.

Revell Monogram Chopper Kits

2006-07-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

Revell Monogram is releasing 4 new custom Chopper kits. They are 1/12 scale. With the chopper craze the last couple of years, influenced by several TV shows, it's about time a model company stepped up and took advantage of the motorcycle interest.

One cool thing about these kits is they feature extra parts, such as forks, gas tanks, wheels, air cleaners, and more. So in that sense, you can customize it somewhat into your very own creation. I especially like the skull air cleaner cover. Really cool. And of course, each comes with a different decal sheet.

Longtime modelers will notice the artwork is by Jairus Watson, who is not only a model box illustrator, but a model builder as well. Check out his 1936 Ford Station Wagon.

By the way, if you want some kool skull decals for your chopper, check out KDog's Skull Decal set. Great for a Bad Ass Bike, or maybe your favorite Rat Rod.

ARGGH ! There be Pirates afoot !

2006-07-04T06:33:00.000-07:00

Well, at least a Jolly Roger Pirate ship from Revell. With the Pirates of the Caribbean movie out, I think Revell has seen a fitting way to blend a product in with the popularity with the Pirate theme. And they did it without having to make a direct movie tie-in (saving on royalties and keeping the prices down).

While the kit may not be the best Pirate ship kit around, or the Black Pearl, I think it is a great way to get kids interested in building. Imagine your kid seeing the movie, and then coming home to build his own ship. Even as a parent and child project to do together, it's a great idea.

Another plus from Revell is an online Pirate poster which can be downloaded (as a PDF file). It makes a great desktop, or you can maybe print a copy for your young modeler. It's actually a pretty good piece of art.

As a side note, for those who may not know it, the movies are actually based on Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland / Disneyworld. Imagine that, a movie inspired by a theme park ride ! It has now come full circle, as the ride in Disneyland has been redone to actually feature Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbosa characters in the ride. Now you can see Johnny Depp anytime you want. The Disneyworld ride hasn't been opened yet with the new look (as of July 1, when I was last at Disney). But I am sure it will be a similar layout.

2006 Shizuoka Hobby Show New Model Kits

2006-06-27T04:08:00.000-07:00

HobbyLink has just posted some information on new kits from the Shizuoka Hobby Show. As far as cars and trucks go, it doesn't look like much is new. This Hi Ace Super GL van looks interesting. Curbside I am sure, but it could be made into something custom with little effort. There is also an RX7 which appears to come in a few different versions of the same basic kit. I hope they import that one here to the U.S., I have a soft spot for the Mazda RX series cars. There are a few motorcycle kits also coming out as well, representing smaller 400cc bike subjects. Which I am sure are popular in Japan, but a bit small for the U.S market. (in real life it is difficult to get a license for a large motorcycle, such as a 1100cc, in Japan).

Fine Molds is releasing a Boba Fett Slave One ship. Detailed to the max of course. It's amazing how well they do bringing Star Wars kits back to life with an exactness to please even the most diehard Star Wars modelers. AMT did some pretty good kits, and most of those are still readily available, and do cost less than a Fine Molds subject, but for builders with serious attention to detail, Fine Molds brings the steak to the table.

There are some new ship kits, but nothing I could get excited over. The same can be said for the aircraft kits (I mean, how many times do we need an F4U Corsair kit?). One aircraft that did catch my eye was a F104 Starfighter 2-seater. I love the old 1950's/1960's buffed out aluminum aircraft. I have built 2 of the 1-seater F104s in 1/48 scale in my lifetime, (though I forget the model manufacturers). I think I am itching to do another. Those planes just look fast, even sitting still.

June 2006 Gold, Silver, Bronze Model Contest

2006-06-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

Check out this model show Gallery.

Quite a few projects and ideas, and a wide range of kits, from military to trucks.

New AMT SSPs Limited Reissues Model Car Kits

2006-06-25T05:16:00.000-07:00

AMT is releasing some new SSP (Selected Subjects Program) kits. These are all available for preorder from Hobby Heaven. They include the "Mount N Goat" Jeep Commando, 1937 Chevrolet Coupe Gasser, Li'L Yeller Custom School Bus, and the Li'l Mixer Custom Cement Truck. Some of these kits are over $ 100.00 on eBay, so now's the time to order them and get in line, since they are a limited issue.

I don't hink I have built any of these kits before, although the Lil' series kits appeal to me. I like the Show Rods, such as my previously built Popcorn Wagon and Boothill Express.

Voodoo FX BTTF Delorean Model Kit Lighting Kit

2006-06-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

If you want to add lighting to your Back to the Future Delorean, Voodoo FX makes an electronic lighting kit with all the parts you need to bring the car to life. The set features lighting for the headlights, taillights, dashboard instruments and other interior lighting. It includes a Pro 6 Driver Board, 6 super-bright LEDS, hook-up wire, shrink tubing, 9 Volt battery hook up, On/Off switch, full instructions. Pretty cool !

I have built a BTTF Delorean before, but that was way before this lighting kit was ever available. I primarily built mine stock out of the box. I enjoyed the detail painting more that anything. This is AMT's version of the Delorean car. The wheels also fold underneath to put it into "flying mode".

AMT released a Bluprinter combo kit that had all 3 versions of the car from the movies, and I have that set, though I have not built any of them yet. Polar Lights also released a snap-together kit of the car in recent years.

Doc Brown, "Roads? Where we're going...we don't need...roads!".."

Master Replicas NCC1701 USS Enterprise TOS

2006-06-25T05:06:00.001-07:00

Master Replicas is making a limited production of 1250 miniatures of the TOS USS Enterprise from Star Trek. It will be 1/350 th scale (Approximately 32.46” long). It features: Internal metal armature, which ensures long term structural integrity. Durable injection molded ABS construction. Full-illumination including warp drive nacelle lighting effects. Authentic television series paint scheme. Universal AC Power Adapter (USA plug) Display stand. Limited edition numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity.

Monsters N Motion is taking preorders, so now is the time to get in line an order.