I’ve seen the AMT/Ertl 1/48 A-26 and P-70’s advertised for cheap lately (@$15). THey’re neat aircrafts and I was thinking of grabbing them for a future build, but I am a little hesitant as I am not familiar with their kits.
Anyone out there have experience with AMT/Ertl aircraft kits? How about these kits in particular?
Hi mucker,
I don’t represent myself as an expert and have somewhat limited experience with AMT. I hafe built the old Lockheed Vega and Stinson Reliant and, with plenty of fill, detailing, etc, they are OK. I unfortunately bought the more recent Blue Angels multi set of F-18’s and have inspected and done some dry fitting. I will probably not proceed further as it is the WORST kit I have seen, enough flash to scratch build an additional jet, terrible fit and poorly formed parts.
If I’m being too harsh, I’m sure you will hear from others and I will be happy to hear that my experience was an anomaly.
Mike
AMT kits were always a mixed bag, but the A-26 is one of their better efforts.
Regards, Rick
I’ve built several AMT/ERTL/ESCI kits and agree, they are a mixed bag but all of them can be built into very nice models with a little effort.
AMT B-26B
ESCI/ERTL Staggerwing
AMT Stinson Reliant
Here is a review of their excellent A-20G Havoc …
http://www.swannysmodels.com/Havoc.html
And I’ve done their P-40M and was really happy with it. Another that I’ve done was the 1/72 YB-35(?) flying wing bomber and it was not too bad. Some kits need more work than others but all can make nice models.
Here’s my say… while I haven’t built any of their kits other than about a hundred of their autos… I think AMT should stick to the auto field… they’re good at it and should just stay there! And that’s that!
[#ditto] I would have to agree with that statement. I have built several of the AMT/ERTL autos and their line of MACK trucks. The trucks, particularly, are excellent. I have the AMT YB-35, XB-49, KC-135, B-52G and B-52H. They are good, but not as much so as the road machinery.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
You do mean A-20 and not A-26, yes?
The AMT A-20/P-70 kits are the only game in town for a 48th Havoc and are very good. There are a few things to watch for, as with any kit, but on the whole you can’t go wrong.
You’ll definitely want to either replace or ‘re-tread’ the main gear tires; those in the kit are godawful. The detail, overall, is pretty decent although a bit soft here and there. The instrument panel is excellent and the kits have recessed panel lines which are very well done.
$15 is a decent price for one of these, compared to the original retail, and an absolute bargain, overall, given that your typical newly-tooled medium bomber kit will run no less than $40.
Some of the other aircraft kits mentioned above, such as the AMT B-26, Vega and Reliant, are not a fair comparison to the AMT aircraft kits which were released throughout the 90s as they’re years apart. Those other kits were released in the 70s and to compare them with the newer AMT A-20 is a waste of time because you’re lookin’ at two totally different animals.
Fade to Black…
THank you to all for your comments. It sounds like $15 is an acceptable price to pay, especially since they are the only game in town. THis will sit on the shelf a bit, but I will try to post pics when I get to it.
As always, your comments were very helpful
Italeri have issued the A20G which is the Amt kit, I agree a good kit, But I wish they would issue the P70 and the glazed nose J.
I too have to agree, AMT needs to stick to autos…
One that sticks out in my mind is their 1/72 AC-130H kit. The paint scheme… gads, they got the colors wrong. I know which bird and when they took the pictures… it had just undergone refurb, and about a third of the exterior was repainted. I started putting it together, took one look at those nacelles, and how the fuselage was going to look… it’s been sitting in the pile of kits for over 10 (maybe more?) years now. [xx(] I don’t even know if I want to complete it, use it for parts, or what to do…