Completed - Bandit Trans Am

Just completed Revell's new '77 Bandit Trans Am. It's a great kit, it blows away the old MPC-based AMT Bandit T/A kit on the market.

A confession of sorts...it's basically a plastic kit with a predecorated diecast body :uhoh: :biggrin: . And I don't have a problem w/that at all, when it's done to this level of precision-and don't go crying that this should be in the diecast section, this model is made to appeal to modelers as well, not simply diecast collectors or casual detailers. I couldn't have painted the body nor done the pinstripe decals in the AMT kit as well. It was kind of a guilty pleasure not to have to prime, paint, mask, paint, sand, polish, detail all those parts! The interior is a fully modern, platform-style buildup, the engine is full-detail and looks great out of the box, anyone wanting to add a few wires and hoses will end up w/a very amazing model. This is hands-down the best '70's Trans Am kit ever made, diecast hating is not an option on a model this good. The assembly of the kit components is first-rate, no assembly issues at all.

I swapped the lame "nameless" sidewall tires for a vintage set of Monogram Good Year GT radials as seen on the original car. I drybrushed the white letters w/flat acrylic white paint. I also used some Fred Cady Trans Am logos, Revell couldn't use the Trans Am name on the kit due to ridiculous licensing issues.

Even the hood hinges are completely hidden. Except for the weight, you'd never know this was diecast, it's that nice. The interior/engine/chassis were built and paint-detailed just like any plastic kit-only the body and wheels were predecorated. I can't wait to build Revell's WRX, though it doesn't have nearly as nice a paint job, so that will require stripping/repainting and they don't include emblems on the decal sheet :rolleyes: .

http://images9.fotki.com/v174/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6508-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v177/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6500-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v177/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6501-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v176/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6502-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v178/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6503-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v174/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6504-vi.jpg
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That looks really nice...how do you take your pictures? ie, photobooth? I'm looking for a way to photograph my models without lying on my stomach on the sidewalk outside getting funny looks from the neighbors!

That looks really nice...how do you take your pictures? ie, photobooth? I'm looking for a way to photograph my models without lying on my stomach on the sidewalk outside getting funny looks from the neighbors!

Thanks, I do use a photobooth, it's sort of like a translucent white light box open at the front, and I do some tricks w/reflected light onto black and white card stock to get halfway decent contrast. I haven't been as successful w/outdoor photos, and it's much faster for me to run to the basement and shoot the pics in the light box. I use a series of articulated drafting lamps w/flood lights, and one lamp w/a spotlight to get the highlight/contrast up.

Cool! Makes me want to bust out my CB and go vigilante with some truckers. You're right, the body does look fantastic - I was about to say, "Woah, great paint work!" which is something I never expect to say about a diecast fresh out of the box. That's really cool.

I'm looking for a way to photograph my models without lying on my stomach on the sidewalk outside getting funny looks from the neighbors!

HAHA!

Me too :frown:

Hey,

I've got this kit. Didn't make it yet. It looks easy tho. What did you use on the engine? Nice put together.

Frank X.

Hey,

I've got this kit. Didn't make it yet. It looks easy tho. What did you use on the engine? Nice put together.

Frank X.

I painted the engine Tamiya French Blue, which is probably a shade darker than the actual color used on the car, but close enough for me. I detailed the brake booster/master cylinder w/brass paint, and the coolant hose clamps and the alternator w/silver paint. They listed the A/C compressor as the starter! :screwy: and I painted it flat black, though it might be silver on the real car (hard to tell in the pics I googled). A few hoses/wires added along w/some factory-looking decals would make this an absolutely outstanding engine compartment.

Whatever the medium or process the end result is stunning!

This looks exactly like the full diecast model that I have. I could have sworn that the engine was professionally painted. I would say do something with the wires on the top of the wheel well to bring them out some.

Not sure I'm ready for that kind of setup with a photobooth....I'm too ignant! :lol2:

Whatever the medium or process the end result is stunning!

:iagree: Nice work

Hell, if the choice is take a bit of flak for building a diecast kit or try and get the front fascia to line up on the AMT/MPC Trans-Am, bring on the metal!

Looks great Bob. I'm betting it sits very well on the shelf, finished! :cwm27:

Without a doubt the best looking T/A kit I've seen. Way better than the AMT kit I built. Makes me want one of these now.

Without a doubt the best looking T/A kit I've seen. Way better than the AMT kit I built. Makes me want one of these now.

Bring the one you built for Deanna to the meeting so we can viciously mock AMT's kit :evillol: which you did such a great job on.

It would be so cool if they took this basic tooling and made the '70 Trans Am and perhaps the SD455 from it as well.

Very nice build!!! :smokin:

Whatever the medium or process the end result is stunning!

:iagree: Perfectly stated..

Really looks clean and cool.

Dashboard is great.

Bring the one you built for Deanna to the meeting so we can viciously mock AMT's kit :evillol: which you did such a great job on.

It would be so cool if they took this basic tooling and made the '70 Trans Am and perhaps the SD455 from it as well.

Except Monogram did an absolutely stellar 1970 Trans-Am kit in the late 80's/early 90's.

http://www.firebirdgallery.com/Model%20Images/2nd%20Gen/70tamd10.1.jpg

Except Monogram did an absolutely stellar 1970 Trans-Am kit in the late 80's/early 90's.

http://www.firebirdgallery.com/Model%20Images/2nd%20Gen/70tamd10.1.jpg

I have one, I'd say it's a bit less-than-stellar. First off, nobody has yet to get the blue decals correct (MPC, Monogram, Fred Cady have all goofed-the blue is supposed to be metallic and there's a fog/fade to the stripes that they all missed).

It's 1/24 scale, based on the same basic tooling as their old Monogram 1/24 Blackbird. So it's a bit large for a model of Amurrican Iron which looks better in 1/25, especially when you have a collection of 1/25 American models.

Lastly, the side glass profile is too flat on top, needs more curvature to the drip rail. MPC actually nailed the basic shape of the '70 T/A, but that kit is incredibly rare and expensive (I do have a couple of them to restore).

The Monogram version could be quite presentable if the side glass contour was fixed and someone came up w/some acceptable blue decals. Maybe if they reissue it they can get the decals right, and the builder can recontour the area of the drip rail.

Nice build on one of the most hilarious cars from the 70s!

I agree that most models of this car look toy-like, but yours is very impressive, especially considering its metal. Nice job!