AMT 1:6 STAP with Battle Droid.

 The original trilogy took the markets completely by surprise. They had no idea the massive popularity that would becoming their way. MPC took on to make Star Wars model kits, and later AMT-ERTL. And most of these kits were crap. They were made very fast, and the engineering on many is well.... lacking. I remember building the old X-wing and cursing it every time the guns fell off. It was pure frustration, but what should we have expected from a market demanding with a child like temper tantrum for more, more, MORE STAR WARS!

Say what you will about the prequels not being up to par. The market this time was ready. Like a frontal attack on the beaches of D-day, they prepared, they anticipated the madness of the customer. AMT-ERTL, took a rather good approach, they didn't have to press for time, and this allowed more detailed and better engineered kits. And this massive kit is proof.

Now I've built a lot of kits over the years and I've yet to build a kit completly without fault, every kit will have a few flaws, of at least one. And this STAP does have a few, but they are minimal compared to what we once went through in out youth.

The scale is quit unique, 1:6th. And I quite like the big size, it's easier to work on and  should the modeller desire add more detail. Klokner, as I've named him comes in one bag, and the STAP in another. Mine was missing the instructions but I found them quickly online. The plastic is thick which is quite nice. He did have a few gaps that were quickly filled in. The only thing he's lacking is a blaster that they store on the side of their "back packs".

Also his arms aren't attached to the model these need to be glued on and are not possible. Klonker's legs fit into 2 plugs on his waist, but they move very freely. In fact Klonker is incapable of standing on his own.

The STAP (Single Troop Ariel Platform) is really big. I had only 2 troubles with it. First the 2 guns needed to be shaved down for a more precise fit, they were pointing outward. Secondly the top section is a bit hard to glue together, I used a few rubber bands to hold it while it dried. Very simple fixes for a great looking vehicle.

Now I've got to say first off here, that I really liked building this kit. If I found another one I'd buy it in a heart beat. But the big thing that kills the kit is actually mounting Klonker on the STAP. AMT never really designed this to be easy. His legs and ankles are straight, this means his feet aren't angled properly on the 2 foot pedals. since his arms aren't mounted to his body this means he can easily fall.  

What's a modeller to do? Bring out the big guns, it's time for some SUPER GLUE!!! And a friend, or in my case my younger brother. And he really was a big help, I couldn't have done this kit on my own. It's just too awkward. But once Klonker was mounted I stood back and in awe looked at the completed kit. And I' really love this kit! 

Like I mentioned before if I found another at a model show of garage sale, I'd pick it up right away, it's that fun of a kit. But I would drill pins in his feet and hands, to really secure him to the STAP. Take that extra time to properly secure him and just take a look back this is a really fun kit :D

AMT 1:25 Batmobile 1989 (Keatonmobile)

With every Batman movie there are several HUGE questions on everyone's mind. 1st, who will play Batman? 2nd, what's the new suit going to look like? 3rd, Who's the main villain? 4th, and someimes the most important, what's the new Batmobile going to look like?

Recent Batman movies are a car/tank hybrid. They are cool looking but lack the "Batman" aspect. The 1989 and 1992 Tim Burton Batman films really changed the atmosphere of the Batman franchise.  This darker Batman needed a new ride, and the designers really did it.

I love this version of the Batmobile. Sometimes dubbed the "Keatonmobile" because it was used in the 2 movies that starred Michael Keaton as Batman. This car screams Batman, all over. The shapes the style, everything about it works.  And I've wanted a kit of this car for a long time now. There are only 2 manufactures of this Batmobile. AMT and Bandai, the Bandai kit is quit hard to come by, and I believe it's in 24th scale. But based on the few builds I've seen of it, it looks like a fantastic kit. 

The AMT kit has been released once again, which is a huge sigh of relief since I lost one on ebay. And I've got to say this kit is better than I ever dreamed! I haven't been this excited about a kit in a very long time. It's much bigger than I thought it would be, and the details included are excellent. You have a compltely detailed cockpit interior, the two 50.cals can be built opened or closed. The front engine is removable to show extra detail. There's a side grappling hook, and computer consoles. 

The top and bottom halves are molded wonderfully, a bit of flash, but the detail is crisp and clean. A few small seam lines to sand down, but very little work to the body to get it up and running. 

There is flash throughout the model, its' quick to clean up however. My only fault with the kit is the first sprue when you open the box.... all chrome.  Now I've been looking around the internet and I can't find any material that shows any of the pieces on that chrome sprue, to actually be chrome on the real thing. There is an entire sprue chromed, for no real reason. I'm going to remove it when I start this build. Some parts might be silver, but not chrome.

But this is a small detail, the kit also comes with rubber tires, and an exclusive back drop for you to display your new car. Once again I'm way too excited about this kit. If you find one grab it right away, any Batman fan will love building this kit. I'm so seriously tempted to buy another, and the Mobious Models  1:25 Tumbler. Either way, I'm thrilled to have this kit!

Bandai 1:72 Resistance X-Wing Fighter

With all the new buzz over the new Star Wars movie, I was really happy to see that the X-wing really didn't change as much as it could have. I also really loved that it paid homage to the Ralph Mcquarrie designs. While again still be unique, and new to the series. This is Bandai's first release to The Force Awakens, series. And it definitely gets your attention. The detail in the molding is some of Bandai's best to date. It comes with both a Sticker and Decal sheet, and as usual the parts are pre-colored and a snap kit. So for those of you who want to build it straight from the box and slap the stickers on, will have a really great looking model. For others who want to take it an extra step, there is tons of detail to explore and replicate. 

Both the decals and stickers have excellent detail, and I'm really excited to try out the decals. The kit comes with a72nd scale BB-8 and 2 Pilots one seated, and standing. There are decals for BB-8 and the pilots Helmet. A nice sturdy display stand is also included. 

The molding is crisp and clean. No flash on this kit. There are 2 cockpit options, one is a 2 piece clear section, the second is a silver frame. This is a nice touch to the original studio scale models that didn't have and windows. And nice that if you have the original X-wing with the cockpit frame that this new one will nicely accompany that. 

Lastly, I think this kit is amazing just looking out of the box I can't wait to dive into building this one. The engineering I've been able to enjoy on other Bandai kits has just got me too excited for words. Let's just hope that the movie can live up to Bandai's excellence.