I, like many others, recently attended the 2025 NNL East model show in Wayne, NJ. Overall, a consensus among a group of attendees is that the show was "lighter" than in years past, though I don't know the actual numbers of vendors, model builders, and/or patrons who paid to enter the doors.

One observation that I thought was ironic was that the conglomeration known as Round 2, under the AMT banner, had samples of several proposed "new" model car kit releases on display...but none of them are new. All of the proposals are re-releases of previously offered subject matter.

Conversely, Okey Spaulding, who though he has been struggling, I believe has made a sincere attempt to keep JoHan alive, had some truly new prospects at the show. Available for purchase at the show was a multi media kit of the Powell pickup (see photos). This conversion kit (requires a '41 Plymouth kit for donor pieces) includes a resin cast body, with balsa wood, and 3D printed parts,

had been in the works for some time, but faced setbacks, including the disappearance (theft) of the original master model. It's great to see that in spite of the challenges, it is coming to market. The Powell represents a genuinely "new" scale model of an obscure '50s era American vehicle.

In addition to the Powell, there was in a display case, a gray primer scale model of a '59 Rambler 4 door sedan, strongly suggesting that we may eventually see it offered as a JoHan kit.

Of even more interest to me personally, was a photo and some text mentioning a potential future release of a Studebaker U.S. Mail delivery truck by JoHan...again, subject matter heretofore unavailable from any model company.

Also available at the JoHan booth was an ample supply of '55 Pontiac, '56 Oldsmobile, and '56 Plymouth bodies and other parts. JoHan is once again beginning to look healthy. Let's support Okey's efforts, and do our part to keep JoHan an integral member of the model car hobby.

-Jim Amado, May 2025

September 19, 2023

THE BEST!

You may have heard about it already. It's all over the internet, and on several model sites and forums. It's not cheap, and not yet easily acquired (it sells out quickly). What is "it"? It is Revell's new Chrome Paint. Yes. paint, in a spray can, that actually looks like CHROME. Not shiny silver. Actual, mirror finish, reflective, "Chrome". Part # 39628. 150 ml or 5.7 fluid ounces. Brace yourself: $35.00 retail...and worth every penny!

Jim Amado

June 8, 2023

1981 Chevy Pickup

Round Two, perhaps inspired by the multitude of Ford truck variations that Moebius has released in recent years, has begun to pull out of the archives some trucks of their own. Among them, the '72 Chevy "Racer's Wedge", which was badly in need of modifications it did not receive, and a couple of '90s Chevy former promotional models now released as simplified assembly kits, and the subject of this spiel, the formerly MPC "Sodbuster" '81 Chevy stepside. Nice kit. Unfortunately, it carries the same questionable issue it had in '81. The stepside, a utilitarian workhorse, is equipped with the four headlight grille. According to '81 Chevrolet sales literature, the standard grille was a two headlight unit. The four headlight grille is listed under "Optional Silverado Trim, Chevy's Finest", so it "may" have been an option on the stepside, but it is listed only under the Silverado, Chevy's top of the line trim package, AND, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know everything, but...I've not seen an '81 stepside with a four headlight grille. Other than that, a welcome flashback with potential. The grille can be changed to a single headlight arrangement if one is ambitious, or the pickup box from the '84 GMC "deserter" (former "Fall Guy" ) kit could be swapped, and trim added, to create a high line model of the Chevy Silverado, where the four headlight grille would be right at home. See photos (including crudely modified grille).

Jim Amado

 June 7, 2023

Recently Reissued Revell 1981 Camaro Z28

Copyright date 2022, released in 2023, the Revell kit # 14526 is molded in white plastic, made in Poland - not China - and represents a T-Top 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe. It is, as was its '80s issued predecessor, a snap together kit, with opening hood, reasonably convincing representation of an engine, and under hood detail, as well as interior and chassis detail, but the highlight of this new kit has to be the decal sheet. It includes a choice of four different colored stripe packages; this of course translates into multiple paint color choices for those who wish to replicate a specific car or color. For various reasons, some modelers overlook "snap kits"; it would be a mistake to do so in this particular case, especially if one is a fan of Camaros or of '80s cars. 

Jim Amado

June 6, 2023

Plastic Jeep Gladiator Model Kit

Pardon my presumptuousness, but with the popularity of Jeep vehicles, I had thought that for sure someone would offer a plastic model of the Jeep Gladiator as soon as the real vehicle was introduced. It took a while, but someone has. Not Revell, nor one who has offered Jeep models in the past, but someone unexpected, and the kit is a bit different also.

Well known British company, Airfix, is ironically the source of this actually great representation of the recent Jeep Gladiator Overland. I say "ironic", because American model companies are among those that have made plastic model kits of British Land Rovers, and now from the United Kingdom comes a model of the American Jeep.

The package may fool you. I caution you to not dismiss this model because of a false impression. The kit is similar to a "Lego" in its snap fit assembly, and the box may mislead one to think that the model is 1/32 or a small scale. I assure you it is much closer to 1/25 actual size (see photos of Gladiator with Revell Jeep Pickup). The other area of no concern is that it does not look like a block when assembled, but like a very respectable model that belies the assembly process. Obviously there are some concessions to the simplified assembly nature of the model, such as the bland steering wheel, and the wheel hubs that resemble screw heads with a slot in them.

Considering that at the time of this writing, the Airfix kit is the only plastic model of this ubiquitous vehicle, it's a must have if one is a Jeep fan.

Jim Amado

Two MGB models, a '60s era and a '70s era, 1/24 scale plastic model kits have been reissued by Aoshima. Kit # 101 represents a '68, with the chrome bumpers and wire wheels; #102 represents a '74 with the extended "rubber" bumpers, and styled steel wheels.

When these MG models were imported and marketed by American Satco decades ago, a resin cast left-hand-drive dashboard was included. Both of these new models are right-hand-drive only. Curiously, the '74 model kit includes the same chrome parts tree as the '68 kit. Consequently, in addition to the correct unplated '74 bumpers and styled wheels, the '74 model also has four chrome wire wheels, and the earlier chrome bumpers. Both kits include a raised convertible top, molded in clear plastic. The '68 also has a top boot, whereas the '74 has, in addition to both the clear top and the top boot, a tonneau cover, which exposes only the driver's seat.

Bodies are molded in flawless white plastic, with gray, clear, and chrome parts, and rubber tires. There are templates for taping off the windows to paint the clear plastic convertible tops, a decal sheet, and photo etch emblems. Hoods (bonnets) do not open; simulated engines are molded to chassis, and are visible underside. Chassis have individual parts, and poseable front wheels. Excellent kits, and other than the Airfix 1/32 scale MGB, the only models of these cars.

Jim Amado