SCALE MODEL NEWS

DER BEETLE BUS IS A REBORN AMT show rod from the 1970s, and this 1:25 scale kit is the first reissue. Mat Irvine:  Der Beetle Bus is based on the famous Volkswagen Microbus, though with a somewhat shortened body. The custom design was penned by AMT’s long-time creator of such vehicles, John Bogosian. He designed three show vehicles based on the same bodywork, and Der Beetle Bus is a reissue of the first such concept. Given that Der Beetle Bus didn’t exist for real, and that the assembled model measures only just over four inches long, the kit is fairly comprehensive. It has a centrally mounted Chrysler-type V8 engine that (conceptually at least) drives the rear wheels, which are shod with giant tyres. Long injector stacks pop through the roof, and there's an ‘eyeball’ collector scoop. Der Beetle Bus has front and rear traction bars, and wheelie bars at the rear. The model’s interior has seats and driving controls at the front, and a giant fuel tank at the back. With this new releas...

THIS KIT REPRESENTS an AMT show rod that was designed as a custom concept. First released in the 1970s, this new version includes a number of useful extras. Mat Irvine:  Flameout is another concept penned by John Bogosian, the talented designer who created a lot of original machines for AMT in the 1970s. The theme for this 1:25 scale kit is a fire appliance, with all the bells and whistles (literally) that you’d expect to find on such a production. The box art ( header pic ) is a reproduction of the original, with ‘Retro DeLuxe Edition’ and ‘Katch the Kat’ stickers attached to the transparent wrapper. The latter indicates that one in twelve kits are moulded with a body in metallic red. The components ( below ) include four runners, two of which are chrome-plated. The paperwork ( below ) includes instructions, mini-box, and card parts for the attractive and useful diorama base. The 'super expanded' decal sheet ( bottom left ) is more comprehensive than the original. The mini-box...

THIS IS A REISSUE OF AN AMT classic show rod, as designed by John Bogosian, in 1970. Li’l Gasser was one of four kits based on the same six-wheel chassis and running gear. Mat Irvine:  Although the  1:25 scale Li’l Gasser is essentially the same kit that was issued way back when, this new version has changed somewhat. As with other recent Round 2 reissues, you get far more in the new version. The new box ( header pic ) uses the original artwork, with ‘Retro DeLuxe’ and ‘Katch the Kat’ stickers on the shrink-wrap. The side panels ( below ) depict some features of the kit. New items include tyres that have been replaced with new-tool versions, complete with highly desirable pre-applied lettering. Then you get two sets of transparencies, the original clear and for this kit, a duplicate set in smoke-grey. There is also a new and comprehensive decal sheet, plus a card diorama on which to place the finished model. A card cut-out figure of John Bogosian is also included. Parts roste...

THE AMT LI’L HOT DOGGER AUTOMOTIVE KIT is a reissue of a ‘fun’ kit that AMT produced in the 1970s, but which hasn’t seen the light of day since. Mat Irvine:  Based around a dog-catcher theme, Lil’ Hot Dogger show rod utilises the chassis and engine used in other similarly themed kits, such as the Roamin’ Chariot and Lil’ Stogie. So you get a traditional V8 engine, tall injector stacks and air scoop, skinny motorcycle wheels for the front, and a pair of large drag slicks for the rear. New box-art recreates the original. A ‘Retro Deluxe’ sticker is affixed to the shrink wrapper. Box side panel ( below ) shows the main design, plus a number of excruciating puns. The canine contributions to the kit include the body as a dog kennel, though other doggy items are mostly bone-shaped, such as the radiator cap, gear shift, and bench seat. Other accessories include a catcher pole and an animal cage; the rear light is in the form of a fire hydrant. As the box states (and more’s the pity) the p...