Aaronw

The most recent re-issue (2013) was again slightly modified this time building a police version of the Expedition. Although the grill was retooled to include warning lights, they did not take the opportunity to modify the grill into later 1999-2002 style, so it still builds a 1997 model vehicle. It features clear front windshield and light covers, with tinted windows for the back and sides. Two new sprues were included to provide police equipment including a nice but generic strobe style lightbar, antennas, and protective cages to separate the back seat from the cargo area and front seats. A computer, radar gun and push bar are also provided. New wheels and generic tires without sidewall detail are included. Leaving out the police equipment this would build into a mostly stock Ford Expedition, the grill lights are of a style that could be passed off as aftermarket fog lights. It includes stickers to build a vehicle from two different generic police departments and is packaged in an end opening box under the new Snaptite Max label.

The first re-issue appears to have occurred in 2004. This time it was listed as a Custom Ford Expedition with no year listed. It still represents a 1997 model year vehicle, but comes with tinted windows and light covers, a new set of custom spoke rims and low profile Michelin tires. Molded in black with a dark grey interior. While only a mild custom it does not offer parts from the first issue to build a fully stock vehicle. This time it included stickers to provide a purple flame paint job. It was packaged in a more traditional top and bottom box this time under the Wheels of Fire line.

A question came up about the Revell Ford Expedition kit, and I found that there had not been any posts detailing the kit. As one of the few relatively modern SUV kits, since I have (I believe) at least one of each issue in the stash I thought I would start one. From Wikipedia: The Ford Expedition was introduced in late 1996 as a 1997 model. It is a fullsize SUV based on the new for 1997 Ford F150. It falls in size between the midsize Ford Explorer (1991-2010) and the even larger F250 based Ford Excursion (1999-2004). The kit represents a 1997 model year vehicle although changes between 1997 and 2002 are fairly minor. The first issue was in 1998, the kit builds into a stock 1997 Ford Expedition. It includes a set of stock alloy (chrome) wheels with Goodyear Wrangler tires. It is packaged in a hinged box as part of the Rolling Wheels line. There is a section of road printed on the bottom of the box for display purposes. Instead of decals it features stickers including a mild custom paint job. Molded in black with a tan interior, clear windows and light covers.

That was the case with both of the 1925 Model T kits they issued a few years back. You could build one stock version and one hotrod from these kits which is why I expect this is just one of those two coming round again but with new decals and a cardboard backdrop. There have been a lot of T kits though so it seems possible that they could offer a new configuration of parts. I can use a few more Model Ts so I'll be in for a couple even if it is just a reissue of one of the above kits.

Ford offered the Explorer based on the Ranger, Expedition based on the F150 and Excursion based on the F250/F350. There was little shared by the three, and other than being SUVs they don't really even share much in the looks department. The Expedition came with a 4.6 liter V-8 so it should be able to tow a small to medium size car trailer. If you are familiar with GM counterparts the Expedition compares to the Tahoe, the Excursion was meant to compete with the Suburban.

Absolutely no idea on actual hours, but I have projects I have worked on and off for years. I have an almost completed Lancia Stratos on the bench that I started in 2007. I think the fastest I've finished something was maybe 3 weeks to a month, I just got into a groove and kept at it an hour here and an hour there until it was done. Typically I'll run into a snag need a different set of wheels, need some decals which sidelines me. Occasionally I just lose interest and it sits until the mood strikes me again. I tried one of those once, actually a holiday weekend (72 hours) build. I finished the model but didn't enjoy it at all, in fact I didn't even touch a model again for probably 3-4 months afterwards.

Nice job, the whole thing is coming together quite well.

I missed that you finished this. You did a nice job, I like the contrast of the wood spokes with the black.

I don't really care about the stooges aspect, but am glad to see the Model T out again. I wonder if it is the kit with the chopped coupe body, Tall T body or some new combination of bits and pieces.

I have an earlier non police issue of the kit and it says 1997 Ford Expedition. It has 5 lug alloy wheels which are different than the box art on the police version of the kit. The Expedition was based on the new for 1997 F-150, so I think they were all 1/2 tons.

This makes sense and also reflects on Meng's background of military models where aftermarket extras are very common. Not everybody interested in the Hummer kit will want to build an off road expedition hummer with storage racks, snorkel, off road lights etc. Many will want to build it OOB as the common Suburban Mall Commandos personal vehicle. Including the add on bits in the kit would add considerably to the price of an already expensive kit. The fact the upgrade kit is resin, not plastic suggests to me that they expect the base kit to sell in much larger numbers than the upgrade kit.

Speaking of police cars how about a Peugeot 403 convertible

Maybe somebody could have got him interested in models as a kid....

Who says you can't have fun with a washing machine. Don't try this at home

Great minds think alike. The late H1s got the Duramax diesel which would not be as useful since we don't have any late model Chevy trucks to put it in.

I wonder which engine they are doing. The 6.2 L GM diesel used in the military HMMWV and earlier H1s would be nice to have for 80-90s GM trucks.

We have a lot of Old Man Johnsons on the site. I don't think a week goes by that we don't have a rant about "kids today".

End of the month, I'll get some progress photos tomorrow but making my May post while I still have a couple hours left...

I'd love to see them spruce up the 1972 GMC Stepside / Chevy trucks and re-issue them. If they tooled up a better detailed chassis plate to replace the promo style of the original that would go a long way. The kit has a few issues but the promo style chassis and wire axles seem to cause the most complaint. If they tooled up a new chassis for it, then optional 4x4 parts would be possible as well. Maybe offer the short bed as a 4wd and the longbed in 2wd. The 67-72 trucks are very popular in the 1-1 market, one of the best looking pickups out there in my opinion.

I think much matters on the particular situation and how it is done. I've done it to others and I've had it done to me, 99% of the time I've been fine when it has been done in one of my posts, and I've never had anyone complain about my doing it in theirs, although in the second case I can't say it has never been a problem, because they might have been and the offended party was just too polite to say so. I'd like to think most who do it are trying to be helpful offering encouragement or pointing out a problem area they ran into.

Nice start, did you have any luck on finding the correct paint color?

As far as the fire extinguisher, both brass and copper were used. I made a pair of chemical tanks from copper pipe, some model railroad bits along with styrene and metal tubing. You can get both copper pipe / tubing at most hardware stores in 3/4" and smaller, and brass pipe in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2". Brass tubing in smaller sizes is available at many hobby shops, and some hardware stores. Nice thing with using copper and brass is they polish out like copper and brass.

The AMT 1925 Model T was re-issued several years back as a 3 in 1 hotrod, pickup, roadster or closed body 2 seater. Two different boxings, one with the "tall T" stock closed body and one with a chopped top. They also did a 1927 Model T police car 4 seater with convertible top (phaeton?). The police car included some vintage police stuff as well as vintage 1920s speed equipment. I snagged several at the time but haven't seen any of these kits recently. Hopefully another reissue is due soon as I believe the last reissue was at least 6 or 7 years ago. Hoping we see the Depot Hack as well. All of the Model T kits seem to be packed with hotrod stuff, the two 3 in 1 kits actually allowing you to build 2 complete models if you choose your options carefully. The kits outlined in green include the parts for a stock pickup, but vary somewhat in other options. The one in the top left corner is the old RC2 re-issue which left out a lot of parts included in the other two re-issued by Round 2.

To expand on the shipping thing I just put 3 random car kits into my shopping cart. Shipping on 1 kit was 7.27, 2 kits 8.06 and 3 kits 9.60. So if you divide by the number of kits shipping drops from $7 / kit to $3.20 / kit by buying more than 1 kit at a time.

When buying online it is often a better deal to buy in bulk. I bet if you check shipping goes up very little for a second or third kit. $9 for one becomes $5 or $6 for 2 and probably $4 for 3. Many offer free shipping if your purchase goes over a certain threshold. Mike I think he is talking about Hobbylinc in the USA not Hobbylink Japan.