First Look - AMT's retooled "Flying Wedge" Rail Dragster

[tim boyd]

Some of you may recall AMT's original "Flying Wedge" derivative of their Tommy Ivo rear engine (actually, more correctly Mid-Engine) rail dragster, released back in December, 1972.  Round 2 has just completed a reissue of this kit in their "Original Art Series" format.  

There are some surprises in this kit, including an all-new three piece body.  During his review of the project with me last weekend, Round 2's John Grezcula also mentioned that there would be more versions (with additional body variations) in the future based on this redone kit tool.   Check out this review for 28 images with captions for the whole story.  

Here's an excerpt shot from the review, showing the new body panels (in orange) vs the original kit configuration (in white).....

By the way, the kit should be available in stores within the next few weeks.....TIM 

 

 

[russosborne]

I hope this hits the stores before my bypass surgery or else they may be sold out before I am able to get out and go shopping.

Thanks, Tim!

Russ

[Mr mopar]

Thanks Tim good review ........................ the only thing I would have like to see ,in this kit would be a nice dragon's head front piece

as an optional part . I do like the New body .

[niteowl7710]

I hope this hits the stores before my bypass surgery or else they may be sold out before I am able to get out and go shopping.

Thanks, Tim!

Russ

The only "special" thing about the release is the bigger Art Issue box with the associated print and other stuff.  It'll be run in regular production numbers.

[Daddyfink]

So, looks like the Ivo cars are coming back as well. Cool, now I can build new pressings while keeping my originals in their boxes! 

[Dragline]

A welcomed reissue with nice additional touches. That new hat looks correct.

 

 

Thanks Tim

[Snake45]

...rear engine (actually, more correctly Mid-Engine) rail dragster...

 

I prefer to call them "front driver," because the engine hasn't moved--it's exactly where it's been for the last 50 or more years!

[Jim_Kampmann]

Some of you may recall AMT's original "Flying Wedge" derivative of their Tommy Ivo rear engine (actually, more correctly Mid-Engine) rail dragster, released back in December, 1972.  Round 2 has just completed a reissue of this kit in their "Original Art Series" format.  

There are some surprises in this kit, including an all-new three piece body.  During his review of the project with me last weekend, Round 2's John Grezcula also mentioned that there would be more versions (with additional body variations) in the future based on this redone kit tool.   Check out this review for 28 images with captions for the whole story.  

Here's an excerpt shot from the review, showing the new body panels (in orange) vs the original kit configuration (in white).....

By the way, the kit should be available in stores within the next few weeks.....TIM 

 

 

Thanks Mr. Boyd for the excellent review! My only complaint would be the orange plastic, but I can wait for the other releases too!

Jim Kampmann

 

 

[russosborne]

Any update on when these are hitting the streets?

Thanks,

Russ

[niteowl7710]

Any update on when these are hitting the streets?

Thanks,

Russ

Last week.

[Pete L.]

Tim,

 Thanks for the great review of the release of this kit ! I recall (and still have) the front wheel pants and the tall rear spoiler from the original release of this kit and am looking forward to getting a few of these !

 I feel that the chrome tree includes some on the best wheels, both front and rear, offered for dragsters in this scale as well as several other pieces on the tree.

Edited December 15, 2016 by Pete L.

[iBorg]

I won't be surprised to see the Wedge reissued a couple of times. The Garlits RE-1 is out as Prudhomme's Yellow Feather. When this was first announced I predicted the Prudhomme wedge. Not a very succesful car (all wedges didn't perform as well as hoped). I'll go on record again.....Round 2 will release a Prudhomme wedge.

Proof?

Look at the new body and the attached pictures. The rear is almost a perfect match. The bottom of the wedge does appear to have too much of an angle too it. That's the only fault there. The exhausts started being under the body like a funny car but was moved in an effort to improve the car. The front spoiler appears very close to correct. 

I wonder when this version will ship. Either way, I'll end up with both of them. If Round2 releases the wedge and the Ivo versions, they're going to get more of my money.

 

 

 

 

[Muncie]

Looking forward to this one and the future variations - I have a couple of incomplete builders in the stack but it will be much better to start with the new kit with the new injector hat and tires - plus all of the parts...

I worked at an auto parts warehouse with a guy that was crew for Steve McGee's dragster, they bought it from Kenny Goodell, The Action Man, iron hemi from my buddy's 1967 GTX - I never saw it race but heard about the weekends on Monday morning. They couldn't completely get rid of Goodell's purple color scheme, too many anodized and painted parts to change on the engine and chassis - McGee's cars were usually black - that's the story behind the black with purple flames on the Black Beauty (never heard them call it that...)  The wedge deal didn't work for them so it was quickly dropped and the car was converted to a conventional rear engine dragster.

Slixx had'/has the decals for the Kenny Goodell wedge - I can see a purple wedge dragster in my future

Tim, thank you again for another great review

 

 

[tim boyd]

 

Tim, thank you again for another great review

 

 

You're welcome, Steve, as well as the others how have posted similar comments.....Cheers....TIM 

[Muncie]

For those looking for wedge dragster history and information, Phil Burgess at NHRA has a weekly blog and it's all archived.  On the right side of the page in a archive index.  Click on 2009 and go to April and May for the series on wedge dragsters.  The index will take you the rest of the way.   Also check out his series on ramp tucks in July to August - it's equally entertaining.    Who will be the first to build a model of a wedge dragster on a ramp truck?

http://www.nhra.com/blog/dragster-insider/

      

 

 

 

Edited December 17, 2016 by Muncie

[High octane]

Thanks Tim good review ........................ the only thing I would have like to see ,in this kit would be a nice dragon's head front piece

as an optional part . I do like the New body .

Install your own "dragon's head" like I did when I built this rail. I was inspired by seeing "The Beast from the East" racing back in the mid-60's.