Quality of Truck Kits Manufactured - Who's the best?

[NorthWest29]

Hi,

I would like to know from you more experienced truck modelers who makes the higher quality kits Peterbilt & Kenworth). Perhaps, if you would, list the top 3 or 4 in order of best to worst? Or is the quality more dependant on the specific kit, which might be under discussion.

TNX in advance.

[93Z34]

I think it all depends on just which Pete and KW kit you're looking at building Ron. The old AMT Pete 359 kit is a bear to build and has alot of fit problems that need to be corrected in order to get a decent looking model. Alot of modelers don't care for the way Italeri manufactures their trucks either. It can be a pain having to glue each side of the cab together, but I really never had an issue with that way of building. If anything, I find that it can sometimes be easier for the detailing and so forth of the interior.

I guess basically it caomes down to whatever each modeler prefers in terms of assembly. I like the Italeri Peterbilt kits and also the Revell Pete and KW kits, but many of those kits are now discontinued so they can bring a big buck on places such as E-bay. Amt has the advantage of producing kits that noone else has tackled in recent years. Even though their toolings are old compared to today's standards, you definitely have more of a choice and personally, I'll take all the big rig kits I can get my mutts on, regardless of manufacturer!!!!

[Mr. Can Am Garage]

Just wait till Tim Ahlborn sees this thread!

He knows EVERYTHING as it applies to scale model Peterbilts.

[lambertjr]

I guess I'm bias to this because I've only built Italeri kits.

[mackinac359]

The Italeri kits by far. Sure the cab comes in 5 pieces, but the detail and fit of everything is superior to the others.

Keep in mind that the Italeri (and the Revell of Germany Peterbilt 377) were tooled using tremendously more modern techniques (1996) than the AMT (1975) tooled Peterbilt 359, or the Revell (formerly USA) of Germany Peterbilt 359(1981).

The AMT/Ertl Peterbilt is using a 37 year old tooling. The Revell of Germany 359 kits are 24 years old and the Italeri tooling is 10 years old.

The Revell tooling needs clean up on the several of the sprues.

I'd like to see Italeri release a modern (2005-2006) Peterbilt, a 379-127 or maybe a 386. A Kenworth W900L or T660 would be nice too.

Tim

[SpreadAxle]

Personally if it's an American truck I like it. I do prefer the Italeri as far as detail goes. Although Amt has old tooling, I love the 359. I built the Midnight xpress kit years ago. It became a parts truck, so I bought another. Eventually, it will get built. And with more accuracy. As for Kw's, Im disappointed that the mid 80's, square headlight w900 really wasn't made. The Revell AG "Thurn and Taxis" truck and trailer set appear to be the only attempt from pix I've seen, but i've never seen one up close. For all I know, it's an older version.

[ABC Auto Industry]

Well, if you want to build American rigs from the 60's-70's, go with AMT (now AMT-Ertl). If you want to build American rigs from the 80's-present or European rigs, go with Revell of Germany or Italeri.

UPDATE: Also, according to Tim, the fenders on the AMT Peterbilt 359 are a bit too short in the front, so if you want more accurate fenders, either kitbash them from a Revell 359 or lengthen them with Evergreen plastic.

Edited October 5, 2007 by ABC Auto Industry