Best KW Aerodyne COE: AMT or Revell

[Mike W.]

Hi all,

I'm not new to modeling but am new to building trucks (been a jet modeler since I was a kid) and just picked up an AMT/ERTL kit of the KW Aerodyne COE. I've also been looking at kits online and found that Revell released a similar kit.

My first question is which is better regarding fit and details? Revells kit seems to cost more than the AMT but since most of these are OOP, I can't use that as an indication.

Secondly, my truck has a long wheelbase (it's kit # 31770, if that helps). Most of the trucks I've seen have had a short WB. I'd like to convert it to a shorter WB and have not found much in the way of useful detail photos to give me an idea of where to shorten the frame.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mike

[Guest 59elcamino]

Hi Mike ,

The Revell kit has a lot more detail and (in my opinion) more quality than the AMT KW but they both build well and look awesome on the shelf .

I'm from the Wet (West) Coast so I stretch the wheelbase on most the trucks I build as that is what is seen (and what I have driven) mostly around here , the East Coast has the greater percentage of short wb Tractors .

The best place to cut is usually behind the cab and ahead of the 1/4 fenders making sure there are no attachment points (fuel tanks , exhaust braces , etc,) taken out and enough space on the inner c channel to place a piece of reinforcing plastic to strengthen the joint .

You can look at Truckpaper.com to get a look at some rigs and they generally give the wb in the Ad , wb is measured from the center of the front (steering) wheel the center between the rear duals .

I hope this has helped somewhat .

Martin

[Ben]

Hey Mike. The Revell KW represents a newer model Aerodyne and has much more detail and working features than the AMT KW. You can have any wheelbase on any truck, that is usually up to the owner or the application. The best place to cut the frame rails is to where the spliced area ends up either behind a fuel tank mount or with a crossmember centered behind it. This provides more strength at the spliced joint. I like to try and have the splice end up behind the fuel tank mount so that it's easily hidden as well as strengthend. Try looking at places like Truckpaper.com for ideas on chassis length and wheelbase. The wheelbase number of the truck pictured is usually in the description.

[Mike W.]

Thanks for the help guys. This is my first truck and will be a test bed of sorts. The KW Aerodyne COE is one of my favorite trucks and I know I'll be building more of them so I'll definitely pick up a Revell kit soon.

I'm glad I found this site. There's a ton of info here and everyone seems pretty helpful. I hope to contribute whenever I can.

Thanks again,

Mike

[cossett]

Hi Mike,

The Revell K100 is a way better kit and has a full detailed interior I've got a few of them as some will be built as K104's

Here is a Aussie truck site that might help with some ideas My link

Cheers Cossett

[studioman3]

Mike,

I have not built the AMT kit, but I've built the Revell a couple times. It is one of the better kits I have built as far as good fitting parts, easy instructions, and great detail. the kit comes molded in black and red, which is nice for me since I can't paint much in the winter, a couple coats of Future, and I think they turn out pretty good.

Here are a couple shots of mine, the first having the frame stretched and a 3rd drive axle installed, the second is box stock length. Good luck

Tim

[Cornpatch]

:P

Mike W.

Try this site Mike, you might just find a wealth of information about big trucks. In fact a lot of guys here also belong to this site.

WWW.PETE389.PROBOARDS.COM

Hope this helps you out.

:)Jeff

[Semi Trailer Mechanic]

What's goin' on...

I've built a few AMT K100s. Not a bad kit. I've got two R/G K100 kits in my stash but haven't built one yet. As far as shortening the WB start out building it as a glider then measure and mark the WB you want Assemble the suspension there and cut off the remainer of the frame.

About four years ago maybe longer I sugested this idea to someone on the old MTDC forum. A few months later Evan Harmel used that technique on a project and made a write up on it in Scale Auto "Truck Stop" calling it the PRYER METHOD (Hence my last name) if you have this issue take a look at it.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[falcongeorge]

Could be wrong here, but isnt the AMT aerodyne COE the only source for a silver '92 in bi-scale? It also has the big Allison automatic in it, which is a MUST if you want to build most garbage trucks.

[chuckyr]

Could be wrong here, but isnt the AMT aerodyne COE the only source for a silver '92 in bi-scale? It also has the big Allison automatic in it, which is a MUST if you want to build most garbage trucks.

I don't know, but the 1/32nd scale AMT Ford CL 9000 has that engine.

[Semi Trailer Mechanic]

What's goin' on...

Some say it's a 71 series others say 92 series. I just rfer to it as a two stroke 8V Detroit Diesel and yes this has the Allison Automatic. As far as speed and model of trans I have no clue.

[dad vader]

What's goin' on...

Some say it's a 71 series others say 92 series. I just rfer to it as a two stroke 8V Detroit Diesel and yes this has the Allison Automatic. As far as speed and model of trans I have no clue.

The Silver92 would have cast aluminum valve covers that are more squared off on top,The 71 series has stamped steel covers which are rounded off,so I would say it is a 8V71T,myself.

As for the trans the details are not complete,but it closely represents an Allison646 trans...The 646 is a heavy trans that you would indeed find in most class8 refuse haulers(Garbage trucks) and was available in two configurations,a 6speed and a 5speed with a very low gear.Currently Allison no longer produces them as new,only available in reman form.

They were also a very common trans in Terex ready mix trucks.it is what i'm saving my trans for,as I intend to scratch build a ready mix mixer.

[falcongeorge]

I have the trans in the parts box, am going to pull a mold.

[Sergey]

Thanks for the help guys. This is my first truck and will be a test bed of sorts. The KW Aerodyne COE is one of my favorite trucks and I know I'll be building more of them so I'll definitely pick up a Revell kit soon.

I'm glad I found this site. There's a ton of info here and everyone seems pretty helpful. I hope to contribute whenever I can.

Thanks again,

Mike

Hi, Mike. Here is experience link: http://www.autoinscale.com/?section=article&id=113

The article written in Russian, but pictures speak for them selves. I hope it helps.

[cossett]

Hi Sergey,

Wasn't that Kenny built by a Uni or something along those lines some where in the states ?

Cheers Cossett

[Sergey]

Hi Sergey,

Wasn't that Kenny built by a Uni or something along those lines some where in the states ?

Cheers Cossett

I don't know who has built the real thing, but the model from the link was built by Oleg Malakhov from Moscow. He doesn't realy speak english, but he is first class Truck modeler. You could recently read an article in "Truck Model World" about his 1/24 scale "Rubber Duck".

[highway]

I seen someone mention the frame length on the AMT kit, and actually, the long frame is from the "Papa Truck" and "Hide Out Truck" releases in the Tyrone Malone race truck series. They both had the wedge hauler on the back for hauling the drag trucks.

[Mike W.]

I seen someone mention the frame length on the AMT kit, and actually, the long frame is from the "Papa Truck" and "Hide Out Truck" releases in the Tyrone Malone race truck series. They both had the wedge hauler on the back for hauling the drag trucks.

Thanks for clearing that up. I have not found any pictures online showing a real truck with such a long WB. I'm building a short WB kit and it gives me a reason to do some hacking.

Mike

[highway]

Thanks for clearing that up. I have not found any pictures online showing a real truck with such a long WB. I'm building a short WB kit and it gives me a reason to do some hacking.

Mike

Mike, just think before you cut! I knew a guy that hauled loads for a company I used to work for that has an old International 4300 that is very similar to the recent reissue from AMT, complete with the small 36 incj bunk found in the kit, but his frame was long enough to have a sleeper like this:

His truck is a working show truck (and show winner) and pulls a 48 foot van. I have the "Papa Truck" issue of the kit, and plans for my build of it include making it a show truck as well (since I don't have the drag truck) but it will serve double duty. I'm planning on making the race wedge removable so I can also have a trailer on it when the wedge is not in place. Just because you didn't see any stock trucks with the long frame, doesn't mean you can't build a custom show truck. In the show truck world, anything is possible!!

[Chad]

the revell kit is most definitely the best truck between the two. I have not built the amt kit but I have built MANY amt kits before and I have always loved the quality and fit of the revell kits. when cutting/stretching, cutting/shortening frames I have always found it best to cut underneat the cab and move everything back or forward under the cab....it's an inconspicuous location and you won't see the cut. best of luck

Chad

[pete3522]

Revell kit is more detailed nicer kit.I have built the amt its nice too i like the long w/b it has. I am actually going to build a revell kit soon as the Bj and Bear truck .Heres a pic of my amt kw-100.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s430/pete3522/K-100%20aerodyne/100_3025.jpg]http://

[pete3522]

Also antoher difference is the amt kit has a 8v92 and a allison automatic transmission .The revell has a 6cyl cummins and not sure what the trans is

[Fat Brian]

AMT originally made the BJ and the Bear truck and it was a standard length K100. Then they made the Papa and Hideout trucks with the super long frame and ramp body. Then sometime in the mid 2000s they reissued the long frame trucks but without ramp bodies. Did they mess the molds up for the regular length K100 to make the Papa and Hideout trucks?

[mackinac359]

Revell kit has out of scale headlamps. AMT kit has a better shaped bumper but both aren't tall enough.

Tim

[Yahshu]

Mike, I have the AMT COE's, one of which i have shortened the chassis on, hope the pics help. & yes the gold frame is bent, this frame is from the Tyrone Malone Papa truck, didn't realise it was bent until i built & painted it, that's what happens when you do your hobby at work & don't have all you tools with you & work in half light, lol.

Edited June 5, 2012 by Yahshu