Revell Kit Tire Issues

[Duntov]

HI:

(Added Comment on intent....Note: This problem is apparent in two kits that I know of....my concern here is that if it proliferates to other offerings it could generate more severe problems in the future......Bill)

This is not a kit review per se but rather an extension to one or more reviews already done here and elsewhere (both magazines). Before I go any further PLEASE be aware this post is NOT intended to re-open the hashed over discussion regarding the no-name tire issues that plague the model companies. While this is related to that subject it involves the problems in addressing that issue with replacement tires in the kits. So here we go….

Two of the more recent kit purchases that I have made have been the Revell Snap Kit '69 Camaro and the '72 Olds Cutlass Supreme kits. Both are excellent kits. I built the '69 Camaro and posted it in "under glass" some time ago and I am in the process of building the Olds as I write this.

The issue here deals with the tires in both kits. Obviously, the tires were replaced with no-name items to address the aforementioned licensing issues. The problem is that the tires offered as replacements will simply not fit the original wheels that come with the kits. In the case of the Camaro the kit is rendered "un-buildable" if you attempt to use only the enclosed wheels and tires. The excellent ralley wheels will not slip into the tires despite any amount of re-milling or surgery. I did not take pictures of these wheels. In any event I had intended to use steelies and dog dish hub caps any way and I did so. But the fact remains a younger modeler without the parts stash of a veteran will not be able to finish the kit. This is unfortunate given the intent of the kit (i.e. younger modelers).

The Olds suffers from the same problem only on a lesser scale. The stock no-name tires will fit the ralley wheels just fine and you can build the kit that way. However, the set of really beautiful chrome 23-24 inch mag wheels will not fit the tires that come with the kit. Again, no amount of rework will solve this issue. The mags measure about 20 millimeters in diameter across the "finished" area of the rims while the tires are about 16.5 millimeters across. See the photos below:

The parts as they are provided in the Olds kit:

The measurements of the parts:

The no-fit issue:

If you are still set on building the kit with the 23-24 inch mags you can substitute the excellent set from Revells '63 Corvette roadster snap kit…..they are a bit skinny but they actually are a nicer set of wheels than the ones in the Olds…and the tires are very nice….. see the pic below….

This is just a much better looking and cleaner cast wheel (espcially in the lug area):

Additionally, the set of tires I have in the Olds kit are a "sanitized" version of the tires that have come in many previous kits. Specifically, they appear to be four of the rear tires from the 32 Ford highboy kit. Again...see the pictures above and you will recognize this tire. They are "OK" and fine for some applications. I have to sympathize with Revell and the other companies with respect to this licensing problem. It is however, unfortunate that someone has dropped the ball with respect to the quality control issues surrounding the replacement tires. I don't know if the factory simply ran out of tires and threw "something" in the box or hoped no one would notice the lack of fit with the mags and just build the car with the stock items. It's anyone's guess. I will finish the Olds, no problem there. I have wheel and tire sets that can be substituted. But the problem remains that somewhere along the line the replacement tire issue needs more attention. Finally, I am NOT bashing Revell here. They make excellent products. There just seems to be a quality control issue that needs to be addressed. I have attempted to contact them regarding this so let's see where that goes. If you have had this problem you may want to do the same. You can contact them through their web site in the replacement parts section. Here is the link…. http://www.revell.com/support/parts.html

Regards Bill (Duntov)

UPDATE ON THE TIRE ISSUE: I contacted Revell just aobut the time I postd this abd they promptly forwarded a set of the required tires to me by surface mail. Good response by Revell to problem. The resulting bilt up wheels and tires are quite nice. Thanks to Revell for making good on an already excellent product.

Regards Bill (Duntov)

Edited March 20, 2011 by Duntov

[Casey]

It appears the "too small" tires you pictured are the old Monogram 1/24 scale Goodyear GT Radial tires.

The Cutlass' optional wheels (the 18"-19" American Racing 200-S Daisy knock-offs) are meant to fit the large and larger low-prifile tires included with the California Wheels kits ('60 Impala, '66 Chevelle wagon and El Camino, etc.), which to my knowledge were created after the entire removal of Goodyear, Firestone, etc. tire letting thing came about.

Did Revell simply not include the optional lo-pro tires in your (or the, if there are others experiencing the same thing?) kit?

The Revell snap kits have some of the best tires in kit form, but they need to be modified for use with the lo-pro CA Wheels tires mentioned above. The tires and wheels in the snap kits are way too narrow to be realistic when used as is IMHO.

I'm not sure which tires are included with the '69 Camaro Snap kit, but I suspect they are the same tires included with Revell's '68 Firebird 400 kit, which are horrible. Quite honestly, all of the 'blanked off' newer tires are horrible, even if you're a fan of using decals for tire sidewall lettering. There is a noticeable ridge where some material was removed from the sidewall, some of the 'blanked off' Goodyear GT Radial tires are unrealistically bulged out, and some of the sidewalls on each side of the same tire do not match.

[Duntov]

It appears the "too small" tires you pictured are the old Monogram 1/24 scale Goodyear GT Radial tires.

The Cutlass' optional wheels (the 18"-19" American Racing 200-S Daisy knock-offs) are meant to fit the large and larger low-prifile tires included with the California Wheels kits ('60 Impala, '66 Chevelle wagon and El Camino, etc.), which to my knowledge were created after the entire removal of Goodyear, Firestone, etc. tire letting thing came about.

Did Revell simply not include the optional lo-pro tires in your (or the, if there are others experiencing the same thing?) kit?

The Revell snap kits have some of the best tires in kit form, but they need to be modified for use with the lo-pro CA Wheels tires mentioned above. The tires and wheels in the snap kits are way too narrow to be realistic when used as is IMHO.

I'm not sure which tires are included with the '69 Camaro Snap kit, but I suspect they are the same tires included with Revell's '68 Firebird 400 kit, which are horrible. Quite honestly, all of the 'blanked off' newer tires are horrible, even if you're a fan of using decals for tire sidewall lettering. There is a noticeable ridge where some material was removed from the sidewall, some of the 'blanked off' Goodyear GT Radial tires are unrealistically bulged out, and some of the sidewalls on each side of the same tire do not match.

My math corrected.....

Casey: Thanks for the reply and I agree. In measuring the Olds optional wheels they measure 20MM in diameter or about .78 inches...if my math is correct that scales out to 20" in 1:25 scale. There is no way that size of wheel would ever fit the old 1/24 scale Goodyear GT radial. Additionally, one of my kit tires has a shadow of the original Goodyear logo just barely visible on it. It's a messy deal for sure...... I do hope they come up with a better solution. I do agree that the snap tires are too narrow for most applications but they syre are nice looking.

Regards Bill (Duntov)

Edited March 6, 2011 by Duntov

[oldscool]

I feel your pain on the tire issue but I have just bought some of the latest AMT/MPC rereleases and the tires in these kits still have logos on the side walls. I don't understand how Round 2 can do it and Revell can't. I think maybe someone just threw the wrong tires in your Olds kit as all the Revell kits I have bought at least had tires that fit the wheels. Unfortunately, the one thing you can't get through the Revell parts replacement program is tires. Ask me how I know.

grumpy gus

[diymirage]

just go ahead and mail the 20 inch mags to me and ill find a set of suitable tires for them aswell as a chassis they can call "home"

[mikemodeler]

Not familiar with the Olds wheels/tires but have built about 6 of the snap '69 Camaro kits and have not had any problems with the wheels/tires in those kits. Could be you got kits that were not checked before they were sent.

I would think Revell would like to know if the tires are incorrect. I know in the past they were selective in sending out replacement tires as it was being abused by some.

[Luc Janssens]

I feel your pain on the tire issue but I have just bought some of the latest AMT/MPC rereleases and the tires in these kits still have logos on the side walls. I don't understand how Round 2 can do it and Revell can't.

grumpy gus

Just guessing, maybe Round-2 has a blanked license, which covers both the die-cast and model kit products.

Too bad Revell and some other manufacturers don't engrave tire size and performance code in their tire tooling, to have some degree of realism in the sidewall, without having to pay fees.

Edited March 7, 2011 by Luc Janssens

[Casey]

Bill, which Revell Snap-together '69 Camaro kit do you have? The recent 1/25 scale kit with the red or yellow box art car? I have yet to buy/build one of those, but I do recall the tires and wheels in the Dodge Magnum kit are an incredibly tight fit, too, and both kits feel more like unassembled promotional models than traditional kits, so I think the extremely snug wheel-to-tire fit is related.

Also, are all four wheels in the Cutlass kit the same diameter? I may have a spare set of tires I can send you, too.

[Chuck Most]

I feel your pain on the tire issue but I have just bought some of the latest AMT/MPC rereleases and the tires in these kits still have logos on the side walls. I don't understand how Round 2 can do it and Revell can't. I think maybe someone just threw the wrong tires in your Olds kit as all the Revell kits I have bought at least had tires that fit the wheels. Unfortunately, the one thing you can't get through the Revell parts replacement program is tires. Ask me how I know.

grumpy gus

Lindberg still has the sidewall lettering on their tires as well,and a few Revell and Monogram reissues still sport them, as do many reissued Japanese kits. I still don't think we know the full story on what's going on. My guess is that Hobbico just elected to smite the lettering from their tires to wash their hands of the whole licencing issue.

[62rebel]

tires in modern kits are a pet peeve of mine... i substitute old parts box tires that have detail on them for kits with "generic" tires, but that's a drying waterhole as far as i'm concerned! once i've depleted my stash they're gone. and scraping together a full set that match? woof. this is why i've been sectioning those huge Goodyear Blue Streak tires.... slice them apart just where the tread goes from angled to straight, then glue them back together. makes great muscle car or pickup tires.

[Duntov]

See my update at the end of the original post..... Bill

[W117monte]

Then they go and give cheesy tire decals in the drag car kits. "revell 1/4 mile special?" get real.