Revell - 1977 "Bandit" Pontiac Firebird (Trans Am!)

[Drake69]

Unboxing!

[Drake69]

Next...

[Drake69]

Further...

[Drake69]

Lastly...

Of course, no "TRANS AM" logos, but ALSO no CB radio or antenna. The missing "T/A" logos are obvious, but no CB equipment?

Weird. Otherwise, a nice kit! With the Bandit's Stetson included!

Edited July 19, 2013 by Drake69

[kalbert]

I'd rather have the CB and Trans Am logos than a silly hat!!! I'll bite though, the first movie is on my all time list.

[Scuderia]

I'd rather have the CB and Trans Am logos than a silly hat!!!

Yeah licensing strikes again. I'm sure someone produces a sheet with them. (Or I'd at least hope so) Good review !

[Drake69]

Some comparisons...

This is the new kit alongside the 78 firebird and the MPC trans am. Sizes are pretty close.

[Rob Hall]

Interesting how there are variations amongst the 3 kits in the T-Tops---wide vs narrow t-bar, different shape at the back edge/C-pillar area, etc..

[gasman]

The 77's should have different t tops then the 78, in 77 they where made by hurst, in 78 gm went in house for the t tops

I really like this kit, it does show it's Diecast roots in places but all in all it's pretty good

[martinfan5]

Wait, it comes with the hat?

[Rob Hall]

Didn't know about the hat..I got this kit last month and guess I didn't look it over that closely..

[jones45]

pics 7 and 8 hat is in

[slusher]

I didn't know this kit had come out yet. Thanks for the review. It would not be hard to come up with a CB and CB antenna...

[Drake69]

NOTE: The MPC Blackbird has the Trans Am decals on it I believe. I'm at work right now and can't completely confirm that.

[Drake69]

CORRECTION: this kit DOES come with a CB radio, just no antenna. But it really doesn't look like one all that well. Fortunately the 78 kit has these in it. Also, the MPC kit has Trans AM decals, so I'm good to go!

[Mark]

Looks like Revell made a boo-boo with the shaker decals. Those should read "TA 6.6". The "6.6 Litre" designation was used on cars equipped with the 403 Oldsmobile (er, "GM Corporate") engine. I think some of the many issues of the ex-MPC Blackbird have the same error.

[Jeremy Jon]

Excellent review, Thanks!

Would be great to see a stock - movie car - build, and also one of the modernized version builds, there is - or was - on Shapeways an open file for large snowflake rims, in 1/24 scaled for 19" or 20" size IIRC

[Deathgoblin]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but looking at the parts, is this a new tool? It looks fantastic.

[MAGNUM4342]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but looking at the parts, is this a new tool? It looks fantastic.

Looks to me as if they just added new decals...and a hat.

[Rob Hall]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but looking at the parts, is this a new tool? It looks fantastic.

Yes and no. It's the first release of this kit w/ a styrene body, but it's based on the tooling of a Revell diecast from maybe 10 years ago. Like how the Jeep Rubicon, '70 Challenger, and '68 Mustang were previously Revell diecasts before being released as styrene kits.

Edited July 20, 2013 by Rob Hall

[highway]

Looks like Revell made a boo-boo with the shaker decals. Those should read "TA 6.6". The "6.6 Litre" designation was used on cars equipped with the 403 Oldsmobile (er, "GM Corporate") engine. I think some of the many issues of the ex-MPC Blackbird have the same error.

If I do remember correctly without pulling out the DVD, Trigger DID have the 6.6 Litre decals on the shaker.

As for the lack of proper Trans Am scripts and CB radio and antenna, older editions of R/M's "Warbird" T/A (up until the early 2000s issue with the red car on the box) and the MPC Blackbird all have proper T/A scripts, and also have an appropriate CB and antenna. After all, Bandit needs a place to hang his hat!!

[Drake69]

Yes, it appears to be a whole new tooling.

[highway]

Well, after a little Goggle searching, I managed to find this screenshot.

While it's not that clear, any T/A enthusiast (and yes, I fit in that category, I've even owned 2) can tell you that the lettering is the "6.6 Litre" lettering on the shaker.

Of course, as any TV or movie vehicle, getting one 100% correct is impossible unless you are building a specific "hero" car used for promotional reasons or from a certain scene, because we all know they use more than one car. Even in this case, this scene has the "6.6 Litre" Shaker markings, but from the quick view I seen as the car was being unloaded, it almost appeared as if it may have had the "T/A 6.6" markings.

[MAGNUM4342]

[Mark]

Well, after a little Goggle searching, I managed to find this screenshot.

While it's not that clear, any T/A enthusiast (and yes, I fit in that category, I've even owned 2) can tell you that the lettering is the "6.6 Litre" lettering on the shaker.

Of course, as any TV or movie vehicle, getting one 100% correct is impossible unless you are building a specific "hero" car used for promotional reasons or from a certain scene, because we all know they use more than one car. Even in this case, this scene has the "6.6 Litre" Shaker markings, but from the quick view I seen as the car was being unloaded, it almost appeared as if it may have had the "T/A 6.6" markings.

I was referring to the "civilian" cars...haven't seen the movie, and wouldn't watch it at gunpoint! Still, you'd think they'd have gotten the little details right...