Kiss News

Review and Photos by Alan Mann / Right On! Replicas

Two of the greatest Icons in their industries meet in this AMT Fantasy Monster Truck!

Bigfoot which was introduced in 1979 is regarded as the original monster truck. Other trucks with the name �Bigfoot� have been introduced in the years since, and it remains a well-known monster truck moniker in the United States. Bigfoot 4�4, Inc. is owned and operated by its creator, Bob Chandler. Bigfoot has been based on the Ford F-Series trucks since its beginning. Through the years the body styles have been updated as well as the manufacture of tubular chassis� and fiberglass bodies.

KISS is an American rock band formed by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Well known for its member�s face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid-to-late 1970s. The band has gone through multiple lineup changes, with Stanley and Simmons the only remaining original members. Counting the 1978 solo albums, KISS has been awarded 30 gold albums to date, the most of any American band. Destroyer is the fourth studio album released on March 15, 1976. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on April 22, 1976, and platinum on November 11 of the same year, the first KISS album to achieve platinum. The album marked a departure from the raw sound of the band�s first three albums to a more finished sound they continue to use.

For the Modeler: This review covers the 2013 release of the KISS Monster truck released by Round 2 under the AMT brand. It is Kit #A787 in the current catalog and is still available in many hobby shops and online. This is a 1/25 scale kit that is Skill Level 2 for the Moderate Builder. This is considered a Re-Box kit, it is a direct Re-release (Re-Pop) of the Bigfoot kit but with new graphics and they are readily available at online retailers and auction sites. The kit consists of 126 parts molded in Blue, Chrome and Clear and has Vinyl tires and metal axles. In the build you get a very detailed motor. Simple wiring will make this a contest quality motor. The chassis is a solid tubular frame and is straight and the fit is good. This is a race truck so there really is no interior beyond the basics of a seat and wheel. The cab is solid with a separate bed; and some minor add-on parts. The decals are a nice sheet of custom KISS Destroyer album art. Vinyl flags are included for the rear also. The instructions are a multiple foldout with a separate sheet for decals. You get three set of instructions in English, French and Spanish. Overall dimensions are: Length: 10�, Width: 5-3/4�, Height: 5�.

Covered in this Review: If you want to perfect your build; basic construction; preparing parts for better finishing; alternate assembly sequence suggestions for fit and ease of finishing; abrasive choices; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications;test fitting; repairing excess flash; mold seam identification and repair; using white glue for the window glass; suspension construction; detailing the tires for realism; chassis construction and detailing; mounting the body to the chassis; finishing the engine; interior color selection; engine construction and detailing; fuel cell construction and detailing; building and complete frame details; detailing the instruments; making a wired distributor; removing heavy tabs; combining instruction steps for better finishing; building and installing the roll cage; using floor wax to make crystal clear window glass; decal preparation and application; making the back end flags; using decal setting solutions for that �painted on� look; are all fully examined in this 20 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.