The chassis is simplified but looks pretty convincing when assembled. The
instructions specify the frame is painted the same as the body color for
the stock version, but according to my references, it should be black
with a body-color overspray around its outer edges as it came from the
factory. The instructions specify to mount the tires lettered side in
when using decals, but the stock tires aren't lettered and there aren't
any decals for them, either. The stock tires look like poor-quality
recaps, having excess rubber flash on the tread at the sidewalls. I
trimmed this off but installed my tires with that shaved edge inboard.
To break up the monotony of the plain blackwalls, I applied Shabo dry
transfers to them.
The chrome parts are pretty well-done but the rear bumper and
taillights don't fit well and needed some trimming to get everything
together. The taillights are too heavy and detract from the look of the
rear of the model. I puzzled over the angle of the rear spoiler, and
reference photos of the real cars didn't help much, either, as there
seems to be more than one way they were mounted. In the end, I sanded
the pedestals down just a little bit to give the spoiler a more neutral
angle instead of the "up angle" it had when mounted out-of-the-box.
When all was assembled, the chassis didn't sit true. I was thinking
this malady is something I'm doing wrong since I'm not that prolific at
building cars, but I've got enough under my belt now to think maybe
something's warped a little bit besides the builder. The hood has a
pronounced twist from front to back (why does this show up when I'm
almost finished with the kit?) so the front chrome strip doesn't match
up when the hood's closed. If I'd noticed this earlier I'd have
corrected it.
Decals include engine compartment markings, a choice of license
plates, and "Boss 429" front-fender logos in both black and white. The
decals don't react to solvents or setting solutions.
If you really like Mustangs, I think Revell's '70 Boss 302 kit, which
is the same body shell, might appear less clunky as the rear panel and
chrome tail light trim were black on that version. Still, in the hands
of an accomplished car modeler, the Boss 429 kit makes up into a nice
replica of the real thing. The proportions are right and the kit
captures the aggressive stance of the car--- Revell's Boss 429
handsomely holds its own with more recent kits, particularly for an
older issue.
My thanks to Revell and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this
kit and special appreciation to Steve Jahnke for his assistance and
Mustang knowledge during the project. |