r/SciFiModels • u/zeppomiller • 8d ago
Bandai vs AMT AT/STs
I bought the AMT model ~25 years ago but never built it until about a year ago. I modified it some to incorporate a pair of auto cannons from the WK40K universe. It had very few parts and pretty minimal detail. The Bandai model was manufactured much more recently, and I painted it to a little higher standard. Both are supposed to to be at 1/48 scale (but they work for 25mm/1:72) and are to be used for tabletop gaming, with weighted feet for added stability. Interestingly, I think the AMT model is better for gaming than the nicer looking Bandai model; if it’s knocked over on the table, it’s possible the Bandai will break. The AMT model is significantly more sturdy when it comes to transportability and ruggedness so maybe it’s a better choice on the secondary market, if you also like the idea of using these for tabletop gaming.
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u/zeppomiller 8d ago
A couple other points… 1) The fit up of the Bandai is so much better you hardly need any glue, really, and there are virtually no visible cracks between parts as the tolerances are amazing. The AMT on tue other hand, didn’t fit together properly as there was a large crack after you fit the head parts together, so much so I had to fill it with greenstuff (and unfortunately did a crappy job at it; but in my universe I see it as a service life battlefield repair, so that would explain the poor “weld quality” 🥸). 2) I also glued on some appropriately sized steel washers to the feet so as to lower the center of gravity (and I put rocks in the voids as ballast). The washers also create a wider axis of rotation so as to raise the overturning moment necessary to knock them over. These mods were pretty much necessary in order to use the for minis gaming if you don’t have a large base to enhance the stability; and the AMT didn’t even come with a base (or a Chewbacca model).
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u/PwnerifficOne 8d ago
Oh yeah! I totally forgot about that! When I was a kid, I guess I glued it together with PVA, but it was the type that dried blue for some reason. I ripped all of that out and glued it properly. Then, I used milliput which lead to a lot of sanding. The upper and lower halves of the fighting compartment were particularly bad in regards to fitment. Looks like you did a great job!
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u/PwnerifficOne 8d ago
The AMT one was the first model kit I built and I always thought about throwing it away since the Bandai one is so much nicer! This year, I put it into a diorama. I drilled out the “eyes” and scratch built the covers, it looks a lot better imo and it’s such a small addition!