ERTL model company history

This deals with the Ertl diecast model company's foray into plastic kit models from 1973-2011.

[RWSBaden]

Thanks Max for this look back at the ERTL company. In the 1970's I built every truck model ERTL produced, including the massive IH 350 Pay Hauler off road dump truck. I always felt ERTL produced better truck models verses AMT for the fact ERTL designed their models with steerable front wheels. I also remember receiving the ERTL newsletter, which I believe was called "The Blue printer" This newsletter had articles on how to customize their model kits, which seconded my idea that ERTL was a top notch company. Just a shame how things have changed in the plastic model world, the remaining ERTL kits are currently selling for outragious prices on ebay. It was good to see Round 2 re-release the ERTL International Transtar 4300 Eagle Tractor Truck Kit, hopefully they'll add the other ERTL truck kits to their ever expanding line up of plastic model truck kits. Cheers, Rich S.

[joebalusikiii]

Thanks Max. My father was in the trucking industry, so he an I built many Ertl and AMT semi tractors and trailers.

[PanzerF]

I spit coffee over my key board at the Green Acres theme. Thanks

[brianandrews]

I have had too many of those IH Scout II models to possibly count over the years but I remember that the first one came from a J.C. Penny toy department ... back when they HAD a toy department .. a long time ago! Such great art work on those old boxes! More great video history work! Really looking forward to a video on Jo-Han! Thank you so much!

[SaturnCanuck]

I must admit I was never a fan of farm equipment. However, I did receive a kit of an International Harvester tractor as a gift from a relative, and I made it. I found it very detailed and the fit and finish was great. I am sure that if I liked this kind of kit I would have purchased more.

[WAL_DC-B]

Thanks for researching into the interesting and somewhat complicated history of Ertl plastic kits! I seem to recall Ertl's first true plastic kit was the International CO-4070A Transtar COE truck/tractor. A very good kit even by today's standards as I bought and built it when it first came out. There's word that the original Transtar tooling was modified to make the later issue and very similar looking Transtar II Eagle COE kit. That would make the first issue Transtar a true collector's item as it can no longer be made.

[jamesdziendziel]

I used to live near AMT's Troy, Michigan facility on Maple Road, back when MPC was in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. The two companies would eagerly have press releases on the TV news every September giving the tiniest peeks of the new car models from the Detroit big three, often only the rear bumper of one or two cars. It was very exciting for a boy in the 60's and 70's.

[HangaRatz]

My brother and I took the ERTL factory tour back in the mid '90's when Ertl was still Ertl. They had their assembly lines of tractors and the clean room with the AMT Cincinatti Milacron plastic injection molding equipment, Very fascinating. Probably just a warehouse now.

If I recall the tour guide mentioned that the Ertl's started after WWII melting surplus aircraft engine pistons in their basement furnace. Yipes! And there was also a spinoff in Dyersville that had acquired the Hubley metal car kit line. PS. The "Field of Dreams" movie set is on the outskirts of Dyersville.

[Jared-]

I've been buying ERTL farm toys since I was 8 years old. Still buying them. I'm not a model builder. I don't have the patience or steady hands to build models. I do however collect Hobby Master 1/72 aircraft.

[christhompson]

My kids had loads of their metal tractors and implements.

[thestorm]

The sound is good on this one! The Green Acres theme at the end was even better than the video! Keep 'em coming!
Oh, and I'll take Jeanie, please! (never watched Gilligan's Island, so I got nothin' to say, there)

[scottm.franklinnc]

Thanks Max 👍 great vid.
from what I've watched so fare ... most of these model Companies got tossed around from 1 parent company to another like a darn frisbee ... Jeanie for $1000 with her, you could get all the other stars 😄

[calvingifford]

Neat video! Yes to all those questions but I'm still looking for a 'Charlie's Angels' van I can afford!!

[scotcoon]

Joe Ertl was so displeased with racing champions/rc2 management, he left and started his own company. Im not sure how it relates to Scale Models.
When we restored an f20 at Red Power Roundup in 2009, he made us 250 bare metal sand-cast f20 kits to sell to benefit the University of wisconsin cataloging and digitizing the IH company archives.

[chipblock]

I may be wrong but I believe the Anerican La France pumper you showed first was released by AMT in 1972 or 1973. So the one you showed was a second generation kit.

[markwatson]

Daisy Duke, Mary Ann and Samantha, since ya asked!

Have you covered Renwal yet, with all the visible kits? Thanks!

Fantastic series, always preferred Revell for ships and Monogram for cars and planes, AMT was OK, but didn’t seem to be up to the standards of Revell and Monogram

[thesketchydude]

been trying to track down the "holy grail" of ERTL kits recently to no avail, the International Transtar CO-4070A (not the Transtar II versions) so I can finally make the toilet tissue truck from Maximum overdrive...hey, I don't question your life choices so Don't question mine (lol)

[musmo]

The only proper answer is: YES! I agree

[hertzair]

Mary Ann. Ginger too high maintenance...