Those "smudges" you see in the AMT kit are called "knit lines". They are where the molten plastic meets up with other molten plastic as they are being injected into the mold. The leading edge of flowing plastic cools slightly more than the rest and as they meet and flow together they present a slight difference in appearance. It is especially prominent in silver and gold plastics (or plastics with a particulate coloring content like metallics). Nice job on the review. I really appreciate you showing the Green Strawberry add ons.
Great side-by-side comparison review! I have both Revell and AMT RC kits myself. A timestamp 4:50, when you mention the imperfections...they aren't actually imperfections at all. What you're seeing is called "flow marks" or flow lines when metallic colored plastic is injected into the molds. This is a very common thing with plastic toys, models...anything that is comprised of silver or gold colored plastic. The plastic pellets or beads that are melted down before being injected will cause the metallic flake to gather within the pigment and flow unevenly causing the appearance of a flaw. But once primered and painted, it will not be seen at all. I know of this process because I was a past toy designer for Galoob and Hasbro. I will say that the AMT kit's panel lines are a tad "wider" and not as sharp as Revell's kit thus, making the details appear a bit more "soft". Both kits are really great and both have their equal pros and cons. Each kit does something better in design than the other in certain areas.
I'm glad you posted this one. I've been eyeballing both kits, and wasn't sure which one to go with. Unfortunately most other reviews are of the Revell EZ kit or whatever it is... the little pre painted snap together thing they sell.
I purchased the Revell kit like you did from the UK last summer. I also purchased the tiny Bandai kit from Steve at Cultman TV. Like you I received my AMT kit today. My thoughts in a nutshell Bandai for the scale it is is just awesome. Revell has finer panel lines and more refined detail plus some interior detail. I find the panel lines and details very soft and as you said their mold technology is much inferior to Revell. Apart from the AMT having easy engines for lighting I am super disappointed with AMT. I can give some credit to AMT for their grogu and their stand. Revell has an amazing instruction sheet. AMT straight out of the 80s. I mean come on it AMT! IT'S like something out of the late 80s or early 90s! That my two cents. Kudos to you for being the first to compare the two kits.
