Phirewriter

Tom, I think that recent, unfortunate experience is indicative of what's going on as a whole. I stepped away from our local club for a number of years and at that time there was a prevailing negativity about certain subjects coming straight from our club president and other longtime members. That seems to have changed in recent years (new guys at the helm for one) and after starting to attend again noticed a decided different and positive attitude towards things.

I think that's an excellent point. Just look at some of the negative comments about show rods for example. While I've seen a few imports and the occasional lowrider posted here it's still seems like we're caught up in day's gone by. Hey I'm definitely one for nostalgia growing up in the late 60's and 70's but I don't want to be stuck there either. Just look at the recent pole someone posted about age here, not particularly shocked by the results. Over the years I've seen fellow club members fail to get their kids more involved simply because the subject matter didn't suit dad. My dad built models, mostly classic and replica stock. He never said anything negative about my love of Tom Daniel's stuff. He bought me what I wanted to build and was happy to see me doing something.

I know that there are a lot of people on this board who reject Facebook but there's no shortage of model related groups. Many younger builders are hanging out there. I think we here tend to view the hobby based on what's going on within this group and a few other message boards that are populated by us old guys. If you look, there are groups dedicated to brand specific (AMT, Revell, etc...) builds. Subject based groups such as muscle cars, drag cars, imports, show rods just to name a few. There's even some dedicated to survivors and period restorations of vintage kits. Lots of cool stuff. There's a whole other world out there if you're willing to look for it. IMHO the younger builders just don't want to hang around us old guys and have found new places to hang out in the cyber world. They just build different stuff than muscle cars, old American iron and hot rods. Even within my local club there are younger builders doing their own thing and we don't discourage them from building what they like (I've seen this happen in the past though) Beyond that I'd say most of our club members don't come to this or other boards for whatever reason and we shouldn't make any conclusions of the state of the hobby based on what is seen here. With the internet I think there's lots of people who are content to order online and not go to shows or participate in local clubs. The net provides them with all the interaction they require. The hobby is alive and well, just going down different paths.

We actually have a pretty decent HT USA in my area, however as much as I'd like to support local business I can't justify the retail plus 10-20% they charge across the board for most of the products. My LHS prices their stuff competitively but does not carry R/C. That leaves me in kind of a bind since the demise of Tower Hobbies. I don't race, just tear up my driveway so not a huge deal.

I've got 3 Hobby Lobby stores in my area. They all carry a much larger selection of plastic kits than Michael's. Their art supply selection is also much better than Michael's with better quality (brand name) products than the cut rate house brand Micheal's offers. I still support my LHS and local art store but they're handy in a pinch.

The chassis started life in this, although I never understood where Lindberg's designers conceived the idea to put a Fiat body on it. It was last reissued as the Diamond Duster some years ago.

Yup, that's all it means. Our HL seems to do a fairly brisk business in model kits based on my discussions with the department lead. I primarily buy art supplies there and still give most of my hobby support to my LHS. While she doesn't have complete control over what is stocked for new items she did say that corporate does pay attention to unit sales and she's encouraged to give feedback based on kit requests. Might be a good idea to talk to the people that work there if that's your primary source for models.

You could ask the person in charge of that section. The girl who's in charge of the art department at the HL near me also handles stocking and ordering for the hobby section. She has a fairly good handle on what's coming or is out of stock at the warehouse. She did say our store is due for a reset soon and would know what's coming in and what's being discontinued shortly before it goes forward.

If you're into blues, rock or just plain guitar awesomeness check this guy out. http://www.gregkoch.com Yes I'm a bit biased, I've been friends with Greg since kindergarten but he's got to be one of the best guitar players I've listened to over the years.

I don't know of anyone offering 1/25 tires. Maisto has a line of 1/25 (roughly) Harley Davidson's and I've been stocking up on the when I find ones I like to simply display and to use for parts. Perhaps they have tires that would be useful. I've generally find them at Meijer's stores and since I live in South Eastern Wisconsin at the Harley Davidson museum shop. Should be easily available online too.

Ditto to all the above accolades. One of my favourite 60's Ferrari racing cars.

Nice! Love the Windfield fade style paint.

Great paint! Love the 60's vibe you've got going on there. What motor did you use?

Nice work! I like the display too.

Cool photos, thanks for sharing! I like almost everything shown except I just can't get myself to like those ridiculously big wheels on such a beautiful car as that E Type. Some designs just shouldn't be messed with, although I'll be interested to see the final outcome.

Despite blowing up the photo I still couldn't make out the engine displacement call out on the fender emblem. I'd be curious as to what was under the hood. Cool photo!

Nice resto, I've always thought that was a good looking car and a nice kit despite it's inaccurate interior. Kind of surprised Round 2 hasn't got around to reissuing it with original box art, etc...

The different colored limited kits are run before or after the main production of a kit is done. To make a production run of kits is not as simple as chucking a tool in the mold machine and pressing a button, packaging not withstanding. Perhaps you should research the process and then you'll understand. In order for a company to make any profit (bottom line that's why they're in business) they need to make a certain amount of kits. The small alternate color release kits are simply a bonus for the hardcore hobbyists like us (the people who frequent this and other sites) and we are in the minority of overall potential buyers. If the sales of the current 3in1 Customizing Boat kit are good chances are we'll see other releases. The fact they reissued that, the Lindberg Owens Cruiser and the ex Palmer Coronado boat are a good indication that they feel there's enough interest/sales potential. Plus there's the upcoming MPC Chrysler Hydro Vee so perhaps we'll get a reissue of AMT's Hull Raiser at some point in the future.

Actually the boat in the Model King release is the modified version of the Rayson Craft kit. It became "The Hull Raiser" Tim Boyd had some interesting insights on this kit here but have been unable to find them. It was released in the Quarter Masters set along with the customized '68 Firebird and the Aqua Rod set with the mid seventies Chevy van. Still would be nice to see back.

If you airbrush your finishes you could go this route: https://www.redlineshop.com/shop/spectra-flame-paint/spectraflame-paint-anti-freeze/ I've used their paint with excellent results on my Hot Wheels restorations.

Now there's a waste of a Glastron GT.

Now that's kool!

Looks great, hope to see more.

I've had issues in recent years involving subscriptions from them. Once they ran out, never again! I will occasionally buy Hot Rod Deluxe but that's about it. I feel the quality of content in the titles I liked has slipped dramatically.

Why not just Google Gil Gerard and look at his filmography? Wouldn't that be a good starting point?