Ken McGuire

I understand that The Grasshopper was a 1931 cab with '29 fenders and a '32 box. But I can't even find reference to a 1932 pickup box! I saw photos online of a fellow in Netherlands who converted a 1930 cope to a pickup cab by cutting off the rear, so that's a possibility, and I suppose 1929 fenders can be found but the box?

I came across photos of the Alexander Bros. shop/show truck called "The Grasshopper" and love it. It was a slightly modified 1931 Model A Pickup. I tried Googling for a 1/25 scale kit - even in stock form - but couldn't find one, so am wondering if it exists?

I came across this topic today and can only say "Wow." I think that not only have you created a wonderful showplace for your models but have dredged up almost-lost memories from all who are viewing the build. Thank you.

I would be interested also.

Thanks Bill. I think I may go - as you suggested - the way of a rat rod. I've never done one so this would be a good project to try it on. I've seen some great examples so will have to come up with something interesting.

Bill (Ace-Garageguy), thank you. Would the steering column be lengthened also in real life (assuming a custom steering set-up wasn't used)? Would there be any other significant changes needed once the '32 frame was lengthened?

I'm thinking of building a 1/25 hot rod - possibly a Ford '29/'32 type roadster - using Replicas & Miniatures Straight Eight motor. Since the inline eight is longer than a V8, and even an inline six, I was wondering if you lengthen a 1932 deuce frame by adding styrene under the body or should I be looking for a longer frame for this project? If the latter, which model would be appropriate?

If this build goes long enough (I'm a really slow builder) I would like to add a 1941 Dodge Panel (Resin Motor Replicas) with a Canadian flathead six cylinder. The engine I'm using is called a Kew six (Partsbox of Australia) as originally some Canadian engines were sent to England for Dodges built overseas. They then made their way to Australia.

Thanks Bill. They are solid colors so I'll shoot the other color and clean it all up afterward. Anyway, it's not too bad and this will be a learning experience as I've just returned to the hobby. I was concentrating so much on mixing paint, reducer and hardener for my return to airbrushing that I forgot the first rule: make sure the body is clean!

I am painting a 1940 Ford Coupe model in two-tone paint. I've painted the bottom section but - because I'm a dummy and didn't wipe down the body first - there are a few pieces of dust in the paint. I'm wondering if I should correct the problems in the bottom section (sand it out and put on another coat) now OR paint the top section in the other color and then sand out the whole paint job (which I'll probably have to do anyway)? If I do only the one area, will it mean that the overall paint job will have different thickness of paint in places and will show it?

Thanks Art and Pat.

Thanks guys, for the confirmation now I should get down to work.

I will be using the Paasche H Set Single Action airbrush on my 1/25 scale model cars. I haven't used this type of airbrush before - and it was many years ago that I used a Badger - so am not sure which tip to use. My first paint job - car body - will be done with automotive enamel which I know to reduce to "milk" consistency. Am I correct that the larger H5 tip, and appropriate air pressure for the paint, will give a wider fan thus no stripes (of course, if I paint correctly) or would I be better off using the smaller H3 tip? Would the H3 tip - or even smaller H1 - be the one to use on interior panels, for example?

Steve Boutte has a clear float fuel filter on the blue 1950 Chev on his web site. http://www.sbkustoms.com/showroom/1950ford.htm

I'm wondering if anyone can identify the year and model of this delivery van? The story goes that Eaton's of Montreal, Canada would always try and eradicate all manufacturer identifiers.

Alyn, I like the vehicle that you're building and wanted to say that Canadian-built Model Ts had both doors able to open while the US version only had the passenger side door. We (Canadians, that is) shipped cars to other Commonwealth countries that drove on the other side of the road so needed the other door operable.

Hi George, I have photos of the exterior of the building but the interior has long been empty and I haven't been able to find any photos. I figured most of these stations (i.e., center office, side bays) would be somewhat similar.

There's a really cool service station in town (sadly closed) that I might attempt for a diorama. It was a Texaco station with a bay on each side of the central office. What I'm wondering is whether anyone has photos of the interior of a 1950s station including for example the service counter area (e.g., did it have shelves, etc) and the bays?

You may already know of this site but I found it today as I wanted specific year plates for my model cars. The link I posted only shows some for Alabama, USA but I think most areas of the World are available. http://www.worldlicenceplates.com/usa/US_ALXX.html

When I was a kid I built model battleships, then floated them in the bathtub where they were attacked by enemy planes. None survived! At the time, war movies were still the rage.

I've just returned to the hobby and have accumulated a small pile of kits to build. As the little pile has grown I suddenly realized - and a question from the local hobby shop owner - what am I going to do with the finished builds. It's not that I have any empty shelves going looking for something to put on them.

I will be building a 1940 Ford Coupe 'Hot Rod' and would like a nice engine with good casting detail. Are Ross Gibson engines the best in this regard? I know that R&M Co. of Md. has a wonderful Boss 429 but I'm not sure it will fit in the Ford engine compartment so am looking for alternatives.

Thanks Art.

Hi, I hope this question is in the right place. Does anyone know if someone (either plastic or resin) has produced a 1/24 scale 1930 Nash 450 Sedan?

I noted that there is a new Airfix 1/12 kit of the Bentley 4.5 and a Heller 1/24 kit. Has anyone compared the quality and detail of the two kits? I generally like the size of 1/24 models but if the Heller kit is not up to the mark then I might consider buying the large car.