unclescott58

Very nice job.

A very pretty Ferrari GTO 250 LM. I'm impressed.

A great model. I sure had fun building mine.

I know, no buddy cares for this thread, looking at the responses. But, I like it. So I keep adding to it. If you are instrested, I thought you might like to see how AMT's 1/6 scale Transparent 283 model kit compares in size to one of the other, engine kits I've built recently. Here it is compared to Revell's 1/4 scale Visiable V-8.

By the way. Here are the boxes for both kits.

Well, hear they are. Both AMT's 1/6 scale Pro Shop '57 Corvette Fuel-Injection 283 "Small Block. And AMT's Transparent Chevy 283 "Small Block." Basically the same, other than the type of plastic they are molded in. As I've indicated up in the thread, "What did you get today" ( related to car models). I'm not overly impressed with either of these kits. And I would not recommend either them. The Transparent kit is way more of a problem get things to fit than the Pro Shop version. Ill go in to more about these kits as I finish them. But, I thought people might like to see the progress so far.

Yea I've purchased both recently. As I'm working on both, I'm not sure I would recommend either one of them to anybody. Especially the transparent version. I just finished, within the last hour, trying to get 3 of the last 4 pistons in the rear of engine to agree to go into each of their cylinder holes. A lot of filing on the cylinder walls, and sanding of pistons themselves took place to get them to fit. The front 4, and the last one on the right bank were no problems. Inserting the pistons in the non-transparent, version I had no problems with either. Why the problem with transparent one? There are other things with both kits I'm not very impressed with. There is no real way of setting the timing of the crankshaft with the camshaft. There are two little dots on both the crankshaft and camshaft gears. But, there is no real information in the instruction manual indicating if that's these dots are for. Nor is there anything on the crankshaft gear to keep it held in the same position as the crankshaft rotates. The more I look at these two kits, the more I question why they even designed and expected one to build these kits with any working features. The non-transparent one has another mystery. It has a lot of detail that after you build it, you'll never see again. They give you the impression, that one can take apart the kit to see the internals after it's built. Poppycock. The best one can do is leaving the valve covers lose to see the upper valve train. On the box, they show leaving the intake manifold lose too. But, with all the plumbing on the top side, that doesn't really look all that to practical to me. As I'm working on both kits, I'm beginning to realize why I can find little information on these kits online. Built or unbuilt. I'm also realizing why I've never seen one built, in the flesh. It's not a great kit. Too small, compared to the old Renwal/Revell Visiable V-8. And in several ways tougher to build. It's seem like a model one hears about several people have hidden away in their collection. But, none fully built. And I can see why. I'm bound and determined to get these kits done. Presently I have the time to do them. So they will not be going back into their boxes half done. You should see them here, finished, in a week or two.

I bet the poster is harder to find than an original box itself.

One of my major "holy grail" kits.

Okay, I just got off the phone with Bob Hood. Our fearless leader of the MCCM. He says that at this point no one knows for sure. But, he's doubtful it's going to happen. That, plus we're not so sure the boarder between Canada and the US should ever be reopened. Look at the riffraff like you coming across the boarder every spring. ? (Or did they close the board to keep us from contaminating you guys?) All joking aside. If I hear anything I'll let you know.

I'll make some calls tonight, and let you know, Wayne.

Walthers kindly sent the part(s) I need to really finish my Car Restoration Shop above. Nice guys, and great service. I'm impressed.

Here's my latest. My next large engine kit. Looking forward to start working on it right away.

For not sure Doty's books. Unless the librarians at Center Junior High in Columbia Heights, MN were able to time travel. I saw the books im thinking about in their library back in 1971-73.

Snake is right. The extra taillight I have will not help you. Sorry.

Can we see a better shot of the rear end? It may give us a better idea if the taillights or bumper from a later edition might work.

Doing some quick web searching, I think you may have hit the nail on the head. I see Mr. Neumann had at least three books in the "Here is Your Hobby" series of books. One on Car Customizing, which I have. Another which he coauthored with another gentleman on Slot Car Racing. And the third the book you show above. And it was published in 1971. I'd be curious to see more of book on model cars. I was able find one used copy at Abebooks. At a price I could ill afford. Just under $200! Way to rich for my blood. They also had a copy his slot car book just under $70. Again too for my pocketbook. Too bad. If they are anything like his customizing book, I'd like to add both to my collection. I think you may have found the book. Is the second book I'm thinking of, really the slot car book? Or is there another set Model Car books out from the same time period?

The picture is right. But, the cover of the book does not look correct. Bill Neumann? That gives me a direction to look. But, I don't know if that's it. Though notice, the Parnelli Jones Mercury appears in the left corner of the above picture. So maybe it is?

Still waiting for Round 2 to reissue this one. I wonder why they don't?

I though someone other than a Japanese model maker made a Skyhawk. Being a Buick fan, I was hoping it was true. The only thing I'm now wondering, did MPC ever make a "stock" version of this kit? I'd love find and build a stock Skyhawk.

I didn't get the following today, but sometime in last two weeks. With corona virus keeping me away from work, the timing of the purchase could not have been better. This a fairly recent addition the Haynes Manuals of books. And another good one. It's written by Matt Irvine, who several years ago wrote a great book, Creating Space, The Story of the Space Age Told Through Models. I like his style of writing, and seems to be very knowledgeable on the subject of building plastic models in general. This latest book, Haynes Model Builders' Manual, he seems cover everything one could want to know about model building. All types of models. Aircraft, Ships, Automotive, Military, Space and science fiction, and Figures. He even touchs on Railroads and Dolls' houses. Thought very little on those two. Because he feels they are generally out of the scope of this book. Matt covers the history, the tools, glues, paints, basic skills, decals, dioramas, collecting, and even clubs. You name it. He seams to cover it. On the bottom of cover is says, "A practical introduction to building plastic model construction kits". Making one think it's mainly aimed the beginning model builders only. I've been building models for 55 years now. And I found plenty of new information in the book, that will hopefully make me a better builder in the future. For the old or new builder, I feel this book is worth adding to ones collection, and reading. Speaking of books on models. I've been hunting for a series of two books on model car building, I believe was published sometime in the early 1970's. My junior high school library had a set at the time. I don't know the exact title, or who authored the books. The first book was on basic model car building. The second on more advanced techniques. I also remember one of the two volumes the author had pictures of a model Parnelli Jones '64 (or '63?) Mercury stock car. I also remember pictures of a diorama of a hot rod show? Anybody out their have any idea of the two books I'm talking about.

Very cool. I'm surprised how different it is from the more commonly seen '66 Parklane. At the same time it makes sense. There were a lot more changes between the full size '65 and '66 Mercurys than one may first realize. After seeing the kit. I'd look to add no to my collection.

I really wanted to post this one with the original ones above. But I'm not so sure how proper it is. If it is not. I'm okay with it being pulled from here. If it is okay, I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.

I like to joke that I have no musical talent. In fact I'm so bad, I don't even play the radio well. All joking aside, I did take voice lessons back in college. And I do sing to the students and other staff at the school I work at, every morning. A short version of the "Good Morning" song from Singing in the Rain. At different times of the day, if appropriate, I'll start singing weird novelty songs. Like the Shaving Cream song. Or Lydia the Tatooed Lady. I'm a weird guy. But, somehow most the kids (and staff) seem to like it. I've actually received cards, from both kids and staff, thanking me, especially for doing the Good Morning song every morning.