Harold

That is sweet! The wheels really set it off.

Thanks, guys. Yeah, I like these kits because there are so many variations possible. BTW, I do have the Lightning. It's an older buid (from 01), and it'll probably get a new coat of paint soon, as its looking a bit disreputable. Unfortunately, my computer barfed the other day, so I won't be able to get any pics posted 'til I get a new one (^&^%$#@#$%$#).

Here's a couple group photos of my F150 conversions. You already know about the HD and the brown Flareside. The red one is the Revell Super Cab cab and 8' bed from the standard cab. The frame was lengthened 13/16". The blue one is (almost) straight up AMT fare, except I used the Revell cab and upper engine components, as I feel the Revell cab is the better of the two. The gray one is the AMT snap kit, with the Lindberg Flareside box, grille surrround and headlights. The running boards are from the other HD kit that supplied a few parts to the black one.

Here's one that I banged out while working on the HD. Since I had all those parts afterwards, this only seemed natural. the color is Dupli-Color GM Autumn Maple over brown, topped with Dupli-Color clear. The decals are an amalgam of AMT F150,HD, Supercab and SVT Mustang. The interior uses the door panels, seats and console from the SuperCab (as the HD had a usable, HD specific interior) and painted (I think) DG&W cream (a Polly S acrylic) and the flocking is a mix of red, yellow and brown to mimic the exterior color.

Okely dokely. Aside from the bike, this thing is finally done. I can't believe all the time I spend playing around with one or two pieces just to actually attach them to the model. Case in point- after marrying the cab and box to the frame, I spent six hours (!!!!) installing six parts and two decals. Jeez! Since acquiring a really nice display case last fall, I now have to get into the habit of attaching smaller exterior parts, Hence, I actually added the mirrors, wipers and third brake light. The trailer was built with no mods, except I had to raid some red striping from the sheet in AMT's '66 Mercury, as the HD trailer stripes gave up the ghost, even after a coat of laquer. The paint is the same as the truck- Dupli-Color Universal Black and Dupli-Color clear, worked out with a Detail Master polishing kit and waxed with Black Magic. It's an OK wax, but the cherry smell reminds me of urinal cakes. The treadplate was covered with Bare-Metal Ultra Chrome foil (it was a bear working the foil in around the pattern using a toothpick and my jeweler's loup) before the clear went on. For the bike, I deviated from the intructions. The assembly sequence calls for the rear tire and forks to be trqpped between the frame halves. Instead, I found a piece of brass tubing that fit in the rim, and after gluing the frame together (minus the forks) I drilled a hole to accept a straight pin. The forks were worked into place after the frame was painted and foiled (they popped right in and still steer). The paint is Tamiya Mica Red spray over Testor's Metallizer aluminum. The flames wer pirated from the left and right sections of the sheet in the Street Machine issue of Revell's '64 Thunderbolt. I'm happy with the way this turned out, and glad I was able to actually have the HD/F-150 in my collection, as I missed it when it was first out.

Ohmygod!!! This is stunning work. In the words of Frank Barone, 'Holy ######!' Absolutely, jaw dropping impressive.

Wow- I love the 'dare to be different' powerplant, and the finish fooled me into thinking you hammered and soldered the body together. Wow!

Hmmm..... You could take the back of the Convertiplane (aft of the windows) and use as the basis for a flying car project. You hook the car to it, fly where you want, and after you land, unhook the car and drive off.

Wow! I'm always amazed when I see coverage from GSL. The models are always great (I especially liked the 300 SL and the pair of Studes). One of these days, I just might make the trek to Utah..... great job on the pics.

Good thing you showed a pic of the truck- I'd hate to think you removed a couple of limbs and were storing them in your Dad's barn (LOL).

Geologic tine- that's how I describe my build times. Two years ago at Dean's, I bought two bagged glue bome HD F150's. I was able to salvage enough of the HD- specific pieces out of both, and by using the Revell Super Cab and Lightning kits, I now have an HD F150. One of the bikes was glue bombed, and the other is unbuilt. I also have enough parts to build the trailer This is the remains of both kits. The nose here is the unusable one- the headlights would not come out without a lot of damage to the nose. In a pinch, I could have used the Lightning nose grille surround and the HD bumper, but I was trying to avoid major surgery This is the salvagable one. I had to grind out the fog lights from behind, and used the spotlight reflectors from a Lindberg '53 Ford, along with the Lightning lenses. The interior was the only assembly that didn't require major restructuring. I did have to use a seatback and armrest from the Super Cab on the driver's seat, and mold the dash pieces together. All it needs is for the steering wheel to be installed. The color is Polly S Steam Power balck, with a drybrushing of Polly S Engine Black. I used the frame from the Super Cab and the engine and suspension from the Lightning. The exhaust is a combination of Lightning and HD bits, as the HD wasn't built in real life with the blown engine. The wheels and tires are HD fare, and all the chassis needs are the center caps and trailer hitch. Finally, here we are at the mockup stage. The color is Dupli-Color Universal Black and Dupli-Color clear. I had two decal sheets, and after realizing they were printed by Disint-O-Graph, I shot those with the clear, and applied the markings before the clear coat. If all goes well, the truck will be done this weekend. As for what to do with the Lightning kit? The engine, suspension, interior bits and bumpers will yield a nice stock truck.

Here's a couple of my Lindberg Fords. One is box stock (almost) and the other is getting the bed from the AMT 4x4 snapper. The green one is wearing a new coat of paint, as I wasn't satisfied with the two toning (I'll remask and reshoot the tan this weekend)

Thanks for the compliments, guys. When I was a cabbie, I always kept the thing clean, inside and out. Who wants to put their groceries or luggage in a trunk littered with garbage, and who wants to ride in a car strewn about with garbage? Besides, I figured if I'm spending 12 hours a night in the beast, I certainly don't want to be living in filth. People appreciated the effort too, because I always cleaned up (no pun intended) on tips.

Wow! Your building style kicks *^&. The paint and foil work (especially the foil) are nothing short of jaw-dropping.

That's a really impressive build you've got there. Dark blue and silver are a natural choice for two toning, and your foil work is spot-on. I especially like the look of the Alclad.

Hope your Mom is getting well. This log you have going is quite interesting- I've already snagged a few ideas I can use for other projects. As for the flocking, it can be mixed to make different colors. Just determine what colors will get you in the ballpark and sift them through a small strainer

Lookin' great. I believe the 'pitty' texture is merely orange peel from the paint itself. Let it cure for a week or so and give it a good polishing. My (almost) box stock build is Testor's Arctic Blue Metallic over metallizer aluminum with a Testor's clearcoat, and my other one is Dupli-Color Jade Green Metallic and Tamiya Light Sand. I encountered no problems with the plastic reacting to either type of paint, so orange peel is probably what you're experiencing. Yours is coming along quite nicely.

Here's another find from Dean's (hopefully enough plugs will get me comped LOL). This was complete but in a ziploc bag for $4. When I used to drive cab, my boss would buy older cars at auction and turn them into taxis. Hence, I filled the holes in the roof and converted the front buckets into a split bench arrangement by using the middle portion of a '57 Ford front seat for the armrests to replicate the civilian "Vic's upholstery. The mesh was removed from the rear partition and will be replace with clear plastic to make the shield. All I really have to do is make the 'Best Cab' markings and a stool light for the roof. Since Sam prepped the bodies and took the cars over to Earl Schieb, the car will not be clearcoated- merely polished and waxed. Also, since I was never a fan of chrome headlights, I'll be adapting a pair of lights from a Revell T-Bird SC.

what the heck is wrong with photobucket???? OK- now we got it....

If you have never been to Dean's Hobby Stop in Flushing, Mi., you don't know what you're missing. Just before Christmas, I was rummaging through the stuff on the bargain table and found this Tamiya 300ZX for $4. The shrink wrap was long gone, so I looked inside to see how complete the kit was. Someone had taken all the parts off the runners and shoveled them into a ziploc bag. It appeared everything was there, but there was also a 1989 Mercedes SL in the same condition- everything off the runners and in a baggie. I immediately claimed this as mine- hey, at $4 for two complete kits, how could I not? This Nissan is about 90% finished (note the exhaust is kind of dragging). The color is Dupli-Color Import Car Colors Honda Milano Red (there's a whole mouthful of words) and the interior is Polly S Steam Power Black followed by a drybrushing of Polly S Engine Black to bring out the highlights. Other than flocking, it's box stock http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/hpalmer_2006/IMG_3326.jpg

This is too cool- Dad bought one new in '65 and drove it for four years. One of the coolest wagons ever made. Most of them came with the 330 Olds small block, and they were screamers. I should know- I had a '64 F-85 two door sedan that had the 330 with a quadrajet. It looked like a schoolteacher's car, and I could dust people at the stoplight. Kepp us posted on your Olds.

That Imp really looks great- I never would have thought of using the Chezoom roof, but it looks right. Can't wait to see 'er finished...

Love the boattail Rivs, and yours is really nice. I've said it before, and I'll say it again- the world needs more scale Buicks.

Great restoration on what one wag referred to as 'The Insect That Ate Tokyo'. I always thought that these were cars had a certain charm to them because they were so outrageously styled. Keep 'em coming.

Really sweet. I don't know which one I like better- the red one or the blue. Hmmmmmm, well, I've always been partial to red...Beautiful work.