Faust

Man, a BRAT and a bustle-back? Those are the two ends of the weird extreme, that's for sure, especially in Sweden!! That's hilarious about how the BRAT could just shrug off the failures. It's like the A-10 of cars! It would be nice to have a replica of a family car like that! I hope you can get a copy of the reissue!

Summer is a great time for road trippin’, and nothing makes a trip better than getting some good sprue along the way. I did well on a two-pronged trip in August, and I just got the stuff organized. I thought it would be fun to share my haul from Michigan to Hamilton , Ontario! Check it out at the link below; if you thought I had eclectic tastes before, well… just think that now I’m going from Barbie Vette to nuclear missile, and all points in between! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/scores-and-collections/2019-end-of-summer-haul/

Randy! You survived owning two Vegas!? Nice work! I personally have always liked Mustang IIs, especially the notchbacks. For some reason "Mustang guys" hate them. However, stylistically, they use all kinds of cues from the '64.5 Stang, like the side coves, general proportioning and even grille shape (although that's from a bit later model year). I mean, they really ARE Mustang 2.0. They were even gutless secretary cars, just like the originals! There's nothing there for purists to hate on. I personally hate four-eyed Fox-Stangs, though. That '79 Cobra is just SOOOO weak-looking compared to a '79 T/A. I mean, turbo four vs. 400 four-speed? Yeah... not even close.

Oh, no offense taken! I just wanted to let people know that the BRAT isn't quite a loser, but it is an oddball! You're darned tootin' I love my losermobiles! Nothing too much more fun than flogging a very dead horse (or Citation)! You're welcome, and there's still lots more to come. Imagine the fun I can have with a Trabby Wagon, that MPC '79 Cobra and some of my Monzas... Of course, I have a lot of non-loser weirdos too. Oh, then there's my Corvette America... It's all just too much fun, and I'm thrilled you guys are along for the ride!

Thanks guys! I do agree that the BRAT,. while weird, isn't really a loser. The kit is, but that's a different story! (As you all know by now!) I agree that it was a simpler, likely better time, and I'm sure there's no way in heck those seats are legal now. You're right, too, that I do love the "mutts"; everybody likes to build the good kits of the good cars... can't forget the dogs! That's true for the real cars and their styrene equivalents! I've always liked BRATS in real life, though. I think they're pretty hot looking little trucks. Yes, there should be a tire under the hood. I do mention it in my article; the firewall isn't even contoured right for it. Oh AMT...

I think this might redefine “labour of love” for me; the BRAT is finally done! It took a lot, and there were so many big and little things that had to be done to get the darned thing together, but I have to say it was all worthwhile. Since turning one down at the dawn of my interest in car kits, I’ve always wanted a chance to build one of these lovably oddball machines. I got my chance when I picked one up about a year ago, and now it’s done and on my shelf. Check out my original AMT BRAT, with custom-resized decals in all its chicken-tax-evading glory at the link below, and let me know what you think. Who out there is building the resissue? I’m interested to know if it has the same issues! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/amt-matchbox-1-25-1978-subaru-brat/

Yeah, it is. I'm still amazed I have on in my collection. Talk about one man's junk being another's treasure, eh?

When it comes to the Cold War, there’s little more iconic, at least in Europe, than the Avro Vulcan bomber. With an advanced design and powerful engines, the Vulcan was the bomber that looked like a space ship and handled like a fighter. I remember seeing it when I was very young at the London (Ontario, Canada) International Airshow. It was amazing then, and it’s still amazing now, even though XH558 is no longer flying. Of course, this symbol of British achievement makes a natural subject for a toy from a top British maker. Dinky thought so too, and thus undertook to develop and sell a Supertoys-sized replica of the silver, dart-like bomber in the mid-1950s. Space, jets and all things fast were all the rage, and Dinky thought a Vulcan would be a sure seller. They were right. However, due to a serious oversight, only 500 or so of this mould were ever produced. They were so awesome they LITERALLY broke the mould. Amazingly, I have (thanks to my brother) managed to get one of these for my collection. If you’ve never seen one before, I’m not surprised. I hadn’t either until I got mine as a Christmas gift. Check out Dinky’s biggest example of “snatching defeat from the jaws of victory” at the link below. https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/dinky-toys-supertoys-no-749-992-avro-vulcan/

Thanks Ken! Yeah, Bandai just knows how to make kits. When you consider the amount of engineering to make a snap kit that good, that can move the way it does, has the detail it does and still be a great kit for hardcore modelling, it's truly amazing! What ones have you been working on?

For me, building models is an equal part of artistic expression and attention to detail. It all depends on the kit itself, and how I’m feeling at the time. When it comes to Gundams, though, it’s a toss-up, in most cases, as to whether I’ll build it box-stock or customize it. One thing I do love to do, though, is make non-canonical MSs fit into their respective (although usually it’s the UC) universe! As if reading my mind, Bandai’s excellent “Build Fighters” series kits walk the perfect line between canon and fanciful, and there are many great designs that improve on their originals rather well. One example of that is the fanciful, knight-like “Gyancelot”. With a plumed headdress, cape and Zeon Crest-shaped spear, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s just not UC-able. However, that’s just what I did – reworked the mech’s colours and backstory so it made sense within the UC timeline! Check it out below, and let me know what you think. Have you had any other ideas of what to do with your Gyancelot, if you have one? https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/bandai-1-144-yms-15gc-gyan-crusader/

An old adage is “If it looks right, it flies right”. This implies that a well-designed, well-flying plane is one that is aerodynamically sound, and that this translates, on some subconscious level, to a perception of beauty. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but by and large it is pretty true. (I think the A-10 is hot, so don’t bring that as a counterexample!) Of course, beautiful planes are one thing, but just like how I like loser cars, I have a thing for making pretty airplanes ugly. I absolutely love it when a plane gets all kinds of lumps and bulges, be it for EW purposes, or some other reason. One thing above all that I love is a big spine! Taking an otherwise lithe and athletic aircraft and putting a MASSIVE SPINE on it just works. OA-4Ms, Thunderstick II Thuds, Sufas… you name it, if it has a big spine or a hunchback, I’m on it like… well, a fat spine on a lithe plane! Thus, I was pretty pumped to get my hands on the Zveszda Mig-29SMT. Nothing takes the “Russian-chic” of the Fulcrum and junks it up like a massive hunchback of a fuel tank! Add a centreline tank to add a belly, and the poor SMT’s just got “fat and slow” written all over it! Check out Zvezda’s take on this last of the original Fulcrum family at the link below. You can’t like to yourself anymore; you know you want it! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/zvezda-1-72-mig-29-smt-oob/

Say... I would love to be able to get a full set of the base Pinto hubcaps for my Brother's kit. He always likes to build "base-mobiles", where as I like the high-end loser cars. We've got two (mine and his). Is there any chance that there are a couple of anybodies out there doesn't want their spare one, and could send it to me? Thanks!

Awesome. I'd like to know, though, why that's not discrimination on the basis of vehicular choice...

Thanks guys! I was absolutely shocked when I saw how badly the decals were off. I mean, it's like they never even tried them! Of course, since there's no built model on the box, maybe they didn't? I know that the BRAT's in heavy stock at Great Lakes Hobbies in Sterling Hts. MI. When I was there, two and a bit weeks ago, they must have had 7 or more! The Brat is the quintessential Charlie Brown Christmas Tree; it's got what it takes, but it takes a lot to bring it out.

The BRAT keeps on rolling! Well, not physically, since I haven’t done the wheels and tires yet, but it’s metaphorically well on its way! One part of cars I really like is the interior, and while it’s simple, the old AMT Brat has some nice detailing. The texture of the carpet and the detail on the door panels and seats is great; it’s a bit too bad it isn’t going to be more visible! Still, I’ve had a good time building it, and I’m glad that I cut the bucket separate from the bed. Best move ever. I’ve also got the paint on, and that meant it was time to look at the decals. Since this is an original BRAT, not the reissue, I don’t have that super-nice looking new sheet to work with. I had a scan of it, but that’s cheating, and I wanted to make the originals work. WOW… that’s quite a fight! Check out the ups, downs ins and outs at the link below! Despite what it looks like, I think things are getting close! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/2019/07/31/brat-update-3-sit-down-dress-up-and-hold-on/

You guys didn't get Ladas Tom? Man, there were two of those in my townhouse complex growing up. One was blue (dark blue, with rust) and the other was bright yellow, with a bit less rust. Canada as a passion for crappy, supposedly 'economical' cars. Cheap doesn't always mean economical, but many in Canada don't get that...

Looks fantastic! Now, do a '77 Cougar and you'll have a set. And some money from either my brother or me. Or both. I have always preferred the Cougars to the T'birds of this era. Much cleaner and prettier. I also hate hidden headlights. So how about it?

No car prettier than a Gen 2.4 T/A, if you ask me. Great job!

Darn it! That's almost EXACTLY how I was going to build mine! Great minds, I guess. A very nice job, and it so totally captures the era. Always great to see a "civilian" car - not an unaffordable classic, muscle or supercar. rock on!

Nice! If I said "Pick up your toys!", would it mean anything to you? My brother would get it... Love the flame technique. May steal that sometime.

Mega awesome! A. Maze. Ing. Beater Stealth is awesome, Pace Beater is better! I love to build loser cars pristine. It's nice to see a "collectible" car beaten. Say, what's this about the union and the pace car kit? I've seen these at shows all over the place. Never bought one because I have the red, non-pace version.

Yeah, that spare tire is a totally separate beef, too, Tom. They should have included the spare, as well as putting the curve in the firewall for it. Now, just to point out that the pic you have above is a later motor; maybe 81 forward? I'm not sure on the year, but the earliest ones had the round aircleaner. The 'bean" was later. I think it was sill of AMT not to have at least tried to replicate that.

The Battle of the BRAT rages on! I’ve been hacking away at the original AMT BRAT for a while now, and am making good progress. Thankfully, the body seems to have the highest number of flaws, since I was able to get the chassis and engine done without major issue. Of course, that doesn’t mean AMT still didn’t find ways to disappoint; that would be unthinkable! From poor location to just plain old forgetting to finish the job, the BRAT has some interesting quicks in its lower half. You can check out the chassis and engine at the link below, and if you’ve got a reissue of this kit, let me know if they fixed the issue on the motor. https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/2019/07/16/brat-update-2-topless-on-bottom/

I haven't seen a stock Vega since about the end '86. There were a pair in the townhouse complex I grew up in. One was (of course) a brownish gold, with woodgrain; it was clearly a wagon. the woodgrain tried to hid the hideous amounts of rust. However, it failed. The other was a green wagon. Also a woody. There had been a Pontiac Astre for a while, too. I think it started as silver, but so much primer on there I couldn't be sure. I don't remember seeing it after I got G1 Metroplex though, so I guess the winter of '85-'86 killed it. The other two made it until the end of summer, at least. Yes, Vegas and Hoovers did have the "uck" in common.

See, I have to say, I'd rather have a later vega; the ones with the "vacuum cleaner grate" front. I call it that, because when I was growing up we had an old Hoover that reminded me of a Vega. Well, in looks. It ran for 25 years, so it was UNLIKE a Vega in other was. However, I will not turn down an early one. I know there's a promo of the "cool" later ones; my brother has it. I bought it for him, and almost tore it down so I could build it like a kit! Vega Army: RISE!