
Faust
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Everything posted by Faust
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Even if it’s a loser car, with a loser engine (which it is), I still like to try and make the interior and chassis of a car kit look as good as possible. Of course, when you’re talking about the make-work-project that is the MPC 1979 Pinto “Pony Express” reissue, that’s not exactly an easy chore. Thankfully, the chassis and interior on this kit are fairly simple, and require less reworking than the body and engine! Check out my progress at the link below. This little beast is edging further towards completion! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/2018/09/12/pinto-update-3-inside-underside-tnt/
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Thanks Ray! That's one of the best parts of building Mecha. Giant robots are just cool, even if you don't know anything about them! In the pre-internet days, I'd buy a kit entirely on how it looked; it had nothing to do with what it did or didn't do in the anime it came from. I figured I'd never get to see the animes anyway! Well, that's changed, but my buying on "cool factor" alone hasn't!
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One of my favourite parts of modelling is trying to make something look just like it does in real life. Oddly, the other part I like is making something completely unique. Thankfully, the hobby has room for both! One genre of kits I find myself customizing a lot (especially colour schemes) is that of mecha, or science fiction robot weapons. While Gundams themselves aren’t as customizable, being the “main characters”, the supporting mecha lend themselves to any and all kinds of imagination, reimagination and customization. It helps that the Gundam kits that Bandai cranks out are so well-made and forgiving, it allows for a lot of parts swapping and alteration without the worry of ruining a kit or having to do a tonne of scratchbuilding, unless, of course, you want to. A perfect candidate for this kind of treatment is the Re/100 Efreet from the recent Reborn 100 line of large scale, but simplified and lower-cost kits. Given the Efreet’s bad-arsed appearance, I decided to customize mine into what it would look like if the Efreet had been produced for at least ace use, instead of the Gouf. The result is the Efreet Blazer custom, portrayed in the colours of Norris Packard from the excellent 8th MS series. Check it out, and let me know what you think! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/mecha-robots/bandai-1-100-ms-08-efreet-blazer-custom-norris-packard-use/
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While I’m not as hardcore into all the fine details as many armour guys out there, I do like me some good old ground-pounding, mud-churning armour to build once in a while. I rarely, of course, indulge in larger or more expensive kits (the Takom G6 Rhino is a dream of mine, and likely will be for a long time to come). No, I prefer simpler, smaller more (gasp!) fun kits. To me, that means old-school, small-scale stuff, like Fujimi and Matchbox 1/76. Of the two, it’s no surprise to most who know me that Matchbox kits are my absolute favourites. I LOVE them, and I am forever glad that Revell seems to reissue them regularly. One such kit that got a reissue just recently was the 1/76 Pak 40 and Sdkfz. 11 halftrack, one of the larger “multi sets” that Matchbox originally came out with to expand their armour range. Check out what’s in the box of this newly revived masterpiece below! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/1-76-revell-matchbox-pak-40-sd-kfz-11-out-of-box/
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Thanks, man! Nice! that Norseman is cool, and I do like floatplanes as well, as you can tell by my Float Stuka. I like the Norseman too, because it's not the L-4 most people think of when they think US Army co-operation plane! The puddle jumper is nice, yeah, I agree. Oh, man... that's a long way for that poor Maryland's moulds to go! I'm sure it'll suck, but likely no worse than the Norm!
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Hey Michael! Man, it sounds like you're in my version of Heaven! My brother has that Privateer, and yes, I do believe that's the only Styrene version of it ever. Too bad, it'd make a nice 1/144. However, it's a cool counterpart to the new Airfix Shackelton, so 1/72 isn't TOO big! I love Marylands, and haven't ever seen the kit. Man, if it's the Eastern Express.... that's going to hurt. I have their Yak 15 - total garbage. I did get an original Frog Thud and a DH Hornet, though! All of them for cheap, too. I've built that B-57 - got it 20 years ago, and then bought the "G" version about 4 years ago. Sure, it's raised panel lines, but it's a cool, cool plane! Great find on the Trumpy car-scale Stang, too! I love finding Matchboxes. At a local show this past winter, I got a decal-less (but otherwise complete) Do-18, a still-wrapped He-70 and one guy was selling PK-1 (Hawker Fury) two in a box!!! And it was a perfect shape box in great condition! HOLY MOLY! I still lust (yes, lust) for the Matchbox Buffalo, although there are a tonne of others like the Seafox, Norseman and Mosquito that I'd also like to grab if I ever see them! Not to mention the LRDG and Char B1/FT-17 "orange" kit sets. Man, now I'm all excited... Good luck grabbing some more stuff next week!
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The Rufe was very much more successful, but that's not saying a whole lot. The Norm should have been good, but since none of the jettisoning floats worked, it was really just a sitting duck. I agree, Ray, that it is a very pretty airplane. That's why, even though the kit was a total dog's breakfast, I persevered with it. It's too pretty NOT to have on display!
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Sometimes, things don’t work out in real life like they do in theory. Anyone who’s ever designed something and seen it built has likely experienced this. It happens all the time, and in the field of aviation history, it’s a very common occurrence indeed. One perfect example was the “Norm”, a Japanese floatplane recce bird deployed in only very small numbers in the Pacific theatre of WWII. The designers of the Norm had all kinds of great ideas for it, and it should have been a success. However, despite counter-rotating props and (technically) jettisonable floats, the E15K1 was just one of those cases where theory and reality were at loggerheads, and reality won. The few Norms put into service experienced all kinds of troubles, and most were shot down. Equally plagued with troubles is the ANCIENT Farpro Japan kit of the Norm. Yeah, if you know me, you knew that I’d be busting out another Farpro at some time! Well, here it is! This ancient dog needs about 400 pounds of putty and elbow grease to even get it looking like a plane, let alone half-arsed. However, with some patience and work, it can be made to look acceptable, even against much more modern and forgiving kits. Check it out below, and save yourself the pain of building it yourself. I mean, that’s what I’m here for! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/farpro-japan-1-72-e15k1-siun-norm/
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When it comes to Sci-Fi, I’m more of an anime guy than anything else. I grew up watching Astroboy, Battle of the Planets and Robotech. There’s always been something about the realness and completeness of Japanese designs and the universes they inhabit that inspire me to build plastic models of them. However, I am also interested in Star Wars, and have become more so in the last decade than I was before. Thankfully, during this time, the number of quality kits from the Star Wars franchise has grown, and the old MPC offerings have been truly put out to pasture. Most recently, Bandai has begun to market very nice, gorgeously moulded kits of some of the designs from both the classic and newer movies. These take the Star Wars modelling experience to the next level, and I felt I should at least try one to see what they were like. Of course, I chose a rather odd example: the 1/144 U-Wing/Tie Striker set! Despite being small and simple to build, this multi-kit set is a pretty nice piece of work. Check it out below! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/bandai-1-144-u-wing-and-tie-striker-out-of-box/
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Hell's Yeah! Now you're talking! I tried buying one of those a while ago and lost out on it. I'd buy TWO of those, at least!
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I think the Me-210/410 story, and the apathy of the Luftwaffe to the excellent He-100 family and He-280 are really excellent case studies in how political infighting can really cause havoc with real consequences for a nation's security. Of course, if you add in the blind adherence to the He-177 and the inability until the very end for the industry to focus on a few key projects, and you have a basketful of lessons that ought to be taken to heart by everyone in the military-industrial complex. The ProModeller 1/48 is AWESOME. I had the non-PM version of that kit, and was astounded how good it was. I sold it for a good deal more than I paid, but I kinda wish I hadn't, although in 1/48 a Hornisse takes up more space than I have to give it...
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You're right about the insert, is is very Vega-esque. I don't know why Ford did what they did with the Pinto, since they had to have the inside insert anyway. Maybe it was to hide all the crappy welds? This way, they could make a right mess of things and just cover it over with a piece of panel. No muss, no fuss. I'd love to see what rot is under, and indeed written on or stuffed into, one of these panels. We are talking about '70s auto assembly lines after all. I personally like the way Ford did it; it makes the wagon look less cheap. For a commercial-beater, like the Vega, the insert is okay. For the Pinto, though, a more flush side looks more "vanning", and like they cared more.
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I’m sure we’ve all run into those kits that we thought were going to be fairly simple, only to realize that they’re a lot more involved than they first seemed to be. That’s been the case for the last couple of cars I’ve built, as I’ve tried to overcome dodgy instructions and a lack of reference material regarding stock versions of the vehicles. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that MPC’s Pinto wagon, rereleased in its late-run “Pony Express” form by Round 2 is any different. However, it’s not just the engine that’s wrong on this one, it’s the whole Cruising Wagon rear end! (You know, the whole reason most of us likely bought the kit?). It’s not Round 2’s fault, though. It’s all MPC laziness, but with some dedication, it can be made to work out in the end. Check out all the blood, sweat and tears that I’m having to put into this thing at the link below. Just a word of warning: if you want to build an authentic Pinto wagon from this thing without a lot of work, stick to the windowed version! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/2018/07/04/pinto-update-2-body-issues/
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Oh my God! That thing is coming along great! I can't believe a Monza can look so tough! Fantastic job on the wheels especially! I also love the side light treatment. Great idea!
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That Ford van looks awesome! Is it just a re-repop of the "Vantom/Phantom Van" of a few years ago, but with updated decals? The only thing I don't like about the AMT van kits is the lack of interior. This one, though, would be okay, since it's a bone-stock factory package, I believe. I'm waiting for this one, or at least more details! Never enough street vans.
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AMT's Horizon TC3- Loser from the past, out of box!
Faust replied to Faust's topic in Car Kit News & Reviews
Oooh! Nice call! A nice new Cimmaron kit would be fantastic. C'mon Revell! -
AMT's Horizon TC3- Loser from the past, out of box!
Faust replied to Faust's topic in Car Kit News & Reviews
I got one for my brother a bit ago, but I'll still looking for another one. I really wish there was a 4-door notchback Cavalier promo! Was there ever a promo based on this Horizon kit, or even a promo for the Omnis at all? -
While many of my built WWII Luftwaffe planes are, in fact, “What-Ifs” or Luft ‘46ers, I do have a goodly number of actual Luftwaffe hardware in my stash as well. One type that I’d been eager to get a nice kit of was the Me-410, since it’s an unusual looking plane, as well as having something of a loser heritage that I just can’t resist. I had a 1/48 Monogram years ago, but it was so big that I sold it to make some room. Since then, I’ve not seen a small kit of the -410 that I’ve wanted to get. That was until I ran into the Fine Molds one at a local show. For the price, I figured I could treat myself and get a nice kit of a cool, and real(!) plane. Check out my out of box review below in case you’re thinking of snagging one yourself. However, just like the Luftwaffe, I wouldn’t get your expectations unjustifiably high… https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/fine-molds-me-410-a-1-b-1-out-of-box/
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Big Scale, Tiny Car... 1/20 Subaru Rex (OOB)
Faust replied to Faust's topic in Car Kit News & Reviews
Man, that's not much of a resume... -
Big Scale, Tiny Car... 1/20 Subaru Rex (OOB)
Faust replied to Faust's topic in Car Kit News & Reviews
Dude... that is so ugly it's awesome. I want two. One for the blah-commercial utility version, and one for the rockin' beach van! The Cedric and Chaser I have have that warning too. I don't know why: those to kits blow most Tamiya cars I have out of the water for completeness and moulding. -
Big Scale, Tiny Car... 1/20 Subaru Rex (OOB)
Faust replied to Faust's topic in Car Kit News & Reviews
I can see that, but I have more fun being harsh than kind. Also, I have some of the newly reissued Aoshima kits from the late '70s ('78 Gloria/Cedric and '78 Chaser - I think it's a '78) and they're FANTASTIC. Also, regardless of what it IS, it's being marketed as a kit. So, I think it's better to let people know that it's not a great kit. It is a fun and lame off-the-waller, though! Man, I gotta get me that van. Epic! Oh, and no... the Rex wasn't sold in the US, Peter. At least, not to my knowledge. The Justy was, though, and they do share some DNA! -
Big Scale, Tiny Car... 1/20 Subaru Rex (OOB)
Faust replied to Faust's topic in Car Kit News & Reviews
I can see that, and it has some Ford Fiesta in it too. Thing is, this is smaller than either of those, well, at least the Rabbit, I think. -
For those who grew up in the ‘60s or ‘70s, big cars were just the norm. For those, like me, who grew up in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, large cars were still quite plentiful, but they weren’t being replaced as they died. No, instead, we got to see them replaced by much smaller, imported cars, with transverse engines and none-too-exciting two-box hatchback body styles. At the time, these newcomers looked positively ridiculous in comparison. However, most of us never knew that things got much, much smaller than that! Given that I love everyday cars, weird cars and loser cars (or at least those that suck due to inherent non-excitingness), it’s not a surprise that I have a goodly number of weird kits in my stash. I’m also a bit of a 1/20 lover, although I’ve never built one, I have a lot of them, and I’m always on the lookout for more. Thankfully, I managed to find one that isn’t going to suck up much shelf space! If you want small, quirky and outright laughably non-aggressive, check out my recently acquired 1/20 Subaru Rex Combi! Don’t tell me I don’t bring you the weirdness in spades! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/1-20-aoshima-1981-subaru-rex-combi-out-of-box/
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If there’s one thing I love, it’s loser cars. Anyone who knows me, or has been to my site, knows that building loser, everyday-kind-of cars is a big thrill for me. I love to preserve these little nobodies in plastic, at least, since almost none of them exist in “the wild” anymore. A perfect example of a loser car is the 1980 Pinto Cruising Wagon. In its last guise, Ford’s gutless econobeater van-wannabe is about as sad as you’re going to get. It’s amazing, in a way, that there’s even a kit of this thing, but of course, MPC saved the day by punching out an ultimate Pinto annual. Resurrected by Round 2, the “Pony Express” can be built stock or custom. Of course, I chose stock. However, it’s not all rose-coloured glasses on this one. MPC’s lame horse has A LOT wrong with it, especially in the engine department. It turns out accurizing the motor is a project unto itself! So, if you’ve got a Pinto and you’re wondering if you need to do anything, or you just like to watch me suffer (and who doesn’t?) then check out the link below! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/2018/05/23/mpc-ford-pinto-update-1-not-so-wild-horses/