Faust

A lot of people feel like they should root for the underdog. Well, if that was the case, then the Japanese stable of WWII tanks would be getting love like no tomorrow! Of course, that’s not the case, and it fact I didn’t know much about Japanese tanks, other than that they were largely inadequate, until I picked up the old Fuijimi 1/76 Shinhoto Chi-Ha at a show. It was the same scale as my Matchboxes, and it looked weak and unloved, so I thought why not. Just like Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree, I thought if I gave the little guy some love he might turn out okay. Given that this is only my third tank, I actually am rather pleased at how it ended up. If you’re a fan of obscure and ineffective military hardware, follow the link below. Given that I’m pretty new to armour, I’d be very appreciative of any comments you guys have! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/fujimi-1-76-type-97-kai-shinhoto-chi-ha/

It’s not just unusual subject matter that always attracts me to a kit. Even I tend to like some of the more famous subjects in aviation history. However, it’s always nice if it can be a bit of both; fairly well-known, but still a bit outside of the ordinary. This is not easy to do for WWII aircraft, which tend to either be famous or forgotten. One plane, though, that does manage to straddle the line is the Yokosuka D4Y, known as the “Judy” in Allied code. I’ve always liked the Judy, both in its inline- and radial-engined forms, and like the Seiran, it always looks to me like a heavy fighter rather than a bomber. Of course, it wouldn’t be me if I was reviewing just another Judy. Nope. I managed to come across something of an old and unusual kit this time; one of the old (1960’s, I believe) LS models in the conveniently not-in-scale-to-anything size of 1/75! Just the box art on this thing is worth the price I paid! Check it out, and prepare to be amazed at what LS could do a half century ago, and be saddened by how far other kit makers still have to go to catch up. https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/ls-models-1-75-yokosuka-d4y2-suisei-judy-oob/

Hi Everyone! I'm not just into American cars, despite what I mainly have posted so far. I also like some unusual Japanese designs, both cool ones and ones that are, at least to me, a bit disturbingly small or ugly. I have, however, a soft spot for those '70s Japanese cars that try to emulate American ones. One such car is the '78 Cedric/Gloria. I just picked up the Aoshima re-release of this kit (a review will come along someday!) and really quite like it. However, it is IMPOSSIBLE to find information on Japanese cars like I can on American ones. Does ANYONE out there have any information on paint and interior colours for these cars? Thanks, in advance!

I looked at some of mine. Bear Bait (1980 Chevette) Made in Canada: https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/mpc-125-1979-chevette-bear-bait/ Wild Breed (1979-80 Mustang Custom) is, I believe, Made in Canada: https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/125-mpc-wild-breed-mustang-cobra-oob/ My Jet Vette Fast 111s kit is also made and lithoed in Canada. It looks like a lot of the line might have been made up here at one point. It's possible that there are others, but I can't dig them all out right now. Just note: Frenchification (love that word!) doesn't mean made in Canada. The Vette Van I have has some French, like "Modele Reduit" on it, but not much on the sides, and it's made in the USA. So is Gold Rush

One of the most difficult things to do when building car kits is getting the finish right. I’ve had a lot of tough times trying to get things sanded and polished to make my cars look right. I’ve tried a bunch of stuff and some of it worked, and some of it didn’t. I thought it was just me that was having a hard time, but apparently that’s not the case. At our local modelling club, we do presentations once a month on different skill sets. I was asked by the club members if I could do a demonstration on how I do car finishes. I was more than glad to share what I’ve found out with my fellow club members. The presentation was even recorded for posting online afterwards! If you would like to check it out and see how I get my Chevettes and Volares looking like I do, please feel free. Any comments, as always, are welcome! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/2018/04/15/the-medium-and-fine-and-ultra-fine-is-the-message/

When they said “Everything old is new again”, they weren’t kidding! I just recently went to my local Hobby Toy Central and was shocked to find old Silhouette Formula F-91 kits on the shelves! The last time I saw that was literally 18 year ago! In fact, I figured that these kits had all disappeared and would never be seen or heard from again. To that end, 15 years ago, I took the opportunity to grab one that a student of mine found in Asia when he was home for the summer. I would have placed bets that it was the last of its kind that would be found on this continent when he brought it to me. Well, I guess that was wrong… Still, the timing couldn’t be better, since I can show off my old-new-oldly new new kit (you followed that, right?) and be right on the bandwagon! So, check out my RXF-91 Kai Silhouette Gundam at the link below, and let the retro robot assault begin! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/bandai-1-100-rxf-91-kai/

thanks for the Compliment on the writing, Mike! I do try to keep it entertaining. I'm sorry that the subject matter wasn't more exciting, though. I like the looks of the kit, and it was my first 1/20 Lindy. I just liked seeing all the parts so, well, BIG. I will admit that I'm a bit hesitant about the building of it, though, since not too many people have much good to say about it. Oh, wait... no, that's not it. that just makes me want to build it MORE. I'm the guy who lives for Matchbox, Farpro and MPC, so I'm sure the Lindy can't be that bad! Can it? :/ I'm glad you put that in there about the flotation devices, because that was the first thing that sprang to mind.

Thanks, Randy! I'm glad you enjoy it! I still have some weirdness up my sleeve, don't worry. I've got some Japanese goodies, a couple more street vans, and you never know what else. Some new reissues, some classic stuff, but most of it is downright weird. Oh, I did just come into an engine-less Escort for $5! Can you smell the project car in that? Yeah, baby... I shudder to think of that explorer. As for the other Big Lindys I have, I cant' say they look bad. Of course, I thought that about the MPC Pinto I just started... oops. Total POS. Going to totally rock though! SO much work needed on it, mind you. See, Jesse, if someone gave me a 1/20 as a prize, I'd be all "Hot Darn! Look at all the extra plastic for the same price!" Of course, the fact it's weird, and that no one else likes it, makes me like it a lot!

Thanks, Bill! I'm glad that you appreciated it, and that I'm able to educate and entertain! You've gotta have something fun to start the day, right?

While it’s true that I do have a certain affection for “loser cars”, I do have SOME automotive taste. I can appreciate a good piece of automotive technology; a car that encompases style, performance and advanced engineering. Of course, it helps if that car is also something I see, or at least saw, every day; I do still have a thing for the “common” car, even if it’s uncommonly cool. A perfect example of this is the Dodge Stealth. I remember when they first came out, it was like pretty much nothing I’d seen before, and I really did find them attractive, even with that weird spoiler of theirs, tucked so close to the back window in defiance of convention. That’s why I was very happy to get my hands on not only a kit of the Stealth, but a BIG kit! I didn’t even know there was a 1/20 scale version of Dodge’s “everyday supercar”, but it turns out Lindberg had me fooled. Good old Lindberg, once again to the fore with the Mopar weirdness! Check out my out of box review of this kit below, and make some room; it’s not a small beastie! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/lindberg-1-20-dodge-stealth-r-t-turbo-oob/

When I started modelling, I was only into fast, modern jets. As I have gone on in the hobby, though, I’ve broadened my horizons considerably, expanding to WWII and Vietnam subjects as well. One era, though, that I’ve only recently found I enjoy is the early years of the jet age. Those awkward years in the ‘50s when things weren’t quite understood yet. There were some pretty weird designs then, and it seems that the British had a lot of them. One plane that I always wanted a nice kit of was the Supermarine Swift. How the company that gave us the Spitfire had such a hard time designing jets I’ll never understand, but the Swift was about the best they could come up with (save maybe the Scimitar). Thankfully, New Airfix saw fit to issue a new kit of this rather obscure plane, and I was quick to snatch it up. It is likely the nicest Airfix I’ve worked on to date! Check out my out of box review in case you’re thinking of getting one! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/1-72-airfix-swift-fr-5-oob/

You're welcome, and thanks for the compliments, Mike! I didn't care much either at first, but I kept going back to look at it again and again. I can't NOT try it, and the second model in the series, a Scharnhorst, looks cool too! I know what you mean about the detail... I was shocked beyond belief at the drilled brakes and the folded wings!

One thing I’ve noticed as I continue in this great hobby, is that the longer I build, the more varied the subject matter I’m attracted to becomes. When I started, it was fast Vietnam-era or newer jets only. Then there was some WWII, then Gundams came along, then any weird plane, then cars, submarines and most recently tanks. However, one thing I’ve never been, and doubted I ever would be, interested in was surface ships. This is nothing against surface ship kits; I know there are many excellent ones. However, I just don’t like ships much, and I don’t find them too interesting on a personal level. I’d rather build a loser car or some obscure failure of a plane than a ship. Well, that was until now. Thanks to Meng, I have been sucked into the world of surface vessels. However, I’ve not gone easily into that dark night. Oh no. “What do you mean?” you ask. Well, the first surface ship I’m ever going to review, and in fact (likely) build is the Meng Warship Builder Lexington (CV-2). What makes it right up my alley, though, is that it’s an SD (Super Deformed) carrier, or “egg boat”. It was so off the wall that I had to pick it up. Check out this weirdo of a kit at the link below. I think it’ll be a scream! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/meng-non-scale-warship-builder-cv-2-lexington-oob/

Thanks a lot, guys! I'm glad that you guys all like it, and that my attention to detail shows through! I really find the white around the grille to be a... strange thing. it's a weird place to just randomly put another colour of paint, but it looks good on a two-toned truck! I'm also glad that you think it looks dealer-fresh, Keith. That's exactly what I was going for!

Well it’s finally done! The Revell 1964 Chevy Fleetside is the first pickup truck kit that I’ve ever built, although I do have many others in the stash. It was similar to a car, which was nice, but it was also a nice break, with some distinct differences in build order and challenges. I was originally attracted to this kit because it was something different from what I normally build, and I figured it would give me a chance to paint something in nice, ‘60s colours and with some chrome on it. I’m not that used to chrome, since so much of my stuff is 80’s-era, wherein all trim was blacked out to be “Euro style”. I have to say I’m very pleased with the result, although it wasn’t as easy to achieve as I might have thought it would be, given how relatively simple the build looked. Still, it’s one of the most eye-catching pieces in my display, and I enjoyed having something with whitewalls and chrome. Check out the build, with more pictures, at the link below. Let me know what you think, as always! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/cars/revell-1-25-1964-chevy-fleetside/

Yeah, they're really quite amazing! I have yet to write them up, but I have a station wagon in two tone brown, that's an Aeroflot "Follow Me" car. I think it might be a Volga. Great, great model. I also have an ambulance and two versions of the passenger van; I think it's a DAF, but not like the Dutch one. I think that's what it's called. I don't have many of these things, but I'm always glad for the ones I do have. My brother has a limo that looks like a '56 Packard; it's a Zil, I think. I believe the model of car is a Chaika (gull, correct?). So awesome - it blows every other diecast I've seen away.

My love of the odd and eclectic doesn’t just confine itself to building loser cars and weird airplanes. No, it goes much further than that, and is increasingly finding an outlet in terms of die cast replicas. Now, I know that there are all kinds of impressive large-scale cars out there, but not only are they big, they’re also expensive and rarely weird. No, I’m more into things like Hot Wheels J2000s and Yatming Vegas to bother with the normal stuff. One thing, I’ve found, though, is that the Russians make darned good, almost impeccably good, 1/43 die cast cars. These are right on part with Franklin Mint issues, with good interiors, engines and chassis, as well as lots of opening doors. One of the most deluxe I’ve found is actually a car most of us will recognize: the much loved/maligned NIVA! I picked this up a while ago at a toy show, and couldn’t resist. While it’s not a model you build, it’s certainly as well detailed as many 1/32 or even 1/25 cars (depending on the kit). Check it out, and then tell me you’re not impressed! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/cool-stuff/1-43-tantal-lada-2121-niva-with-skif-trailer/

I proudly admit that I am a child of the ‘80s, and that growing up my favourite things were giant robots. It didn’t matter to me if they were Transformers, GoBots or piloted mecha from cool shows like Robotech or Voltron. Big robots = awesome. That’s true math. Since growing up kinda sucks, I think I decided not to bother, and I still love robots today! However, there’s something about ‘80s robots and ‘80s mech anime that just grab me and won’t let go. The art style, the character designs and the slightly looser constraints on what was allowed in terms of mech design really combine to make an irresistible product. That’s why I was so excited to not only get to watch Metal Armour Dragonar (albeit with questionable subs), but to get my hands on pretty much every 1/144 kit from the series! The first one I built was the Schwalg, an enemy flying mech known, appropriately, as a Flug Armor. Check it out, and see why these simple but awesome kits are some of my prized possessions! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/mecha-robots/bandai-1-144-flug-armor-ffa-02-schwalg/

Really? Metallic satin beige? Well, that is in keeping with the times, I guess! Nowhere did I ever run into anyone who mentioned that. I did see one truck that had such a finish on the 'net, but so many other things in the cab were customized, I didn't think that would be the original colour! Now THAT is cool! Too late for this build, but definitely cool! Is that the same for Suburbans, too?

Hey Bill! Thanks for the info! I found it hard to get good info on the purely bone-stock versions of these trucks; everyone seems to customize them somehow. Of course, that's why I'm trying to be as stock as possible! I don't have one of those steering wheels, since this isn't my era of kit, but I'm glad to know about it and will keep it in mind should I decide to swap it at some point, or come across one! Hey, don't worry about helping me with correct info! I'm always glad to have it. I might try to correct it before I assemble, but I may just leave it. I don't want you to think I'm being a jerk now, but I'm very superstitious about changing something once it's assembled. I will, however, file this information with the other stuff I collected on the truck so I have it for the next time. I've seen a number of people building '65 and '66 versions of this truck on various boards, so hopefully this will help them, if nothing else! Thanks, man!

One of my favourite parts of a car kit is the interior. Since this is where most of us spend the our time with our cars, I like to make it as authentic as possible within the confines of what the kit gives me. Usuall, car interiors aren’t bad. However, the interior on the ’64 Chev Fleetside I’m working on is, well, a bit confused. The problem is that it has features of both the standard and the “Custom” cab, so getting everything sorted out took a bit of work! Thankfully, I was able to mostly get it looking like it should, and now the Fleetside at least has an “office” to work with! Check it out below; feedback is welcome as always! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/2018/01/03/64-chevy-fleetside-update-2-inner-conflict/

Man, I'm not a bike guy, but that looks fantastic! I like that it's been "dechromed"; your metal shade work looks great! Kinda makes me want to try my hand at a bike, now...

Man, Dave Van, it seems a few people have expressed a desire to own this! I didn't think people would lust after it like they have! I'm likely better to sell it than try to build it!

It’s only human nature to jump onto the bandwagon. When that bandwagon is being pulled by a successful franchise like Star Wars, it should come as no surprise that everybody wants in on the action. However, in the rush to cash in on a name, some companies take short cuts. This is where the wonderful world of “bootleg” or “non-licenced” toys, models and other goods takes centre stage. I’m not here to encourage bootlegs, but when I come across one that’s interesting, I can’t help but show it off. Just in time for The Last Jedi, then, (See how I hopped on that bandwagon? ) I would like to present to you, the modelling public, my out of box review for the Crown Star Warrior X Fighter. Not even Poe’s signature Black and Orange paint can save this outcast from failure! Check it out at the link below! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/crown-non-scale-star-warrior-x-fighter-oob/