Faust

Alan told me about this line the other day, and I have to say I'm impressed with the choice of subjects that Tonka tackled. I think reissues of these could do well today! I love the looks of these, and will be keeping my eyes peeled for them at shows and the like. I'm unlikely to find one but hey, you never know! Thanks for bringing these out of the shadows!

Still loving this! Still wanting this! Alan, I never thought an American would bring a Corner Gas reference! Nice! We neeed the '85 version SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BADLY. What? I like POS cars getting kits? You know me... always up for some unloved econobeating!

Well, this is a lot more complicated than I had imagined. Since I normally only build 1/72 or 1/76 armour, I thought it would be fun to take a run at a larger kit, and since I love the G6 Rhino SP gun, it seemed a natural target for my endeavours. However, I will admit that I thought even though it was bit that building the Rhino would not be all that complicated. Sure, it had a lot more parts than I thought it would, but I was hoping a lot of them would be able to be bolted on at the end. Joke’s on me! Check out my progress on the Takom 1/35 Rhino at the link below. I am getting somewhere, but it’s sure a lot more work than I originally thought it would be! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/2021/09/02/rhino-update-1-build-around-city/

I've built their Mirage IV and Lansen (on my site) and have a bunch more, like their Tunan, a couple WWII French Bombers I've not put up yet, and their Javelin T.3. All seem good for detail, but it's all raised. They're simple on internal detail and all need work, but I think they're definitely competent when it comes to being a decent representation of something unusual. Their 1/400 Admiral Scheer was okay, too. My brother built it for my dad, since our Grandfather was on that ship when it crossed the Equator during WWII.

Heller made some amazing kits, but yes, they are very short run in a lot of ways. Imagine if all that detail was recessed instead of raised, though. They'd rival Hasegawa on some kits!

While I’m not all that much of an armour guy, anyone who knows me knows that I do love my Matchbox tank kits. While the Purple Range kits are pretty fun, I do have a particular love of the Orange Range models. Those were the ones that were almost like playsets; you got multiple vehicles and some figures, as well as a bigger, usually cooler, diorama base. Sadly, finding the Orange Range kits has proven somewhat tougher than I’d have thought. Thankfully, though, Revell Germany keeps the repops coming, and every now and then they’ll reissue one of them. It seems like, within a decade, most of them will get redeployed. Thanks to that, I’m now only missing one of these kits, although up until recently it was two. That changed when I found the recent repop of the Char B1.bis and Renault FT-17 at a local store. They had one copy, and of course I was super-pumped to grab it! I couldn’t believe I happened to get a hold of it before someone else did. Of course, maybe I’m the only one that wanted it? Nah! To see what the other guys missed, check out my Out of Box review on this classic at the link below: https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/revell-germany-matchbox-1-76-renault-ft-17-and-char-b-1-bis-out-of-box/

Man, Snake, that's a good collection of bubbletops! They look great! I have a Fujimi Bubbletop too, somewhere. Looks like a stunning, if not fiddly, little kit. I adore Seafire F.47s, so much so that I bought the 1/48 Airfix. A bubble top, with full wings, AND it has a contra-prop? Sign me up!! You're right, too, Ken, about these being good trainers. I like them because they're good for keeping the basics in tune, and I love that people are like "Why did you spend so much time on a Matchbox?". My answer is always "That. Right there." Sometimes, they don't realize that I do it to generate a bemused or incredulous reaction!

Obviously, the Spitfire is a plane that needs no introduction. It was in production before WWII and continued in production even after the War. It was produced in a staggering variety of variants for a number of roles, and has long been a darling of model kit makers and model builders.Of course, even I have a couple of Spits in the stash, but I’m a particular fan of the bubbletops, and I prefer building them to the more “normal” Malcom-hooded variety of Spit. Now, I also love Matchboxes, so when I got the chance to get my mitts on a Matchbox bubbletop, you KNOW I was all in!Check out this interesting late-life remould, the Matchbox Spitfire XVI, out of box at the link below. Don’t tell me a clipped wing bubbletop isn’t cool, even if this might not be the best kit of it! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/matchbox-1-72-spitfire-mk-ix-xvi-oob/

I got the info on the Hupmobile right from the president of the Owner's Club. If there's a Porter Owner's Club, I'd try there, or if there isn't (which wouldn't surprise me) there might be some kind of antique car society thing around you could ask. A stock Porter would be awesome!

I love those cars, and that one looks awesome! Great work, man, on a weird subject to boot!

That sucks about blowing the propshaft. At least the car doesn't weight too much to push! Thanks for the condolences. At least it was in his sleep, so you can't argue with that.

One of the fun parts of modelling is picking a subject that’s a bit different, or outside your comfort zone. Sure, it’s always fun to build a subject you know lots about, but building something unusual usually leads one to finding out a lot of interesting history and information about the subject. Thus, the experience is both informative and enjoyable, and who knows, maybe it even gives you a chance to acquire some new tricks! For me, that’s exactly what happened when I build the old Hawk (nee Kaysun) 1909 Hupmobile that my friend Alan sent me by mail. I have always liked brass-era cars, but never had the chance to build one. Well, that has now been rectified, and I have to say, it was a scream! I learned a tonne about early automotive history and even connected with some people I’d have never crossed paths with if I hadn’t had this kit to work on. It was a kit that my uncle and I were both excited about, although it’s a shame he passed away before he got to see it completed. So, if you want to see something just a bit out of the ordinary, check out my Hupmobile at the link below; who knows, maybe you’ll find out something new too! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/hawk-kaysun-1-24-1909-hupmobile-model-20-runabout/

Lol, I'm glad that's the case! I agree... that's typical GM. I don't know why they can't perfect it, then sell it, instead of the other way around... I like powerful four-doors. Nobody really expects them to haul arse at a light, so many-a-tuned-Honda have been taken by surprise! I like those cars too, just not enough to build them. I hear you about parts support, too... The G8 is impossible to support, at least in Canada!

Well, it’s summer time, and that means Hobby Shop Road Trips! Sadly, though, with COVID still smacking my home provice around, it’s not quite to that point. Thankfully, though, one of my local shops managed to buy a whole tonne of old kits, so I’ve been able to recreate the experience just by going across town! Over the last bit, I’ve managed to acquire a lot of kits I’d not seen before, including a large number of Japanese floatplanes, as well as some WWII and even some Jets from Hasegawa and Fujimi, primarily. Of course, I also picked up some other weirdness, because why wouldn’t I? Check out my latest haul at the link below, and vote, at the bottom of that page, for what you want to see reviewed out of box first! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/japanese-model-plane-score-july-2021/

I would kill for a stock Henry J. I love the styling on those. Cheap as heck, sure, but cute as a button, and they'd have looked awesome scaled up, too. An ALLSTATE?? Heck Yeah, I'd buy that!!

I don't mind some cars' styling from the '70s. My dad had a '76 Tornio, and I loved the looks of it. Same with my Uncle's '77 Cougar and, of course, early and late ('79) T/As are among my favourite cars ever! I also like the mid '70s Darts and, yes I know it's weird, but I ADORE notchback Mustang IIs. So much cooler than the '79 Fox-Stang. I often like the styling on cars that are too small for my tastes, too. A good example for me is the '88 Fiero GT. I love those, but they're too small. I also love the Kia Stinger, but found out the other day on a test drive that it's just a bit too cramped for me. That's why I keep fixing my '09 G8 GT. That, and I get to live Poncho Power every day. Sure, but having a fan base doesn't mean they're great. I mean, the Toronto Maple Leafs have lots of fans, but they suck as a team, and there are lots of people who love Edsels now, but they were losers (sales-wise and quality-wise) too. Loser is subjective, but since I'm making the judgment, I call 'em as I see 'em. Just remember, I love EXPs too. Yes... there is something wrong with me.

Hey Jim! I see my reputation precedes me! I like that you automatically think of me when you see loser cars. That means I've done my job well. I always liked these, but the later ones more than the first ones. The follow on, the Corrado, was a lot better looking still. Regardless, both were better than a Rabbit/Golf. Since I wasn't building back then I didn't get to see the transition to imports, but it surprises me nonetheless. As an aficionado of the "loser"-type, though, I approve! Most cars from then were lame. Horribly lame. They're cool now, though, in a lame way.

Man, that AMT-Ttop is ridiculous! I love it! Those sunset stripes really do work on anything, don't they? Nice Slam on that thing, man!

Economy and responsibility are great traits for a car to have, especially if you’re the kind who doesn’t like to go far or fast, and views transportation equipment as an appliance. For those with that attitude, the Automotive Dark Ages really weren’t that much of a letdown. Uninspiring econoboxes with poor drivability and no style wouldn’t, and didn’t, bother them at all. It showed in the bulk of the products on offer in those days, too. However, for those who wanted some joy out of their driving, something more was needed. Sure, muscle cars were dead, but there’s a lot of wiggle room between an SD-455 T/A and an Omni hatchback. Thus, the sporty economy car was born to fill this gap. One of the earlier attempts to put some lipstick on some pigs, at least metaphorically, was the tarted-up Rabbit/Golf known as the VW Scirocco. This sporty hatch showed you could be responsible and fun at the same time. Amazingly, Round 2 repopped the AMT Scirocco a few years ago. However, about the same time, I snared an original for cheap at a local model show. Check out this interesting little kit at the link below: https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/amt-1-25-1976-volkswagen-scirocco-oob/

Yeah, it's really not one of those cars that everyone is going to want to jump up and get a replica of, but I do think they are really very pretty. That the cheapo version is so dirty looking... well... that's just perfect for a late '70s car everyone wants to forget.

Everyone who knows me knows I love loser cars. From Chevettes to Omnis and EXPs to Pacers, if it’s ugly or weird, I want it. However, that doesn’t just go for models. It goes for all kinds of replicas, including 1/43 replicas from Europe. Now, to North American tastes, many European cars of the ‘70s and ‘80s are pretty weird and, in some way, kinda loser-like. Sure, they’re not all like that, but thank goodness for French die-cast maker Solido, who sure seem to know how to pick the runts of the litter! To celebrate making it to 350,000 hits (almost, but close enough as of writing this), I thought it was time to bring out some of the biggest losers, even if they’re in the smallest scale. To that end, I have set up a new page to showcase some of my prized 1/43 Solido Cougars. These are bargain-basement versions of much nicer Solido replicas, and their choices of subject are sublimely ridiculous! Check out the new section, and the first entry down the page, the Talbot Tagora. Believe me, I have five of these things (as of right now) and they’re all going up eventually! “Vive la difference” indeed! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/cool-stuff/solido-cougars/ https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/solido-1-43-talbot-tagora/

When it comes to Cold War interceptors, the Mig-25 and F-106 are probably two of the most famous. Terribly fast and pointy, these erstwhile bomber-killers exemplified all that was high-tech and paranoid at the same time. Sadly, they weren’t much good for much else, although the MiG had a more diverse portfolio by far. There were other, lesser-known and less adaptable aircraft though, that also stood ready to defend their homelands. One good example is the Sukhoi Su-15 Flagon family. These twin-engined, polished metal lawn darts plied their trade for a surprisingly long time, and are best known for shooting down airliners. To make sure that Soviet pilots could handle the rather “hot” Flagon, there was a two-seater conversion trainer, the final version, the Su-15UM, even being able to fire weapons. Of course, I love the weird subjects, and weird kits of them are even better… well, kinda. To that end, I’ve been beating on the old Pioneer 2 “Flagon G”. Now, it’s done. I’m not going to say it was easy, and the model is barely correct in so many ways that you could ask “Why build it?” My answer, of course, is because almost no one else will! So, check out this beast, and remember: I did it so you don’t have to! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/pioneer-2-1-72-su-15um-flagon-g/

Already asked my LHS to order me one. Can't wait!

Highly advanced German jet bombers have made it across the Atlantic and now threaten New York! Space-age technology years ahead of the Allies allows the Luftwaffe to strike back! America’s nose bloodied! Hitler’s new fighting jets open a terrifying new front in a truly global war! War Cabinet sent reeling! If those sound like headlines from a pulp fiction novel, dime-store boy’s annual or some kind of alternate history movie poster, then you’re pretty much on the right track. However, it’s also an accurate depiction of the box art on one of my favourite models of all time, the ultra-futuristic Arado E.555. This titan of Luft ’46 subjects is still a kit I can’t believe that a mainstream kit producer actually made, nevermind that it has seen multiple releases! The crazy part is that this 6-engined flying wing was a real project, this particular variant being the first in a family of “Amerika Bombers” developed by Arado. For a look at this “not-quite-ripped-from-the-headlines” bomber, check out the link below! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/revell-germany-1-72-arado-e-555-out-of-box/

Stef, Stef, Stef... What is wrong with you? Have you been living inside my head, or my basement? Those two big composite photos of '80s MPC kits are AWESOME, and dude, you are right on my wavelength!! I love the 80's MPCs! 80s MPC cars are like Matchbox planes and armour to me - I gotta have 'em!!! I would love to see the '76 Pontiac and Superhawk, plus that obnoxious Turbo Z and the awesome "Turbo Bird" at least, reissued. I have so many of the others, but none of the Ford Vans, so Sorcerer or Juke Box would be epic! I don't know if Round 2 would go for all new decals and boxes, but I will say that I love the idea! Still, even if they only decided to reissue some more of these gems, that'd be something. I love where your head's at, and your enthusiasm. Is this an Ontario sickness?