clovis

Thank you for all of your posts, and thank you for making this a great thread. Anyone else want to chime in?

+1 for Revell. I bought an opened Revell kit at a thrift store. The kit was missing the glass. I emailed Revell, and even told them that I bought the open kit from a Goodwill store. About 10 days later, the glass arrived in my mailbox at no charge! I don't buy many kits, but I will always reach for Revell when I do!

Harry, What material do you use for the U-bolts on the springs? How did you bend that material? Thanks!

I was disappointed to hear that, but I totally understand. Any chance you could do a shop on a super small scale, maybe out of your garage, or a super cheap rented place, and maybe open 1-3 days a week?

You are right, Tom. Over the years, there have been good and bad. Years ago, when I was a teenager, there was a guy at a LHS that was actually pretty good. In that case at HTUSA, you should have stepped in and asked her if she needed help. It's not that HTUSA deserved the business, but it would have helped the hobby overall. If she was a first timer, successful build on that kit is the gateway to more builds in the future. When are you going to open that shop, Tom?? The hobby needs guys like you!

Around here, even in a heavy retail area, I have two choices: HTUSA, where the employees are either extremely rude and hateful, or bend over backwards. Typically, I get the rude and hateful guy, so I stay clear of the place, most of the time. HL is my other choice. Their paint selection rivals the HTUSA, and I don't have a hateful guy smarting off every time I walk in the door.

If it wasn't for the internet, many of us would be still getting all of our building tips from a guy standing behind the counter at a hobby shop. I learned more in the first hour on this forum than I did after years of building and listening to a guy at a hobby shop.

Sorry to bump an antique thread, but those models are beautiful!

Harry, Well, I'm still working on this kit, and had hoped it would turn out well enough to post pics of it when it was done. In comparison to your build, I still want to throw my kit in the trash.

Very, very nice!!!! I love the color scheme!!!!

Thank you for the replies!!! Mike: Thank you for the tips!!! Right now, I'm building the Lindberg 1/16 Model T, and tried a new type of weathering to the chassis. Not an utter failure, but it didn't turn out like I had hoped!

Your work is simply amazing!! Nice job!!!!

I'm happy to get a realistic look to a box stock model...and then there are builders like you. Completely amazed!

Wow...very nice!!!!

There is supposed to be a family owned hobby shop about 55 minutes from me. I haven't been yet, but would like to visit the shop. I am a fan of small business, and would like to support them.

Very cool...and I'm not even a fan of dropped cars. Very, very, very cool. Nice job!!!

Not yet. I've been tempted to crack that kit open and start it. I have a current build going right now, which I am going to use for my testing of weathering techniques. Until a few years ago, I hadn't built a model in 25+ years. Let me say...a lot has changed in those years!!! Back when I was a kid, there was impressive talk about how some people were wiring engines. We were stunned that anyone could do that, yet it is the norm for today. In fact, if you don't wire an engine today, I'd suspect that most builders would think you are a total loser, LOL. The same goes for weathering. I was infatuated with the idea of weathering models, but couldn't find out how they were done. In today's world, there are so many techniques to use, and so many different paints and products, that I am not sure how to weather this model for best results. We need to get the model in primer, but it is too cold to spray outside. So, for the time being, I am pondering about the kit, the building process, the weathering, and how to make each part of it be the best it can be. Simply said, I am still in the learning and thinking stage.

Can you explain how you achieved the nice looking grill?

I like the Testors Model Master line. Nice coverage, nice quality, tons of colors to choose from and at a good price too. As a bonus, the Testors line is still made in the USA.

Prices seem to be dropping like a rock on ebay.

I was going to suggest the exact same thing. My first AB was a Badger, and the instructions showed how to use an old tire as an air source. Two years ago, I thought about trying it, and even though the guy at HTUSA looked at me like I was getting naked in their store, they actually had the adapter on the shelf! Brass adapter, about $6.

Nice video. This same technique should work well on airplane canopies too.

Thank you, Dale!! I appreciate your time and helpfulness!!! I've read Rocket Boys more than once. When i saw the movie, I was awestruck with the cinematography, the acting, the story line, etc. I fell in love with the movie for many reasons. After watching the movie, I went on a reading binge of Hickam's books, and own several, including an autographed copy found at a flea market. Hickam is a wonderful writer, and I would encourage you to read some of his other books, should that be of interest to you. Again, thank you for the help on the rocket kit.

Dale, Thank you!!!! I have read the book, and also watched the movie umpteen times. I've read most of Homer Hickam's books, but not all. October Sky is definitely on my top ten favorite movie lists of all times, after Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan, of course. Again, thank you for the help!!!! What about the primer? Can you advise?

Thank you for your help on my previous post about rockets. If I get the replacement tubes, and give my nephew the kits to build: What type of glue should we use to glue the wood fins onto the body? How exactly is the best way to get the fins on straight, and keep them in place while they dry? I would suspect that rattle can primer will do the trick as a base coat. Am I correct in that idea? This is not an overly complex rocket kit. Can we get it done in a total of 8 hours, not counting drying times? Thanks!!!!!