jbwelda

which was stolen from the beatles and subsequently at some point apple (the computer company) handed over a grip of cash to yoko and company (more likely Michael Jackson at that point). >You can trademark bandit if it's written a certain way that is then a logo or artwork, not the word. jb

see now, again, the word "bandito" is probably not trademarked (I believe that would be the proper term) because it is merely a word and a Spanish language word at that and would not be eligible for any trademark protection. what MIGHT be trademarked could be "Frito Bandito", any other unique and distinct (my words) phrases or attribute descriptions, and any images associated with their name and brand like a cartoon of the Frito Bandito or other advertising content. jb

here you go Tim, I think you've seen this before, might have even commented in it at one point. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54881&hl=triumph jb

>Where did you get the decals? the Bonneville one on the side tank? out of my decal supply, which means I have no idea really. seems to me though that possibly one of the recent Revell 32s? then there is a rat fink one on the fender, the bike sits with the surfite and shack so its kinda roth themed. again don't know where it came from other than a kind fellow member here donated it. thanks for the compliment tim! I am planning on building a triumph next to go with the AMT one I built a couple years ago. jb

>People whose name is McDonald can't open a store and call it "McDonald's." sorry, harry, but in 99% of the cases they certainly can. its only when there is an attempt to confuse or deceive that it is a problem. McDonalds will not sue McDonalds Hardware in Podunk minnesota. now if you opened a nationwide discount hamburger business you might have problems especially if your name were Ronald or you had some arches somewhere in the picture. honestly I do not know where these ideas come from. maybe rush oxycodon or somewhere. while we are at it you most obviously cannot "copyright" something like a common word. and you cannot really enforce even legit copyrights without expensive lawyers. meanwhile I am very glad to hear they are storing the original scuba and surf stuff; that is what made this kit. it has always brought pretty decent money and 130 for a new condition box and kit wasn't unheard of, though that was pretty much the high end of the scale. I always liked the car, truck actually, at least around here, quite a bit on its own, its fairly simple, fits together well and there is some real nice detail to it. edit to add: oh yeah, VW America is especially known for chasing down those using "their" names and insisting they cease and desist. even down to the level of the hardware store in Podunk. My friends VW shop used "Volkswagen" in its name and he got a cease and desist letter from VWoA about it. changed it to "Kombi Haus" and I guess that ended the problem but at the time, more than 10 yrs ago I think, they were very rabid about using the names VW Volkswagen Beetle Squareback etc. Kinda made me realize what a bunch of azzes they had become. kinda dictatorial in an ironic sort of way. like hogans heros almost. jb

thing is, its not like you are in there bargaining blind. you have a coupon issued by them to use. its not like you are trying to pressure them into something more. jb

it may have been MFH and now that I think about it, might have been for 1/20. still they are pretty small, would definitely fit a 4bbl in 1/24 or 1/25 but probably not webers or single throat sort of carbs. I was just looking around for them and as usual, cannot find. they will pop up at some inopportune moment though, I'm sure. jb

I would have stood there and stared at him, then asked for a customer survey form to send to "corporate" and also dudes business card to attach to it. having received those, I would walk out of the store leaving my potential purchases on the counter, with the coupon, and told the guy I wouldn't be wasting my time or gas coming back to his store again. next stop would be the computer to order somewhere on line. and I would send in the survey form telling them exactly how messed up that is, and how you feel completely alienated as a customer at this point, and tell them that in your opinion this tactic is only a minor step above criminal bait and switch. maybe add that you are forwarding a copy on to the consumer affairs department of your state. I would bet you would be getting a call (if you gave a phone number) and a number of discount coupons in return...probably need to go to another store but maybe not...it would then be up to you whether you wanted to participate in their game at this point. jb

nothing wrong with those motorcycles either, I didn't have a big problem building one, and there was no damage from tires (a common problem with any "rubber" from back then). jb

>the models aren't happy to see me when I come home, and don't sit in my lap and purr. they also don't pee in your shoes or sit on the book you are trying to read and look up at you. but we love em anyhow. jb

the problem I have had trying to do this, especially in 1/24 scale, is that screen unravels when it is cut, especially when it is cut into small pieces, and also when you try to bend extreme curves into it, like you would do for some intake screens. what you really need are either some preformed ones (I have some, forget who made them, Japanese specialty kind of brand, found em on ebay) or the mesh that is mentioned above. I have some of that as well and since it is mesh and not screen, there are no wires to unravel, it is like very thin photoetch. have cut and formed it and it holds its shape pretty well even for very small pieces with pretty extreme curvature. the mesh is from Scale Scenics and is called Aluminum (also brass) Micro-Mesh. no size given but part number is 652-3500 for aluminum or 652-3501 for brass. reading the fine print, the brass comes pre-annealed so it flexes and bends easier and is more malleable. jb jb

sold @ right next to four bills jb

>I also had an old Beetle kit with the same rims and tyres maybe that was the revell 356 kit then? because I don't think the fujimi wheels, which are minor masterpieces in and of themselves, were ever available anywhere else. I could well be wrong, could you show a pic of the beetle kit with those rims please? would be interested in knowing otherwise. jb

thing is, like I pointed out, these kits regularly are available in the 100 - 120 dollar range and often cheaper. that's why I wouldn't pay much more than the current bid for them...and they are going to go up before the auction ends, thats my guess. jb

for about 15 miles. at about 15mph. with a CHP escort and a double line all the way. ag equipment: don't like it? don't eat. -popular bumper sticker around here jb

just went back and reviewed this auction...while the price is still pretty fair, that 50$ shipping charge, even from Switzerland, seems a bit rich. maybe not, but it does raise the price into a sort of not acceptable range in my mind. still, I suppose, considering the current market for those kits, not a terribly bad deal, one could maybe sell off two for the current price and keep one for free...maybe. last one I bought was complete but all bags open and the box torn up, but I only paid about 60 USD for it, that was the mooneyes dragster one, pretty fair price I thought. jb

always like to see this sort of thing built up, but one question: is it a trick of the photography or is the body really that rough, especially in the back? I have this Flintstone body but don't recall it being like that. but I also haven't painted or primed it or anything and that's typically when those nasty surprises jump out at you. fujimi 356 wheels and tires? jb

>I've been trying to sell this thing at toy shows for going on 3 years now and still no takers. I will offer 10 USD for it. plus minimal shipping. PM me. >People look at it and just walk away. possibly because of the price? just curious: what are you asking for it? if no one is buying in 3 years perhaps that is a hint. jb

I don't see what the problem is with anyone selling like this. that part about "reduced the value of the kit" or something is hogwash and even if it were true, and you are bugged that your "investment" went down, that's life and not much sympathy required. those who live by the sword are bound to fall upon it. jb

yes there are differences but slight differences (I mean besides the chassis and parts trees not being chromed in the kits). 325 is not a bad price for all three as they are unopened inside and still fresh from the factory. I initially bid 100 or so just to see where the reserve was...it was higher than that. I already have these three kits so don't really need them, was just bidding for speculation sake and because I wanted to know how serious the early bidders were. fun times jb

those wheels are ideal for the future totalitarian police force. really love that S110 and Z10 above though. jb

thank you keyser. whatever that other cat is smoking, I want some of. but only if it doesn't make me capitalize the initial letter of every other word for no apparent reason. I just didn't know they sent it to England so early...I thought it was more like 72 or 73 but I have no real basis for thinking that. jb

depends on what kind of glue. if it is styrene cement, it eats plastic to form its bond so you wont be able to remove it without repairing the plastic. if it is rubber cement or white glue then it should come off in water. try soaking the body in water for a day and see what happens. if not water then try Castrol super clean which may remove it. but the answer is probably no, not without some repair work. jb

Jesse, well if it works for you, it works! happy building! jb

edit to be a bit more specific: so you put the kits you don't want to build in front of the ones you do want to build, and by that method you increase your enthusiasm for building? never thought of it that way...with me its the polar opposite, it would kill my enthusiasm I think. denial: not just a river in Egypt. jb