Straightliner59

The Micro Mark catalog is the current equivalent of the Sears Wish Book, when I was a kid.

I can vouch for his quality. Several others here will, too.

Thank you, sir!

Thanks, Paul! Yes, it's been around a long, old time! I am hoping to finish it by the end of the year, but it might sneak into early next year. If things go well, I might be able to get a couple of body panels on, today. It feels like I've spent most of the last seven years just finishing up old projects that have been sitting here, forever. This one has always been kind of special to me, and it will be extra cool, to see it complete. Thanks again, bud!

That's my brain! ? Thank you, my friend!

I built this from an AMT Rat Packer

I got the headers mounted! I also made the decals for the injector hat. Next up, I'll get the data wires hooked up for the exhaust temp sensors. Then, I should be able to do any minor fixes and touchups, and begin getting the panels hung. This project is really getting close to the top end! Thanks for looking!

Thanks, bud. I am glad you got to, as well. It has been a long time. That was the 1990 Mile Highs. It was wet and freaking cold, that weekend! Eliminations? MONDAY! MONDAY! MONDAY! I am starting to get nervous. I think I only have one or two tiny things to do, before I mount the headers. Once those are on, I can mount the body and the wheels and tires. All that will be left, then, is the upper fuel system. It's really getting there! I made some decals for the front airfoils, and one for the nose, because I wanted to fill the space in front of the Mac Tools decal. That's from Rush's Snakes and Arrows album art. I used it because, well, Rush! I think it works with the overall theme. Questions and comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Yessir!

Often, it happens that it's not about being a great modeler, but about having a willingness to do it over. As always, I appreciate your thoughts! I think it looks better, now, too! Thanks, my friend!

It's just a pleasure to watch you work! It's you, who really inspired me to employ the use of my mill, much more frequently than I ever did. I thank you, for that!

Beautiful castings, and, as always, excellent work!

I love this! Awesome!

This is really looking good, Roger! Those inner fenders really add a lot. It's hard to believe some of the stuff from these old kits--those rounded-off humps they used to put in them!?

That would be a great place to start working with aluminum sheet!? I'm always here to help!

I have built a lot of kits, some within the last few years that didn't have 60 parts, in them, when I started them! ? I got the tie rod tab replaced, and the chassis repainted. The old center section of the tie rod was too long. I used a length of aluminum rod to help align the new tab. When I looked at the old tie rod center section, I didn't like the way the brass was showing, where the paint had chipped. I decided to bore the aforementioned rod, and use it, in place of the brass tube. I also made a new steering arm. Thanks for looking!

I made this cutoff saw holder/mandrel for the mill, in spite of @iBorg's advice against it?. I can use it as a slitting saw, to a point, too.

Thanks, Roger! I just did a parts count, on these--with the straps installed, the pair is 60 pieces. I think I've "gone 'round the bend"!?

As you may be aware, I am not a prolific builder! ? I know exactly the people you're talking about! My guess is that they are pretty much everywhere, since, virtually any place I've been to a contest in multiple years, you'll see some guy with the same old models, time after time! Isn't it more fun to actually build new ones??

Couldn't agree more! Well said, Bob!

Then, there were two!

Thanks so kindly, Pierre. Your comments are always appreciated! Sometimes, it feels overwhelming, but, as long as I take it in "bite-sized" chunks, it usually works out. Usually!? I just try to make each sub-assembly a model unto itself, then, try to assemble all those little models into one "big" model. Plus, I really enjoy scratchbuilding and little details!

Congratulations on your well-deserved success, Claude! I will enter models in multiple contests, but, never twice in the same contest, in different years. My Nostalgia Fueler may be an exception, as I entered it in one show as a WIP, and ended up winning Best In Show. I may enter it in that show again, since it will be completed, then.

Arvada, CO, today. Just about to dig in!

This is a joy, to watch, JC. Your work is always so clean, and right!