Straightliner59

Excellent news!

Hahaha! I think just "Dan" is most fitting! Thank you, so much, Pierre! I appreciate it!

I'm interested in the SIM products Bill mentioned, above. That said, if I was going to try to duplicate it with stuff I have on hand, I'd try semi-flat black, and rub graphite powder into it. I've had great luck, rubbing metal powders into paint bases, and I think that combo might get you there.

I sincerely appreciate that, Francis. I've given some thought to compiling photos and thoughts about my different models. I had a teacher in college who told me that I should write. I'd like to include hot-tos, within the various "articles"/chapters, detailing the processes that went into the creation of each project. That you find this/my stuff interesting is encouraging, to me! I often wonder what it was that so intrigued me about this, those fifty-odd years ago. Almost from the very beginning, I knew it was more than just a hobby, for me. I wouldn't do it for any reason other than I would hope it would provide something back to this avocation that has given so much, to me--and in hopes that others might find it useful, and interesting, as well. Thank you again, my friend!

I knew those were out there, because I had seen one, decades ago. I didn't know who made them.

That Alston setup is a popular one. Definitely a good choice! Your fabrication is, as always, excellent!

At an IPMS Regional that took place, here in Denver, years ago, I entered a Hasegawa 1/72 scale Sherman tank in the small scale armor class, and won. They didn't believe me, when I told them I'd built it in less than 24 hours! That was fun!

I am honored that the model is in Garlits' museum! Knowing that he had the real car, there, I hoped the model would find its way there someday, even as I was building it. The story of it getting there required an incredible leap of faith. A couple of days later, over the phone, Big Daddy, himself told me that it had arrived in Florida, safely, having been carried home on his wife, Pat's lap. The first time Garlits saw it, in 1990, he wanted it for the museum. I told him that's where I wanted it, too, but that I wanted to enter a couple of contests, with it, first. It was two years later, that finally happened. C.J. "Pappy" Hart, who founded the first-ever commercial drag strip, at Santa Ana, California, and who "bounced" it, in tech, the first time Dick Kraft showed up with his car, in this configuration saw it and invited me into his motor home at The 1990 Mile High Nationals, so he could get a better look at it! I really should write the story of this model down. Its history is pretty interesting. Like you, Andy and I share a love for scratchbuilding. I admire his work, and enjoy watching his projects come together here on the forum. I find them to be informational and inspiring. That Jaguar scared the you-know-what out of me!

Thank you, my friend! I have to concur with Andy, below; This is certainly my most involved project, as far as the number of details that can be added. And, I am satisfied that it will be my best work, to date. I think The Bug was about as complete as it could have been. There just wasn't much of anything missing, from it. The only thing I could have done better was to have scratchbuilt some new wheels, for it--I would, now. That was over 30 years ago, though, and I wasn't as fearless, as I am now!? For a bit of background: The Bug is my replica of the car that is considered to be the first rail dragster. It was a set of stripped-down Model T frame rails with a seat, a cowl, a fuel tank an engine, and wheels. It ran 110 MPH in 1950, and I can't imagine how scary that must have been, if one considers the consequences of any mishap! Andy and I had what I can only imagine was an intense "battle" for the Replica Class in Salt lake City, in 1990. He, with a gorgeous Jaguar E Type Lightweight. I've attached a screen shot from the SAE Magazine CD of the GSL coverage, from that year. Also attached are the only photos I have of the model, which are also from that magazine. The model itself is in the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, where it's been, since 1992. That's why I don't have better photos. Thanks, Andy. I think your "yes and no" is a perfect response to Francis' question!

For me, it was always about parts. I would buy Johan Sox and Martin 'Cudas for the carbs, especially, Revell Model A Roadster Pickups because they have a ton of great parts, and AMT '34 Fords, for the Flatties.

Yes!?

I finally got the 'chute release handles made, mounted, and hooked up. The cables are simply cemented into a block glued to the outside of the seat. Since the tail will never be coming off the car, once it's installed, it doesn't make any sense to spend the time, and hassle of running them all the way to the 'chutes. I decided to remake the handles a little smaller than the originals. I still need to add a nut or screw to the inside handle to cover that hole. I'll have to get better photos, later. Thanks for looking!

Nice work, Ian. I like the seat pan. Eddie was awesome! Miss him and Ercie, out there.

I still have some Pactra 'Namels in square bottles! I still like to just invert the bottle, and put a couple of drops of lacquer thinner in the lid and let it sit a minute. Then generally, I can get by without the pliers. Generally...

Thank you! After I posted that, I realized that this Vega shows up better. I used clear sheet to make these, and painted the colors with Tamiya clear colors. The pattern might be a little too pronounced, here. But, it's not horrile.

I used it for the taillights and side markers on this Monza. It works beautifully, I'd say! It's not easy to see in photos, but, it looks right.

That rings a bell. I think I recall seeing their membership forms in ads in Car Model Magazine. I am reasonably certain that I have heard references to their newsletter, before. No idea what may have happened with them, other than they likely just faded into oblivion.

Ding! Ding! Ding! That's the stuff!?

I've seen it by the roll at Hobby Lobby. It's with cake baking stuff. I can't remember what it's called. Maybe Decorative Cake Foil?

Yes, Roy just decided he didn't want to dedicate so much time, anymore. Model Car Journal was more oriented toward collectors, I'd say. That's not to say it didn't have a lot of interesting articles on old model kits, etc., it just wasn't as oriented toward builders.

Just another model that's a part of a bigger model!

Beautiful work on the dash! Very nice--looks like it ought to, most definitely.

Thank you so kindly, Francis. I had a good day at that contest! It was a nice venue, and there was some pretty cool stuff, there. I almost always use some sort of metal, for my headers. For those with collectors, I have started using aluminum armature wire. It's made for making framework (armatures) for sculpting. It's nice and soft, and comes in a variety of sizes. Brass is definitely the way to go, for zoomies!

Looking forward to having you back, my friend!

Well, that could be fun! It may be a bit, before I can get around to purchasing one.?