mikemodeler

You contradict yourself with your statement. My comment about "jack wagons" was intended to mean that some people can ruin the hobby with their endless criticism while not being directly involved in the situation being discussed, i.e. Bill works in manufacturing but not at a model kit company. Dave Metzner is an example of your second sentence and I think I have stated several times my thanks to him and others at the model companies for the pursuit of new kits at the risk of ridicule by a seemingly ungrateful few in this hobby. In this global economy we are all a part of, "Made in USA" is something that doesn't mean what it did in years past. Look at the appliance industry for a perfect example.

Another way of stating what Dave did Harry, but maybe it will sink in with a few of the doubters. For the resident "experts", I suggest you spend a week in the life of Dave Metzner and see if your view changes. Just saying.................

Greg, Thanks for sharing, I had no idea they had a facility in Charlotte and they offered these classes! It looks like there are several classes throughout the year but I am hoping to attend the one coming up in February.

Never did I state that I was an expert, unlike you do in about half of your posts. I live in a world where flaws are accepted as a result of humans being involved in the process of designing and manufacturing of products. Obviously I am not qualified to know as much as you Bill, and probably no one else on this forum for that matter. Silly of me to suggest that you should offer your help to improve the flaws that you and many others find intolerable. I guess I will go back to being a simple minded modeler who appreciated Dave explaining what his days are like designing model kits. Jack wagons like you can ruin a good hobby with your holier-than-thou approach and know-it-all attitude. Must be Hell living in your world.

Funny how the only guy involved in the model car manufacturing business comes on here and tries to explain the process and this forum is full of experts who JUST KNOW what the industry is doing incorrectly! I suggest you self-proclaimed EXPERTS offer up your time, expertise and if necessary, additional working capital to the industry so they can get it right, just so there will be no complaining. I am sure Ed Sexton, Dave Metzner and the rest of the model car product managers would appreciate the extra help in getting a better product to market. If any of you had bothered to read or understand what Dave wrote you would know that inaccuracies are not intentional but are sometimes the result of limitations placed upon them for various reasons.

Thanks Dave for clearing up a few misconceptions about kit development and the processes involved dealing internationally with manufacturing. I was aware of some of what you mentioned but now have a new found appreciation for any new kit from any kit company. For those that continue to speculate on how easy it should be to get a kit more accurate, go back and re-read Dave's post. It isn't because the kit companies don't care about the final product, it's about profitability and survival. And while there are those that will argue that a company would be more profitable if it produced more accurate kits, keep in mind that to achieve perceived perfection, it could cause the company to go out of business! If producing new kits was cheap or easy, don't you think Round 2 would be cranking out new stuff instead of re-releases? Like many here, model car building is a hobby of mine and while I like my kits to be accurate, I am accepting of some imperfections in exchange for a new offering.

Looking very nice, can't wait to see it finished!

Worked this show in Indy back in 2000, some long days but a ton of fun. Went to it when it was in Florida back in 2007, more fun when you don't have to work it! Always liked the fact that among the people walking the floor were known racers, celebrities and regular people. Did you get any pictures?

Dated a girl who owned one of those. Lot's of memories from those days..... Would love to see these re-issued, simple but fun cars.

Well, there goes more of my lunch money! Gonna be starving not eating but happy with more stuff from Scenes Unlimited!

I didn't know that the free shipping and $15 off coupon could be used together, will have to keep that in mind when I start shopping for my birthday in two weeks!

Yes, that would be a good idea! I have a ton of Camaro glue kits and snap kits (AMT & Revell) but tend to build the snappers faster as it allows me to fill the display case faster and keep from having detail a full build. I'd have a bunch of GTO builds if they took your advice!

Love it!

Great story Tom and an even better ending! I did something similar for my oldest brother a few years ago. He bought a used 65 Coronet when he returned from the Air Force in 1967 and I remembered him taking me for rides in it when I was little (we are 17 years apart in age). His expression and re-telling of the story of how he bought and enjoyed that car was well worth it.

Not aware of any open fifth wheel trailers in kit form, there have been several scratchbuilt trailers posted here, do a search. The products from Scenes Unlimited are excellent and the service is top notch.

I can see businesses offering up the ability to "print" your design like Chris describes above. I would be interested in being able to get some copies of parts I have in my stash, especially if they weren't readily available in resin or kit form.

Actually Jay, it being a museum piece, the windows could be considered "optional"

Like many technological things, if you wait long enough, the price will come down and the quality will go up. Not sure if this technology will take the place of model kits, but I see it being an alternative to resin casting for some!

A good friend of mine was posting pictures all weekend from the show and they did not disappoint. I will have to make plans to be there next year, too much to see and a computer screen doesn't do some of the cars justice.

watched this one progress in the workbench section, nice to see it done! Not sold yet on the tall stacks but I think they will grow on me.

RPP Hobby has them for $64.95, thinking about picking one up (to go with the original one I still haven't built from 10 years ago!LOL).

I have friends who usually have a car or two on display at this show and I have wanted to attend, but work usually precludes me from making the long trip back home. Hope you get some pictures to share with us Nick, looking forward to seeing some!

Thanks for sharing Sean, seeing this makes me want it more! I think Moebius and Model King will be getting some of my lunch money in 2015, and that includes the cars and trucks they are bringing out!

Nice job Chuck, glad to see some of your creations.

I started working on a few of the many WIPs that have been sitting on the bench last night. I am trying hard to finish some of them so I can have a clean bench and focus on some new projects come spring. I'd list them out but I am embarrassed by the number of them!