mikemodeler

Stunning! Nice details and very clean paint!

Build the ones of the drivers you like/follow. Use the rest to practice on or take to a local show and sell them, if possible. They don't build up well as dirt trackers but you could try. Use the bodies to try different painting skills or special effects.

Gregg, Any issues so far with this kit we should be aware of? It looks fairly straightforward as far as assembly. I have two that I plan to start on soon!

If Chuck Most sees that is for sale he might have a new lawn ornament! I agree that would make for a nice model!

Congrats on the baby, enjoy him as they grow up fast!

Yeah, but the 30% off has no limits so it is possible to buy multiples without having to make extra trips.

Stopped in at the local Michael's store tonight and found that they had models marked 30% off this week. A little digging around and I found a COPO Nova. Shelf price was $21.99 so with the discount it was just a bit over $15.00, so it came home with me. Didn't see a whole lot of new kits but for that money I just got a donor car of various parts!

I remember back a few years ago that there was someone advertising in the magazines that they would paint and sell current model kit bodies and always wondered if someone used that service to build a model for a show? I have never entered a contest and probably never will but just found the topic somewhat interesting. I agree that the model entered should reflect the skill of the builder and not his pocketbook.

Very nice work , love the colors and the engine!

In recent months I have tried to make some deals on trades with some members and what was initially negotiated got changed around to other items and just when I thought we had something figured out, they change their minds and back out. Frustrating as I try to be upfront with trades and I understand things happen but if you tell me you want my 72 whatever for your 69 something and I agree to it, don't decide at the last minute to see if I will take a half built NASCAR model instead! If I list some models for trade and am fairly specific in my wants, then what is the point in asking if I would take something totally different? Not saying I am giving up on trading but I am really going to be selective in the future, especially considering the time involved and expense of shipping.

I am waiting for the pictures of the model, nice 1:1 you have displayed here! Seriously, nice car and the wheels/tires do make a difference. That paint is very shiny and looks fantastic.

I got to say that I have spent the last hour looking this kit over and "square seats aside" (note sarcasm) this kit is well worth the money I paid for it. The way this kit is molded is very impressive. A separate headliner, detailed leaf springs and coil springs, clean engraving all around. What I noticed was the fact that there isn't any trademark engraving that I could see, unlike the domestic kits. The instruction sheet is almost like a mini-manual with nicely detailed drawings. I bought two kits and with shipping it was less than $120 delivered from China to my door in a week. There have only been 2 other kits that I have bought that cost more than $60, a Revell KW Wrecker and the Can Do Wrecker, and this is money well spent. I sure hope they come out with other versions as I won't hesitate to buy additional kits from Meng.

Just noticed on the Tower Hobbies website that this kit is now shown as being "late Jul", sure hope that is an error. I know they don't always run current with other outlets as far as release dates, maybe we will know more after the NNL East.

For what it's worth, I ordered from Hobbyeasy on 3/31 and on 4/7 I received my two kits. Not bad service from China! I hope there are more versions forthcoming, I am anxious to build other F-350 series trucks.

Thanks for the replies and for the record, I agree with what has been posted. Yes, in the real world it is acceptable that one may or may not possess the necessary skills to build a car from top to bottom, although I think it is admirable if one can do the majority of the work on a car. Another question- is it worth considering a category at a show where one could enter a model that was professionally painted and otherwise assembled by the entrant? Obviously they wouldn't be in the running for best paint but is it plausible that they could win an award based on overall build?

Nick- not nitpicking here, it's just that I am not 100% on board with your reasoning. For example, there is a gas station nearby that has a monthly show and hands out awards for vehicles based on attendees votes. Now let's say I have a 69 Camaro that I have worked hard on but did all the work myself, including the paint that has some orange peel and some waviness to the body work but otherwise decently detailed to the best of my ability. I am proud of my work but realize I won't take top awards. My next door neighbor hits the lottery and goes to Barrett-Jackson and buys a professionally restored 69 Camaro and comes to the same show. My car gets picked apart and his gets all the praise and yet all he does is wax the car. He gets an award and I get the participation dash plaque. Now he decides he wants to go to model shows with me and like the 1:1 example above, he finds someone who can build models in a show winning style while I continue to have some trouble getting a nice paint job. We both enter and of course his car wins and mine doesn't. He didn't disclose that he bought his car, much like in the scenario above, and goes home with another award. The bottom line is that the 1:1 and model were both done as a hobby and as such should be held to the same rules but they aren't. For the same reason I might outbid you for a kit on eBay ( I have the finances to do so) is why I have a better model or 1:1 to display at a show.

Depends on your occupation. Some jobs pay considerably more than that but have a lot of responsibility.

Devil's advocate here Nick- how come we expect a model builder to do all of the work themselves but have no problem letting someone with deep pockets commission a 1:1 build and give them awards? Are you saying that unless you have done all the work you can only display the model?

Looks very nice and well detailed! Can't go wrong with a Revell Camaro kit!

Danno, Question for you- what if he had stated on his entry form that the model was painted by "skill level 4 guy" ? I guess what I am getting at is that some of us have friends who are better at painting and just like in the 1:1 world of cars, some things are better left to professionals if you want professional results. I am not advocating cheating, but in the interest of full disclosure, if someone were to state that Danno had painted the body but final assembly was done by the owner, does that constitute cheating? I am not a contest entrant but I have seen some models at shows in the Junior category that were obviously painted by a father or older brother and yet they walk away with awards.

I get it Chuck, I just wish others would realize a plastic model car hobby should be enjoyed.

Regardless of what your income is, I think Howard's point is to enjoy the hobby, thus the topic title! Some of us can afford to spend $100 a month and others can afford $100 a year, but if either one enjoys the hobby and builds to their satisfaction, who cares how big your paycheck is?

Wait, what are you saying Chuck, the seats in this kit that I am anxiously awaiting are incorrect? Oh the horror! You go on to say that I can fix them with a little bit of work? Oh no, that isn't right, I paid good money for this kit and it should just assemble itself! Sarcasm off, now how I really feel..... Considering this is the first all new light truck kit in years, I am happy for it to come to market and can live with a perceived flaw. I hope Meng sees fit to offer a standard cab and extended cab version of this truck, and if they do I will order several more!

Well said Howard. I especially agree with the comment about buying what you want and not just buying a kit for the sake of buying a kit! It's a hobby, enjoy it!

I wonder how much that factored in to the cost of the kit?