mikemodeler

Albert, Revell did not have a long bed truck already tooled up so that is why they went with the short bed 1/2 ton. I agree that any serious plowing would be done in a 3/4 or 1 ton truck due to the beefier chassis and running gear but we will take what we can get! I do remember seeing a lot of these shortbed, 1/2 ton pickups doing driveways as they were easier to navigate with, much like Jeeps, Blazers, Broncos & Scouts. If you can find the Monogram pickup this truck was based off, it has the correct six lug wheels.

Thats' funny Harry! I have teased my kids that I would move without leaving a forwarding address!

having worked in the automotive industry for 30 years, I can tell you that some of the smartest people I have met came from a tech school and not a college. I have been overlooked for promotions due to a lack of a college degree but yet those who got promoted could not do half the work I can because they lacked common sense and street smarts, something no college can teach. I am the only one among my siblings that does not have a college degree but am the one most of them turn to for advice on many subjects due to my varied background and desire to always learn more. I agree that technology has changed the landscape for all businesses but as we all know certain jobs still rely on hard work and skill building. Most master carpenters I know spent 4-5 years as an apprentice learning all aspects of the trade before they were allowed to be called a journeyman. Same goes for plumbers and electricians! In the automotive repair trade, mechanics have become more highly skilled than ever before. The investment in tools is incredible as the vehicles have become more sophisticated. Some people think the $500 tool set on sale at Sears is enough to fix most cars and while that may be true for some types of repairs, the truth of the matter is that a good technician probably has at least $25,000 in tools and if they have to buy their own diagnostic equipment, it can easily be $40,000 or more! People seem to think paying a doctor $150 for 10 minutes of office time to diagnose an ailment is okay but a mechanic should not charge for that 2 hours of time spent finding that loose wire or cracked vacuum line. My son is going off to college at a military school and will be pursuing a degree in criminal justice and psychology with the plan to join the Marine Corps as an officer upon graduation. His goal is to be a career military Marine and the college degree will be his ticket to opening doors in the Marines for jobs he may not be considered for as an enlisted man. While we would have preferred he attend a state college that would be considerably cheaper for us all, the college he chose will give him the foundation for a successful career.

Thanks Gerry, that was one of my favorite hobby shops to visit back in the day when I lived in the Northern Burbs! I understand that they have shrunk the model section considerably and there is more R/C than ever there, much like Al's Hobby Shop in Elmhurst.

Krylon is on sale this week at Hobby Lobby.

Great topic Doc! Next Saturday my oldest child goes off to college and the wife is starting to get emotional about it. Me? I think it will do him a world of good to get out on his own and learn new experiences. He and I will fly from Charlotte to Boston and then drive 3 hours to central Vermont where he will attend college. He will be in a military ROTC program so he has his days pretty much planned out and they won't allow him much free time, which should translate into good grades and less time to get homesick. Mom is worried about her baby being 950 miles from home, Dad is excited because it will less arguing between my son and his 15 year old sister! Will it be weird to not see him and hear him? Yes, but we will be able to Skype and send email so I doubt it will be that bad, at least not as it was 30 years when I was his age!

Was it a birthday gift Pat? Belated Happy Birthday!

Stopped in the local HTU today to see if they would be willing to offer up something when the wife has her afterschool program at the YMCA this fall. I have to stop back and visit with the owner (darn, gotta be something I will need!) and while I was there I bought a can of Tamiya red (TS-18) and another 77 GMC Pickup, which they had for $21.99. By the way, does anybody else belong to their shopper program? For every $100 spent, you will get aher $5 coupon for your next visit. I think I am halfway there and while it isn't the same as a 40% off coupon, it is reasonable.

Yup, I shop there too and while they try, they make their money on R/C. Go in there around December 20th and watch parents go nuts dropping hundred dollar bills on radio control cars and planes. Their retail prices on kits are not too bad though. I have found other HTU that have better selections but the prices are full MSRP. Not sure how they sell any kits other than desperation!

That is a real cool conversion, something I would consider buying if it were available. Maybe Revell can re-issue that kit someday soon.........

Harry, I agree with you here as I just ordered the new GMC pickup last Tuesday (7/31) from Tower Hobbies in Champaign IL and by last Friday (8/3) at noon, there was a box with 3 of those kits on my doorstep here in Charlotte NC! Less than $19.00 per kit, no sales tax, and free shipping to boot! I was in the local Hobbytown USA last Monday (7/30) and the son of the owner didn't know if or when the kit was going to be in, so much for supporting the LHS! Wal-Mart having models doesn't do much for me unless they are marked down to $5.00 because they probably will only have a small selection and I would be looking for parts vehicles.

Keep track of everything you get reimbursed for by the insurance company and for the things you don't, try to get fair and accurate values as you may be able to write them off on your income taxes. The lesson here for all of us is to inventory everything of value, have those family heirlooms appraised, and keep everything on a flash drive or DVD in a safe deposit box in case you ever have to file a claim. I, like many others, probably have about half of my worldly possesions inventoried and the rest I wouldn't be able to tell you a model number or value of. I will begin work this weekend and make sure I am up to date with a list of my valuables. It is sad that there are people out there that want to use Craigslist as a means to rob people of their hard earned possesions but nothing surprises me anymore.

X2! Some other recent trades include: Outragis Cobra98 Wheels Turbokitty Austin T And there have been a few others, just cannot recall all of them! Getting that "sometimers"!

Sorry to hear that Alberto, did any neighbors see anyone or anything ? I would think they would need help to clean out your house so unless you live in the sticks, someone had to see something. Did you have any appraisals or certificates for the football stuff? Chances are the thieves will be dumb enough to sell it somewhere and if you have some way of identifying it, it could make it easier to recover. Never had to go through what you are and hope I never have to. Best of luck to you and thankfully most of it can be replaced!

Now we are talking ! Please tell me when you do get to these there will be a 4WD option!!!!!!!!!!

Andy- hang in there, I am sure they will call you! Nice pick by the wife! Gunnar- if you can't find a use for that Dodge pickup, I know I can! Nice scores you have there.

I never knew what that kit looked like until I traded it to Casey! I want to see it built! The one I have will be built as a 4WD.

Considering Roger consolidated his racing operations here in NC, I am guessing he will use the facilities and the people from the engine shop to improve his racing teams in some capacity if they are not building Dodge engines. Sad to hear that Dodge will be leaving NASCAR, but the reality is they have been holding on by a thread since RPM went Ford 3 years ago and were down to Penske.

Coming along nicely John, didn't know those wheels could look so nice! Glad to help with the project. Take your time and do it right!

Sent Danny an email and order last night and he responded within an hour! Had a few questions later in the evening and he got back to me early this morning! Needless to say I am anxious to get my order, and with service like this is why I keep ordering from him! The quality and prompt service is among the top 3 resin casters in my book!

Just a question- shouldn't the side door on a van style ambulance be 2 "barn doors" instead of a sliding door? Nice conversion piece Dave! When will you have that IH pickup done??

Word here in Charlotte is that Penske has a racing engine shop for sale! Penske was building the Dodge engines for NASCAR but with them switching to Ford for next year, they have to get rid of that business. In the end it all probably came down to factory support and money. With only 1 or 2 teams, I am sure Dodge did not feel the return on their investment made much financial sense.

That could work too! Give it a try and see. Maybe paint one side with silver paint and compare.

Looks good Nick! Like Marty said, your builds keep getting better, you are definitely improving your skills and eye for details!

RK has some nice cars, but they also have their share of "drivers" that are not like the Willy's pictured above. It does provide some inspiration for Donn.........are you out there??????/////