mikemodeler

My last two pennies on this topic.... For me the problem has always been the inconsistency of MCM ship date. Each issue of BOTH magazines have had items of little or no interest to me but hasn't prevented me from buying it. Like others have stated, I have subscribed to both magazines for years as a means to support the hobby and to learn as much as I can about it. Neither magazine is perfect and each has room for improvement. From the discussion here, it seems that SA needs to broaden their horizons and MCM needs to get on a set schedule. If/how/when that happens is not up to us forum members but thankfully we can have that discussion here and for that I am thankful.

Peter- Well said and painfully true. I tried to get my kids involved in modeling but they have chosen electronic entertainment instead. The part about keeping it relevant is so true given the instant information world we live in. Why go to a model show if you have seen most of the models online in a forum or two? The details have already been explained in the forum posts, usually with WIP photo shots. Maybe the Revell contest with Stacey David will draw some interest and new blood into our hobby. Getting exposure on a TV program can't hurt and maybe it will become an annual thing, who knows. Thanks for posting.

I just wish Chuck would come forth with his true feeling about the Detroit NFL Franchise....

some people have slave labor in their secret lab cranking out the models while the rest of us try to get 2 or 3 done in a year! It comes down to some folks can sit down at the workbench, have a clear vision of what they want to build and then blaze through it without problems. For me I get bogged down in perfection and am distracted by multiple builds on the bench. I have some WIP from 15 years ago still in a box in the garage and I SWEAR this is the year they get done!

In the end, they play the games to determine who is best prepared to win on that given day. How many times has the underdog beaten the favored team and the "experts" were surprised? How do you explain the Jets beating Indy & N.E. on the road and then almost beating Pittsburgh? Their coach and their inner drive got them to where they were, not some talking head on TV! There is a lot of parity in the NFL, especially in the NFC as the Packers are the 10th different team to represent the division in the Superbowl in the last 10 years. It really comes down to luck, preparation and getting hot at the right time. Remember,the Packers HAD to beat the Bears in the last regular season game to even make the playoffs. The "what ifs?" of life can be cruel. What if the Bears beat Green Bay on January 2? Would the N.Y. Giants have been able to make the same run as Green Bay? As a Bears fan it was disappointing but it was a decent game afterall. Cutler really did hurt his knee and the 3rd string QB nearly tied it up at the end. Could not have predicted that at 2:00 P.M, CST on January 23!

Ian, I would leave the speculation up to Gregg or Harry on why the magazine is late. I think they have the insight as to why they are behind. In the past Gregg admitted he was part of the delay and with him having final say on the magazine, I would suspect he would know.

Harry, Thank you for the math, I already knew the costs but am glad my math matches yours. It has never been about cost as much as it has been about consistency. Your efforts have had a great effect on the quality of the magazine, unfortunately the biggest problem remains out of your control. Real easy to take the "hey, it's only a magazine and I don't mind if it is late" attitude but then why not apply that same lame attitude to my modeling? Why offer tips in the magazine if improving upon past performance isn't really necessary? Let's go back to sewing thread for wires, silver paint for trim, thick brush paint jobs etc. because afterall, if I can accept an inconsistent schedule for the magazine, surely they will accept inconsistent build quality for features, right?

Harry, you still did not answer my question- will the last 2 issues of 2010 that should ship in 2011 count towards the 9 issues per year in 2011? Yes, the contest issue is real, never disputed that. What I meant was that in reality, MCM puts out 8 issues that competes with Scale Autos 6. The MCM contest issue does not have tips, how tos or any features other contest coverage. The fact that Scale Auto makes their contest issue a separate deal at additional cost does factor into my decision to subscribe to both magazines. The MCM 2010 contest issue was 75 pages, the 2010 Scale Auto was 115, worth paying the extra price for 40 more pages to me.

Actually Wayne, the Cardinals got their start in Chicago before they went off to St. Louis. Warner was a class act and is an example of how a NFL QB should act, unlike Brett Favre or Big Ben.

In reality, MCM is only 8 issues per year as their February issue is the contest annual. Considering the last two issues of 2010 have yet to be received, how do you figure your 9 issues per year? Does that mean in 2011 I will actually get 11 issues because November and December 2010 will theoretically arrive in 2011? Or will November and December 2011 arrive in 2012? Sounds like Enron math to me.....................

Ian, You bought your first SA in 13 years and are disappointed with it. Did you register your complaint with them or are you going to just let it go quietly? Comparing MCM to SA is a FAIR comparison as they both cater to the same interests, regardless of who the publisher is! Do I enjoy not getting my MCM on time? NO, I don't. As was stated by Double D and Bluesman Mark, there is some progress to be made before MCM can be looked at the same way as SA. The buck stops with Gregg and only he can make the difference.

Being a life long Bears fan and seeing the ups and downs of this season, I can honestly say that they played farther into the postseason than anyone predicted. Does that take the sting out of losing to the Green Bean Crackers? No, but the better prepared team won on Sunday and therefore earned the right to represent the NFC in the Superbowl. Who will I root for? Good question! While I am a NFC fan, I do remember the great Steeler's teams from the '70s and would have to say that I will be pulling for them come February 6. Hate is a strong word so I will have to say that I "dislike" the Packers,enough to root for Pittsburgh.

That sure came out very nice. I like the details and the updated drivetrain,it all came together well.

The Big Buck teams run the trailers similar to NASCAR in that they haul multiple cars and lots of spares. The stacker trailers hauled behind toter homes are popular too with the well funded teams. The local track racers or low buck teams tend to use the Galaxie type trailers as they can keep everything locked up and stored easier with an enclosed trailer. I have seen some use an old U-Haul type van with an open trailer, pickup and enclosed trailer, van or motorhome to haul a trailer to a race too. I am surprised that there hasn't been a modern NASCAR type trailer offered.

Once upon a time there was a resin version of the Ram with a shortbed and extended cab but have not seen that in years. I believe the company was accu-pro out of Michigan. Your best best would be to get 2 of the Ram VTS trucks and use the second cab to create the extended cab. You will have a leftover bed that could make a nice traier. HTH Mike

Looks great, I wish they would bring these Dodge trucks back! I do have a suggestion though....I would detail the grille to make it stand out some more. A little black wash and pick out the letters and the turn signals and it would make a huge difference.

That shore is a purty TURK there Jimmy!

My thoughts EXACTLY ! I think kits like this could sell (ones with different building options)but now that regular kits are in the $25 price range, what would be the tipping point on something like this? I suspect that is why we get a lot of re-issues and then wait for the resin casters to make the pieces for other versions.

At different times in my life, I think I have done some pretty cool things. In no particular order........ ---Learned many different skills working with my father, skills that I have already passed on to my kids. ---Met some sports greats including Walter Payton, Mike Ditka while working in my younger years. ---Have watched my children grow up with the values my wife and I were raised with. ---Met a rock star and idol- Stevie Ray Vaughan 2 years before his tragic death only to have him die the day after I got married.Almost changed the wedding date when I heard he was going to be playing nearby, but figured he would be around for a long time! ---Witnessed many incredible events- some sad, some happy. ---Made and lost some great friends through the years. ---Learned being happy is better than being right.

If I were to take pictures of my stash, then I would have to attend a Plasticholics Anonymous meeting the next day as my wife would see just how bad of a problem I have with model kits. Nice selection there, looks a lot like mine and that should keep you busy for quite a while.

nice job Rob, very realistic and great details. The bed floor looks real and the whole thing captures the look of an old trailer perfectly. I travel the Carolinas and Virginias in my job and I have seen many of these sitting along side barns and garages, not to mention in many yards and fields. Keep em coming!

Nice subject and I like where you have taken this build. Can't wait to see the finished build, the plans sound interesting.

Lee, Wasn't he from the Milwaukee Wisconsin area? I thought I ran into him at some swap meets or maybe a Milwaukee NNL once upon a time. I haven't seen anything from him recently but I bet a phone call to The Model Empire could probably confirm it.

I agree !

Jared, Nice job on the jamb building, some real skill there! The model is coming along nicely and I can't wait to see it done. As far as the chassis goes, if you are building a mild custom, do what you want for colors. Most undersides were primer with body color overspray near the edges. Undercoating or rustproofing was usually added at the dealer or an aftermarket company (anybody remember Ziebart?) In 1980 I started working at dealership while in high school and we undercoated and rustproofed most every car we sold (extra dealer profit)unless the customer requested us not to. You could paint the wheelwells with some semi gloss or flat black to simulate undercoating if you want. Mike