mikemodeler

Flying into Milwaukee on Thursday, hope the runway is cleared off! Then I will be hopping in the rental car and headed to Kenosha to visit my elderly parents and probably will have to shovel snow for the first time in 6 years! The forecast for their area is up to 24 inches of snow, really depends on how much the wind blows off of Lake Michigan and the lake effect that run the snow totals up pretty high. This is the areas first big storm since the New Years' Day blizzard of 1999. That storm was a real pain the posterior as I was up for 40 hours helping a friend with his snow removal business and we couldn't keep up with the storm. After about 6 hours of sleep we went back at it and finally got everything done.

Good luck with the move, at least the warmer weather will be a nice part of your new start. You will have to learn about that humidity thing come painting time. Hope you are as lucky as your friends in finding a job. It is tough all over and wish you the best. Stay in touch here on the forum.

I sent an order to VCG Resins on 1/18 and in today's mail was my order! Considering the snow and crazy weather in New York,I thought to get my order that quick was fantastic! My hat is off to Craig Hosfeld (Mannyclub here on the forum) for the great service and product. I also got spray some stuff today as it got up to 62 degrees here in Charlotte. Tomorrow should see some more painting activity!

Which means we should see it about April?

Wow, it is barely February and the November issue is out? They really moved the schedule up, huh? Oh wait, you mean the November 2010, issue? Naw, haven't seen it yet and don't suspect I will for at least another 10 days to 2 weeks. Nice to hear it was finally printed and shipped to some.

Not a color combo I would choose but they do go together. Hard to tell how well the paint came out as the pictures are blurry but from what I can see the exterior paint looks okay. The underhood detailing isn't bad, could be a little neater but again, kinda fuzzy pictures. The wheels don't look like they would on a 1:1, maybe it is me but they look like they could be up against the axles. I think if the truck was lowered they might be better suited to it. Just my observations but don't take it as harsh criticism. Everybody has different tastes and skills so keep on building to your liking and have fun.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping those of us that have airbrushes become better at using them. I will be sure to watch every installment!

Ben, Chris has the right idea, check out the Western Plow website for drawings and ideas on how to come up with your plow. Depending on how accurate you want the plow set up to be, there is someone on Ebay that sells a resin plow that is a copy of an old MPC Jeep kit set up. I have one of the original Jeep kits with the plow in it (sure would be nice if Round 2 could find that mold!) and while it might be too narrow for a pickup, it can be used on a Jeep. It is a representation of a mid-60's setup that was common on Jeep CJ series back then and with a little work and some Plastruct, you could come up with your own. I have been playing around working on some pieces but am nowhere near ready to cast them or even show them, I am hoping to get some time at the bench this weekend. I have spent some time on Google searching for different set ups and it is interesting to see all that is out there. I did find where a forum member here offers resin cast plow lights (VCG Resins) and I just sent him an order last week for some of them. They even come with decals for the light and turn signal so I am anxious to see how they look when set up on a truck! If you find the How to, be sure to post the link as I would like to see it.

You gonna go for the chopped and slammed look? I am toying with entering that contest too, seems like if enough builders enter, maybe it will become a regular thing or maybe some of the other shows on TV will take notice! Can't wait to see this one painted!

I don't believe Chevy ever made a convertible version on the second generation Camaros. I think there was a company that did conversions of them into convertibles but they were contracted by dealers to do them. Can't wait to see this one painted!

nice one there Lee, clean details and nice paint work.

That is going to be one sweet looking ride when you are done! I like the look of a drop top on that body style and the late model wheels look perfect for it. Which kit did you get the body from? That isn't the Revell Z-28 kit is it? Thanks

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.