mikemodeler

I just got a Model Expo sales flyer and they show a NEW! spray booth for $119.99. It is metal and is easily transportable (so they say) as it weighs 8 pounds. Not sure who makes it but for just over a hundred bucks, it might be worth it to check it out. It would be nice if there was a review in a magazine (hint hint Gregg) to see how it performs. Mike

I know this doesn't help Jason's plight but these posts are a reminder to me that there are very few (2 or3) resin vendors that I KNOW I can send an order to and get prompt, RELIABLE service from. The rest I buy it when I can lay my hands on it, like at shows or swap meets. We all tire of the posts like these because we feel like we are being held hostage. Don admits to not wanting to hang out at "the box" answering emails-fine, get someone to do it for you then Don. I am sure there is someone you can rely on to respond to the inquiries while you are pouring rubber & resin. I hope that business is that busy for Don and he just can't keep up with the orders. I would hate to think that we have yet another vendor who produces a great product but with a ton of controversy that eventually it forces them to close shop. Mike

I went for real, the details seemed too real to overlook Harry's skills. This is a Land Rover and if it is a model, I want to see the whole thing as someone sure spent some time on details!

Check out the Modelhaus, I believe they have the correct wheels for this car. I think they are sold as a set, with or without tires. Nice folks and very high quality product. Mike

I voted real, something just seemed real about it. I will say Harry has been able to pull off some good ones lately but the paint job (or should I say "coloring"?) is a bit of a giveaway. Ol' Henry Ford didn't put color on these cars. Mike

It is real ugly for sure but something about it says real to me. Maybe the crisp details, the angular shapes, not sure but too nice to think it is a model. Mike

post some pictures or give more detailed information if you want true feedback. I would say given the lack of any new wrecker kits in quite some time, there should be some interest, if the price is in line. Of course there is that "quality" issue- if it is good it will sell, if it isn't, it won't. late model beds with wheel lifts would be great, so would some simple roll back bodies. Mike

A few years ago there was a company in Michigan advertising in Scale Auto that would sell a painted body of a current kit for around $30, IIRC. Must not have been that good as I haven't seen their ad in several years or else no one stepped up to buy them. This is a tough one for me as while my painting skills are no where near show winning capacity, I have been working on them and improving steadily. I build for me and not contests so the quality of the paint job is secondary to finishing the kit most of the time. I don't have a problem having someone painting a body for me, especially if it is not going to be entered in a show. That being said, how many 1:1 car owners paint their own cars that they enter in shows/contests? Granted, painting in 1:1 is harder than 1/25, but is there really a difference? If I wanted a car with flames on it, I wouldn't hesitate to call Brian and pay him accordingly as it might take me forever to master his abilities, just like I would with a 1:1. I wish you great luck in your venture and hope you are successful. Post some of your samples here and let us know how it goes. Maybe you can have fun AND make a few $$ in the process. Mike

The Modelhaus also has a grille available, $4.75, comes plated. It is a re-pop from the original kit. Mike

Clay, Thank you and your fellow soldiers for your service and dedication in keeping us safe and free. Take care, stay safe and hurry back here. Stay in touch with us as you can, as time allows. Be sure to let this community know if there is anything we can do for you, your family or your military families, there is a great bunch of people in this hobby that will help. God Bless & Semper Fi Mike

Wow, never noticed that one before. I agree, you would think someone would have caught that one. Almost as bad as those mysterious typographical errors that pop up in articles in magazines/newspapers!

While I share your sentiments regarding the same old same old when it comes to kits, there are probably several reasons why we keep seeing them. 1. Some of the old molds have been modified over the years into other variations so therefore they cannot "go further back into the warehouse" and dig them up. In some cases, given the ownership changes the hobby has seen, some molds and parts of them have been lost due to moves and improper storage. 2. An all new kit can run into $100,000 or more in development costs. Depending on subject matter, there can be licensing costs that run into thousands more. 3. Everyone has a wish list of what they think will be the next best seller. The '57 Chevy is a kit that has been around for ever and yet another version just came out. The immediate reaction has been great and it is selling well. Why, do you ask? Because it is an improvement over previous kits and is a version not seen. 4. The recent all new kit of the Chevy Nova from Revell has already spawned another version of the same kit, the Yenko Nova. While there are differences between the two, the majority of the kit is shared and subtle changes are made to come out with another kit. The model companies do listen and they try to give us what we want. If you look at the hobby from their perspective, you will see that they have to ensure that whatever kit gets the green light for production, it has to be a good seller, otherwise the money won't be there for the next kit. Add to that the fact that most of the consumers of the product are older, the model companies gear their offering to what those folks are looking for. A late model Maurader is a great idea as it could be derived from a Crown Vic kit. The Crown Vic kit would be a huge seller as there are many Cop Car builders out there, far more than those who desire a Maurader. How much would those two variations cost to develop and bring to market I don't know but maybe someone else here does. Don't lose the faith and please don't take my comments as criticism, just some observations from being around the hobby for a long time. There have been many threads like this one before and I am sure there will be more in the future. The best way for the hobby companies to know if we like their new kits is through the sales of them. If they don't sell, they get the hint! Mike.

I'll bite, I say real. Haven't been wrong in a few weeks, but could be this time.

Well, if Doc is going to start hanging out here, you know the old saying......"There goes the neighborhood!" It can only be good if Doc starts hanging around here. His creative builds and stories make for great reading. Mike

Said it before.................That sure is one nice looking 'Camino ! To say that I am jealous is an understatement ! Get it done and show us some pix at a cruise night or car show!

George must be sleeping in this holiday morning! I voted real, a lot of things just added up as "real" . Have a safe Memorial Day and remember our veterans and servicemen & women today for providing us the freedom we enjoy. Mike

If you are looking for a dually utility bed, The Modelhaus has the only one I know of and it is a beauty! Not very light, but definitely accurate, I have bought two of them (and will get them done SOMEDAY!). Mike

Harry, I too rented one (in 2005 when they were "new") and was not impressed. Of course I chalked it up to being an abused rental car but the V-6/automatic combo seemed weak at the time. The gas mileage wasn't that great, but then again, it WAS a rental. Being average sized, (5'9") getting in and out was difficult for me as I had been used to driving an SUV for several years but now that I am back driving a sedan, it probably wouldn't be so bad. I would drive down to Mannheim road and see what the airport rental lots have available. I doubt you could get the V-6/5 speed but who knows! Not sure if the dealers have that combo sitting on the lot but a good dealer will search for you, especially in this business climate. Something to consider is how this car will be used. If it is your daily, year round ride in Chi-town, that manual trans might be a pain in the butt. Also, the resale value usually takes a hit because unlike the 60s/70s, most buyers want the automatic. Hopefully you can find what you are looking for and it is all that you are hoping for! Mike

Something just says model about this one....... Mike

I would add to Harry's list The Modelroundup (www.modelroundup.com) as they have new and old kits alike. There are other sites that cater to older, out of production kits and you can also scroll down the forum here to the "wanted" section and list your desires. Welcome back to the hobby, enjoy this website, learn and share! Mike

Absolutely beautiful ! I am speechless as to what to say next as that is one incredible looking El Camino. The paint job is flawless and that will be one nice ride when done. Keep updating us with progress pix and I can't wait to see it all done. Thanks for sharing. Mike.

The Don Mills treadplate shown in that Ebay ad is the most accurate and in scale. He also sells slam locks to use with the treadplate when creating boxes and bodies. If you want to deal with a hobby shop that sells the treadplate, The Model Empire in Milwaukee does mailorder on it and other items. (www.ModelEmpireUSA.com) or call then at 414-453-4610. Great folks to deal with and a neat place to visit if you are ever in Milwaukee. Mike

I got my Paasche single action years ago at Michaels using the 40% off coupon and it has been a great tool. I would suggest using Michaels & Hobby Lobby to get your airbrush & compressor (if you don't have one already) using their coupons. Search online, there are some great deals to be had but be careful of shipping charges that can even things out. The advantage of buying at H-L or Michaels is if for some reason you have problems with it, returning the defectives is much easier. Make sure you get a moisture trap as you don't want to ruin a paint job! I recently got a double action Testors ( part of a sweepstakes win at the "other" magazine/forum ) and have yet to use it. It took some time to master the single action so I imagine I will be learning new tricks with it soon. Mike

As someone who has been a member here a long time, it puzzles me that this forum is starting to look and sound like "the other one". I don't remember the original poster trashing Bill's work, only questioning it's relativity to CAR modeling. The endless posts defending Bill and his work shows his standing in this hobby and forum is one that is well earned, but from my point of view it really sounds and looks like playground politics. I passed over the article not because I thought it didn't belong, but rather because I was interested in the OTHER articles first. That is the point guys, if you don't like what you see, turn the page. I will go back and read about Bill's build up and undoubtedly take a few pointers from it. In regards to the constant trashing of Scale Auto magazine, whatever your opinion is of it (good, bad or indifferent), do you really think it will help our hobby if they cease publishing it? Come on, having another magazine has to help this hobby of ours, no? Whether you like it or not, Scale Auto gets distributed differently than MCM and that alone might help bring some folks into or back to the hobby. I don't want to debate page counts between the two, quality of articles, who has more how-to's etc, I just want to read about this hobby. The timeliness of MCM has been an issue over the years and there has always been a reason. I have been a subscriber for a LONG time and don't see that changing anytime soon. My only request has been to post a short note informing us of a delay. Doesn't have to be a muti-paragraph explanation, just a quick post saying the December issue won't be out until late January is fine. I have had postal problems in the past so I just need to know if the mailman threw it away again or if it was delayed. I would hope that instead of continual defending/complaining/bashing of others or the magazine, remember why Gregg allows us to use this forum- to discuss MODEL CARS ! Mike

What a beautiful start to what should be an absolute stunning vehicle! The long hours of block sanding definitely show in the finished paint on the bed. No one likes to hear about the hours prepping a body but as you have shown us, it pays huge dividends. Can't wait to see it done, and I am sure you are getting anxious too. Please show us the truck when you have it completely painted. Thanks and congrats again on a great looking car. Mike