mikemodeler

Not that I have seen yet. I haven't started my MK '79 Ford PU kit yet so I am not sure what is required to make it into a shortbed version. There have been a few folks who have taken the kit bed and converted it to the standard wheelbase. Best of luck on your conversion. Mike Scheve

Dave, Another outstanding build! You make it look so easy to create these works of art. The details you include in your builds really makes them unique and realistic. Thanks for sharing and I am sure you have more builds coming. Mike Scheve

Let me get this straight, you went to Venture Hobbies and only bought one kit? In all my years of living in Chicagoland, I NEVER got off that cheap there! Biggest problem I had was figuring out which credit card to use so "The Boss" wouldn't find out! That place is a modelers' heaven and I sure wish we had something close to it here in the Carolinas! Mike Scheve

While I haven't built mine yet, there was an article awhile back in Scale Auto or Fine Scale Modeler (can't remember which) that showed how to build a booth using a sealed Dayton blower motor from WW Grainger. IIRC the motor went for about $80 but it is designed for this type of application and I think is listed as "explosion proof", which would make it better than a bathroom fan or computer fan. The beauty of building your own booth is that you can decide what size to make it and add features possibly not found on the ones commercially available. My holiday project is to finally build my booth and the plans on this thread are most helpful! HTH, Mike

I would like to see some new truck kits (light and medium duty) along with re-issues of kits from the '70's. This would allow me to build some kits I screwed up in my younger years. Mike

I believe the Model King re-issue of this kit is due out in mid-December, if I remember correctly. I think there are several MK re-issues of old AMT kits due then as well. I too am looking forward to this kit being out and have my eye on a few others. Mike Scheve

I subscribe to the magazines (Model Car & Scale Auto) to have as a reference at a later date. The information in them, whether it be a how-to or history of the hobby or whatever, is invaluable when doing research or trying to answer a question. The ask G&J column is a page too long for me. I appreciate the how-to's, kit reviews and what's new sections and would like to ask that they be expanded when possible. The more useful information that can be added will make it even better than the "other" magazine. The idea of taking a newly released kit and having it built and reviewed by several modelers seems like a great idea to me. The article a few issues back about the Hobby Shop on Long Island NY was very interesting as a lot of forum members travel and might be inclined to stop by a shop they read about in the magazine. I will agree with Harry in that you should develop a list of possible changes and put it to a vote. We will fill pages and pages of "I would do this..." and "If it were up to me...." and the list would be huge. I enjoy reading the magazine as it is but change is always good and I welcome the idea that there could be more information in coming issues. Just my two pennies 'cuz you asked! Mike Scheve

When I was in high school I worked as a porter for a Mercedes Benz/ BMW /Alfa Romeo dealer that also had a Chrysler /Peugeot dealership next door to it. Talk about your gamut of vehicles to choose from! All the new car salesmen got new cars to drive and most of them chose light colored vehicles as they were easier to clean. The used car salesmen (just two) drove whatever was on the lot and switched off about every three or four days. These two hucksters always drove dark blue or black cars and insisted they always be cleaned daily "just in case someone comes in to buy it". That was bad enough but I honestly think they lived in them because the cars were trashed everyday! What should have been a 10-15 clean up was always 30-40 minutes because we were shampooing carpets, cleaning windows and deodorizing weird smells! The only upside was they were good about getting us 12 packs of beer on Friday nights as "payment" for a clean car. I would say the owner of this used car lot would drive just about anything that was available and it might depend on what his evening activities consisted of. If it was "date night", I am sure it would be the nice Caddy or Lincoln that just came in on trade. If it was "helping a buddy move this weekend", it would probably be that van or pickup that has been sitting in the back row for a few months. If it was taking the kids to the drive-in movies, a station wagon would be in order. Can't wait to see it! Mike Scheve

If you are looking for the pieces to convert the front end of your kit to a 2wd version, see if there is a Big Lots outlet store nearby as many of them have the AMT LRE kit on sale for $5.00. This kit should yield the parts you need to convert the front end over. If you don't have a Big Lots, check out www.plastic-models.com, I believe they still have a few of the LRE kits available. Good Luck! Mike

Much of what I feel is the problem has been stated here-broken families, too many distractions, "McDonalds' Mentality" (instant gratification),lack of 1:1 cars to draw interest, lack of general automotive knowledge. Back in my youth (I am 44)my friends that built model cars generally were car nuts and like me, liked working with our hands building the car of our dreams. We also were the ones that could take our bikes apart blindfolded and searched out the neighbor who was tinkering with a car,truck, motorcycle- you name it we were there! Now, I buy snap kits for my kids (10 yr old girl and 14 yr old boy) in the hopes that they will join old Dad for some building fun now and then. They typically enjoy it, but given my hectic schedule (and theirs), we don't get to build that many kits a year. My older child likes airplanes more than cars, and he has tried to build glue kits of both, but his skills need work. He understands that it comes with time, but he also has ADD so it can get difficult to have him sit still long enough to build sub-assemblies, let alone a whole kit. My daughter likes building cars but is into playing with her friends and other activities so I guess I have to hope that she marries a car guy! Not sure what the solution is, or if the model car companies can come up with something to spark the interest of youngsters. I do know that I have enough cars and trucks to build without another new release or reissue but truly hope that the kits keep coming! Mike Scheve

I figured this was the place to ask about the August/September issue. I haven't received mine yet and didn't know if the mailman has been reading it or if it wasn't out yet. Really looking forward to it as I am in need of reading material for some upcoming road trips. Thanks G & J ! Mike Scheve

I like to visit here and occassionally post replies to topics that are of interest. The different "view' that is present here is refreshing. I also like the sharing of tips, builds and news that relates to the hobby. My main reason for visiting any of the forums is to learn more about model car building and to see what others are doing. MIke scheve

Very nice model, well executed build and attention to detail! Captures the feeling of 1968 all over again, when it seemed like all Pontiacs were green! Thanks for sharing! Mike

Ken, Nice job on the weathering and conversion. The truck looks like it has seen many a hard day's work. Any plans to offer up the cab in resin? Mike

Thanks for all of the insight on this "new" release. I had seen a picture of the Pete wrecker that LAFD uses and was set to buy one or two of them but will not be buying any of them thanks to you all. If it was worth buying the kit for the wrecker body, I would have considered it but seems like even that is not the case. I guess we will have to wait until someone tools up a new wrecker for us! Mike

Looks very nice. I have several of these to build and I still can't decide on a color for any of them! I have seen so many different builds and colors and I keep changing my mind! Nice combo and the wheels make it just different enough to stand out. Mike

I happened to pick up a flyer at the recent Road Knights show here in Charlotte. I can't scan the flyer so I will spell out the details for you all: Saturday, September 22 at the American Legion Fairgrounds (where it was last year)Hwy 70 East, Conover, NC $3.00 to get in after 8:30 A.M./ $5.00 for floor rights 8:00- 8:30 A.M. Contest entry fee: $8.00 (first model + swap meet entry fee) Contest registration 8:30-11:30 A.M. Judging at Noon Awards at 1:30 Swap Meet Info: Johnny or Gail Lail 828-256-8286 Contest Info: Ernest Harmon 704-483-6131 or email ernest_harmon@yahoo.com mention "fall classic" or "model contest" in subject line or on voice mail. This years theme: Flatheads Forever! 75 years of the flathead. I think that about covers it, hope you all can make it. I plan on hitting the swap meet, not sure if I will have anything ready for the contest. Mike

WOW! Nice colors there to choose from! Any word on where they will be available? Online? Hobby Lobby? HobbyTown USA? Wal-Mart? I will give them a try and see how they work. I have had good luck with the MM lacquers and would hope that these aren't much different. Hopefully there will be a review of these soon to help us form a buying decision. Mike

Harry, As others have said, what a beautiful piece of work. I have never personally built a Pocher kit, probably because the amount of time and work involved to make them as nice as yours! I did work at an Alfa Romeo dealer in the early '80's and know how much work it was to keep a 1:1 version on the road though! Nice cars in nice weather but when it was damp or cold, Fuggettaboutit! Maybe there is a correlation there? Thanks for sharing your builds. Mike

Nice job there Doc! That rust looks so real! Mike

I remember some friends doing a similar psychedelic paint job on a 1:1 car with a box fan. They had painted the area with white as the base and then used different colors "dripped" in front of the box fan to give a blown and splattered look. It definitely had a textured look to it but the results were very cool looking , at least at the time I thought so! I have been wanting to try this approach with some old scrap bodies and odds and ends of paint and just might have to put it on the list. Mike Scheve

Is that 1/25 scale or smaller? The detail looks great and if that is the way it comes, then that is some spectacular & clean casting. Now the hard part........How much? Mike Scheve

That is some awesome scratchbuilding and conversion work you have going on there! Not to burst your bubble, but Revell did make a die cast 1:25 scale TJ kit based on the Rubicon Jeep used in the Tomb Raider movie. It might be worth it to pick a copy up to see if you could build that into your replica instead of converting a 30 year old kit. Either way, I am sure you will have a nice model when you are done. Mike Scheve

Try www.modelhaus.com . I have a set of their resin 1 ton wheels and tires and they are beautiful. $11 for unplated set with tires and $13 for a plated set. Great service, product and people! Mike Scheve

My mailman must have taken up model building as I have yet to see my April issue and it will be May in about 4 hours! I am anxiously awaiting the issue as it sounds fun! Mike Scheve PS- Haven't got my other hobby magazines either, thus my theory that the mailman is a builder too!