IJ001

OK, starting-up this my newest NASCAR project - The inside is two coats of Xtracolour enamel 'ADC Grey' - my colour of choice for NASCAR interiors. This kit is much simplified in the construction and very 'soft' in detail - a legacy of the 'snap-fix' pre painted kits that Revell promoted in the early 2000's. Have a look at the insides here - almost complete with just five pieces which (virtaully) snapped together, the 1993 Pontiac that I'm wrestling with at the moment, the cage on that build is complete and took ten individual pieces which are all warped and most too short in length. I like simplified builds, means I can get to the 'fun' part sooner. Speaking of which - Acrylic white primer from Halfords - the biggest car accessory chain in the UK, and a fantastic source of good quality and cheap aerosol paint... I do miss that over here. Two coats and the outside is done. I was going to use their 'Volkswagen Silver Grey' as the main colour, but on checking the tin, there may not be enough, no worries, I have an assortment of Tamiya acrylics in the stash to call upon. Thanks for taking the time to look and/or comment. More when the 'real world' allows. Ian.

Completely agree, with John on the work here, also like you, I moved my only Buddy Baker car close to the top of the 'to do next' pile in the last week or so. Looking forward to seeing this one progress. Ian.

Very, very nice. Hope that when I get around to my version it comes out that well. Ian.

Not sure how this one slipped past me... Very nice, John, don't think that I've seen this scheme modelled before. Ian.

Thanks John. That seems to be the only one around... Any ideas which races it ran in ??, I may be able to track-it-down on You Tube. Ian.

Very nice, John, love that 'K-Sentials' scheme. I just bought a 'Slab Side' donor kit from Mike, came with his Ken Schraeder/Skoals sheet for any of the four metallic finish cars he drove in '99. Hey if you (or anyone here) has a photo or even a screen-grab of the gold painted car, I'd be really grateful. Ian.

Very nice indeed. Wasn't aware of that scheme, thanks for posting. Ian.

Very nicely done. Ian.

Love that Family Channel/Musgrave car, I know the decals are available, but even after treating them, I'm pretty certain they wouldn't behave too well after all these years. Great collection, thanks for posting. Ian.

That's a great idea, Mitch, thanks. Many, many years ago I tried that on a Tamiya Rallye car (a Peugeot) and it worked really well. Ian.

Kit - Monogram 1:24 Paint - Body: Tamiya aerosol acrylic. Chassis & internals: Tamiya acrylics, Humbrol & Tamiya enamels. Decals - Slixx Extras - A couple of litres of Micro-Sol and lots of foul language. The decals over the nose fractured and tore even as I was taking them out of the water, so there's a LOT of effort gone in to making it to the checkered flag with this project. It will pass inspection at more than 1m (US = 1 yard), but less than that and it will scream 'decal fail' very loudly. As ever all comments, criticism and questions welcome. Thanks for taking the time to look. Ian.

A few folks have suggested that, Daniel, but my skills aren't really up to a level where I could do that idea any justice. It's a real pain the a*se, (especially as I got such a good colour laid down), but everybody knows there's a risk with old Slixx sheets. More progress, hopefully, this time tomorrow. Ian.

Well I've been working it since the last post and here's how far I've got: No you're quite right, it isn't going to win any sort of accolade in any model competition, but in the cabinet and at more than 1m (US = 1 yard) distance it will look OK, just - I took these pics after shooting yet another coat of good ol' Humbrol enamel 'Clear Cote' (their spelling). I've continued simply doing a few at a time and leaving it alone, got the race numbers, and a few more sponsor 'stickers' on this morning, so will take a break until Monday before going again. And how's a little 'product placement' to finish this update !! '... We'll be right back after a word from our sponsors' Ian.

I am but cannot get it here in New Zealand, and cannot buy-it-in without all sorts of permissions and licenses. Just hope that the decals on the 'flat' surfaces behave better. Most of the damage on the front valance will be covered by the grill & headlight decals, the sides will be covered by the contingencies. I may get-out of decal h*ll if I'm very, very lucky. Ian.

....and then this happened Ian.

Hello again from New Zealand. Well this afternoon, I finished work early and when I got home the sun was out, so I grabbed 90mins at the bench and managed to finish the rolling chassis. I couldn't resist dropping the bodyshell on top to check the 'stance' (most kits sit too high off the ground)... Next will be 'decal time' - lots of wee M&M characters to get into place. As I mentioned, I wanted to check the stance. Personally I'm quite happy with it, but would be happy to hear what you guys think - Let me know please. AFN Ian.

Man, I wish we could get Testors lacquers over here.... I'd never stop painting.... ever !! Ian.

More inspirational work in this project aswell. Ian.

Just read all of this thread. I can only echo what the rest of the guys have said, this is fantastic work, and I've already learned so much. Looking forward to seeing this through to the end. Ian.

Those last three pics show the bodyshell sitting on the rolling chassis of the Kellogg's Chevy that I posted here last week, I'm sure I don't need to tell anyone here that Monogram NASCAR kit chassis/blocks/suspension are all generic and therefore identical. So moving-on-to the 'actual' chassis for this build: The cage & chassis were sprayed the same (ADC Grey) in an earlier session, so I've tried to make it a little more individual by allowing m'self a wee bit of 'artistic license' in painting the details, I'm sure it wouldn't pass muster on a competition table, but I'm happy with how it looks at the moment. Similarly with the block. There may be photos of the actual block flying around the interweb, but I've tried to keep mine fairly generic with just a couple of 'flourishes' to differentiate it from others in the cabinet. So next I'll drop the motor in to place - always a nervous session, then the dash/wheel and the lower suspension/steering rack. With some luck and a following wind I may get it up on it's wheels by next weekend. Thanks folks for taking the time to look and/or comment. Please feel free to ask any questions, make a comment or any constructive criticism. AFN Ian.

Hello from New Zealand on the first weekend of winter: I've been working on and off on this for about eight weeks, just at the moment, bench-time is limited because of the demands of real-world,and I'm guessing that I'm not the only one who's written something similar on this forum, right ?? So just a couple of self-explanatory shots for now, to show you where I'm up to right now. Insides were sprayed ADC Grey (a USAF colour), using Xtracolour enamel, then masked and primed with Tamiya acrylic grey straight from the rattle-can. After rubbing back with fine grain wet'n dry, I mixed a tiny drop of Tamiya acrylic orange into their lemon yellow and shot three medium coats. I followed this about a week later with another rub back then applied two heavy coats of Humbrol Gloss-Cote (their spelling): More in a minute, don't touch that dial. Ian.

Never seen that Kenny Wallace car before. Like that scheme a lot. Ian.

Welcome Moonman, I'm living in the 'Naki, and just arrived here too !! Ian.

Thanks all, appreciate the welcome, (John, I recognise your builds from Randy's place of course). I do have another build ongoing on the bench, but for the next three weeks demands upon my time are going to be really high - New Zealand is hosting the FIFA U20 Football World Cup, and I've got leave from the 'day job' to help with running the match's that are being played in our town. Just got in now from a 14hr day and it's only going to get busier !! I'll post a WiP thread soon enough. AFN Ian.

Why Mr. Ditton, good to see(?) you too !! Ian.