stavanzer

Back on May 9th, I posted about losing my Job on May 7th. Of course, I went straight to the Indeed website looking for jobs. I interviewed for a new job, on Friday the 14th., I was hired Monday the 17th, worked my first day on Wednesday the 19th, as well as the next two days. This will be my last weekend off for sometime. The hours for the new Job, are 8pm-8am (Graves), and Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. So, Four 12's a week, with 16 hours overtime. I've spent 12 of the last 23 years, working graveyard shift, and 15 years working 12 hour shifts. I know this routine. At 58, I am gettin a bit old for this, bit it is a great opportunity with a good, local Oil Field Service Company. Best of all? Laid off on the 7th, hired on the 17th. Ten days from Job to Job. A new record for me! I am Stoked.

This Kit, by itself will sell a lot of GMC Cabover Kits. Should be some neat Turbine Powered GMC Cabovers on display in the next 6 months.

Just watched HPI Guy's review. I'd call it a Swing and a Miss. Lousy tires. Somebody at Revell, should be admonished for that. All the trouble to Tampo Print what have to be some of Revell's worst tires. And then to mold them in practically Un-glueable Faux Rubber! Ick! The rest of the kit looks Ok, but only Ok. See, Sow's Ear = Silk Purse. (Not!) Really Great Decals though!

And, I have a couple Sandman kits from the Eighties' stashed away, and will need only the half cab Bronco.

My First car was a Military Ambulance. 1953 M43 Ambulance, to be exact. I paid $800.00 for it in 1980. This is not mine, but It could be. Same Colour, same winch. 37 Horsepower Flathead 6. 4 speed Trans, with High and Low gearbox. First gear in the Hi range was still geared so low that for on road use, you only used 2,3 &4. Armstrong Power Steering, 2-40 Air, and brake shoes smaller than those on a 62 Valiant. This is a fact as, the guy at the Parts House gave us the Valiant shoes, first. They were bigger than the example we had brought in. Brakes were truly awful. They required two or three pumps before the pedal would come up. And that was AFTER my father and I had rebuilt or replaced the Master Cyl, all Four Wheel Cyls, and all Eight Brake Shoes. We bled the system over and over again. They never did work well, but I learned to use them, anyway. She grossed 8900 lbs. Personalized California Plates "53 BEAST" I sold it in 1990.

What a Good Dog! Worth many smiles, and thanks for sharing, John.

Sandbagger Instructions. https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/amt-instructions/1-sort/amt-sandbagger-dune/?view=roll#1 There were two others in the series. The Sand Hog (the Surf Woody chassis) https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/amt-instructions/1-sort/amt-sand-hog/ And a Third one, who's name I can never remember. All three were a product on the early 1970's AMT "Troubles" period, when AMT was scrambling for revenue, and had little money for new tooling. So, they re-used what they had, in new ways. Notice that they did not even have decal sheets, just a a larger, unique decal. Clever, but I have no idea how successful these efforts were in the long run. However, AMT did survive, that is at least a partial answer. Also, and this is just a guess, I'll be willing to bet that the ribbed sand tires are exactly the same as the ones in the AMT Meyer's Manx Dune Buggy. Again, tooling that already existed, and was reused.

Um, Yeah, I guess....... "They're Boxy but they're good" as the movie says. Movie is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_People FRom 1990. Despite less than stellar reviews, it is one of my three favorite movies. My Children even made me a "Hello Box", back in the day.

Ouch! In my youth she and Olivia Newton John, were my favorites. Sad to see her pass so soon. She was only 2 years older than I am.....

Added, For those who don't know, the EDD in California, is where all Un-employment paperwork is filed. It is a vast place. But, it will need to be dealt with. That is why I'll spend Monday on the phone, trying to fill out the papers correctly, so they don't get kicked back.

I got laid off again.....(five months to the day, after being hired) Tuesday the Boss had a big meeting telling us about how low revenue was, and high high payroll was. He Exhorted us to do Bigger, Better things. Friday afternoon, myself, and one newly hired data entry clerk were "laid off due to lack of work". That line is good enough to convince the California EDD (Employment Development Department), that the layoff is COVID related. I'll be on the phone all day tomorrow, trying to find out what to do. And yes, I have no doubt that my 5 Week absence due to eye surgery, my have influenced the decision. I was back for only 5 days, since Monday. Friday, I'm gone. T his job has been showing Red Flags since a week after I hired on. Too many thing never quite fit. First they had Plenty of money, and they bought lavish Christmas gifts. (I hired on 10 days too late to get anything) Now, the cash flow is drying up, and it is time to "Tighten up the Belt". And, over the months, it has become more and more obvious that the owner and his wife are Gifted Grifters. I've been looking to move anyhow. They just did it a month earlier than I was planning. I'll be okay.

Metalhead (Ryan). at least you are working.... I had retina surgery in late March. I'm still at home, healing. I've been away from my new job, for 5 weeks. I have only been with them for 7 weeks. I'm not sure they'll even take me back. (Yeah, I know that it would be illegal for them to do that, but try to fight it) Good Luck!

Chuck, with all due respect, WTH? is this about?

And, in Regards to the Catalina, I've heard and experienced issues with the rear axle assembly, complete with wheels, being too wide to fit inside the fenders of the Cat body. Not sure if this will help.

Re: Peter Vetri & the "Atlantis Custom Car Parts Series" That's a big hint, Boyz'n'Girlz that we may see a lot more plastic run through those old Parts Pack molds. It would be Awesome if this happens. I can be patient a lot longer, knowing that Atlantis knows what kinds of Jewels they have in that lot of tooling they bought. The Revell Caddy does nothing, but some of the the other stuff! Blows my Mind!

Thanks, Guys. My eye is healing. 6 different kinds of eye drops. Every 6 hours!

I got through my surgery okay. Had a detached Retina (Macula) in my right eye. VA in West Los Angeles did the surgery on Wednesday afternoon. I'm home finally after far too many adventures. The eye is healing. Next comes Cataract Surgery in 3-6 months. I'm blessed the VA is there for me.

Well, Just changing the tires will be a 100% improvement. Add in some new decals and maybe a couple small freebies and it should sell well. With the Revell, (ex Monogram) Woody off the market, it will have the shelve at Hobby Lobby to itself, so the casual buy wanting a Woody will only have one choice. And, in it's favor, it's not a bad choice, just not one that WE would always choose first. All Chromed Flattie is nice, and it does offer stock wheels.

AMT's 1970 Ford will hit the market again, this time in Taxi form. So right now there are at least 4 AMT Sedan/Wagon kits out there. The '78 Dodge Monaco, the '70 Ford, the '67 Supernatural, and the '63 Chevy Wagon. A decent selection of virgin plastic.

Other than the Body and the decals, will there be any difference in these kits?

Wow, very Spendy! But, if you gotta be first? Here's your chance.

I need one of those Cat Rock Paintings. They are just awesome!

Craig, do they Howl? I've always heard the Bassets, Howl and Chew. My Uncle had one 40 years ago, and it was the loudest dog in the whole neighborhood. It is literally ate Tennis Shoes. That said it was a sweet dog. Funny to watch it walk.

Dave, isn't the ZZR tooling now forever Modified as the Firebug? https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/amt-instructions/show-rods/amt-firebug/ https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/amt-instructions/show-rods/amt-the-zzr-by-geor/ Cheers!

Besides. Many older modelers (the target market for many Atlantis Kits), may be perfectly satisfied with the Red Colour. And, those who aren't? Well, most of them will know how to fix the bleedthrough problems, and go along their merry way.