stavanzer

I just read the 4 doors/Wagons thread started by Ranma. A couple of posters noted a pair of subjects that might be worth pushing for. Those subjects are: 1. Bluesmobile 2. Family Truckster. Now hear out my reasoning. One of these is a real car, would require all the usual (and expensive) arraignments with Chrysler. The other is a mostly Ford based fictional Wagon. 1. The Bluesmobile could be marketed in three different Flavors. A. The Iconic Movie Car. B. The less Iconic, but real, Mt Prospect Police Cruiser. C. A Bone Stock 4 door Monaco Sedan, w/ full factory wheel covers,and upscale Bumpers 2. The Family Truckster. This could be marketed in at least two different Flavors. A. The Movie Version. Complete with Roof Rack, and Luggage, B. The "Antarctic Blue Super Sports Wagon with the CB and optional Rally Fun Pac." Doing the SS wagon would require IMHO, a different set of Chrome wheels, some Cool 1980's Rally Stripes and a pair of Fog Lamps and a Sport Steering Wheel. Now, my idea for this is that the model company leverage off the Monaco tooling and use it for all the running gear on the Truckster. I know, the "real" Truckster is Ford based. The entire Monaco Chassis and Running Gear could be shared between the kits. In fact, even the Interior Tub or Floorboard could be shared, need only a station wagon add-on for the tub, or different sidewalls for a platform build. The whole goal is to share as many parts between the "real" Mopar Sedan and the Fictional Truckster. All of the Wood grain on the Truckster would be handled by decals. There are other options for the kits as well, Taxi, Fire Dept and Ambulance versions for the Truckster, and Taxi and a Fire versions for the Monaco. Possibly with enough sales the Monaco could spawn a Wagon version also, although I would not expect it right away. The next thing is to convince a company to tackle this subject. It requires a large dose of Licensing Wrangling, (two Movie Franchises, and One Major Car Manufacturer) Plus tooling and marketing.. I'd like to start a Co-ordinated" campaign, starting here to very politely start pushing for this as a project. The Bluesmobile has been a grail for many modelers for many years, and is in my opinion, one of the few 4 Door subjects that might actually have potential beyond the Fringe Market. A genuine Poll, with verifiable results would be a great start, but it must be followed by a focused letter writing and Facebook effort, as well as, again, very polite pushing on other Modeling Forums. The whole idea is similar to the One used last century to convince a major model company to release an Caprice Police Car. But if we go scattershot of on various makes, models and subjects, we'll never get our Monaco. So the key is to resolutely focus, Laser-Like on just the Monaco / Truckster, and how that subject can be leveraged into both in Hobby and out Hobby markets. (like the Movie Collectables market targeted By Round2 with the "Elvis Dune Buggy" and other "Silver Screen" kits. I'd like some feedback on this idea. It is NOT an overnight thing, and will have to be pursued for a long time to get any results. In fact, it may well NEVER get any results, but it WILL never happen if we don't pull together and try. Alan Alexis

Sadly, I have neither the Time or Ability to correct any of the flaws that others have noted. I will however be very happy to get one and start building. Other than bland tires, the Revell kits lately seem well designed and processed in their packaging. I like them. I like the idea that I can build a Supercharged Police Wagon, right out of the box. And I have plenty of options for markings in the box as well. All in all, this kit is shaping up to be a real Winner. (at least for my tastes)

Thank You for posting the pics. I see now that a Super Charged Wagon build is in my future. I'll be getting one of these to join my three sedans.

Glad to see you here, John. I'm sure your skills will be welcomed. Alan

PM Replied too, Josh.

Chuck, I could not agree more!

Yeah, but I was talking about making parts of a small, plastic replica LOOK more real. I've seen plenty of 1/1 blowers. I know how they mount. I was just (gently) suggesting that in order to make a small replica, "appear" more realistic, that thinning the bottom of one piece, might make it LOOK better. Me, I'll live with it, mostly because I'll just be glad to have it. Since ALL scale blowers copy no more than One or Two Original GMC Blower Cases, they should ideally appear very close to each other in Scale Form. As Drew Hierwarter ably documented in a photo essay in his old column in SAE, no two scale versions look alike. So this is pretty much (and has been) a dead issue for years. Alan And Yeah, Greg, I get your point. But I've never bolted anything together on a kit, and probably never will. We sand stuff to fit on almost every kit we build. This one will be no different.

and if you can't sand a Millimetre or two off the bottom of that blower...... Besides, it still looks fine to me. To base complaints about this one feature of the kit on ONE somewhat over-enlarged photo seem a bit of a stretchanyways. Can you please wait until you've seen some other photo's, at least? You never know, it may look different later.

Rob M. I agree with you one hundred percent! I'll pony up for a Foose Kit, or two just to help the series succeed. (I'll probably never build it, but then that's true for about half the kits I buy, anyway)

I had the Fujimi Kit. It is "odd" to say the least. I'd regard it as a donor to something else. It has Body problems and serious engine issues. Only take it, if it is given to you. I, personally, liked the wheels, but other don't.

I've looked at the choices and voted in Revell's poll. I really do not like much of anything Foose has done, and found all of his So-Called Customs to be eyesores at best. Nevertheless, I chose two that I felt had some potential to be good models and voted for them. I participated because it seldom happens that any model company solicits my opinion. When they do, It's prudent to vote and show that the numbers are out there. I'll not purchase any of the Foose kits. But I hope that younger modelers buy them by the thousands. I want these kits to sell even better than the upcoming 31 Ford. (well OK, not better than, at least as much as) Why, so that Revell will know that trusting modelers for product choices ,pays off in sales. OK, I'll pick a couple of Foose kits and buy them just to boost sales.

I see the pics, but honestly I can't see any problem with the Blower Housing. What am I missing?

No real good pics, but look at this list! http://www.steel-wheels.net/sferegister.html OK, here is a good site with better pics. http://www.pacificheritageassn.com/amoskeag-steam-fire-engine-co.html Be sure to look at many of the tabs on the side.

Yeah, Dave, you are right I think. What a Monster. I guess I'll have to go "Bill Borgen" and use a Thomas Flyer or Stutz Chassis. I'm off to google. Thanks!

Was he born on the 26th or 27th? If it was the 26th, Great! That's John Wayne's & Hank Williams Birthdays. (and mine) The 27th works just as well. Adam Corolla & Jeremy Mayfield of NASCAR were born on the 27th. My youngest just finished his freshman year in College. I still remember holding him as you do your son. Way to go! You'll like being his Dad. (at least MOST of the time.....)

Wow, what a day!Y ou stepped up, and used your training. You saved a Life. Not many of us can claim that. Good On Ya. Mate.

Nice 1-1 Rod.

Man, I remember those kits. I had four of them built at one time. As a Teenager those wheels/tires and engine were oddly enough the best parts of the kit back then, compared to the Monogram kits I was building. I remember build a "Mad Max" style off road buggy using the chassis and roll cage from this kit with an old Revell Fuel Injection manifold from the Thames Dragster, of course this many years before ther WAS a Mad Max, but it just seemed to be a great platform for a Post Apocolypse build. I built a whole series of Kits that way when I was in High School.Wish I still had them Maybe I should pop for one again and try for another Warrior Buggy.

Glad to See You, Josh. I'm in Bakersfield too. We have a small model club here too. Shoot me an email for more info.

Ah, I see now. Thank You, Gents. I have about 3 of the Barris Buggy's. They are an odd, and not really good kit.

How closely related is the Barris T Buggy? I see that the 'faux' T Grille looks similar, but I can't really tell if they are the same. I have at least one of the Manx Buggies, and it looks like I'll need one of these too.

Got any ideas on how to build a stock truck, using the Boiler/Pumps ect? I'm just starting to look for pictures.

After looking at the Instruction sheets for the Flameout, it looks like a Kit bash with the Monogram Fire Iron, or AMT '27 T Fire Truck or the old Monogram '26 Mack Bulldog will yield a Most Impressive Steam Pumper, even if it is not a Showrod. Take a look at just the Steamer parts, and forget the Chassis/Engine. Some nice parts there. I'll move this up to a Must Have when it makes it to the local HL. Alan P.S. the MPC Beverley Hillbillies Olds would make a great Stock Fire Truck as well.

Has any body got a link to the instructions for this kit? I can't seem to find any copies on the interwebs. Thanks, Alan

John, could it be a Tow Hook? I'd never even noticed it, until you made me look. Thanks.