iamsuperdan

Nice!

Were the prices reasonable?

Interesting. Number 3 kind of surprised me. I'm curious, what kind of numbers does this represent? How many of each kit were sold?

Very cool. I wonder where these vehicles are now. And if they were tested and worked out long term. Do this now and...ugh. Just imagine how these people would be treated.

Nice work! Once I clear a few started projects off the bench, this is one of the kits I want to get cracking on. I've made a vow though. No starting a new kit until I finish an old one. I'm about 20 minutes in, and so far so good.

Files are all still available for purchase and download. https://cults3d.com/en/users/Andrey_Bezrodny/3d-models

If I recall, that was one of GM's big selling points when they introduced Quadrasteer in the early 2000s. 👍 The Lightning definitely does not have the tank turn feature. It's just an F150 with an EV motor instead of ICE. Which is why it makes the most sense to me of all the EV trucks out there. It's not some space age futuristic experiment. They used proven tech and design, and added a different drivetrain. If you go to YouTube, you can find a ton of videos of the new Mercedes EV G-Wagon doing the tank turn. It's kind of wild. Almost looks like CGI.

For me... Although, I absolutely HATE that no one can talk about a late 50s Fury without mentioning Christine. Same with a Delorean. No article, no story, no picture, no Delorean discussion ever happens without someone making a BTTF reference.

If you ever visit England, make sure you stop by the Beaulieu Motor Museum. You can go for a ride in it!

I have 3d print files for a mid-80s Ford-based Thomas B700. Haven't printed yet though.

The GM EV trucks are quite large, roughly the same size as the 3/4 ton trucks. In fact, like the HD trucks, they use 8 bolt wheels. Anyway, the four wheel steering reduces the turning circle of the trucks, making them far more agile in a parking lot or when doing a u-turn. And is it's all computer controlled anyway, GM added the Crabwalk feature. Supposed to make it easier to maneuver offroad or in tight spots. Kind of cool, kind of unnecessary, kind of something the anti-EV folk will jump all over and make fun of. But when it appears on upcoming ICE trucks, people will think it's a great idea.

Photo Etch 👍

I watch a few guys on You Tube, mainly the builders who go beyond the box, so to speak. A4 Garage OMG Scaleworks The Scalemodeling Channel Mokei Paint Mat_Faktor Models Scaleauto Shop Plamodel Studio And I enjoy the diorama guys too. Smol World Workshop Laser Creation World I don't really watch guys like HPI. His built style bugs me, but it is a good representation how something builds up right out of box. Which I guess is what he is going for, so more power to him.

Personally, I don't believe in making new year resolutions. If I want to do something, why wait for an arbitrary date? I just start doing it. Anyway, as always, my goal is to finish more kits than I start. Maybe actually complete some of the kits that are half started on the bench. I'd like to get the "on-the-go" kits down to under 10. Already working on it.

The previous version apparently had no QC, because warping was a major issue. Generated a lot of discussion here.

I wonder if the ramp will come warped like on the '67 version. 🤪

The Telecaster has been one of my fav guitars for literally decades. I have a mid-90s MIM version and it rips. I love it. Other than changed to a white pearloid pick guard, I've left it stock. And I can get a massive crunch out of it. A lot of people say it's no good for heavy music, but I disagree. I've really like the Strats I've owned over the years too. Had tow of them, and I should have kept the early 90s American Standard. It was a gunmetal blue colour and had the Lace Sensor pickups and that matte brushed finish on the hardware. The Explorer has always been my fav shape, but I absolutely hate how a Gibson feels. The neck is just too thick and too much like a baseball bat for my tastes. Would take a Fender all day long over a Gibson. Ironically, my kid's name is Gibson. Having said all of that, BC Rich is still my fav brand. I have a dozen or so late 80s Superstrats, and a couple of newer ones. Plus a couple of Kramers. My Carvin DC800, Jackson COW7, and my homebuilt Explorer 7-string are the ones that get the most use though.

I was looking at Sunward Hobbies site and all of their car kits are tax free. https://www.sunwardhobbies.ca/plastic-models/?_gl=1*yjs29v*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiAmfq6BhAsEiwAX1jsZ_hFfDAk9cNRdiOBZcwGdKX330PCSIXq0PQWVa7S_8Y4egwJfUJR9hoCzOQQAvD_BwE And I physically went in to Great Hobbies yesterday, and all kits are tax free. Just had a look at their site, and all kits are tax free. https://www.greathobbies.com/enews/national/2024/20241214-tax-holiday/?ref=headeralert Have had a look at some other Canadian retailers, and all kits are tax free. Amazon shows all kits as tax free. Put them in your cart, no tax. Admitted, I only looked at cars, trucks, and planes. From the government website: Children's toys that may qualify are: Games, including: Board games with physical components and rules, including replacement parts and add-on components such as dice Card games, including playing cards and games that include trading cards Toys, toy sets and toy systems that either: Imitate another item, whether real or imaginary Involve building, creating or assembling structures, objects or models by using pieces, parts, materials or modelling compound Involve sorting, stacking or organizing pieces, parts or materials Dolls, plush toys and soft toys and their accessories These types of children's toys qualify if they are intended for children under 14 years old for learning or play. Toys that are marketed as being for an age below 14 (for example, a toy recommended for children ages 8 and up) would qualify. These items do not qualify: Games and toys that don’t meet the requirements above Collectibles that are not intended for play or learning, such as hockey cards or collectible dolls Toys and model sets that are marketed for adults (for example, adult construction brick or train sets)

That is excellent work!

Production is really good, but we found it incredibly boring. Somehow, just no excitement. Even in the racing scenes. The documentary from a few years ago was much better.

As an FYI, model kits are officially toys! No sales tax here on model kits. but there is tax on paints and supplies. Not confusing for retailers at all! 🤪 So it looks like until mid-February, we can save a few bucks in Canada when buying kits. Fun fact, we also get a tax break on restaurants, most groceries, beer, wine, coolers, and video games. I know people that won't be paying tax on basically anything while this is in effect!

Well, this will be a long one. Right now, I'm pleased with how good our local vets are. It's been kind of a scary week here. I've posted her pics here, but Luna is our Husky / Shepherd mix. She turns 6 on the 19th. Has always been healthy, no issues, never had to visit the vet for anything other than her yearly check up and vaccine boosters. That changed big time. Last Sunday, I took our pup out for our daily walk. Was mid-afternoon, and everything was totally normal. Got home, she had a lay down in the living room. Made dinner and fd her at about 5:30. Noticed she was walking funny to come and eat. She ate, and on the way back to the living room, her back end bumped into the table. Then she seemed really clumsy. By 6:30, her back legs were not working at all. It was like her back half was paralyzed. She didn't appear to be in any pain at all, it's just that she couldn't walk or sit or anything. Called our vet's emergency number, and they directed us to a vet in the city. So I got to carry our 95lb pup to the car. Luckily, no one else was there, and we got right in. They came out with a gurney, but Luna was not having any of that, so I got to carry her in. We got into the exam room, and the vet checked her over. No obvious physical issues at all. Reflexes on her back legs were somewhat exaggerated, which was a concern apparently. Did some bloodwork and sat comfortably. Doc says she thinks it might be an enlarged disc in her spine. Common with bigger dogs, requires surgery, but need to CT scan her first. We wait an hour or two for the neurologist to arrive. She comes in, checks everything out, determines it is most likely not the spine/disc thing. But we need an MRI to be sure. They don't have an MRI machine, but another vet ER does. So we decide we have to do this, so they refer us over and tell us to go to that vet ER in the morning. By now, it's about 3:30am. We drive home. I carry her in. And of course, I'm worried, so I just have a quick shower and change and we drive to the other vet ER. Which is of course, on the opposite side. And we're having a snowstorm. An hour or so later, we get to the new vet. Luckily, no one else is there. We carry Luna in, she goes right to a kennel in the back and I wait in an exam room. Doc finishes his morning rounds, then checks Luna over. Comes in, gives me his thoughts, asks if we want to proceed. So she gets admitted and I go home. That afternoon, Luna went under anesthetic, had a spinal fluid test done, then had an MRI. Prognosis is good. Turns out she had something called an FCE. Fibro Cartilaginous Embolism. It was described as a stroke, but in her spine. Some cartilage managed to block a blood vessel in her spine. And luckily, it is cured with time and physio. And I finally slept Monday night. I picked her up Tuesday AM, and she was able to sort of walk in, with the use of a sling. So way better than when I dropped her off. For the past week, I've been carrying her around when she needs to use the bathroom, carrying her go an eat. Exercising her legs, and she's been doing okay. However, I haven't been sleeping much, because I need to take her out a couple of times in the night, and those first couple of nights she was whimpering a lot and needed to be flipped and moved when she was uncomfortable. Which was often. Now she can roll around herself, and can very shakily walk on carpet. She has her first physio appt later this week. And luckily, I work from home most of the time, so I've been able to devote a lot of time to her. Had to cancel a trip to Cheyenne though. Will now be going after the holidays. And luckily, we are doing fine financially, because this has been a very expensive week. So how is this a pleased post? I'm pleased that our pup will eventually recover fully. I'm please with modern veterinary medicine, and the professionalism I experienced with both of the vet ERs we visited. They were excellent to work with. And I hope I never have to set foot in their buildings again!

226 hasn't shipped yet. Which means 227 and 228 haven't gone to print or shipped either.

I actually 3D printed a new grille for it, with upgraded headlights. But thanks! Plus, I think you already sent me some files for these trucks! I should revisit those and see if I can use them. And I plan on doing some work on this one over the weekend. Finally! Last time I left it, I had painted the engine, and enlarged the hole in the firewall so that it fits.

I actually have this one on the bench too. Using it to hone my BMF skills. It's on the backburner though, as I managed to lose the entire clear sprue. So all windows and lights are missing. Still in the bag too. Something I noticed...it seems significantly larger than 1/24 to me. Maybe closer to 1/20. I have the Revell version too, and it's the same thing. Although I suppose the Revell is just a rebox of this Aoshima kit. You're going much further than I am down the "adding details" rabbit hole. Nicely done!