crispy

Yeah, Marc, that's the ticket. The stripe really sets it off. The black tail panel really adds to it. NICE! Chris

Mike, it looks great! I'm also not a big fan of the 70, having owned a 69 myself. I like your car since it is completely different than what I have seen. I will admit however something about the front of the car just isn't right to me. I can't quite put my finger on it. Just doesn't seem to fit in my opinion. I like your late wheel swap. Great job! Chris

You should be able to find it at any Michael's or Hobby Lobby near the scrap-booking sections. They come in small plastic jars, not unlike airbrush jars. Myriad of colors to choose from too. Randy, I love your approach on the car. The colors and the wheels just plain set it off. Super job! Chris

Marc, that looks great! I can't wait to see the rear stripes and the mock up on the wheels. Keep on keeping on, your building inspiration in me to get started on something. Chris

For my birthday this past year my wife bought me a portable DVD/CD player. I have it set up in my workshop, just a little 7 inch screen, but I like it for the noise. I usually play any of my auto related movies and my Best Motoring collection. They are all in Japanese with english subtitles. They test out some pretty cool cars not unlike Top Gear out of the UK. Anyway, that's what is on in my work area when I'm their, which has been not lately... Chris

Andy is right, their was a 69 Trans Am, 697 with 8 of them convertibles. 1970-72 did not have a hood bird. They either had stripes with a small nose bird on the nose cone or nothing at all. 1973 was the first year for the hood bird and was a $55 option. The Trans Am name was used by Pontiac at a fee of $5 per Trans Am sold to help fund the series of the same name. That $5 per car helped out the SCCA series more than you'll ever know. IF the Trans Am's in 73 up did not have a hood bird they too received a small nose bird. Anything else?? LOL Chris

Same here I paint separately before attaching. Exactly the same reasons as mentioned. One of the reasons I do so is I usually paint my mirrors a different color than body color for the paint schemes I use. Chris

I absolutely love the rock guards over the head lights. It looks so realistic. Great finish on a landmark car. Chris

Yeah, you nailed the look. The dog dishes always scream monster to me, especially on the 69 Camaro. Nice job! Chris

I'll follow suit, American Harvest by Nesco is what sits in my hobby room. I do exactly the same things everyone else does. 105 degrees, cut out the trays and buy extras. Here's mine as reference: It definitely speeds up the paint process. Chris

I would love to see: Aston Martin Vanquish McLaren F1 road car Trucks: 2007 Chevy Tahoe/Suburban New Escalade Vintage: Re-Pop the MPC annuals of the Firebird/Trans Am's. That's all, thanks! Chris

John is right on. Try to use the thinner of the same make. Although I have heard Gunze Mr. Thinner(or whatever it's called) works well. The acrylic paints from Tamiya require Tamiya X-20A thinner for dilution. Chris

Mike, That is awesome! I got a box similar to that from my parents a few years ago. Mainly it was left over parts from past builds, but it was fun and exciting all the same. Looks like you have some real nice restorations to follow! Chris

I really enjoy the column. You guys have a natural click and play on words. It's fun to read. I would love to see some more covers of other modeler's benches. I'd also like to see a little more foreign kit coverage ala Alex Kustov, but more than Ferrari's. That's really about all I can think of right off the top of my head. Chris

Sean, That's what made my decision to buy the kit. I love it. I plan on a different base color but using the same decals. Just looks great! Chris

Jim, Absolutely fantastic!! Like Ismael said, it has attitude and the right look. By far the best looking C6-R in the model world. Chris

I would contact Don at Reliable Resin and see if it would be something he would be interested in doing for you. He posts here on occasion, but he's a builder first before a internet chatter. Marc Nellis could get you in contact with him as well. Check the resin section of the site and see if he's been on lately or you can find his contact info through the site. He's a really nice guy but kind of brash but that's just how he his. I'm not sure how he works out the details but go the routes I mentioned. Another person to talk to would be Darin Bastedo. He mastered a few items that Don creates now. It will consist of you sending your hood to him though. You'll have to work out the details with him. But if you do this let us know as I will buy one or two from you. Chris

Jamie--On your hood conversion, is that ram air hood you made designed for the New Revell Motor City kit? If so, take LVZ2881 advice and get someone to copy that in resin. You'd surely make a few bucks off of that. The MPC ones that Reliable Resin does wont work with the Revell kit, I mean they would but you would have some extra work. Since you did all of that work you may want to see if it could be cast. Anyway the progress looks great. Keep it up. Chris

Got my HLJ order yesterday. More Wheels!! I've got my Model Roundup order coming in tomorrow with three kits. Chris

Well, you could still replace her hood with the Reliable Resin piece and no one would be the wiser. Anyway, keep up the work and post your progress. I'm a die hard Trans Am/Pontiac fan. Chris

Aaron, Glad to see you are thinking about your health. I bought and use a 3M 07192 Organic Vapor/P95 assembly dual cartridge. It comes with its own re-sealable bag. Replacement filters are 3M 5P71/07194. This should be an appropriate respirator for your needs. I got mine through my dad who works for the local paint jobber. I would try a place like that first or an automotive store. Good luck! Chris

Jaime, Please tell me you didn't cut up that MPC hood?? Reliable Resin makes that piece. I would have left the original Formula alone, sentimentally speaking. Aside from that, it looks great. Nice work and the hood transitioned well into the shaker hood. Chris

Fantastic work. Even with all the pit-falls you mention I have a hard time believing you ran into all the problems. It looks that great. Chris

Andy, That is sweet! Pearl White, my favorite! The CF hood too me just screams power. The raw CF look really adds to the model. Thanks for sharing. Chris

Steve's nailed it. 1978 Chevy Stepside 4x4 Pick-Up Mule Skinner Issued by MPC in 1980, kit #0433. I agree with Steve though, I wouldn't cut it up. Chris