Danno

Wow. Another great build!

Nice.

Good stuff! Thanks

Wow. That's a great build!

With all due respect, Matt, I call bovine scatology! If they actually did price it at $700 ... or even $100 ... you'd scream like a mashed cat that they were trying to gouge you! But, I understand your point ~ it's gonna be a great kit and worth more than the average.

Another improvised method for 'scratchbuilding' before readily available sheet styrene: cardboard stock (like from index cards, business cards, shirt packages, etc.) could be cut to size and shape with scissors, then tube glue was spread on it and allowed to soak into the cardboard and dry. It would make the cardboard more rigid and 'almost' plastic-like! You did what you had to do. That was back in the sewing thread for spark plug wire dark ages, kiddies.

In my continuing effort to demonstrate that I do actually build models, here's an historic build! If you're old enough to remember the 1958-1960 television series "Rescue 8," you may recall that its premise was the exploits of Los Angeles County Fire Department Rescue 8 Squad, staffed by firefighters Wes Cameron and Skip Johnson. They were not paramedics, just first-aiders who specialized in rescuing people from numerous precarious situations and oddball injuries . . . for 73 episodes! Cameron was played by actor Jim Davis ~ later Jock Ewing on Dallas ~ and Johnson was played by actor Lang Jeffries). Another prominent star of the series was their panel truck. Always a brand new van, and always equipped with just the right tools and equipment for whatever challenges a particular episode might present. We were young and naïve in those days . . . it never seemed to bother anyone that the van had different equipment in different places every week. But, that was part of the magic of television in the 50's. The nitpickers and rivet counters had not yet arrived on the scene. I think the show - along with a couple of others we'll explore later - inspired a young boy in my household to a lifelong calling of public service (and I was an only child). Several years ago I was fortunate enough to pick up a Shawn Carpenter resin of this 1956 Chevy panel van. I had to build Rescue 8. I didn't do the internet research that would have helped me steer clear of a couple of very obvious accuracy issues, but it was still a fun build. Lighting and fender-mounted siren came from the JoHan '68 Plymouth Police Pursuit kit. The whip antenna and gutter clip were scratched from fine spring wire and plastic. The grille was opened for realism. Decals came from various kits and a railroad lettering sheet. These rigs were not used for patient transport, so scratchbuilt shelving dominated the cargo area, carrying a variety of tools of the day. This was long before Jaws of Life, defibrillators, portable EKGs, and infrared heat detectors, etc. Basic tools were the rescue tools of the day. The hardest part of the build was cutting out the rear doors and hinging them. This resin body was apparently never conceived to have opening cargo doors and I was too stubborn to not try it! A mighty K-12 saw kit, a hand tool box, first aid kit, oxygen tanks, auxiliary lighting and extension cord spool, coiled rope, block and tackle, spooled cable, bucket full of chain, chain binders, and a couple of helmets populate the shelf rack. There's another spool of rescue cord and a couple of cribbing blocks underneath. The driver has a close-by map book for reference long before GPS came to be. (The gray box on the floor behind the seat is the Motorola transceiver.) A pair of fire extinguishers, a fireman's axe, pike pole, and a halligan tool join the chain bucket at the rear. An AMT '55 Cameo kit provided the chassis and power plant. One thing that has eluded me is a picture of the 'front office,' where a detailed dash is fitted with a period-correct Motorola radio control head, microphone with coiled cord, and lights/siren switches. I'll have to remedy that. One final note. I built this rig as an exercise in therapy while recovering from bilateral carpal tunnel surgery. I was very happy with how it turned out then, but I'd build it differently today. Hope you enjoy the model, and remember, the TV series 'Rescue 8' pre-dated 'Emergency!' by almost 15 years!

Nice.

Nice.

Dittos! Excellent builds.

Very nice. That looks like a great kit.

Good job ~ especially for starting over after such a long break.

Nice. Post pix of the improved antennas when you can.

Jairus! How did this one finish up?

Stunning!

News Flash! The Desert Scale Classic 10 Post-Event Barbeque and Moonlight Modelers Club Meeting will be held following the DSC10 Awards Ceremony at the brand new HobbyTown USA, just two blocks from the DSC10 event.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW! Go to: http://www.cactuscarmodelers.com/desert-scale-classic-registration/ Complete Event Information available at: http://www.cactuscarmodelers.com/

10th Annual DESERT SCALE CLASSIC Model Car Contest and Swap Meet SATURDAY April 12 - 2014 Presented by Cactus Car Modelers at the Postal Workers Social Hall, 3720 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, Arizona. Want a Top Quality Major Event? Count on DSC10: 1. Beautiful Awards for 1st-2nd-3rd in 29 Adult Classes 2. Plus 6 Master Awards 3. Classes & Awards for Children and Teens 4. Critical Judging < Members of Cactus Car Modelers are not eligible for competition - You don't compete against your hosts at DSC> 5. Primer/Project and 'Display-Only' Table for Past Winners or Special Exhibits. 6. Spectators admitted free. 7. SWAP MEET - More than 35 Vendor Tables - 9am to 3pm – New, extended hours 8. Free Make-N-Take for kids 12 and under 9. Raffles All Day 10. Magazine coverage. 12. After-Event Barbeque <> Event Hours - 9am to 5pm <> Exhibit Hall open for Viewing - 9am to 1pm <> Registration for Entries - 9am to 12Noon * New, lower contest entry fees: 1-5 models just $10, additional models $1 each. Remember, you do not compete against host club members at Desert Scale Classic! We have a separate, Peoples’ Choice ballot competition for host club members. If you never have before, you gotta be there this time!!

Very nice.

Sweet!

We don't have AC Moore, but we have Michael's. You are right, a typical HL is hard to differentiate from the usual Michael's. The main difference we see around here is that HL carries a much more expansive line of the model car hobby specific tools, supplies, and Testors and Model Master paints. Neither of them carry Tamiya paints. I find great fun at both stores exploring the other genre hobby stuff to find things I can use at my bench, even though they're not intended for model car applications.

Beautiful build of Uncle Buddy's ride, Bruce!! Great job.

I have to agree with almost everybody . . . the internet! For ALL the same reasons already enumerated.

Tom, that was your first Hobby Lobbying? My God, man, you've led a sheltered life.

Sweaters and jackets. We break out the thermal underwear when it gets down to 40*-45* in the dead of winter. That's usually the second or third Thursday of January. We started Spring this week.