Danno

Where in Colorado are you?

I was part of a major contest judging staff. We had a "juniors" category for young modelers under 10. Only rule was age and the entry must be built entirely by the named entrant. We once had a very excellently painted model "entered" by a 3-year-old. It was a recognizable hobby spray paint color, a difficult metallic, and there was nary a flaw or run in that paint finish and it was smooth as glass. Daddy insisted up one side and down the other that the 3-year-old spray painted the model by himself. Other entries in that class looked age-appropriate (bare plastic but festooned with crooked stickers and abundant glue smears) for their entrants' ages. We talked to the 3-year-old briefly . . . but he had no idea what color his model was and he could not tell us how he painted it. In fact, he had virtually no interest in it or any of the other models in the room. Other models won his class. Daddy was P-O'd and quite upset with us. However, there was a positive outcome. Neither Daddy nor the prodigal son ever attended one of our contests again.

I think they intend to take enough/plenty time to make everything dead-on right before they put these kits on the shelves. Pretty refreshing.

Locally, we have more problems with the crotchrocketeers running 100+ on the freeways any hour of the day, splitting traffic and weaving in and out from lane to lane, cutting from right shoulder to HOV lane and everything in between at 45-degree angles or more, scaring the beejeezus out of car-borne motorists and snowbirds who come here from climates where motorcycles are unknown. Oh, and there's usually an ugly buttcrack involved in the experience, too. Fortunately, it's only seen for a brief moment but often lingers for-half-of-ever in the memory. Odd transposition: The gang bikers around here ride with more consideration and respect for fellow motorists than anyone else exhibits.

That look like how I felt Sunday morning! Awesome modeling, G. Your range is impressive, my friend.

Oh!

Beautiful model, Tom, but . . . the grille really, really needs a black wash. Really.

The Doodle: One of Loewy's best (and most well known) iconic designs ever: * Yes, I know the '53 Studebaker Champion Coupe and Starlight Hardtop designs came out of a 3-man team, but Loewy was the head, inspiration, and final word on the output of that team. It was his commission from Studebaker that resulted in this timeless design. It has long been known as 'the Loewy coupe.'

Excellent build.

Seven year old thread.

Sweet.

Clean and very nice.

Wow! Excellent build!

Didn't actually get it today, but recently and I haven't posted anything about it. BUT . . . I scored a holy grail a couple of weeks ago for an outrageously generous bargain price. Out of respect for the usual pricing most people pay, I'm not even going to say how little I paid. But, I digress. The important thing is ... I've yearned for one of these for decades. The kit was issued once. Once. In 1972. Only. (In this configuration.) AMT T-510. The GMC Astro 95 TURBINE tractor. {Image borrowed from IPMS Archives.} Mine is in mint condition, all parts present in sealed bags. Even the one-time-only decal sheet is perfect and useable. There's a story behind this kit. If any of the acknowledged experts or historians know differently, please chime in. But from what I understand, it goes like this: In the early to mid '70s, GM was experimenting with gas turbine engines as motive power for buses and OTR semi tractors, in an effort to develop a more fuel efficient power source for big trucks. They built a fleet of turbine-powered semi-tractors that GM used for new car and parts delivery vehicles, as well as test mules. AMT tooled up the Chevrolet Titan 90 and GMC Astro 95 kits in 1972, and included a replica of the turbine engine in the T-510 GMC kit (It also included the Detroit Diesel, so you could build the truck either way). It didn't take more than a couple of years for GM to realize the gas turbines were not showing big gains in fuel economy, so they bailed out of the much-ballyhooed program. I believe they immediately cancelled AMT's licensing agreement for the Turbine engine and GM Experimental Truck markings (included on the decal sheet). So, by the time any subsequent reissues of the kits were marketed, the turbine engines, decals, and references were gone. The one and only time the turbines were marketed was 1972. When you see this rare kit available, it usually goes for BIG bucks. I am happy, happy, happy!

Gorgeous!!!! Great model. Fond memories. My long time best friend & next door neighbor's brother had an AH 100 that he generously allowed us to tool around town from time to time. It was a total kick . . . and the best part was we were not responsible for all the niggling repairs necessary to keep it running!

Harry, Check with Charlie Rowley. ALPS + talent + great guy = possibility of decal help.

Stunning is the word! Beautiful!

Bingo. None were actual 1:1 cars . . . all were 'what if' designs. The Renwal kits were pretty "out there" and did not sell well, so the series faded away. Nice job, Al.

Nice.

Nice.

Two short weeks away!!!

Didn't actually get it today, but recently and I haven't posted anything about it. BUT . . . I scored a holy grail a couple of weeks ago for an outrageously generous bargain price. Out of respect for the usual pricing most people pay, I'm not even going to say how little I paid. But, I digress. The important thing is ... I've yearned for one of these for decades. The kit was issued once. Once. In 1972. Only. (In this configuration.) AMT T-510. The GMC Astro 95 TURBINE tractor. {Image borrowed from IPMS Archives.} Mine is in mint condition, all parts present in sealed bags. Even the one-time-only decal sheet is perfect and useable. There's a story behind this kit. If any of the acknowledged experts or historians know differently, please chime in. But from what I understand, it goes like this: In the early to mid '70s, GM was experimenting with gas turbine engines as motive power for buses and OTR semi tractors, in an effort to develop a more fuel efficient power source for big trucks. They built a fleet of turbine-powered semi-tractors that GM used for new car and parts delivery vehicles, as well as test mules. AMT tooled up the Chevrolet Titan 90 and GMC Astro 95 kits in 1972, and included a replica of the turbine engine in the T-510 GMC kit (It also included the Detroit Diesel, so you could build the truck either way). It didn't take more than a couple of years for GM to realize the gas turbines were not showing big gains in fuel economy, so they bailed out of the much-ballyhooed program. I believe they immediately cancelled AMT's licensing agreement for the Turbine engine and GM Experimental Truck markings (included on the decal sheet). So, by the time any subsequent reissues of the kits were marketed, the turbine engines, decals, and references were gone. The one and only time the turbines were marketed was 1972. When you see this rare kit available, it usually goes for BIG bucks.

I really get a charge out of this one, Doc!

Nice.