Brian Austin

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112040260405&seq=7

This book is a fascinating look at the hobby as it was in the middle of the 20th century. While it details the construction of models using a variety of materials, the book also mentions that plastic kits were becoming popular. Apparently some oldtimers used to wood and metal didn't think much of the newer kits. A small point worth mentioning for you 0 Scalers is that the scale standard used in this book for 0 was 17/64" to the foot rather than 1/4". https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015009816383&seq=1&q1="scratch+building"&view=thumb

With castings you can get identical quality. With a model that has duplicate components individually crafted by hand, there's the possibility that quality can vary visibly from one part to the next. In this case the model made of castings could have a tidier appearance.

I don't necessarily disagree with this sentiment, but note that some artists have a crew of assistants to do the physical work for them, to their specifications. Some of these processes involve machinery. These sculptures, etc. are still viewed as art created by the artist.

If you're doing the 3D work yourself, you're both the architect and builder in this metaphor. I am fascinated by the CAD and 3D printing process, but right now to me it feels like yet another program for me to learn to use when I already have others to figure out, such as image and video editing. So far working with an old version of Sketchup I have been unable to draw a straight line. ?

So many points in this thread to keep track of. What is scratch building? I guess it depends on where he gets his scratch. I am reminded of the old debate regarding photography vs. painting. With a painting the artist is involved in every step with his hands. With a photograph so the argument goes, the photographer just presses a button. There's no art involved, right? I think there is. The discussion regarding resin casting is interesting. I wonder if anybody's used investment casting ("lost wax") in brass or bronze in their model work. Such craftsmanship. While some modellers do their own resin casting, I think fewer might do their own brass castings. It's an art form. To say this doesn't count as scratch building if the modeller uses this process to make duplicate parts for his project doesn't quite sound right to me. I may as well point out that before plastics were available, model builders were casting components in plaster.

I may well have seen the Stanley back in the '80s or so. I grew up in a pipe organ family. My father belonged to the local Theater Organ society and he was fond of mentioning the Shanklins, along with the Stanley. I probably met them then. When I saw "Silent Movie" at the Hall last year or so, I didn't get to tour the "backstage" area. It was crowded and I think my father just wanted to head home. It was a long drive. I did see a nifty boat-themed diorama there, though. I just found this video clip of the Shanklin organ tour. You can see the Stanley beginning at the 5:00 mark (and again at around 7:45). It's not the greatest footage of the car as it's painted dark colors with dark upholstery.

I was thinking this would be a vintage article. I didn't realize PM was still around, I guess. ?

Stanley cars were built in my area. Premier, Revell and Hudson Miniatures also offered kits of the Stanley. Glenco reissued the small-scale series of brass-era cars originally produced by Ideal (ITC). This included a Stanley in 1:50-something scale. I have seen a movie (with organ) at the Shanklin hall, but don't recall seeing the Stanley there. I did visit the Stanley museum way up in Kingfield, Maine several years back. Those brothers pursued a variety of interests besides automobiles.

There is a 1:25 resin kit, by Modelhaus. (Not live listings. For reference only) https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/modelhaus-1948-tucker-torpedo-hardtop-519132623 https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1948-tucker-modelhaus-resin-complete-1831274427 Note that the Tucker had often appeared in the Scale Auto Enthusiast kit-request poles years ago. There was one Tucker that was raced (kinda). Come on Mobius... ?

He gave a talk at the banquet prior to a MassCar show many years ago. Playing the trivia contest I won a DVD of his detailing how to build full-sized altered wheelbase cars. I've crossed paths with him at model shows here in Massachusetts and he was always a nice guy. He lives in the middle of the state.

Or how about "Top 5 numbers"? It was fun to see how much fun David Letterman's writers had with his Top Ten lists over the years, playing with that format. I think he even did a Top Ten list of Top Ten lists.

Be different. Do a "Middle 5" list.

A relatively small shop... A much larger operation..

Here we have a camping club parade brought to a halt by a freight train, again in Marseilles but in 1968. Parades and grade crossings don't generally play well together. ?

This next batch was from Marseilles, IL in 1972. My mother grew up in this sleepy city, and I recall visits in the '80s when my brother and I would run from our Grandparents' house though the neighborhood to catch a glimpse of the trains that passed through.

For fun here are the two for comparison...

This slide was unmarked, but I was surprised to find the locos and lead boxcar closely resemble one of the trains posted above.

My father took these slides in 1976, in northern/central Illinois, though specific locations were not noted. (Note: I found an album that suggests this set as well as the slide in the post below were taken in Ottawa, IL or perhaps closer to Peoria.) Note the mix of paint schemes. In some instances I have crop-zoomed the locos for closer viewing.

Mississippi. Info here. https://www.waterwaysjournal.net/2021/03/01/automobiles-by-barge/

That is what I said in my post. I do not know whether the original WIX labels are there under the Building #19 stickers, though. Here's a WIX truck for comparison: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255498820289

Slightly "compressed" I think. I measured the width of the sleeper best I could (not taking the truck out of the packaging) at around 3-1/8". Trailer width is around 3-1/2", and the proportions seem compressed. It's a stamped-steel and plastic toy, so I'm not expecting high fidelity in terms of scale here. ?

I've seen those Matchbox trucks. Mine is considerably larger. The trailer is a foot long and a hair over 2-3/4" wide across the rear fenders.

The Mighty Rigs were only produced for a short amount of time, and there were only two models in the series. The cab and hood are diecast metal while the rest is plastic. It is between 1:43 and 1:32 in scale. Unfortunately while I was photographing it I noticed the tires had started to disintegrate. I don't think I had touched it for a couple of decades. So much for mint in box. ?

I just pulled this beauty out of my attic. As you can see by the packaging, this toy started off as a WIX promo from 1990. I wonder if these were relabeled for the store by ERTL? I wonder how many of these were produced. Building #19 was a chain of job-lot discount stores in Massachusetts.