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1900 Lohner-Porsche. Dr. Porsche's first car. It had a small engine powering hub mounted electric motors. So it was an early Hybrid.

1960 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite.

Cool! Very nice! I've always like those cars but I've never been brave enough to even think of attempting those decals.... Thanks,

'71 Skyline GTR

Tamiya has recently reissued the late 70's Tyrrell P34 6 wheeler F1 car. I don't have it, but I've heard it is one of the best F1 kits in 12th scale. Thanks,

I have used BBQ lighter fluid with a cotton swab. I was scared to death to do it but it works like a charm! Even on windows. Of course, test in a small area first. Thanks,

Hello, As reported in the General section, the long awaited and much anticipated Hasegawa's Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is making its way to workbenches across the world. While not a comprehensive review, here is a quick look at it as a first glance: Hasegawa Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa 135 parts Plastic molded in white, black plated parts and clear This is one of the most recognizable vintage Ferraris of all time and many consider it to be the most beautiful and/or the most important of its era. However, for some unknown reason, there had never been a mainstream plastic model kit of it in our 1/24 - 1/25 scale. Companies like Model Factory Hiro has multimedia kits of this subject, but they are out of reach (read expensive) for many modelers. Well, our prayers have been answered and Hasegawa stepped up to the plate. I haven't done any detailed measurements or reference comparisons but the body proportions look to be spot on. The body is molded in white plastic. Some mold lines need to be worked but nothing major. Panel lines can use some deepening. Overall, while not Tamiya crisp the body is very nice. In my copy a very small sink mark in the inner fender is the only "flaw" I see so far, and it's very easy to correct. The most recognizable feature of this car is the pontoon fenders. These are molded separately. Test fitting mine, I noticed that it will take some fiddling to make them fit properly. In my copy, the driver's side fender fits a bit better than the passenger side. The hood fits very snugly and tight, but the air intake is molded in. That's a no-no for me and it has to be opened. The rest of the parts look very crisp. The exhaust tips are molded open. That will save me a lot of machining time. When Hasegawa announced they were going to release photoetch wheels for this kit at the same time, I thought they were admitting the wheels in the kit were not good. But to my surprise, the molded wheels are very nice and can easily find their way into other projects. The windshield seems to be a bit on the thick side. The instructions look clear but I don't see any indications on racing numbers roundels locations. The seatbelts are hopeless decals. My personal conclusion is: Hasegawa aimed at Tamiya, hits Fujimi and that is a good thing. While I haven't done any assembly (which is the final judge) I highly recommeded this kit based on what I see. Thanks,

You are off to a great start! Cool subject by the way Marathon runners started out walking before running, so take baby steps at a time and you'll be running soon. Make sure to cover the basics well (like clean assembly) before stepping up complexity. From the pics you are already there. One suggestion: Don't touch this model in the future. Keep it as is so you can always go back to it and compare progress on other builds. Keep it as 3D history... Thanks,

Problem may not be the light but the camera setting itself. For starters, 640x480 is quite small. Try bumping it up. Are you taking the pics handheld? Try lower ISO setting but beware of blurry pics due to motion. Also, if there is a manual setting for exposure (f-stops) bump it to the highest it can go like F8.2 or F10. That will help get most of it in focus. As you play with the setup keep track of the settings so you know what works best. Hope this helps..... Thanks,

To say it's beautiful is an understatement like saying the sea is wet. Gorgeous! At first I thought this was Ray Franco's 365. He did the same car in the same colors with the same wheels. And he also won best of show like this one.... Thanks,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to both Jairus and Charlie Kroll!!!! Here's to many more!

Hello, I have been very busy lately and after my last build flopped, I haven't been posting or even looking at the workbench for over 2 weeks now. Not that anybody had noticed But I got this delivered today! I hate it when all I can do is take a pic of the box. I don't think I'll be able to even open it in the next few weeks. At a quick glance: Gorgeous kit! Thanks,

Jay, That's looking really good! I spent a lot of effort in the interior only to find out almost zero visibility once assembled. I'm glad to see you are doing body mods to accurately represent the race car instead of the show car. I have a couple more in the pipeline, including the show car, Fellows car and maybe others... Gang: Keep in mind that while the wheels in the transkit are a knockout, and the additional parts and decals are cool, it is STILL based on the show car as the Revell kit. Modifications are still needed to represent an accurate race car. Some subtle, some not so subtle like the engine, rear wing, windows, diffuser and exhaust shields among others. Thanks,

Nice! Cool color. I really like that car. So much that I've done 2 Thanks,

Back in college, I used them to model molecular structures. But I ain't going back there

Thanks! I'll let you know when I get them....

Welcome back Brian! Great way to be back. I never took that kit seriously, but after seeing your work I regret it now. You did a great job on it. What's next? Thanks,

Hello, It is finally finished! Good thing Feb has 29 days this year, so it counts as a Feb build Decals fought all the way. They are totally immune to decal set and decal solvent. At one ponit I was POURING decal solvent over them, but they had the flexibility of plywood. A fellow forum member is sending me another set of decals, so I can replace a few ones. Revell Germany 1/24 scale Box stock except for the exhaust tips and some carbon fiber and kevlar decals Cobra Colors paint More information, pictures and sounds here: Villeneuve's FW19 model page Thanks,

Nice ride. Maybe I should try one of those or the Integra. Thanks,

HA! The famous Rendezvous, in a class by itself! As Lee mentioned, legend has it it was a Ferrari 275 GTB driven by an undisclosed Formula 1 driver, but it seems it was actually Claude Lelouch himself (the director) driving a Mercedes and dubbing the Ferrari sound. Scientists analyzed the video and determined the top speed at the long straights was about 130 MPH. A true classic! Rendezvous video Thanks,

REALLY COOL!!! That looks great. Is that the 1/25 or the bigger scale? Thanks,

Chris, you are right, that one is awesome! Have you seen this making of?

My favorite YouTube video I don't have to comment on this one: The following are more for the sound: Crank it up! I put this one as background music in the office. Wonder why they hate me..... Petit LeMans race in Atlanta Ferrari F40 power and I want one of these..... Thanks,

You are right Andy, the FW19 had a solid color, not metallic. The lacquer paint I used was the closest match I had available, but it is metallic. However, it is subtle and should not overwhelm the overall look. The reason why it is more evident, particularly in the interior shots, is that I had to overexpose those pictures quite a bit (+2.0) for the interior to show. Final pictures with natural light should be ok (I hope ) About the engine: What engine? Thanks,

Are you looking for Earnhardt's car or either one? This is a good start for Dale's: C5R Thanks,