Gramps46

Looking really good.

Looks great. What tires did you switch to?

Looking pretty darn good.

Outstanding results from very humble beginnings.

Super nice. The engine swap is very clever.

These models and photos are by Scott Kercher. His build description follows. Both the Lancia 037 and the Lancia Stratos are Hasegawa kits with Regi P.E. upgrades. Except for a few details under the rear deck of the 037, they are pretty much out of the box. The trick part here are the decals and painting. Both cars use Krylon spray paint and the kit decals. The 037 was overall white, and just a little touch ups where the decals went around corners and over the front fenders. Decals performed well and fit well. A small rectangle of clear and real pearl powder was sprayed on clear decal to use under the numbers on the doors to represent the reflective paint. The Stratos gave me fits, I think it went into the dunk tank 3 times before I was happy. I had to match the wheels to the body stripes. So, first is the overall white, then mask off for the red, then mask off for the gloss black, add the decals on the black parts, then spray that with flat overcoat. The color actually is flat black. Remove all masking and apply the remainder of the decals on the glossy parts, some subtle weathering, and swear you'll never try that again!

That is an impressive score David. So much detail packed into a 1/43rd model.

The mailperson brought a Crown Premiums 1963 Corvette Sting Ray coupe as released by NAPA. I was excited to get it as an addition to my diecast Split Window Coupe collection. As I opened the box I was excited to see the proportions seemed correct and there were a lot of operational features including the headlamps, gas cap, and radio antenna, neat stuff. Then the saddening realization that Crown Premiums had included the A pillars with the vent window!!!! Upon further reflection the door frame trim and vent window are messed up. I am very disappointed because other wise it is quite nice. After another look I see under the crossed flags on the front fender says 396 Turbo Jet instead of Fuel Injection and the front peak of the rear fender should drop down further.

Thank you very much for the measurement. That is a big help.

I hope all goes well this time. Your chassis and interior certainly desire it, they are outstanding.

Beautiful workmanship.

Peter, I am working on converting the WIX Anniversary GT40MKII the #8 XGT-1 like yours. I am using the IndyCals decal and the hood roundel looks to be too big and yours look to be correct. Could you please measure the diameter of yours and let me know. Thanks, Gary

Well done. The dash is impressive.

Nice one Steve. I built these many years ago from the original kit plus Herb Deeks PE wheels modified on the front for the outside laced wheels. There are minor differences in the front valance and exhaust pipes. If doing them now I would have added more detail, maybe even an engine. Oops, missing the numbers on the Prova MO.

Motor Racing Replica News did a 5 page article with drawings and photos on building this model or variations. MRRN, all issues, is available on CD from Mike Quarterman at modellwerke@gmail.com

Now that is interesting. I never noticed the helmeted skull before nor the decal sheet labeled as 330P. Thanks for sharing the kit layout and I will be watching to see what you do with this.

Chris, Looking really good. Anxious to see the next installment. Gary

Great looking build of an iconic '70s machine.

In Europe these were sold on news stands or by subscription so the lack of engines kept the price down. On the early Ferraris the wire wheels were 16 inch so be careful with the ones you swap with. The wires themselves look good but not in bright chrome, IMO. I am going to try a couple of experiments of just painting with a matt finish and a dark wash, or painting them with silver, or striping them and then painting them.

These are the Ferraris I have that were originally released as the Le Grandi Collection. None of them have engines. Left to right: 166MM, 250 Tour de France, 250 California, 250 Short Well Base, and 246 GT. Some have been released as BBurago diecasts. In my opinion todays BBurago are much improved over the older BBurago and these are all to scale. The only thing I plan to do with these is tone down the wire wheels and remove the headlamp dots.

Very cleanly built. Well done.

The old standbys are the Franklin Mint and Danbury Mint. Many of these are now coming online as the older collectors are having to liquidate their collections. Sticking with 1/24th these are some that are worth checking out. https://www.automodello.com/THE-ONE24-s/197.htm A good place for reviews is: https://www.diecast.org/diecast98/html/asp/list_reviews/review.asp The Hachette Collections are quite nice but not the top of the line. Wellys are also nice but again not the top of the line.

A crate engine coming then?

Good progress. Looking forward to the next installment.

The progress you have made is inspiring.