Rich Chernosky

Brian...I started racing slot cars (HO first) and building models around 1963-4. That's 62yrs ago. And I have been doing it continuosly ever since. In that kind of time you can accumulate a LOT. I bought things when they came out, persued collections, went to shows. It has never been a hobby to me. More like an obsession. Call me a sick pup.. you're probably right. But on the bright side I am willing to share. Anything I know is yours just for the asking. Now...about that Batmobile ????

Always luv a good rally car. They have so much detail. And this one especially since it fits right in with my extensive Martini collection. Kit was very well engineered with lots of detail but I went the extra step and added the Hiroboy detail up set. Color on this project is Tamiya TS26 white. Mr Color #3 was used for accents. Many more details under the pictures. The chassis on this beast mostly complete. These cars are built like a tank and Aoshima represented this very well. Lots of photo etch was added and I left most of it bare for effect. Hiroboy added material for the seatbelts but I rejected it as it was too stiff. Instead I used silk thread cut down to 2mm. The hardware was nice. The rear engine Abarth tuned and turbo-charged 4 cyl is nestled in there somewhere under all those pipes and radiators. The incredible photo etch dash. This was over 80 of the smallest pieces of PE I have ever attempted. 80+ pieces. Took tyhe better part of 3days to complete but worth it in my opine. Some of the detail in PE on the hood. Thiose hinges comprised of 6 pieces and actually would have worked if I had decided to open this section. Camera never lies and the Martini decal picked up some of the number identification off the sheet. Not really visible to the naked eye. Haven't decided how to correct this . More photo etch detail back here. I lost the exhaust tips from the kit but was going to replace them with antenna tubing anyway. Finished car on its wheels Whew!...what a job to get to here. Body fit well and both the front and rear clip open as well as the wheels steer Rear veiw. Those PE mud flaps were a real treat to build and install. Front flaps wound up being black vinyl tape as the PE ones were never going to fit no matter how much bending it took. This car represents the one Henri Tiovonen / Cresto won the Monte Carlo rally in 1985. Next up on the bench is the 1/12 version of this car. Should be a little easier on these ancient eyes...he says jokingly.

Tghis is a great thread. Really enjoyed seeing the area that some of you create your masterpieces. Some of my fellow modellers have asked me how I produce so much work. well this is the answer. A well lit, organized and comfortable work area. This is the result of many years of resets. I have all the tools and paints I use the most in the center. Everytrhing has its own spot so clean-up and work is quick and easy. Yes...it usually looks this way. A few more details under the pictures. Counter top is granite. A razor blade clean everything off including any type of glue. The two racks in the center hold all the knives, pliers, tweezers and some of the frequent ly used paint brushes. Moto tools and bits are in the slide out drawers (made of plexiglas) under the orange drawers. Most of the decals and other scratchbuilding supplies are in the many drawers. Most of this was hand or custom made over many years. Around the corner form the model room is the paint booth and several racks of sprays. The paint booth is custom made and is of the down draft type. The center section lifts up to expose the exhaust that has a filter over it. The filter is a cheap scrubby pad btw. It exhausts through the wall by the dryer hose. The blower/suction fan is mounted to the outside of the house. It has a 145cfm capacity . I have used this design for more than 30yrs now and never had a problem with fumes or over spray. Keeping it clean however.......<G> Compressors are mounted on seperate stands to eliminate vibration.

Real cool collection of Batmobiles, Brian. Who makes the 1950's version. First time I have ever seen it. I have a huge HO collection of Batmobiles but not this one...soooo I'm jealous.

Mark, compared to the vinyl fittings , the new ones are way better. Wish that stuff was available when i built mine. Some of those lines and hoses, particularly the ones on top of the engine may also interfere with body fit. The new ones are smaller and more accurate so this should eliminate that problem. Your progress looks very good and I can identify with your enthusiasm.

Real sharp build there Ken. That engine compartment looks all business. Followed your WIP and thanks for that too.

Very nice Ferrari California Spyder Justin. Followed your WIP. That came out great. Thank you for your efforts.

John...from the looks of it this Fujimi it seems very similar to the Aoshima I just completed. Its turning out very well. Even on this end of the computer that white looks pretty brite. I am, always looking for the brightest white. I have some Gravity colors I have used. May have to order some of this. Thanks for posting.

This is my final entry inot my local hobby shops small scale challenge. Once again this was a kit I would not have gone out of my way to buy. It was gifted to me and rather than sell it, why not build it and add to the collection as was originally intended. As it turns out it was a fun project and happened rather quickly. Color on this is Tamiya LP48 Metallic black and Lp-33 gray green for the accent color. Interior was Tamiya XF-60 dark yellow. More comments below the picture captions.\ Finished car on its wheels. This photo wqas taken out side and the wind kept blowing the figures over. Had to break out my figure paint skills and paints of this one. The dog is a German short haired pionter BTW. Rear veiw had lots of detail. I accidentally three the sprue containing the gas cap in the garbage. I found the sprue but when I went to retrieve it the cap fell off. It and a lot of these pieces are incredibly tiny. Its a miracle it made it on the model. If you have ever had to scrounge through the garbage for a lost part...you just might be a modeler. Interior had lots of detail and put my fine painting skills to the test. dash is painted the accent color of the car. Sun shades are clear green and are what is casting that green spot of the drive train hump. It was a nice sunny day. Kit had several options for the top and doors. This is the door closed with the top up. there was also an option for a folding top (non working ) This side veiw. Photographs don't show the actual size of the car but 1/48 scale is small and this car is only 4 1/2 long. But it came in a box 25 times the size of the car. It was cute and will slide in nicely in my BMW section.

Not your basic average Pierrre Rivard build but very cool none the less. You have considerable talent and this is a fine example of your out of the box thinking. Keep up the great work.

Harry, don't know why you beat yourself up so badly because if the pictures are any indication this is one outstanding model. The interior shot with the door open just blew me away. Having just recently completed the Mercedes 300SL in several scales I can appreciate your struggles. But the pictures simply don't show it. Great job and thanks for sharing.

Something different for me. After doing a bunch of large scale models, this is quite a change. This kit was a gift as I don't normally do 1/32 or 1/43. Not that small scale bothers me as I do a lot of 1/64 slot cars. So after the big scale challenge my local shop did they decided to do a small scale challenge. I painted this and decalled it quite a while back just for fun. So it was the perfect pick for the challenge. Color on this is Tamiya TS-51 blue and TS26 white. More details in the picture captions. All the pieces ready for final assembly. I was surprised at how complex this kit was which is probably why I avoided it for so long. Nothing like a challenge for incentive to finish something. Engine had a surprising amount of detail for this sale. Everything fit though. Finished car on its wheels Final assembly went quicker than I thouight it would . Body slipped over the chassis easily and is removable. Rear end detail. Had to wait for the glue to set on the wing. it attached nicely. Decals were old even back when I did it and there is some yellowing. There was no fixing getting all the wheels to touch. It is what it is.

Bob...you and I have a similar beginning. Those IMC kits were my inspiration to get into the hobby also. However, we differ in the fact that I never quit and now , 61yrs later I am still at it. Yes, I still have those kits and have even re-visited a couple. They still can make a decent model. You will be on a steep learning curve but will enjoy every minute of it. Welcome to the forum, there is plenty of company here.

That's some serious paint and decal work there Michael. Came out great. Congrats.

Atin....I have now done several Meng kits and must say the quality is right up there almost as good as Tamiya...my other favorite brand. That looks like a great kit and I am sure you will do a killer job on it. Can't wait to see it finished . Good luck.

David...your display area is very cool. Your display is as unique to you as your building style. Its a worthy share. One word of advice on lighting. Avoid incandescent and flourescent lighting. They generate heat and worse will fade paint and decals. Especially flourescent and very bright colors. I have switched to LED's in all my cases and am pleased with the look. Really like the Batmobiles by the way.

Mark..had to re-take these photos as "somehow" most of my earlier phots are missing. All three of these kits were completed in August of 2008 and all on the same day. Yes I am a glutton for punishment. Most of the tips and pictures you have gotten are great. Best advice I can give is to follow the instructions to the letter. They are very good. Colors on mine are a custom mix laquer that a friend gave me that was matched off a piece of the real car for the orange M8B. Mr color Character Yellow will do in this case. Motschenbacher's car is Tamiya clear red over gold. Oscars car is Tamiya TS12 orange, TS26 white and TS14 black. The blue streak Goodyears were done with vinyl tape cut down real thin then varnished in place when done. Just flow some white paint into the recesses and wipe smooth for the lettering. The rear radiator will have to be lowered for the rear deck to fit down. I did not use the kit supplied hinges for the doors. In retrospect I would only use the supplied hoses as patterns and make new ones out of aftermarket parts. The seam lines on the vinyl are way to hard to clean up and none of them fit all that well anyway. I had more extensive notes on one of my instructions but unfortunaterly gave them to another modeler. I also have another kit of Mclarens version (still sealed) that I have no idea what to do with. May do another livery if I can find decals and re-visit this kit. I may have learned a few things in the 17yrs since I first built these. Hope all this helps.

Still looking to finish projects started long ago. This one was sprayed in December of 2017. Color is Mr Color 109 Character Yellow. This paint comes very close to to the original shade of orange used by the early Mclaren team. The car represents the pre-season testing version of the race car. A wonderful kit loaded with lots of detail and a fun build. More details in the picture captions. Thanks for looking and comments welcome. Chassis and body ready to be mated. Body snapped quite easily over the front and rear tabs. Lots of detail of the 6litre v-12 engine used in this car. Carbon fibre decals were included in the kit but not mentioned on the instructions. Everything fit quite nicely. Interior was well detailed as well and probably could have used more. The Mclaren is a 3 seater and the middle position is where the driver sits. Finished car on its wheels. The Character Yellow sprayed on nicely but it is a semi-gloss so Tamiya TS-13 clear was used. Rear end has some nice detail. Wing went on nicely and all the exhaust pieces met up well. Really like the stance of this kit. It all says "racecar". Body panels all come off and the door' despite their complexity fit well and snapped in place.

Mark...I have built all three versions of this kit. Think I did it at the same time. I only saved one instruction sheet and will check it for notes if that will help. One thing in particular I remember is the front wheels stick out just a little too much. You will have to grind off some of the hubs and some of the wheels. They are great kits and I enjoyed them a lot.