Bill Anderson

This is the "new one", #07708. The box has a blue racing mode Cobra with orange stripes.

Here is a new one for me..... I've got the wheels/tires assembled and ready to mount on the chassis of the '65 Revell 427 Cobra. Well, the holes in the wheels - which I have NOT altered - are too big for the axles - which I also have not altered. This is supposed to be a quality kit from a quality company so this is really a surprise. I guess I could wrap striping tape around the axles, but was wondering if you all have any other ideas. Thank you!

Glad to hear the positivity about Tamiya kits. Once I finish the 427 Cobra (getting close), my next attempt will be the Tamiya Ford GT. This is my first Tamiya model, although I believe I've worked every other regular brand kit since I was 11 or so (I'm 81).

Sorry to say, but my vote is to trash it. As said, its a common model and your time could be much better spent working on a clean shell. Have to add, I suspect most long time modelers have at least one or two of those screw ups in our past. My most memorable one was a grey Canadian National refrigerator railcar (HO scale). After my multiple weathering attempts went haywire, I put the shell on the floor and stepped on it. That eliminated any future doubts as to what I should do.

To address the original question, I work one vehicle model from start to finish - albeit it takes longer these days than it used to. When I was heavy into HO model railroading, I would often build like rail car kits in an assembly line fashion. This method worked out really well, but I wouldn't attempt it with model cars due to the uniqueness of each.

Well, I have the need to share a story on myself that only a fellow modeler / craftsperson could understand. As mentioned elsewhere, I finally got the racing strips and body shell painted on a Revell 427 Cobra. IMO, the end result was acceptable, and after it set up a couple days I went to paint the underside of the shell. Yes, I could super tape up the model and spray it, but I wanted it to be a dark, non metallic blue. Anyway, I chose to brush it, using Testors #1111 dark blue enamel. Well, I have a couple shelves of model paint, and pulled all the bottles of blue, but non were what I wanted. Now I felt certain I had one, but "if it ain't there, it ain't there". Ok, I could get in the truck and drive the 6 miles to Hobby Lobby, but there was no assurance they had it. So as much as I was itching to finish the underside of the model and move on, I ordered a bottle on Ebay ($8) and waited a week for its arrival. Five days later it arrived, and I went up to start painting. As I sat down in the chair, my eyes caught some bottles of blue paint of on the end of the shelf. They were in plain sight, but I didn't recall going thru them earlier. So I pulled them down, and to my frustration (nice word), I found TWO (2) bottles of the Testor's dark blue - one unopened! While wasting $8 was no fun, the fact that I wasted 5 days that I could have been working on the model hit me harder. Funny thing, that was a week ago, and I still haven't painted the model underside. Ok, hopefully I'm not the Lone Ranger on this one. Does anyone else have a similar story to share?

I've found a modeler's mitre box (Micromart) works quite well for many cuts.

Well, here are a couple pics of the "untouched up" striping results. The paint is Testors Star Spangled Blue and Tamiya Pearl White. Still have details to add, but I'm pretty happy with the results so far.

Sonorandog, most excellent advice!!! I turn 81 next month, and can vouch for the very gradual loss of model building skills - Vision and Steadiness being the main culprits. I've been building models (cars, planes, boats, structures, trains) for over 70 years and it makes me happy that the joy and sense of accomplishment is still strong. But in my experience (4 adult kids, several grandkids), younger generations just are not interested in the hobby, although many do appreciate the results.

Dr. Cobra, Those are two beautiful models! Thank you for sharing.

I should have added in my original post..... I'm currently working on a Ford 427 Cobra, and this Ford GT is next in line. Have to say, the kit components (i.e. many body shell parts, suspension and motor) are different from what I'm used to in the typical Revell/AMT/Monogram American car kits.

A couple years ago I had the pleasure of getting up close to a new Ford GT that was on display at Planet Ford. It was the most beautiful car I've ever seen! So naturally I had to see if a kit was available and of course there was, made by Tamiya (1/24 scale, #346). That's been a couple years ago and while I've opened the box 3 or 4 times, and reviewed the instructions, I just didn't feel I could do it justice. So I put it away and built other models (Revell, AMT) ahead of it. Anyway, I just opened the box once again, and while my skill sets are pretty good, I just don't know if I want to tackle it yet. Have any of you experienced this, or am I just the Lone Ranger here......

All good advice, most of which I learned the hard way years ago. As soon as my hands are steady and my head is in the mood, I'll tape the stripe area and put on that first coat of blue.

I washed the body/hood and dried and sprayed with the pearl white. Given the model is white plastic, it appears to have covered well. Anyway, I'll wait a day or two and mask over the stripes to be and spray the blue. BTW, GTX6970, that is one heck of a beautiful stripe job!!!

GREAT SITE !!! I just signed up, and I thank you!

Pardon my ignorance, but where to I go to sign up for the newsletter?

Many years ago I could go to the local hobby shop (Larry's in Houston) and learn about the latest kits being produced, and of course browse the huge stock that they maintained. But "Larry's" is long gone, and other than doing a specific search on Google or Ebay, I really have no idea as to what is out there. I do have a copy of Tim Boyd's "Collecting Muscle Car Model Kits", and its been a great help, but of course its not current and leans toward the muscle type cars (duh). So my questions are, is there a recap of model car kits, and is there a place to go that has new kit announcements, etc. Thank you for your help!

I had a problem with a couple parts for a '57 Ford and ended up emailing to Germany. Shortly after I got a reply that they were in the midst of moving offices (as I recall) and would get back to me in a couple weeks. Of course, that never happened and I just bought a second kit (on the pre-owned marketplace).

I agree with the previous comments, but I have to add.... Sometimes an added part or detail may be technically out of scale, but looks more appropriate. I've seen this work on structures and model RR equipment many times. Of course I'm talking "within reason", but what it comes down to is that if the add on looks good/right to you, then it is just that.

Man, this thread has some beautiful pics! Thank you all for sharing.

Wow, I recall seeing them when they came out at the Chicago auto show in the early '60s. Next to a Vette, I thought it was the coolest!

Hi, My daily driver is a silver 2021 Ford F150 XLT Supercab. As I've done for the last 25 years, I ordered it thru the local dealership. As it was my second F150, I had a good feel for what I wanted. So I added on the nav system, locking rear axle, Sport interior, and the 2.7 dual turbo mill. One other option was the 36 gal fuel tank. Yup, it was a $450 add on, but it has saved my butt during two hurricanes and a few long trips. Normally, I only hit the local Exxon/Mobil once a month. Now I'm not saying its perfect, but it is the best all around vehicle I've owned. Heck, every few months I'll get on the Ford website and "build a Ford" and I keep coming to something similar to what I already have.

Sorry for the negativity, but I wouldn't waste my money on it.

Good Grief, a "dual quad" Mustang with single exhaust.....

Yes, it can be a difficult choice for (IMO) literally every part in a kit needs some TLC to get rid of unwanted lines and tree remnants and so on. When I can, I do like to paint portions of parts while still on the tree/sprue, but where I paint has already been cleaned up. My biggest challenge is decided whether to spray the chassis or brush paint. There are always so many points of parts attachments and its either spray the chassis and scrape where the parts will be attached, or hand paint the chassis and touch up after the parts are attached. I confess I've gone both ways......