The Creative Explorer

The doorpanels have been near-finished, just some work with BMF and they can go into the car.

Yes, it is basically shadows, but when you look under certain lights, it can be seen. So I think if you did lighter coats, you get the effect that will be able to be seen. I have been working on the interior mostly and tried a dryfit a couple days ago, to see how the colors would match and the overall fit, I must say, I am pleased. The colors look nice with the body and the fit giving by Revell is perfect. I like how the parcelshelf looks, it gives a nice finish to the model. Revell included molded in grills with the side- and bonnetvents. It doesn't look all too bad, but I saw room for improvement. So I cut the fins from the grill and slimmed them. Even though I could've done a better job, I think it does look better than what Revell included in the kit. I did the same for the hood, left Revell, right me. (yeah I know, I should've wiped the hood before I took the photo) I painted the top of the door-sills, gives it a finished touch More interior parts painted. Filled the sink-holes and sanded it, off to the airbrush I was able to glue the rear-bumper to the body, means that we are getting closer to the end.

Jairus, Is that in Portland at the expocenter?

Hey Skip, You might be right, I used Burnt Umber from Vallejo ModelAir. Not sure if they carry that over in The States. When I applied it, I sprayed it directly on the plastic without primer (no need by Vallejo) and basically sprayed in 1-2 coats. Basically continually spraying, but turning the part whilst spraying with the airbrush. I hope this helps.

I haven't been able to do this, a third update within a week. I decided today was a nice day to clearcoat a few projects, so I got everything prepped and tried to work on getting rid of the dust. I did had some problems with dust particles and today's 'batch' had a lot less problems with it. The Mercedes got also his clearcoat, so I can work on it soon again. Things go quite fast actually and I don't mind it at all Nice glosssy, just the way I like it Unfortunately, 2 particles in the clearcoat The back-side And the batch that got it's clearcoat, now I can finish a few more soon.

http://www.xmodsinternational.com/Xmods-2006-Mustang-GT-Body-Kit.html This might be interesting to work something out. Not the exact right scale, but it might be a good starter.

@Rodney; The Department X of Revell has a very good reputation, so I am not worried. I've actually been there last month and they are very nice guys over there. I also got myself a whole bag of 1/12 parts. I was also looking at a different set of wheels for the SLS, but wasnt sure just yet. Still thinking of what to do. @Luis; Thanks. I hope this one won't take too long.

Work got continued in the last couple of days, I worked mostly on the interior. I didn't know what to do with the colors of the interior, until I played a little bit with colors and came with a interesting color-scheme. When I looked through the bags of the kit, I noticed the bag of tyres, which didn't seemed to be right. They are quite wide, slicky and small for a SLS. So I wrote a e-mail to Department X of Revell, I assume the right tires will come soon. Back to the interior; this is a mock-up. I had some problems with flocking, using the regular ways. I just couldn't get a nice even finish. So I decided to figure a way for myself and appearantly it worked. I am quite happy with it, but next time I want to do a little bit better of a job. Personally I like how the colors came out, It does something to the interior. I also noticed in this picture that I need to give the seats an extra coat, they look uneven to me. I don't see it in person in natural light, but if the camera can catch it.....

Tamiya 1/12 Porsche 911 RSR Tamiya 1/24 Enzo

It seems that you have forgotten about the moldlines over the body, they really draw the attention now.

And the same for the sides This model has fought me ever since I started on the body, for some reason, the paints keeps reacting with the body and I had to reprime the body 3 times. Finally, today after 2 months, I was able to have a decent primer on the body and could paint the body in it's colours. I used Gulf-Blue for the basecoat and I used Gulf-Champagne for the contrasting color. Soon I will clearcoat the body and start on the engine and interior.

I bought recently this kit, soon after the purchase I opened the box and the first word that came out of my lips was WOW. Seriously, Revell nailed it with this kit. The engraved detail looks awesome and the molds are very crisp. I had my ranting and raving over Revell in the last couple of years, but they are serious working to make nice kits. The fit seems to be really nice as well, but the build needs to show whether it is that nice. But I got so excited over the kit that I started right away, I never do that. The typical Revell box-art. Nice. A quick dry-fit, the doors are a bit warped, but Revell included placement-pins, so the doors will close snuggly The engraved details of the enginebay are visible and I think it looks quite nice. There is a tiny little bit of flash on the molds, but nothing very serious The next modelbuilder in queu (he likes to watch Daddy, but I don't allow him in the modellingroom when I am painting or glueing) All the parts that needs to be prepped for it's color. Scribed panellines just look so much better than just being painted with a marker.

If you are interested, I have a spare body laying around in good nick. I think I even have a unbuild engine somewhere

I find the New Beetle Exactly; Butt-Ugly!

Maybe I am thinking too simple, but why not sell what is in stock? No stock = no sales = no backorders = a lot less stress. I understand it takes a bit more time and effort in a website, but it does solve a lot of issues as well.

Thanks, I am still finetuning the site, but mostly on codes, so nothing really visible. And I am glad you like the models

This one was finished a little while back, but due to circumstances, I never got around to make a final photo-shoot, so here it goes;

For some weird and understandable reason, I actually found time to work on my own website and gallery. I fixed a lot of broken links and added a few more gallery's. I also started a blog on the main-page, it was a bit boring and this way I hope it to get it more interesting for revisiting viewers. I restored the questbook and I also added a discussion-board. Please take a look at http://www.firerods.com and tell me what you think

Hi all, It's been a while since you've heard from me, well, i received a beautiful baby-boy and my wife and me are quite blessed with him. Because of him, I spent a lot of time less on modelling, since there is now more to do. But I did manage to make him his first model, the idea is that is for decoration in his babyroom for the upcoming years and than go in the attic until his will be 18. I wanted to make him a period-correct car and by coincidence, the Challenger was handed over to me. Unfortunately, it is the AMT one, so curbside and low on detail, but I do think I captured the spirit of this era with it. I painted the Dodge in Lamborghini colors and added racing-stripes between the base and topcoat for a beefy look.

Thanks, I tried them actually, but I couldn't find it with them just yet. It is not in their list of coming soon.

Anybody know a good place where I can pre-order the 1/12 mustang? I tried Hobbylinc, but those people are so dumb, they don't deserve my hard-earned money. I need a place that will ship international.

I have gotten serious doubts with this company. I would like to pre-order a 1/12 Ford Mustang, but before my creditcard gets charged, I would like to approve the total, since the shippingcosts are unknown (logically, since the kit hasn't been released). So I emailed them with the question whether I would be able to give approval for the total creditcard charge, item+shipping. The answer was a generic e-mail of how shipping-charges work, the same text as to be found on their website and has nothing to do with my question. I emailed them back, telling them I wasn't looking for that information and referred to my initial question. I just received a e-mail back, saying: We currently do not have the weight of the item to give you the proper calculations for shipping. Come on people, how hard is it to actual look into a e-mail, read it and proper answer it. This kind of behaviour makes me shop elsewhere.

I think you are sadly mistaken in that comment It doesn't sound like you've build big-scales, but the main problem is part-supply. Most detailing items needs to be scratchbuild, the bigger the scale, the more difficult it gets. Since the flaws will amplify. After the part is made, it does place easier than a small-scale, but that's it.