tim boyd

Makes me wonder if a 1/1 scale version of this car might have been a winner at the GNRS (Oakland) back in the day... 9 more images and detail shots at the link.....thanks for looking. TIM

The MPC Stutz Bearcast is the feature kit the current issue/"Classic Kits" column of the other modeling magazine. It's a really well done kit. TIM

Great story Bob! Thanks for sharing this info.....TIM

Scott...I do have the Honda, the BSA, and the Triumph. I've built the Triumph (a great kit!!!) but have yet to attempt the other two. I have compiled quite a bit of reference material on the BSA, but sadly I don't have much interest in building the Honda at this time....thanks for asking. TIM

1/25th scale kits ever (on a dollar per parts basis), and one that is pretty rare too: Revell's 1/25th scale Parts Pack Harley Davidson Chopper "Custom Show Bike" parts pack has gone as high as $250 in some cases....if you can find one. Here's a look at the kit along with a step-by-step build....make sure to use the "Roll View" feature so you can quickly look through the pictures and read the captions at the same time. Thanks for looking.....TIM

X2!!! I am humbled.....Dave you rock. TIM

Hmmm.....me neither (smile). That aside, the current Mustang is now the BEST SELLING SPORTS CAR IN THE WORLD!!! One would think that would present a smart business opportunity to the model makers here. What I fear is that if the domestics ignore this market, one of the foreign kitmakers will fill the void. Based on past experience, that runs the possible risk of an underdeveloped engine/engine compartment detail and content (especially crucial for a product like the Mustang), and surely a higher kit price. Not a win for the domestic kitmakers nor the domestic kit buying public. But I'm sure most here would agree that any current gen Mustang kit from a foreign kitmaker would be better than none at all. TIM PS....I wonder what a full detail kit from Aoshima might look like???

I've had this kit in my stash (that is, the original Heller release) for over 40 years....will be watching your buildup as it always seemed to me to be a kit of a very cool subject, designed with features well head of its competition in the model kit business at that point in History. Will be following your progress with great interest....TIM

Heh....thanks guys for the great reaction and feedback! Really encouraged that you find value and worthy ideas here.... There will be three additional Hot Rod Hints "Chapters" as follows... Hot Rod Hints #2 - Adding a hopped Flathead Ford V8 to your Traditional Hot Rod Model - available for viewing early February Hot Rod Hints #3 - Details Make the Difference - available for viewing around the beginning of March. Hot Rod Hints #4 - Finishing Touches (little things you can do to personalize your scale hot rod builds from all the others on the table at your local club meet, NNL, or contest...) - available for viewing in Mid March. Thanks again everyone....and please make sure to post pictures for us to see of any models you build using one or more of these ideas! Best Regards...TIM

I did do an article kit that...it was the 50 most significant hot rod kits of the last 50 years...it was in the May, 2009 issue of World of Rods magazine. For a picture of the magazine cover and more...here's a link to the text of a follow-up piece on this subject - including the top kit from each decade and the top kit of all time (the latter being a tie) - that I posted at my Fotki site a few years ago... thanks for the comments and question.....TIM .

Amen, Ron...in my opinion it is bordering on a national scandal that there hasn't been a full detail kit of the current Mustang yet - particularly given that it is sold globally now....the Mustang is incredibly popular in overseas markets and one would think that appeal would stretch to a scale replica kit.....TIM (Well, maybe I overstated that national scandal term a bit, but seriously, what's the deal here???) TB

Charlie, I presume you are referring to the sink marks in the original (c.1998) release of the kit.... Check out my online review of this new kit which includes photos of the original kit issue with the sink marks on both the left and right c-pillars. compared to the new Derby Cars release where thje sink marks are NOT there, thank goodness! The sink marks on the original kit release can be seen on the C-pillars of the partially painted body on images #18-21. That body had the sink marks filled with Eurosoft Body Filler, which is a pale pink, so you can see the fixed areas in a very pale pink color - you have to look closely at the full picture - you won;t see it in the thumbnails Hope that helps....TIM

Traditional Hot Rod model builders may want to check this out. It's the first of a series of on-line tutorials showing some building ideas and steps that led to the pale green with white scallops '30 A Highboy seen on the NNL Cult Theme table at the 37th NNL Nats last fall and pictured below. This may be a little on the basic side given that talents of some of you that post on this site, but for others that want to try a little kitbashing that will yield big results, give this a look. Thanks...TIM

x10!!!! TB

Interesting factoid.....the Double Drag kit parts trees do contain some subtle modifications vs the Parts Packs to make the various parts more compatible - e.g. to be able to assemble without having to tweak parts for fits I did a Bantam Roadster Fuel Alterned buildup in Model Cars magazine sometime in the early 2000's that uncovered this surprising (to me) situation. As to whether that has any impact on seeing the Double Drag kits reissued, I can't say, but parts of the Parts Packs tooling were later re-purposed to other uses (e.g. the Miss Deal Stude, the second version of the Revell '57 Chevy...and so forth). TIM

I recently developed a series of "Hot Rod Hints" articles, brief "how-tos" on relatively easy steps builders can take to personalize your traditional hot rod model projects. The first "Hot Rod Hints" shows how to add real wood bows to the open tops of your coupe and sedan hot rod model projects. Your reaction (primarily the number of visitors and views at the link below) will determine whether I continue this approach in the future. so please notify your other hot rod building friends and ask them to take a look too. Here's the link....nine images and captions for your reading and building enjoyment.... Thanks for looking checking this out, and I hope this inspires a few new traditional hot rod model projects. Check back soon for Hot Rod Hints, Chapter Two. Thanks for your interest....TIM

Everyone.....I would like to add my endorsement for checking out George's "Revvin' at Redline"in General, and his article about using 2-part urethane clears in particular While George and I remain in very different camps about the health risks of even casual use two-part clears, if you decide to go ahead down this route, you MUST read George's article. I would further suggest a separate fresh air supply (for breathing while painting) at the minimum, but at the very least you should be fully aware of the comprehensive suggestions he makes and protect yourself accordingly. In particular, his explanation of paint masks in the most informative I have yet seen. I look forward to reading future issues of Revvin' at Redline, and I bet you will too. Best regards.....TIM

Round 2 will soon introduce a new kit replicating the Tom McEwen Hot Wheels rear (actually, mid) engine dragster in its 1972 guise. The kit is similar to the new Don Prudhomme "Yellow Feather" Hot Wheels dragsster kit, but there are some key differences. Here's a preview of the McEwen kit, along with a comparo to the Yellow Feather kit. Make sure to use the "Roll View" feature so you can quickly scan through the pictures while reading the captions/commentary that goes with each picture. Enjoy.....TIM

Christian and all....a very similar approach was taken by author Don Culp in a how-to article entitled "Tuff Hauler" in the December, 1967 issue of Car Model Magazine...but I like your choice of front grille, and the design of your trailer, better. Cheers....TIM

Bob...that's a great factoid/"grabber"/"did you know", as I call them. Do you recall the source of that info? Thanks in advance....TIM.

Here's a look at the second full-detail kit release based off Round 2's new current generation Camaro kit tool. 15 new images with accompanying captions show all that is new and different about this releases vs. the 2016 Camaro full detail kit that was introduced a few months back. Use the "Roll" feature so you can see the information and commentary that accompanies each image. Thanks for your interest....TIM

Scott: Casey nailed it. I was told by John G. that they molded the soap box derby car in black, because that's how it was molded in the original kit. Echo/N.J.: I'm told that the print file for the decal sheet has already been updated with the 396 air cleaner decals, so that the next time the kit is run down the production line, the decal will be included. I believe the latter point, and possibly the first one as well, are mentioned in my on-line preview of the kit.... TIM

Actually, what needs to happen is that those of you who want to read an interview with modeling company personnel should email or write the Editors of the magazines you read and let them know of your interest in that subject. As a regular contributor to the two largest model magazines, I stand ready to do an interview with any in the industry, but from what I am told, there is very little interest in this subject from the readership of the magazines. Personally, I think this is wrong, but my opinion doesn't really count, it's the opinion of the overall readership that matters. So please, let the Editors know with a note. (Posting your comments on a forum thread won't be effective; I don't know any magazine editor these days that has the time to read forums for reader feedback. Sad but true.) TIM PS - I had finally talked one of the magazines into letting me do an article featuring an interview with Revell executive Roger Harney, who was getting ready to retire after a 57 year career with Monogram and Revell. Sadly, Roger passed away unexpectedly just a couple of weeks before we had agreed to meet and do the interview . TB

Steven, not to repeat the obvious, but to repeat the obvious anyway (!)....GREAT JOB! TIM

Those Revell F150 Harley Davidson kit wheels also make a great source for kitbashing other model builds. Here's how they look on my kitbashed Revell 2007 Mustang GT Convertible (a replica of my own 1/1 in all aspects except, sadly, those killer wheels!) Cheers....TB