tim boyd

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

Eric....greatly inspired work here Not only your innovative fabrications techniques, but your design decisions.....that wrap-under grille is highly imaginative and is the perfect capstone to your body design..... like Tom, Fred, and many others here I very much look forward to seeing this one in person at NNL Nats #37 this fall....TIM

Two comments....first, Travis, this is a really, really sharp build. Love your choices in terms of kitbashing mods and color schemes, etc. Second, I was going to mention the 2017 NNL Nats "Vintage Beach Racing" Cult Theme and how great this model would look "parked" there, but I see Tom Woodruff already did that above....in any case, will really be looking forward to seeing this project completed. TIM

The 2001 Harley DynaGlide Sport bike was a terrific and unsung addition to this kit - one that makes the kit well worth adding to your collection, and (due to the licensing/economics issues Mark mentions) one that is highly unlikely to be reissued. I did a how-to on building the bike in factory stock form (painted to replicate 2001 Harley Concord Purple), and also another article on kitbashing the bike into more of a mild chopper style form, in two issues of MCM in the mid 2000's Might be worth looking up if you want to build the bike yourself..... More photos of the kitbashed version here....TIM

Yikes.....I read about this on another web site this morning and hoped it was an unsubstantiated rumor. I didn't know Pete well, but the very few times I had chats with him (some related to my career responsibilities, others just about hot rodding in general), he was every bit the gentleman -and the visionary - that this article suggests. Very sad......TIM

Fred is spot-on here. It's a superb kit and great fun for experienced modelers like the readers of this forum. Fred previously built another Midget from the Revell kit several years ago, hands down it is the finest build of this kit I've seen. I'm expecting his new Offy here to be just as good..... TIM

Yep....any flathhead V8 (Ford or otherwise) would work.....actually, you could probably get by with a flathead V12 too..... I'm not an expert on Auburn speedsters, but the '35 model, IIRC, was quite a bit different than the Auburn Speedsters that preceded it..... Overall, though, sounds very neat. This is exactly the sort of originality that plays so well with NNL Cult Theme participants......Tim

Excellent link....thanks! TIM

UPDATE 30 September Our "Vintage Beach Racing" Cult Theme is shaping up to be yet another NNL Nats Cult Theme Barn-Burner. For all who are attending, once you get past the registration desk, go straight back along the wall on the left...the Cult Theme table is last on the left, just next to the photo setup for the Model Car Magazines. If you have a new or old model that fits within the guidelines below, we'd love to have you show it there. Remember , the Cult Theme section fills up pretty quickly. All other models? There are still a bunch of other theme tables throughout the event, all model cars are welcomed. Most of all....Have Fun...! TIM UPDATE 11 August 17: Reminder.....reposting the notification below as the 2017 NNL Nats is two months from this weekend....2017 Cult Theme is "Vintage Beach Racing", inspired by the Race of Gentlemen and other vintage hot rod racing events here in the States and oversea.... One update from the text below - we're relaxing the 1/1 scale stipulation about no headlamps.....if you already have headlamps, no need to bust them off your models. If you want to put scale tape or screens on them, cool but not required either. IE Let's have FUN with this Cult Theme. See you in October! TIM ************************** The 2017 NNL Nats Cult Theme is "VINTAGE BEACH RACING". This theme was inspired in part by the favorable reaction of many 2016 NNL Nats participants to John Strick's '27 T Turtledeck "Gow Job" model displayed there (and pictured below). You've probably heard of "The Race of the Gentlemen" and perhaps other similar vintage-themed events here in the States and overseas. These events highlight pre-WWII "gow jobs" and early postwar "hot rods". We've decided to base our "Vintage Reach Racing" Cult Theme on a similar approach. Visit the Race of the Gentleman website, and you'll see some basic restrictions for entries there. General guidelines are 1934 or older car bodies, American makes only, and 1948 or older engines (1949-53 Ford Flatheads also OK). No early postwar OHV V8's, alternators, automatic transmissions, disc brakes, etc. Other guidelines are no headlights, no whitewalls, no fenders on hot rods, and the addition of visible race numbers (but no modern era graphics). Era-correct speed parts, modified bodies, chopped tops, channel jobs, etc. are encouraged. We'll have a "friends of Vintage Beach Racing" section next to the Cult Theme for "street driven" era-correct cars that meet all requirements except the "no headlights, add race numbers" stipulations above. Motorcycles that meet The Race of the Gentlemen rules for bikes will also be welcome (quick...someone find the vintage Henderson Motorcyle that came in the 1966 release of MPC's 1932 Chrysler Roadster kit!) Cult Theme Models should be in 1/24th and 1/25th scale only, please. (For all other hot rod models and bikes, there will still be the normal Hot Rod/Street Rod and Motorcycle display sections in the main NNL event). With the recent activity in the 1/1 scale hot rod world, and the various new and reissued model kits (i.e. check out the speed parts in the Round 2 AMT '29A Roadster Double Kit), this Cult Theme is ripe for your creativity and scale craftsmanship. As with prior NNL Cult Themes, there are no "awards", just the pride and camaraderie that go with being a Cult Theme participant. We'll also do a full photo album for Tim Boyd's annual NNL Fotki Album coverage. Consider this your invitation to join the "Vintage Beach Racing" Cult Theme at the 2017 NNL Nats in Sylvania, Ohio. Signed...TOM WOODRUFF - JOHN STRICK - TIM BOYD PS - for more pictures of John's 1927 T Turtledeck Gow Job...see here. PSS - there are more than a few talented builders of this type of model car who regularly post at this forum (you guys know who you are!)....so if you have ever considered attending the NNL Nats for the first time (or returning after years of missing the event), the 2017 NNL Nats Cult Theme display would be a great reason to do so. We'd love to see your work in person....and show it to the many NNL Nats Participants who many not be aware of the great work you are doing...... TB

Right you are.....that cover Merc custom, and the Merc chopping article, eventually led to a model that won second nationwide in the 1976 MPC National Model Car Customizing Championship, the largest model car contest in the world back then, and in some ways comparable to today's GSL in terms of its significance back then.....TIM .

You're welcome, Steve, as well as the others how have posted similar comments.....Cheers....TIM

Great to hear your latest update, Harry. You ARE making progress, and that's great to see. I hope you know that virtually the entire enthusiast model car community is hoping and praying for your continued recovery. Best Regards.....TIM

It's the AMT 1968 Shelby GT500, a kit that has been reissued multiple times over the ensuing years. TIM

The method for chopping Mercury tops that I showed in that Scale Auto article (and earlier in my Modeler's Corner column in Street Rodder) was based on an article by Jerry Weesner on how real 1/1 scale Mercs were chopped, as appearing in Street Rodder magazine c. 1975 or so; the issue where Pat Ganahl first featured chopped Mercs. I was very surprised years later when I saw a reprint of a classic 1950's reference on customizing (part of the Dan Post reprint set from Rodder's Journal) that showed the exact same approach. Not to suggest my approach is the best one overall, only that it has a good deal of historical accuracy behind it....TIM

Tim do you mean discontinued till the tool can be repaired or permanently? Guys.....I have the same questions as you. Sorry I don't have any clear answers to offer......TIM