Casey

https://us.airfix.com/shop/quick-build/cars

Looking at unassembled Astro 95 rear axle halves, I see they are assembled incorrectly. Not sure if I screwed up or they were already assembled when I received them, but I have to correct them. ? Three steps, now corrected:

I went back and edited some text and added a few images because all the old images were linked to my old Photobucket account, and were deleted. It's difficult to re-take images after progress has been made, and the flow of progress is no longer present, but a dozen or so images have been re-added, so, hopefully that helps. I haven't made any progress since my last post, but the frame has held up well, ready to be back on the bench: I do have a good idea of what I plan to carry as a load on the flatbed once I get to that point, but first I need to get to that point. ? I also think I messed up on one of the rearend assemblies, too, as one pinion is high while the opposite is low, which doesn't seem correct, and would likely cause some major driveshaft interference under suspension articulation. The Astro 95s instructions are super clear in that regard, and I'm not sure where the GMC service manual is, either, so, I've got some research to do. One "new" pic of the cab, which is mostly in the same state it was a few years ago. The doors, and especially the hinges, are going to be a challenge, but too late to turn back now:

Lindberg seems to be dead as far as Automotive subjects go. The last kit released under the Lindberg brand was the 1/16 "The Serpent" custom T-Bucket, almost five years ago: Multiple new-in-the'90s "modern" Lindberg kits have been re-issued under the AMT label ('64 Dodge, '64 Plymouth (stock and Lawman versions), 1/20 '94 Camaro SS, etc. Don't see it coming back, which, I'm fine with. Never seemed like a brand which appealed to many nor had a lot of recognition.

Tease. ? Crazy how that kit has gone steadily upward in price. Nice scrore.

Stock seats, for one. Intake might be stock only for the non-SC version?: https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/tam/kit_tam_12010.shtml

Looks like this one is being reissued in 2022: https://tamiyablog.com/2022/02/full-details-of-tamiya-featured-releases-early-2022/ Tamiya 12051 1/12 Nissan Fairlady 240ZG Street-Custom RE-ISSUE Tamiya welcomes back a large-scale favorite with the re-issue release of the Fairlady 240Z. Released in October 1969, the Nissan Fairlady Z went on to become a world-renowned high-performance sports car. A stylish long nose, short deck body was married with a 2-liter inline-6 engine and cushioned by 4-wheel independent strut suspension. The 240Z was an export version with 2.4-liter engine that was also released for the Japanese market in November 1971 on the back of excellent race performance. The top-grade variant of the car was the 240ZG, whose form was accented with the long “G nose” and FRP over fenders, and a plethora of tune-up parts was available to those faithful owners who wanted to tweak its performance and stamp their individuality on this legendary car. This large scale 1/12 model recreates the Fairlady 240ZG, released in Japan in 1971, fitted with a host of tune-up parts typical of the era.

Bump for some excellent work, with the hope this gets back to the bench soon. ?

Yes, that was the most recent reissue, in 2014.

More info here:

Coming soon:

I would suggest using brass tube or rod in the appropriate diameter, then flattening the ends at the angle needed for use as attaching flanges. Not great pics, but something like this:

I'm looking at the plug wire from my 1/16 Atlantis kit right now and the material is definitely not stiff plastic, but rather more like the consistency of fishing line, if that makes sense. Curves easily and does a good job of replicating spark plug wires, which would never allow for sharp bends like coated wire would. That said, I would still prefer the coated wire from the Revell issues, but considering the description of your spark plug wire and the brittleness of the windshield (mine was fine, with no damage), maybe your kit got very hot at some point during shipping? Your kit was sealed, correct? I didn't see any way the flat decals would lay down over that hood bulge, either, when I first looked at the decal sheet Probably better to paint in this case.

Bingo. I highly doubt these will ever be reissued.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313&_nkw=194778158424&_sacat=0

Yes, by $20 or so, but only you can decide its value.

I see. Not sure if this still applies or not, but ten years ago I lived near a U.S. Cellular store, and every so often (two months or so?) they changed out their window signage when the newest mobile phone debuted-- Kyocera flip phone out, iPhone 3 in, etc. The signs were 4'x4' (or larger) and made of styrene (or very similar) plastic, so it might be worth a drive by and/or a stop and ask if there is a store local to you. They are useless to the store after a certain time period, and they went right into the dumpster, so maybe you can get some larger sheets on the cheap, and not have to pay shipping, too. *edit* Still have this one, .060" thick, 3.5' x 4.5' or so?:

Do you need a 4'x8' sheet? That's huge, and unless you scratch build everything out of sheet stock, would last you decades. Why not just order Evergreen styrene sheets in the thicknesses you desire?: https://www.megahobby.com/shop?search_query=evergreen+styrene+sheet

Yes, see here:

The Menomonee Falls JOANN store doesn't seem to carry any kits, at least I've not been able to find them inside if they do. I guess if the selection consisted of the "basic" Round2 kits you mentioned, I'm not missing out on anything. ?

I think my store had maybe ten different kits at most? RX-7 and Cadillac Lowrider for sure, but nothing else which I can even remember. No special pallet displays, either, though my store definitely has room in the aisle for one.

Forthcoming reissue: AMT-1294 1/25 1964 Mercury Marauder Fastback Hardtop This was the first of the "Buyer's Choice" release under AMT/Ertl, from 1995: Original issue kit on eBay:

None at my local Meijer this year. I haven't seen them stocked since the 1/25 Maxda RX-7 was current, so three or four years ago? Our store opened in 2015, and it only stocked models one holiday season.