Junkman

You know, what I mean. One one side it is this widespread inability to differentiate these days: when I critizise someone's models, I critzise his models and not him. Yet, I am being treated by some as if I did the latter. Add to this the thought policing of the PC freaks on the other side: He builds bad models, hence he is a victim and must be protected from any form of critizism. Emotion, virtue and delivered -errm- wisdom(?) win over empirically established fact and deductive reasoning. Unfortunately, this is so widespread today, that way too many people have given up telling the truth despite they know it and prefer to say the PC nonsense just to live in peace, since if they don't they will be denunciated or silenced by the PC crowd anyway. Debate Verboten!

Not saying they don't exist, but I seem to be unable to recall issues with the ride height of the SS100 kit. Did you have to make any adjustments in ths area, Doug? If yes, how did you do it? I'm asking, because this kit is on my to-do list as well. On a different note, I learned about Martin Swire's models not knowing he had passed away just days before I came across his modelling website by pure coincidence. Man, what a gap he left in the modelling world. I therefore dedicate every 1/16th scale model I build from now on to him and it will be built in as close as what I believe is to his spirit.

This is so nice, I'm tempted to do one too! I would like to go top fuel behind the cabin, though.

Wow. This is truly a back from teh grave build. Has anyone ever considered building one of these vans -errr...- stock (please don't ban me for using the 's'-word in here)? Wouldn't that be a totally novel way of trying new things? Imagine. Just the van of your local plumber or laundry service.

OK, my .02$ worth. Let's face it. This forum has attracted quite a few master modellers who do set the benchmark pretty high. Many of us will never be near there for a multitude of reasons. We lack in either ability, time, resources, patience, equipment, imagination, creativity, or a combination of these. But the vast majority of the builders in here make models which are at least to a standard that would attract a second glance at any model expo anywhere in the world. All the above mentioned, welcome critizism, often even with a peppered dose of humour. Despite these good people are excellent modellers in anyone's book, they do have a very clear concept in which areas their weaknesses are and they strive for improvement. Everything is as it is supposed to be. Then there are the 'others'. Crazed glue bombs with ill fitting wheels and totally unrealistic stance, basically a combination of everything that can be done wrong when building models. When you then write some critisism after several people lent their fake shoulder patting (I meanwhile book it under 'avoidance of controversy') the personal slagging starts. I can well understand the fake shoulder patting. Like anywhere else in this so-called modern world, fact, reason, and discussing these, has succumbed to political correctness. It's pathetic. And it doesn't help anyone. It does the opposite. It will forever prevent the 'bad' modellers from becoming 'good' modellers. It's no longer the strive for excellence (which seems to be something bad nowadays), it's the avoidance of debate because we are brainwashed into the believe that the 'weaker' must be protected from being 'picked on' by the 'stronger'. Where will this end if we just let it happen? "Oh, you only write this about my models because I'm gay/black/jewish/muslim/what have you and you are a racist/sexist/homophobic/insensitive/judgemental (take your pick)". No m8. I don't. I write it, because your models are rubbish. And entirely btw, this doesn't make my models any better either.

Neither of them do anything for me. But you are right, they would make nice modelling subjects for someone. On a different note: How plentiful are these hearses over there that they are destroyed in such big numbers with such laissez faire?

Can this little Toyota be built stock from this issue?

Amazing. May I ask which issue you used and which colour plastic it was molded in?

I wrote exactly in which aspects I think the models could do with improvement. And entirely btw., cameras which can make clear and decent pictures are available for less than 50 Dollars.

Sorry, it's only that I fully second what is being discussed in this thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=33548 I'm also not subscribing to the retreat of reason in lieu of political correctness. You should continue using this forum, it is a wonderful opportunity to improve our building skills. Actually it is the best one I have ever found. And it is absolutely free!

Use bleach. Tried and tested (by myself).

...oh, and more sink marks to fill than the universe has stars, nay? Whoa, great job on what I think being one of the toughest kits to build of all time.

See, I would have been surprised if not. I just noticed, I entirely forgot to mention that the SS100 model here is a stunningly beautiful build from a very challenging kit. Excellent work, m8!

Re. the hinges. It is too bad that I was forced to sell my batch of 1/16th scale models when I was going through a nasty divorce about 15 years ago. In those days, I neither had a digital camera nor internet, hence there is no photographic evidence of my models. I had built them all, the SS100, Morgan Three Wheeler, both Rollses, several 540Ks, the 1928 SS, the 1928 Lincoln and all the Gakken A-bones. I can well remember the door hinge issue, i.e. the doors being seperate, but no hinges being provided with the kits. I used hinges which were intended for doll's house furniture. They make them in all kinds of sizes and shapes and they can easily be adapted and look fantastic. I also remember using hinges from cigar boxes in some cases - ask your local tobacconist for empty ones - or full ones if you fancy the odd puff. I'm not sure how popular dolls house furniture making is over beyond, but if you have difficulties obtaining these hinges, check out old Blighty - it's full of this stuff. Entirely btw, this ex-Gakken, Gunze, Entex, Revell, Anmark Phantom III is a right karfuffle to build. Totally contrary to the ex-Renwal (yes! you read right) now Revell AG Phantom II, which practically falls together and looks terrific - if you severly lower it.

OK, then I'm the one... Of what I can see in the very poor photos, is that the models leaving much to be desired would be an understatement. Individual points of my criticism (based on what I can see in the photos): Revell '08 Mustang: Paint looks very orange peel-ish to me, windows appear to be tinted with a paint brush, the model sits so high, it would do a SUV proud. Revell 64 1/2 Mustang Convertible: Is the model actually painted? Looks very bare plastic. The front wheel has what appears to be a 20 degree camber. The windscreen (sorry, windshield) frame - what happened to it? The windscreen itself isn't clear. Aoshima/Ertl Back to the Future DeLorean DMC-12 Time Machine: Is the 'urethane' front mask brush painted? Apart from the foggy windows, the model seems to be the best of the bunch. Ertl 1958 Plymouth Belvedere painted to be Christine: Looks like it had a rather nasty shunt, the way the front bumper is crooked and the hood barely hanging on with its safety catch. Revell 1969 Dodge Charger painted to be General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard: The pic is so blurry that I can hardly recognize it as a model of a Charger. MPC model kit of a '76 AMC Pacer painted to be the "Mirthmobile" from the Wayne's World movie: Apparently no detail painting apart from the blotched rub strip on the front bumper. And what on earth happened to the hood? Tamiya 1966 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: Camber up front unrealistically negative, the model sits too high even for depicting a stock Karmann (judging by the paint choice it isn't meant to be) and where is the trim around the windows? Tamiya 1966 Volkswagen Beetle painted and decaled to be Herbie from The Love Bug movies: It looks like it has severe reaction to the paintwork and what happened to the windscreen? Again, the model needs to be lowered. Polar Lights 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance painted to be "Ecto-1" from the Ghostbusters: There is zero detailing to the front bumper and grille assy. The side pods of the headlamps aren't painted body colour as they should and the front wheels are too far outboard, i.e. the front track is too wide. Knight Industries Two Thousand: Paint job looks like it has crazed and so does the windscreen. It sits too high for my taste too. Sorry, but this is how the pics make them appear to me. Generally, I have the impression, the models were rather rushed together. Taking your time is what this hobby is all about. Not everyone has to be as slow as I am, but I know few modellers who can complete a model within a week and make it look good.

I wish my postman would stop by more often. This is what he brought me this morning:

Yep, that's another one of those jo-hanisms. No other model company outside Japan managed to combine utter brilliance and total rubbish this seamless.

Interestingly, this confirms what I keep saying: Where is the progress in the past 40 years of automotive engineering?

I second that. Although the style is not to my taste, this is modelling at it's finest!

Hey, thanks! I just love to mess around with them. Here is another one. From this: to this:

I just love Italian coachbuilt one-offs. Provided your consent, I suggest to extend this thread and start collecting them here. This could probabaly end up being the only thread in the world on the subject. I take the liberty to add one of my favourites, the Corvette Rondine by Pinin Farina: Please feel free to delete this post if you don't like my idea.

Got this the other day: Since Sunday afternoon, it looks like this:

Got this from the boot sale today:

How many people in this forum were already building models in the Sixties? The only thing I really remember from the Sixties is the moon landing. I was a toddler and I only remember it, because my parents bought the first telly for the occasion. It was a b+w of course. I got my first kit in the early 70s iirc. The first one I sort of successfully built, was the Monogram 540K, when it was molded in silver.

If you do an open, worldwide search for 'Bandai' on Ebay, you get 43,000 results. 11 (eleven) of them are cars. The decision not to reissue any is correct from a business point of view. I only wonder where all these unbuilt/half-built car kits are. I hauled a stack of them from an attic recently, where they have been sitting for the better part of three decades.