Tony T

2 'Dukes' kits, (General Lee, and Daisy's Road Runner), 7 jars of Tamiya paint, a jar of Tenax-7R, and a magazine.

I was able to figure it out recently, thanks to a friend. I remember building my first model on my Grandmother's kitchen table. It was a Palmer Mustang, I think. Definitely a Palmer kit (still have a wheel or two in my parts box, I believe!), and I was about 5 or so, so that would have been around '67 or '68. It was definitely a glue bomb, and it was played with to death!! The first one I did with paint with my Dad's help was an AMT '53 Ford pick up, which I had rebuilt two or three times! I still have that one packed away, and a reissue to build again.

Cool, Nick! Sounds like a great day!

"If the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy!" Tim's cups, and I think I see Canadian Tire money!!

There is something to be said for the ritual of initially 'grocking' a newly opened kit. The sites, smells, sounds, looking for potential, ooh and aahs as you examine the parts, the potential, see the model going together in your mind's eye...I have numerous unbuilt kits that have been grocked and have yet to see glue or paint. I AM Canadian.

Fantastic, Ed. Well, well done!!

Thanks, Tito! I appreciate the nice comments!

I'm building one, too...had to scratch the pedals, and also did a park brake handle. I also added an angled piece for the front floor, as it is not flat on the 1:1. Nice build so far. Colours are good, and I like the way you've painted up the wheels and hubcaps. I'm sure your wife will love it!

Found a dog, and a motorcycle at a dollar store...I did do some paint detail on the dog. Enjoy! Two Spice Girls were a clearance bin find...(there's a third in the display case.)

Nicely done model, and video!

Updates from today: Driver's area, new front floor with the toe board kick up, scratchbuilt pedals and park brake (none in the kit!): Looks pretty good from outside: A coat of Tamiya German Grey to the interior, flat black on the seats, and front floor-also filed off what was supposed to represent the grab-handle, now a piece of wire.

Welcome! Cool guitars! My son plays, and he has a strat, a tele, and a Gretch...I've got a Fender Jazz Bass that I am fumbling with, and not practicing nearly enough!!

Thanks, Jerry! Now I have two February calendars by my computer!!

Oh, man...hope you heal up real quick!

Toss me the keys, and let's go for a spin!! Nice nice nice!!!

Looks great, though a bit too low for my taste! Nice build!

SWEEEEET!!! A knock-out, Jerry! Thanks! I'll print that out right now!!

Fantastic! Lots to look at, and realistic!

Just flat out awesome! The vehicles, the buildings, roads, use of backgrounds, snow, water, etc etc. I was going to say that the only thing missing was people! Just awesome!! Wow!

Jerry, nice to see you post your build, too! Converting from the 23 window to 15 window is pretty sweet! I also like your use of the roller van for the interior panels. I have a California Roller kit that I could have used that for, but decided to go more on a custom vein. The Cali Roller also has the side window locations moulded in place, so could be converted to a window van. Could the hinges from the parts bus be used for your build, or are they broken? That is part of the reason I haven't cut the doors and hatch out of my bus! I'm thinking of leaving them in place, but skimming the inside of the door seams so light doesn't shine through!!! I like the paint scheme on your build, too. Nicely done so far!! I'll keep watching!! Do you have a solution for the lack of pedals and park brake handle?

Jerry - The balsa is what I am considering to cover the floor, due to the sink marks from the frame under the floor. Easier than trying to fix the floor! I do like your build, too, and see we both fixed the dash!! I'd like to get the new VW Samba, but I already had this one (I've also got a California Roller, and a Dave Deal Van on hand, too!), so I'm building it! I did notice that there is no pedals, and no parking brake provided in this kit. Something else to come up with! (I'm sure I'll be able to find something in the parts box). William - Thanks for that! A 911 powered type 2 must have been sweet to see! I did recall seeing a YouTube video of a bus on a race course, overtaking a race car, could have been on the Nurburgring?? Not something you'd expect to get past you in a hurry for sure!!

Worked on the dash today. The dash should have a shelf at the bottom of it. Before: During: After: Enjoy!

Thanks for the nice comments! One thing I do like about the diorama is that it really isn't ever done! I really have more I want to do eventually on the interior, plus populate it with a few figures that I can move around (other then the 3 Spice Girls I found in a bargain bin!). Another project to learn-Figure painting!! I've got a couple of jacks to paint up, and want to add some work benches, and maybe a hoist. Eventually! The tow truck is a kit bash, I used the 99 Silverado Custom pick up for the cab and chassis. The towrig is the bed from the Midnight Cowboy reissue, a bit of trimming on the chassis to fit, and parts-box wheels/tires from a Jada. Computer generated door signs, glued to the flat blue paint. Here's a few more pictures. The yellow racer, I do have pictures of in my photobucket album here. (Down page 2 a bit). There are a few more in amongst the Speed Shop pics, too. Enjoy!

Coming along nicely!! I like it!

I'm undecided yet on the hatch and side doors. If I don't open them, I plan on sealing the openings from the inside, so you can't see through them! If I open them, I'm not sure if I'll have them with operating hinges, or the easier way out of just gluing them open! I have no intention of trying to correct this kit for a replica stock build, but with some modifications. With so many windows the interior will have to have some detail, just not sure whether to go close to stock basic, or what. Will depend on how I do the exterior, too.