Bernard Kron

Thanks Kurt and Dann. One of the nice things about the annual retrospective tradition is we all get to hear from and comment on other forum members whose work we follow and admire, even when they work in subject matter that may not be what we "normally" do. As mainly a rod and custom modeler my interest in sporty cars, circle track and road/rally racing may not be obvious, but they all have been a passion as part of my longstanding automobile enthusiasm. I look forward to your projects whenever you post them and, for myself, I have slowly broadened my palate and hope to do more sports car and road racing subjects in the coming year. All the best to you both in 2022, B.

As the expression goes, Nice Pair! Both are beautifully executed for the kind of model it's intended to be. The Mack as an antique with all the right shading applied to the surfaces. I can see why it's a contest winner. The Goldenrod, IIRC, is a nearly solid plug of resin and getting it right is all about paint and surface detail. The panel lines, paint shade choices and all those rivets handle the detail and paint appears flawless. I'm curious about the cockpit windscreen. I'm assuming is "merely" painted in place. How was it done? It's very convincing. All the best in 2022, Dan.

?? I'm so relieved!!!

Thanks Dan. All my best to you in 2022! The completed model in more formal pjotos can be seen here Under Glass:

A simple and less literal technique than Alex Kustov's beautiful approach just posted is to simply use a good quality acrylic paint and build up layers. I've used this technique quite often with consistently useful results. I start with the base coat in the color I want, apply it smoothly with a brush and let it dry. Then I apply a series of lighter coats, cross hatching them with my brush using a diagonal pattern and a light touch, while the paint is wet, continuing until the paint starts to set up and begins to dry and then stop. Let the layer dry. This begins to establish the leather texture. Do this until you get the texture you're looking for. Usually two or three additional coats will do it. For an even more distressed look I lightly apply a dark wash over the "leather" using the same crossshatch technique. In the 4 example below A is a fairly natural look and uses Testors Acryl Tan with a light red wash, B and C are both Testors Acryl Leather, B with no wash and C using a black wash, while D is Testors Acryl British Crimson with a black wash to get a distressed oxblood leather effect.

Thanks Phil. The funny thing is that even though I personally think of my models as "well thought out" that's in fact only partially true. I will admit that I have a pretty good "mind's eye" vision of the final result when I start. However, without exception there's a huge amount of improvisation that went into everyone of these, even the Maser which was brutally simple in it's construction. I guess in the heat of battle I do give some thought to my next move, but it's not like I have a well drawn out plan in advance as to what those moves will be, LOL. But that's what I like so much about this hobby, at least the way I practice it - there's always a surprise waiting around the next corner...

Yes, the paint is exceptional. My favorite is the Revell 31 Ford where you solved the awful stance the kit provides. I;d love to see a photo from a lower angle to show it off! Can't wait to see the T-Bird in your lovely paint. The restyling you've done is soooooo tasteeee!!!!

Thanks Helmut. Yes, a full detail styrene kit of A6GCS is the stuff of dreams. At least we have the Hasegawa 250TR. I was surpsied how much could be done with this solid plug of resin, though.

Wonderful work. All that sooper-dooper detail really captures the fine delicacy of these Golden Age F.E,D,'s which is such an important aspect of their vibe. It's wonderful to see you reach out for a truly authoritative replica version. It should turnout out to be an important reference for us less ambitious, more impressionistic modelers to use in guiding us. Build On!

Thank you Roger. I must admit the Pseudo Tub was kind of magical and, while it was far from a simple build, involving properly decapitating the Revell Tudor body shell, adapting and slamming it's AMT Phantom Vicky chassis, and executing a fog paint job using decals, it did seem to flow awfully well. I had wanted to rescue that failed Tudor chop for a very long time so I guess I was pretty motivated. All the best to you in 2022, B.

Thanks again guys! The secret is that it's an early AMT kit with a solid straightforward chassis plate that's pretty well detailed to begin with, and the fat fender cars ('36 and '39/'40 Fords) all have the single piece fender assemblies. Also the bucket type interior helps. All that keeps things well aligned and minimizes the parts count. A Revell '40 would have taken at least half again as much time with plenty of fiddly detail parts to paint and assemble. Also those vintage AMT pre-war Fords just have that "right " hot rod DNA, so if you don't fight 'em they'll probably get you there. As should be obvious most everything is hidden inside the body work and the build was all about the overall look, not the details. But the funny thing about this project is that it was identical in build style to virtually anything else I've been doing lately. Most of the build routines were ones I had done many times before. It involved almost zero compromises and the only shortcut I used is that the motor was already built, had the right style, and happened to fit the chassis with virtually no modifications. It just needed to be wired. I must admit that the fast dry time of lacquer and modern acrylics goes a long way towards keeping the flow going. And having my eye on the calendar I did increase my bench time. As I mentioned in my write up, it probably took me as many days to decide on a candidate as I did to execute the project!

Thanks you everyone. Your comments are much appreciated. It's no so much about "only" finishing 4 or 5 but more about the unfinished projects I left on my bench as the year progressed. Oh well, they'll provide a good start to 2022.

Thanks to you both. Doing this end of year "speed build" was a fun way to wind things up. It involved surprisingly few compromises, which I didn't expect...

I agree with the others, the Deuce is my fave. The colors and textures really suit it. I lioke your sense of the traditional in all these builds. All the best in 2022, B.

Ooooohhhh!!! Fuel blocks, at last!!!!! And the Enderle is tough, dude!

Such a complete, professional build style, perfect for the many modern cars on display here. But it's the pink Cadillac that benefits the most from your skills, showing what a fine job can be done with such a venerable kit. Really impactful. Bravo! All the best in 2020, B.

It hadn't occurred to me until I saw them all here on the same page what a banner year you've had, especially since you mainly concentrated on replica modeling which offers its own challenges when it comes to precision building and accuracy. The Ala Kart was probably, along with Hirohata, my favorite. And getting as close as you did on the Sam Barris Merc, using the Revell kit IIRC was really something. 2021 saw you raise the bar very high indeed. All the best in 2022, B.

I always enjoy your precision build style and your subdued approach to things. The blackout AMT Merc is a refreshing departure from the norm and appeals to my hot rod sensibilities. In general I've like watching your evolving, more contemporary style, and, of course, your largely showroom stock projects show your skills to maximum advantage. All the best in 2022, B.

All 4 are Very Kool! The "modern" T-Bird and the chopped humpback are my personal faves. All the best in 2022, B.

Hi Dennis, A subtly impressive year from your bench. The full custom is the standout to me, and quite the debut in this style from you. But your interest in a more modern set of decades in traditional hot rods is fairly unique and offered up some mighty fine modeling, too. All the best in 2022, B.

What an array of beautifully executed and photographed models! Impressive! But the little guys, the 4CV and modern 500, along with the knowing what must have gone into the '48 Chevy, are what draws my attention. All the best in 2022, B.

The '65 Impala is the standout for among this selection of fine models. But the crispness, detail and stance of the '72 SAtepside needs to be mentioned, too. All the best in 2022, B.

Encore cette année une belle sélection de la part de Monsieur Showroom Stock ! ? The Auburn of course is a standout but I appreciate the care and detail you put into getting the '48 Chevy just right Bonne année 2022, B.

Hiya Bob. I'm such a fan, it's almost embarrassing. The technical brilliance shines through in even the simplest builds. But the Dodge was this year's tour de force. And of course the impact of the Deals Wheels when one of your interpretations often belies the vision and work that go into them. Keep 'em comin'! All the best in 2022, B.

Glad to see you back. I always enjoyed the purposefulness and clarity of your style and these deliver the goods once again. All the best in 2022, B.