Bernard Kron

As Ismael points out, this camera doesn't have a macro mode so you’ll have to shoot a picture with your camera at least the minimum focus distance away from the model and then crop it. Many photo editing packages, including, quite often, the software that came with your camera, will allow you to do this. Otherwise, most photo sharing services have photo editing capabilities that include cropping Here’s an example of what Ismael is suggesting. In your case you would position the camera just over 3 feet (40â€) from the model. This is using my Fujifilm E510 which is a 5 megapixel camera just like your HP Photosmart E330. I used full auto mode, no macro setting, shooting outdoors in overcast daylight. I use Photobucket as my photo sharing service. It was cropped using Photobucket’s photo editing software. I made sure I uploaded the original picture in as large a size as Photobucket allowed. Original Shot (Original size created by Photobucket uploading at maximum size setting –I Megabyte file size– Yeah, it’s BIG, 2592 x 1944) Cropped shot Hope this helps. B.

Yeah! Beautiful execution on what looks like a well detailed kit. What kit is it!!!

This is my take on the no-nonsense stripped down diggers that made up the numbers every weekend during drag racing’s Golden Age at strips like Lions Association Drag Strip, Fremont, Fontana and Pomona. I posted this on “Under Glass†but realize maybe I should have posted it in Drag Racing Models. More pictures and a full description can be found at: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13650 Build pics and W.I.P. can be found at: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13388 Thanx for lookin’. B.

Little changes make big differences... Beautiful!

Too Kool! A racy racer if there ever was one...

Very, very nice, especially the front air dam and foil wrapped 'chute off the back.

Dzus fasteners are often painted over once they're installed. This would imply that a slight countersink into the body surface and installation before applying the color coat but after the primer might get you where you want to be. I recently installed p/e Dzus fasteners from Model Car Garage directly over the painted surface using clear enamel as the adhesive. They were VERY thin so I didn't consider the raised surface a big problem - but to be strictly accurate they should be countersunk. Here’s a pic: (Click on picture for larger image)

Gradually working your way outwards with more exquisite detailing. Can't wait to see what you do with the interior and body details like the engine cover grills, etc. Keep on buildin'! B.

A little jewel is what it is.

Great take on the benighted AMT '29 A Roadster kit. Very fresh and original and yet very traditional. Very East Coast vibe. Nice detailing completes the overall look.

Excellent in every way. Great color choice, the wheels are a nice touch and the p/e adds to the overall realism established by the super clean build. Very nice underhood area, too. Two thumbs up!

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do... Get there early, plan to be the last to leave, bring the sunblock amd your walkin'shoes. Great track, great cars, a motorhead's heaven!

I always feel that super-detailing at this level actually pays big dividends. All the small visual cues are “added up†by the viewer and a subjective feeling of realism is created that is very difficult to achieve any other way. I’m excited to see how you build out from this initial piece to a completed car. Great modeling! B.

Beautiful!

I have the AMT '49 Merc kit. I'll have to check it out. Looks good in your build. For some reason I read Alexander instead of Offenhauser, oops...

You've worked real miracles with the AMT '29 Roadster stuff. Such a nice body and such a frustrating kit otherwise. Great stance, neat contemporary ruff 'n' reddy vibe and excellent detailing. Super headers first time out! Where'd the oh so hip Alexander heads come from? In fact that whole flathead is real sweet, the tranny being especially nice. Can't wait for the Under Glass on this one. I'm especially partial to the '29 Roadster. They aren't often modeled and it's a special treat when one as nice as this is in the offing. B.

I actually like the lowered squatted down stance. Really shows off the design to advantage. Very Iso Rivolta... Great red paint, too! Keep on buildin', B.

Sounds fabuloso. Can't wait to see some pics. Great how your getting beyond the confines of the Revell insta-build '49.

Back at ya “Calâ€. It’s very kind of you to say so, but I truly enjoyed watching a great builder pushing his personal creative envelope. I was amazed with the ease with which you moved from one design element to another, starting with the mockup of the nose, those big Pegasus T’s, the modern motor and a roughed up chassis and A-La-Kart bucket. It may have seemed like a struggle at times, bit it sure didn’t look like it to me! There was never any doubt how striking and original this car would be – more than once we talked about how it would be, as you say, “a love it or hate it kind of build†– but I must say it’s impressive how many different modelers on this forum have jumped on and immediately “gotten itâ€, different styles of builders who know an exceptional model when they see one. I guess it’s why I enjoy this forum so much. It’s certainly helped me enormously in getting back into modeling. This is a unique and totally personal creation, There’s no #%*!in’ way I would ever build something like the Raptor, but it sure was cool watching it come together! B. P.S. I betcha this model looks even better close up. The detailing is fantastic!

In with both feet! This is the "money shot" that shows this build holds huge promise: Love the rear window and the uplifted rear fenders, too. Keep on buildin'! B.

I'm really enjoying both builds, the truck and the "phantom build" in the background...

Niiiiiiice! The detailing is just lovely. Revell's mags never looked like that! What finishes did you use to bring them to life like that?

This is my take on the no-nonsense stripped down diggers that made up the numbers every weekend during drag racing’s Golden Age at strips like Lions Association Drag Strip, Fremont, Fontana and Pomona. (More pics below) Before diving into the details, I want to give a special thanks to Don Banes for his generosity in supplying me with a replacement chassis for this build, my slowly evolving modeling skills not being up to saving the original one. Also to CalSurplus (Raul Perez) who made the lovely chute pack hanging on the back of this rail. “Cal†sent it to me so I could learn how to build them myself. Thanx Don! Thanx Cal! The build is based on the AMT/Stevens International HemiSphere blown Hemi AA fuel rail kit which I understand was originally the Garlits Wynn’s Jammer from 1964. The frame is the kit frame with the nose pinched but otherwise stock. Because of the narrow nose I scratch built a fuel tank that fits between the rails with a rectangular bottom hanging parallel to the ground below them. I took the kit body, which is a full covering design, and removed the rear section enclosing the driver and also cut off the nose piece. The side panels under the motor and the main body shell have had some p/e Dzus fasteners added. I fabricated the aluminum panels in the cockpit area from a pie tin and finished the “shorty†body in Testors Metallizer Plate Aluminum. The “S&S Machining†decals are home made. S&S is a fictitious name to evoke the small local sponsors that ran these cars back in the day The motor is an injected Nailhead Buick from the Revell Tommy Ivo Showboat kit. I made a new oil pan because the Showboat pans are angled items to allow for the slanted installation of the 4 Nailheads in that car. The headers are the outside pieces from the Showboat. This was a very quick build for me, taking only about 3 weeks. It was fun trying to capture the vibe of an earlier time with this very simple little digger. This period of approx. 140†wheelbase front engined rails are among the most perfectly proportioned and purposeful race cars ever built. I tried hard to keep the look as bare, clean and uncluttered as possible. For this reason I chose the simple symmetry of the injected Nailhead. Towards the end I almost left off the decals, but I wanted to achieve a degree of realism that required them. Thanx for lookin’! B.

Very nice build! So subtle and understated but with so much impact. Love the cool gray paint and the low stance. The choice of wheels are perfect. Nice planking on the bed, too. Many small details add up to a lot, such as the rolled front pan, smoothed hood sides - and even the iron cross in the engine compartment! Does the billet detailing for the six banger come in the kit? B.

Thanx for the props Crap’n. Just waiting for the delivery man and this one is done! Like the man said/sang “Every picture tells a story†... B.