KT EASTMAN

I am about 50/50. When I get a new kit that I do not have in my collection I have a tendency to open it up but I just cut three side of the wrap and leave the wrapper on the top of the box(to protect it??) If I get more than one of any kit I do not open it unless I am going to build it right away. I have approx 1600 unbuilt kits in the basement but most of my modeling is dedicated to re-builds of gluebombs and junkers so most of my un-built collection is just that...a collection. Will I stop buying new kits because I have so many?? Nope, it is like my little legal plastic drug habit and I cannot stop!!!LOL!!!! Should you have opened it, heck yea!!! Its your hobby so you should do what you want with it!!! I have a friend who paid almost $200.00 at a show ( I think Toledo) for a rare '60s model kit and opened it up right there to see it. I guess the seller and all the people around just about passed out. I understand my friends point of view because he is a builder and buys kits only to build. He wanted to build this kit but was unable to get one for many years and was never re-released. Well thats his hobby. I am a builder/collector. I do build but I have my collection as well that I may never build though when I buy them I do "intend" to build them. But to keep it real will I ever build 1600 model kits. Probley not. KT

Just curious Gregg, are we talking about a skate park or a skate/bike park?? We have a few parks here in the Springs but some of them are "skate only" parks. As a fomer Pro BMX/Freestyler in the 80's I was kinda bummed out that there are parks that you could not bike on but there is no bike only parks?? Skateboards and rollerblades only lead to damaged tailbones and hurt egos for me!!! LOL!!! Anyway, how did everything go?? Hopefully it went well!!! KT

Yea!!! I know what you mean!!! I have so many boxes of junk models in the basement that I can no longer keep track of whats in them!! Sometimes I will open a box and its like getting a present because I do not know whats in them!! I too have this habit of collecting the same thing. For years now I have had a facination with the Revellogram '70 Boss Mustangs and probley have at least 50 of them but I have only built one in all my years!!! And it was a re-build from a glue bomb!! Lets not talk about my 1/8 collection........ KT

Just clicked on his old website and it was not there??? I know he quit selling over his website but he was putting stuff up on E-Bay until recently. It's possible that he has stopped all of his resins?? I am not sure?? Mabe I will try to make contact with him to see what his status is? KT

GREAT........Now we have "Ohana" envy!!!! I just get to be a "Friend" I suppose if i posted more....... Congrats Billy on making "Ohana" status!!!! KT

Just curious if there are any current Kenworth kits out??? KT

Its the one thats blue on the box with "teeth" on the grille. I do believe its the one with the smaller sleeper and the non-opening doors. Thanks for all the input!!!!!! KT

OK... The last "Big Rig" that I built was when I was a kid ( About 1981) and it was an International Transtar cabover with a Great Dane trailer. Both were made by Ertl. Well until now I have not built any even though I do like the "Big Rigs"!!! I just recently picked up the Revell Pete 359 and was wondering how everyone feels about this kit be it good or bad??? Just curious. I would love to build another Intenational but man......every time I see one on E-Bay they seem to be going for big bucks!! KT

Say Bob.....We never got a tutorial on how to best fix the window contour . I thought I might just try to "Carve" it out myself using some reference photos but it would be neat to see how you would do it??? KT

The Person in question from the HHMB was Tom Montgomery aka Phantomphan. As far as I know he stopped making them for reasons unknown??? It is good to hear that Darin is getting one together. I have one coupe/notchback in my stash that I believe is an AAM but I am not 100% sure. I do not know how to tell. I recieved it a few years back when I bought out one of my buddies collections. Its weird but that one casting is like a chunk of gold!!! Hopefully when the new one is out there will be plenty and I won't feel bad if I build one!!!! KT

Having actually seeing the progression of this buildup I would say to just repair what is damaged!!! I see no reason to improve on it. Thats what all that other plastic in your basement is for Darin!!!! If you polished out the body to give 'er more shine, that would be OK but I think it looks fine the way it is!!! You need to just accept that you did an Awesome job on this car and it looks perfect. KT

I missed out on a lot of JoHan kits due to my age!! I am 34 and when I was younger I remember that there were still a few in the stores that I saved up and bought them( R.Petty 64 Belvedere, 69 Roadrunner, 7? ElDorado, and a few others). As I grew up and JoHan went away I was sorta bummed because I did like their kits and the subject matter was unlike Revellogram,Amt,Mpc that seemed to always pop out the same stuff. Now that I am older I do collect JoHan kits and builtups when I find them and I can afford them. It would be really nice if Okey could of brought back the JoHan corp. back to its former glory!! I would be one of the first in line if I saw they were producing some of those old kits( AMCs in particular....and I don't know why!!!!) I will also agree that the bodies were just awesome and always seemed spot on and accurate. Hopefully someday we can see that kind of attention to detail again!!! KT

Well......are we talking about thinking or doing!!! !!!!! I think about my models/projects all the time so we are looking at 24/7. Doing on the other hand in recent times is around an hour or so a week, sometimes more somtimes less. As with most of us, with winter comes more "Model time". KT

Thanks Gregg!!! I will have to drop them a line!!!! KT

Hey G&J, Is there a current Model Car price guide out there??? I know there was one but I am not sure how current it is?? I am looking to try to get an idea of what my collection is worth for insurance purposes. I have a rough idea on what it is worth but I would love to get my hands on a price guide so I will know for sure!! My collection has exceded 1300 un-builts and 400+ builts/parts cars and I think it is time to update my insurance!! Thanks!!!! KT

Hobby Heaven has been around for almost as long as I have been building models!!! It is sad to loose an icon that I grew up with. Hopefully Tom will be OK and will enjoy his next venture!!! BTW, he did say that he will still be selling vintage kits on E-Bay so I guess HH is not totaly dead !! Also he plans on keeping the Message Board alive. All I have to say is GOOD LUCK TOM and thanks for the memories!!!! KT

Hey G&J!!! I have been curious about this for awhile. What is the best way to submit pics from a model show for possible coverage in Model Cars??? Is there a certain guide we should follow?? KT

I use some thin copper wire that I have had for years. I just paint a length of it black, drill a hole in the wheels, and insert the wire and glue them from the back. After the glue sets up I trim it from the front and detail the tips with silver to replicate "Chromie" valve caps. I actually use the same wire and process to do the door locks on 70's cars only they are usually all silver. KT

Great Job Chas!! I have seen the real car at the last two years of the Colorado GoodGuys shows. I believe the owner lives in Lakewood Colorado. KT

Well, its good to meet you Jon!! I was there as well just yesterday!! I remember when it was located on Dublin and Academy in the 80's. They moved to the Chapel Hills mall in the 90's ish and now they are on Woodmen and Academy. But through it all they have survived!!BTW, there is talk about them moving again when they do the Academy/Woodmen overpass. My only gripe is that they have never catered to us as much as the others(R/C-Planes-Military) when it came to aftermarket stuff( Pre-Wired Distributers,Decals,Photo-etch,etc.). The South HobbyTown has more in the way of accessories due to Chuck Springer who works down there. Also if I need P.E. stuff I do travel downtown to Compleat Games and Hobbies even though it is just a shell of what "Great Games & Hobbies" used to be. As for my actual models I usually get them from my buddy. We go once a month to Denver to a Model/collectible swap meet and we have a table( or 4) up there. Mostly what I get at HobbyTown is stuff like paints and glues,etc.,etc. If you want to know more about the swap meet or the local clubs feel free to drop me a line!!! DATZ280T@MSN.COM Mabe we will see you sometime!!! KT

I hear ya!!! I remember back in the day (80's) when there were at least 5 independent local hobby shops in Colorado Springs. Now there is only one left and they merged with a "Gamer" store. Just last week we were up north and stopped by Don's Hobbies in Greely CO. I was a breath of fresh air to see!!! Unfortunately due to "town expansion" they may have to move to a new location just to survive because the downtown area is dead. I hope they can pull through!!! It is sad to see all the independants go away!!! :cry: KT

At least around here they are not worth that much unless you can find an awesome example. The earlier Fieros were plagued with problems mechanical/electrical etc. They say if you want a Fiero to drive than the later Fiero Formula is the one to get. Just when Pontiac worked out most of the bugs they pulled the plug. KT

Just finished up the GoodGuys event here in Colorado and we had no problems. I spent the whole weekend watching the cars like a hawk!! I was thinking...someone said to advertise in the GoodGuys flyers. I think that is a good idea. Mabe get something in the website as well??? You may be able to plead with some of the "Hot Rod" type magazines to run a free ad? I sure do hope that it is recovered. :cry: KT

I have had a few people ask about what happened to my Indy Fiero??? Well, it still exists though progress is going much slower than originally expected. I should have some updates soon as I am starting on the interior. The bodywork is finished and is awaiting the color. With the recent GoodGuys show here in Colorado I had to put the Fiero away and get a few older builds back in shape to show at the event. Now that its over, I should have a bit more time to devote to the Indy Fiero project and mabe I will have it done before Christmas!!! LOL KT

Theres nothing better than spare parts Ron!!!