Dave Ambrose

I think there's a huge disconnect between older and younger modelers. There are young people building models, but they're not cars, airplanes, or AFVs. My daughter builds Gundams and we went to The Gundam Guys contest in Orange County (CA), This last contest had at least a couple hundred people in attendance, and I'm pretty sure I was the oldest guy in the room. Most people were in their 20's and 30's. They were doing some first-class builds too. Not my favorite subject matter, but you know, we have some stuff in common. I know it would be nice for a local IPMS contests to have a specific Gundam/Meca category. But most don't. They lump them in with the other sci-fi models. I find it interesting that sci-fi and Gundams are the two fastest growing model categories. It seems to me that people are still building, but not in as great a number, they tend not to participate in clubs, and they're building stuff the current regimes don't particularly accommodate. One thing I really liked about the Gundam Guys, is that they had novice, intermediate, and expert categories. I'd like to see something similar at our car contests. Maybe just one, or a handful of categories. That way, older modelers who're new to the hobby will have an opportunity for some recognition. I've noticed is that both the hobby shops I frequent have greatly increased their stock of Gundam/Meca models. There's a sign there if you're willing to look for it. I also think that some clubs aren't nearly as welcoming as they could be. Near as I can tell, younger people like to build Japanese cars that have been modified for improved performance. Kinda like hot rods, but with a different starting point. In that regard, they're just like us older folks. They like to build the cars they'd love to have, but can't afford. And you know, maybe the model isn't perfect. But, it doesn't have to be perfect for you to appreciate it. And that appreciation seems to be missing sometimes. But I don't see "tuner cars" get a lot of respect. We have some unknown percentage of modelers who just like to build. They don't belong to a club, they don't go to model shows/contests, and they really don't want to get socially entangled with their model building. I ran across a few of these people at the Good Guys Show. I don't know how many there are, but I'll bet there are a lot. Then there is sexism. My daughter builds Gundams, and entered a diorama in one of our local IPMS contests. She won third place, which made her very happy. But afterward, an "older" gentleman asked her if her husband approved of her model-building activities. I'm sure he meant well, but I can't decide whether to laugh or facepalm. She's not married, and if she were, her husband had darn well better approve. That said, he's not terribly representative of our local community with has several women members.

I use India ink and a steel quill pen after the last coat of primer. The ink darkens anything sprayed on top of it. Putting it down after the primer ensures that the ink spreads and adheres instead of pools into droplets.

Good luck Jim. You should feel much better having had the procedure. As many times as I've had surgery, it's always scary. Just let them know you're feeling nervous, and they'll help you with that.

I think the Foose kits will open a new market for Revell. I also think that's a good thing. We need new people in this hobby, and I don't think it will hurt any of us to be more ecumenical regarding style. Personally, I have mixed feelings about his builds. But, they're mostly good/OK. Don't get me started on "checkbook hot-rodding" either. :-)

Very, very, interesting. Thanks, Art!

Harry, we're largely in agreement. T-Hip, Cowboy Junkies, Steppenwolf, But, no Gordon Lightfoot for me. I'll stick with Joni Mitchell.

Thanks. This site gets an amazing amount of traffic. So, date and time are a must.

Would you please let me know when this is happening? I need an accurate time and the date. I need to correlate these failures back to the server logs. -- Thanks

Nice. Sounds a lot like early Ani DiFranco.

I encountered that error too. It happened when I submitted a post. Makes me grumpy, and I have to dive into the bowels of the server logs. I'm still trying to suss out what's happening. My only suggestion in the interim is to select all, and copy before you submit. Not optimal by a long shot, but the best I can offer at the moment.

Mine arrived in its poly bag in excellent condition on Saturday.

Tim, thank you for the update. I'm stoked about this kit. I'll probably buy two, but don't tell my wife. She frowned at me when I mentioned buying one of them. As for the distributor, I wouldn't sweat it. You can't drill those little protrusions anyway. Trim 'em off, or buy an aftermarket distributor. My LHC carries a couple different types in multiple wire colors.

I too am glad to hear he's improving rapidly. I till keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

The California Air Resources Board that regulates these things has deemed that acetone is NOT a volatile organic compound. This is, of course, ridiculous. Acetone is every bit a VOC. But, angering half the state and hundreds of thousands of nail salons is not something even a bureaucracy that implacable could withstand.

I get to be the executioner. If you get banned, you get the full Roman treatment. It's severe. Your account and content get removed. No, we cannot go back and get it. Depending on circumstances, we might even block your internet address.

Those who know me well and still admit it will agree with that characterization.

Great minds somethings think alike. I was just talking to my wife about that.

Thanks, Chris. That's the information I needed. Yes, that's the better formulation.

There's a CA proposition that required labeling everything that might cause cancer of birth defects. Most everything except food carries that "Prop. 65" warning.

We ponder the possibility every now and then, but this house is almost paid off, and my grandson is 30 minutes away. I think we'll be staying put. Thanks for the info. I now know that the ban wasn't nationwide. Perhaps a foray to AZ, NV, or UT is in order?

The People's Republic of California mandated changes in our thinner content a few years ago, and the new stuff is OK for cleaning (air) brushes, but doesn't work nearly as well for thinning paint any more. I don't think the change was nation-wide, but I don't know. Can I get a couple of people in Arizona and Nevada to go into Home Depot or Lowes, look at the cans, and post the ingredients? Thanks!

Best wishes for both you and your wife. I hope she makes a full and speedy recovery.

I get good results from Testor's "Wet Look" Clear. It's a lacquer and lacks the yellow tinge of the enamel.

Thanks for the pointer. Web site is more or less offline. But, there's some good stuff buried in that list too!

I feel like a noobie, but how do you order things from Modelhaus? Do they have a catalog?