charlie8575

Funny, changing film never bothered me very much. Still doesn't. Tom will attest that I still shoot 35mm, using my Olympus IS-2, which has an excellent macro lens and optional adapter for 1:1 macro. It's great for models, garden shots, and other things I need to get good detail for. I also have a Pentax SF-10, a couple of bayonet-mount Canons (FD and AE-1,) and an assortment of point-and-shoots for the days I don't want to lug the big kits with me. Digital cameras, on the other hand drive me bananas. I don't like cameras smarter than I am and that refuse to take pictures I want to take. I also find that I don't get the quality of pictures I'd really like out of them. I do have a small digital for stuff I want online quickly. Otherwise, I have my film developed at CVS or Walgreen's, depending on who's more convenient or if I have coupons, and an hour later, I pick up my negatives and CDs, pictures ready to load into Photobucket. Charlie Larkin

So soon, very soon (sounds like a matter of weeks?), we'll have the answers to just how good "good" is. Charlie Larkin

Very nice, Tom. Looks great at night all lit up. Charlie Larkin

Very nice, Ray. HO scale? Charlie Larkin

Very nice job on this, Stan. Charlie Larkin

Even better with the up-close pictures. Frank, this is absolutely beautiful. Truly magnificent work. Charlie Larkin

Very nice work on the bricks. Quonset Huts, which originated in the form they're usually thought of, were developed originally not that far from me, at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. This will be an interesting model when it's done- very rare to see them in scale. Charlie Larkin

Ditto. There appear to be some spelling and formatting problems in the address. Charlie Larkin

Two very unusual subjects. Great to see something different. Charlie Larkin

Nice job on the foil and decal, Mike. What printer did you get? This morning was indeed a good morning to build- what a mess we had down here- raining cats, dogs, and other small animals. Charlie Larkin

Yes, Chris. I did. I'm sorry- I thought I had let you know. Well-packed, too. Thank you again. Charlie Larkin

Great vibe to it. I really like that. Charlie Larkin

Nice builds, Bob. Is that a Louisiana plate I see on your Mustang? Charlie Larkin

As you're from his neck of the woods, Ray, I'll assume you're familiar with Greg Wann. That is the station and grade you can expect from Don and Carol Holthaus. Don truly is the dean of aftermarket, along with Norm Veber. Finer products can't be found because they're not out there- I will say, though, that there are many, many products that are as good. They, Norm Veber and Detroit Resin Automotive Group are all of the same calibre- and that is only the best. Charlie Larkin

Bright idea! Looks great, Mark. That'll be a pretty little car when it's finished up. Charlie Larkin

Nice job on the front end, Rich. It looks good. I like the paint idea; for wheels, I'd definitely do the sombreros- the rounded shape compliments the car nicely. Tullio- good tip for building these. Getting everything together has always been my problem with these- I'll try your method. Charlie Larkin

I can think of a few judges that ought to be arrested....great storyline, Mike! Very nice work on the Viper, too. The details look great. Charlie Larkin

Nice pictures, some interesting cars. That display rack is very cool. Charlie Larkin

I think there is value to all the approaches here. The Chevy Gary has, or the nciely-built customs Tom showed us should be left alone. They are showcases of good model-building practice for their time and are well-done. The only thing I might do to any of them might a little foil or a marker to bring out small chrome/bright details, a gentle cleaning, and perhaps seal the decals to protect them, then in a Sho-Case they go and stay. Same thing for nice stock builds. Bill showed us two nice models and one....mess. Bill made great use of the usable parts and created a visually interesting, well-thought-out radical custom. Then there are parts scroungers and rebuilders; some will rebuild without regard to what they start with, others consider the starting point before moving forward. I tend to fall more into the rebuilder. Those of you who have seen "Nice kitty" know that I will buy something that fits my interest and I'll do my best to make it representational of what I think the car should look like. As I tend to build box and replica-stock...okay more box-stock, or perhaps a few small details added, I look at the pictures I can find, and I think about the people who might have purchased such a car new. Thinking to the late 1950s-mid-70s (most of the cars that make up a large percentage of our beloved glue-bombs,) people who bought Chrysler products tended to be either very conservative (like my grandparents,) or a bit off-beat, and I select colors and options that would reflect those realities. Same thing for Studebakers and other independents. AMC owners marched to their own (economical) drum, Chevy owners liked style on a budget, Ford owners like good looks and fast while generally being a bit more conservative. Pontiac owners liked presence and power, Mercury, Buick and Olds owners either had aspirations for better, or made it to the point where they were happy and wanted to enjoy the rewards of their stations in life, and Cadillacs and Lincolns let everyone know they arrived, but didn't shout it generally. All of those cars have their unique personalities, not unlike people, and when I see those cars, model by model (as in model of car, not the physical kit I have in my hands), I try to sense what a car like that would've been like new- colors, trim, its potential owner's personality,or, perhaps, if it's a car I might have actually owned, how I might like to have had it, and I take those into account as I rebuild the model When I see some poor underbuilt, abused model, like Kitty, or one like the '63 Bonneville I found that was done cleanly, but not painted and needs a few pieces and some freshening, and a few others I have in waiting, all I see is the potential I saw in my students when I taught high school, my tutees now, and all my friends who come to me when life isn't going the way they want... And what I see is potential to be something greater and better. People can get there by their own efforts and a little help from others. Inanimate objects rely on the mind of man to achieve their potential. That's why I chose to restore, to the best of my ability, whatever old car enters my home and shop. Charlie Larkin

A very credible job on that. Charlie Larkin

Not my project, Gary. It's actually Rich Manson's. And trust me, even if it's not 100% factory-correct, you'll LOVE the results. Rich is one of the best builders out there and does bang-up jobs with the interiors. Charlie Larkin

I might try the 409, too. This'll be nice to see back together. Charlie Larkin

Now that is pretty. Forward-Look MoPars are among my favorites. That's going to be a handsome machine when you're done, Rich. Are you planning on bringing any of these gems to NNL? Charlie Larkin

640 horsepower? Hmm...wonder if it'll fit in a C-body? All stock outside- whitewalls and all...and still embarrass a lot of cars, at least going straight ahead. Charlie Larkin

Agreed. Charlie Larkin