charlie8575

What impresses me is $1000 in two weeks. It took me years to get to that point. Charlie Larkin

The price-tag is why we won't see 3-D kits anytime soon. That product was most likely printed used an Objet 30 printer. The printers are expensive (start about $10,000) and the plastic goo they use is incredibly expensive- some of the cartridges are $1000 or mroe for about two pounds of material. Objets do, however, turn out a near-injection-molded-quality part. I have a sample from a visit to their New England distributor. Charlie Larkin

I actually like that color on the bare plastic...it seems to add to the pearlescent characteristics of the green. I do wish they had made that kit as a stock-roof model, I would gladly have bought one. The copper/white interior looks really good with that color, Mike. Nice pick. Another good build coming along out of this. Charlie Larkin

I'm surprised that plastic hadn't yellowed. Very nice, sharp build. I'm planning on doing my '59 in dark green with a tan interior and boot, and will be buying another '59 to build as the Southampton in some subdued shade with the stainless canopy.

What a beautiful car! I like the early-mid '60s Mercurys, and that one is simply gorgeous. Charlie Larkin

While painting my Model T, I decided to try the airbrush I bought some time ago but never had a compressor to use it with until I got one on a long-term load. I cut my paint (Model Master Classic Black) with lacquer thinner like I have before. I found with the lacquer thinner previously, the paint dried very quickly and I got a nice, level, glossy finish out of it. I'm now finding that the paint doesn't dry quickly, and that it's still drying like enamel- S-L-O-W, and Testors black in particular- E-X-T-R-A--S-L-O-W. The gloss is also not present, especially after sanding between coats. I'm already planning on a polishing kit and a coat of Glosscote at the minimum to bring it up. Barring that, I may just strip and re-start, but I'd really rather not. I suspect it's the lacquer thinner reformulated to not work properly anymore, which means I might need to grab some next time I go to New Hampshire where you can still get the good stuff, or I'll have to ante up for the PPG automotive stuff, which does most certainly still work based on recent experience of others. The product in question is the Ace lacquer thinner. I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced this and if a solution was found. Charlie Larkin

Very nice work. Charlie Larkin

Looking good so far. Charlie Larkin

Many happy returns, Donn. Charlie Larkin

At MassCar's show this past Sunday, I got.... One of those 1988 Buick Regal promos- $5.00. It has a split tire and a missing piece of trim. I'm working on figuring out how to make it clean and presentable again. I don't think those tires are anything that'll fit off-the-rack, so this might require a bit of fancy footwork. Anyone have any suggestions? Some leftover MCW paint in the old 2-ounce bottles for $2/each. Good deal. And a couple of Jo-Han Sho-Cases. Still the best display case that's been made in my opinion. They're getting pricey, though. $8/each. Charlie Larkin

I wonder if prior to assembly it I might be advisable to airbrush, or even brush-paint, a coat of Acryl or some other water-based semi-gloss or flat clear on the tires to seal in the the chemicals? I just try to make sure the wheel rims are very thoroughly coated in at least primer. In the meantime, I suppose we should start looking for a new material for the tires. As radical changes are occurring in polymer chemistry, it might happen sooner than you think. Charlie Larkin

Great overall, and a fantastic battery terminal. Do come by for a MassCar meeting if you have a 3rd Wednesday off. We meet at 7:00 in Medfield at 45 West St. (big steel building, enter the right door for the landscape office, not the dance studio....the prima ballerinas might get scared of the X-Acto knives). Charlie Larkin

I'd like to see the F-series come back and grab one/each. I also want the Pyro 1/32 Brass re-issued. I'd buy the complete set because I love brass-era cars. Charlie Larkin

That care is a Mazda RX-2 or 3 (I'm not sure) running a Wankel Rotary engine, the same type of engine used in the RX-7/8 sports cars. Very potent engines when they're built and maintained properly. Charlie Larkin

I'm very sorry to hear this. Chris is one of my favorite people and builders here. Chris- as it looks like you'll be getting this sooner rather than later- we're all thinking of and pulling for you in our own ways. Do take care of yourself and do whatever you have to do to keep yourself going- definitely kick the habit for starters! I've lost to many of my friends and my parents have lost too many of their friends because of those terrible things and I'd rather not add you to the number. We're all here for you and standing by your side. The modeling community is as much a family as it is a group of people with a shared interest. Charlie Larkin

Wow. Charlie Larkin

Nice color combo. Someday, I wouldn't mind a Fox GT convertible. I have very fond memories of one from high school and the pretty, very nice girl that owned it. Charlie Larkin

I'd love to see some daring Canadian (or perhaps a crazy American) offer some of those weird/cool Canadian cars as regular kits. Perhaps not world-beaters, but I think they'd have a certain panache of "it's different." That's a very nicely-done car, too. Very pretty colors. Charlie Larkin

Pretty color combo on that one. Charlie Larkin

Beautiful build of a very attractive car. Charlie Larkin

I love AMCs and that one looks great! I have one of those, too, and want to get to it sooner rather than later. Charlie Larkin

Sharp color combination. Very nicely done. Charlie Larkin

Beautiful job. Charlie Larkin

Nice to see you migrate from that "other place" too! And nice Hudson. Charlie Larkin

Nice build. If you're free on the third Wednesdays and interested. Come on down to MassCar. We meet in Medfield at 45 West St. in the loft over the landscaper's office at 7:00. Charlie Larkin