charlie8575

As near as I can tell, the M.D.C. Rangers ended up being merged into the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which already oversaw the other state parks, beaches, etc. D.C.R. is actually the merger of several agencies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Conservation_and_Recreation_(Massachusetts) A very good write-up on how the whole thing works. Charlie Larkin

I wonder if the fuel lines might be better replicated with copper wire if they're that delicate. Thanks for the heads-up on that. Charlie Larkin

I like that, Roger. Nice combination. And yes, Galaxie's kits are very nice. The assembly is a bit involved, but they're well-designed and look really good when assembled. Charlie Larkin

Metro was the Metropolitan District Commission. The MDC was a patronage haven that Gov. Weld began the elimination of in 1990 with discontinuing their own police department, merging them into the Mass. State Police. The MDC finally disappeared completely in 2003 under Gov. Romney, merging its activities into the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, which oversees the reservoirs and public water supply that gets water into Greater Boston. The MDC's original function was to oversee the major reservoirs (the Wachusett and Quabbin) and to help maintain the parks around The Emerald Necklace, which is a series of Olmstead-designed parks ringing the western border of Boston, as well as the Towns of Brookline, Milton and Dedham, and Cities of Cambridge and Newton. Over the years, the MDC became a haven for unemployable poltical hacks and in-laws, and many of these people had salaries that would make anyone sit up and take notice; sadly, the police force was the worst of it, and with the large pays, came a lot of shady dealing and plain unethical/illegal activities. Wikipedia has a pretty good write up on the MDC Police. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defunct_Massachusetts_Police_Agencies A more complete history is here. http://home.comcast.net/~mmrubino/site/ Charlie Larkin

Simple, but effective. The large granules (did you use salt?) suggest heavy, wet snow. Nice job for first time out. Charlie Larkin

That's spectacular, Tom. I'm curious, what's the overall dimensions of that with the base? Charlie Larkin

I think you've been working in Vegas too long and the casino owners are giving you too many ideas, Wayne. Charlie Larkin

Who's casting a fastback? I've seen a bunch that were in existence long before, which look like Chevys that may or may not have been converted properly, but if someone is doing a resin club sedan designed for the Revell kit, I want one. Same thing with the Holiday. Charlie Larkin

So that's why he calls his hobby shop the plastic pusher? I'm looking forward to grabbing one of these, myself. Charlie Larkin

Maybe the next supercar they make will at least be attractive. I never cared for the styling of that, at all. Charlie Larkin

Very nice, Andre. What did you use for the red? Charlie Larkin

Nick, You have progressed tremendously, and those awards prove it! You're still learning, and you've shown a willingness to actually try to learn, and that's another sign of your increasing maturity, as a builder and as a man. We're all very proud of you. The hobby's future with youngsters like you is in good hands. Charlie Larkin

I like the '57 Nash-style headlights. I agree, they do make a refreshing, and very nice change. Charlie Larkin

SWMBO=? Charlie Larkin

That's very thoroughly (and very nicely) restored. If Ford was like GM, it would probably be primer (oxide red) with overspray, although I can imagine a zealous painter painting the entire floor. Most cars shipped to the midwest, coastal regions and the northeast were undercoated at the factory. That car in the picture could have a rubberized or some other super-duty material beneath the paint. Even if just kept for nice weather, I wouldn't want to drive that too much around here without some kind of extra protection. Charlie Larkin

I really like how this is going. That front looks really good. I'm serious...send Chevrolet's management team some pictures of this once you're done with it. If this doesn't inspire them as to what the future could be, I don't know what, if anything, will. Charlie Larkin

Hmm... An LT-1 Roadmaster or Caprice wagon in better shape than the one I have now (or just to get the '94 I'm driving cleaned up and looking good and running exactly as it should be again). Assuming I keep what I have now and I get five more options... A 2010-11 Lincoln Town Car A step-down Hudson A Forward Look Chrysler product A Studebaker Starliner A Chevy Silverado ExtendCab 4x4 in nice trim, equipped for towing so that even thought I got some toys for free, I can still go get more and tow the Airstream. Our local dealer had one in a pretty metallic red with the cashmere leather interior. That'll do nicely. Charlie Larkin

This would be my recommendation.... If this model is critical (i.e., you need to make sure it's RIGHT), I would suggest buying the Modelhaus body. I've seen a couple of them and look good, and Don and Carol will treat you right. You will not meet two more honest people in this hobby. Then...as Bill said, expand your skill-set. Try scratching the body using the Nomad and sheet styrene. That way, you can have it both ways...you can have your model done correctly and you can learn something new. Seeing that you'll need a Nomad for the chassis and running gear anyway, it also requires no more investment save the sheet styrene and finishing materials. Charlie Larkin

After all of the sadness today and the general malaise I've had the last couple of weeks, I NEEDED this! What a treasure in so many ways. Charlie Larkin

Very nicely done. That is very much something you would've seen on the road in the U.S. during the 1980s/90s, and still today from time to time. Those G-bodies were very good-looking, and very good cars. The engine bay reminds me very much of the one in my mother first Cutlass. Excellent. Charlie Larkin

I wonder if some of it could be those silly oversized wheels playing tricks on your vision? I'd want to see a painted sample compared to a real car, but anything off to my eye is slight enough that it wouldn't bother me. For the shock factor, I might build one of these with a Ross Gibson Hyper-Pak Slant Six and 14-inch rims, painted metallic tan or something equally plain. Charlie Larkin

Very nice, Rich, especially the interior and fixing the chassis-plate. I'll enjoy seeing the final product. Charlie Larkin

What Chuck said, Shawn. Very nice work so far. And we're busy year-round here, so if you a summer period where you want a little quiet time and hit the bench, we're here! Do stick around. Charlie Larkin

You can create your own maroon, using proportions of red (or Testors dark red), brown and black. I would start with the red or brown base, depending on which end of the spectrum you want to be on, and and red or brown, and black until you get the color you want. Charlie Larkin

No arguments there, Bill. I don't know what the guy kneeling down is doing, but it doesn't look very bright. All the stuff laying around is probably not so smart. Wanna bet that truck is running? That's inviting a disaster. The missing masks is an issue. The broken side-marker/turn signal lens. I don't know about where you are, but the cops around here LOVE those things! Charlie Larkin