charlie8575

Remember, fifty states, fifty (at least) different laws and legal customs. There is a doctrine...can't think of what it's called right off the top of my head at the moment, that says that if a contract or price is not reasonable, a more correct price can be enforced, but it's rarely used and you have to have a major botch-up to use it. And example would be printing the price of a house at $1,000 instead of $100,000. Where $5600 is a substantial (relative to cost) error, I think the mitigating circumstances (false arrest, dealer incompetence) would probably weight that out in the eyes of most judges and juries. Charlie Larkin

Oops. Sorry...written binding contract trumps oral. And after this cluster, if I was the manager, I'd give him the car free and clear and offer him full lifetime maintenance for the car for life of car or owner, whichever comes first. Costs less than bad publicity and lawyers in the long run. And if this guy is anything like me....except for perhaps a toy, this will be the last car I ever have to purchase- it will be grossly over-maintained and driven until the welds holding it together let go. Charlie Larkin

This is one I would love to see either get re-issued or an all-new tool cut. I have one of these and have since I was a little kid (around 5 or 6.) It was missing pieces from the factory and I never got around to doing much with it. The Collings Foundation in Stow, Ma. has a very pretty Bearcat in a soft pastel gray with red seats. I'm toying with that scheme for mine. Charlie Larkin

My seven years at Fitchburg State College were spent studying, working a little when time/interest/job availability permitted, an occasional date, dealing with a lot family issues, and activity with DeMolay and the Masons after I turned 21. I poked at a lot of projects and kept as active as I could with building and Classic Plastic Model Club. I didn't do a lot of the stupid partying-type stuff or hang around a lot with the other students. Something I have a little bit of regret with, but that I didn't end up with a lot of the social ills that many of my friends did, I don't regret. Charlie Larkin

Second the motions! Your ability puts most of the professional pattern-makers to shame...witness some of the spectacular (near) flops and proven flops of times recent and past. If you can do this with only two major dimensions and some scaling, the model builders at the kit companies have no excuses. Charlie Larkin

That engine is spectacular. The interior is nice, too. I do, however, wish that they had engraved the hood, trunk and rocket, but I'll be grabbing at least one or two of these anyway for all the possibilities. And waiting anxiously for MCG or someone else to do some photo-etch emblems. Charlie Larkin

Luis, Come on down to MassCar sometime. We meet third Wednesday in Dedham. Send me a message and I'll be happy to send directions, etc. We also meet second Saturdays at 1:00 if that's more convenient for you. Charlie Larkin

I really like where this is going Mike, and I think that color choice is really good for this one. I might suggest a lighter red for some accents around the window, but I do like what I see. Charlie Larkin

Thanks for the heads-up, Mike. November is nice and clear for me, so I should be able to spare the afternoon. Charlie Larkin

Nice job on the decals, and the rest of the model, too. Charlie Larkin

Those Athearn freight cars are a great starting point. I wish they still made the kits, and made them here, though. I still have trouble with those ladders... What's your hobby shop of choice, Bill? When I lived in New Bedford, I would patronize both Apponaug Hobby and AA Hobbies, plus the guy in Newport. Charlie Larkin

Tasca is up to their unique marketing thinking again I see? Is that the lot on Pontiac Ave. or the one in Seekonk? Charlie Larkin

I'll probably replace the tires with ones from the Modelhaus. The engine looks good. I'll look forward to seeing the rest of what's in the box. Charlie Larkin

That may be true, but it costs the same, and sometimes less to make a better product, or make it right the first time. Consider... If you do the job well, more people will buy the product, lowering per unit cost and increasing profitability. Doing the engineering correctly will result in a better product with fewer problems and less re-engineering, cutting design and production costs because you don't need to keep fixing things. It is just a hobby, but we have a right to expect good value for the money and time we spend on it. Charlie Larkin

I agree with you completely, Bill. Ransom E. Olds, in his initial memorandum of understanding with his early backers, was directed to build "one motor carriage in as nearly a perfect manner as possible." 115 years later, we're still human and we will still make errors, but, to ignore errors that might be easily be corrected in early prototyping and design and chalk it to you what I can only describe as an attitude of "yeah, whatever," is unacceptable, especially at the prices kits command now is completely unacceptable. I expect that attitude from the sixth grade special ed kids I'm working with right now, not grown men with college degrees or post-secondary technical training. To design and execute one model kit of a motor carriage in as nearly a perfect manner as possible. WE, the modeling community, the financial backbone of the industry, only ask for that. Charlie Larkin

1. Make friends with art students- they can get you in and out of the art department and might be able to hook you up with airbrushes and such. 2. See above for your industrial arts or engineering department. 3. If your campus center has a rec room, that can be available for building, too. 4. Make friends with snap-kits and curbsides. Easier, faster and fewer parts. 5. Keep all your supplies under lock and key. If your campus center, like mine did, has small storage lockers avaiable for rent, rent one and keep your stuff in it. 6. Post an ad on the campus billboard to see if there are any other modelers on campus. If you can get a few of you and an employee of the college to be your advisor, all of a sudden, model building becomes a sanctioned activity and you have access. You might also be able to use it as an outreach tool to area schoolsby the campus. 7. Above all else, aside from studying hard, have fun in college. I didn't have nearly as much as I should have and regret not doing do. Don't make the same mistake. Charlie Larkin

The wedding was nice...but "interesting..." yeah, that's the word. Next time we catch up or I can make it to Lowell (I MIGHT be able to do it this month,) I'll fill you in on the details...you'll laugh, you'll cry, possibly both at the same time. I did see some of the pictures MassCar guys brought back. Some very nice stuff showed up and I'm glad the show looks like it was a success quality-wise. Of course, watching MassCar clean up was nice, too! Charlie Larkin

Jim, is your Corvair parked at Bryn Mawr College? It looks an awful like the buildings I remember seeing there when I was there for a conference in 1998...and decided I don't like summers south of New England. Charlie Larkin

Very nice work so far. Charlie Larkin

Galaxie will be releasing a 1946-48 Chevy sport coupe sometime early next year from what I reemmber being posted early this year. Charlie Larkin

I'll go one up on you, Glenn. I'll take the Jo-Han kits and scale them all to 1/25 so they'll actually all be the right size, and not "scale to box," and probably correct some of the goofs, like torque-tub drives on the Rebel Machine and other open-drive AMCs, and make sure correct 1st/2nd generation V8s and 6s. But the spirit of the kits would remain intact, just better. I like the idea of reissuing Craftsman/Trophy kits, too. I might add in the Junior series, as well. Charlie Larkin

Nice work on the paint recovery Jake. Looks good overall. Charlie Larkin

I feel hopelessly inadequate. Outstandingly good work. Charlie Larkin

As you wish, Mike.... Good to see you back at the bench. Charlie Larkin

One of my friends is reading that now, and he's absolutely raving about it. I plan to check it out, and I don't generally care for Stephen King, but this book sounds so good, that to not read it would be cheating myself. Charlie Larkin