charlie8575

Kenn, congratulations on a well-deserved award and on a self-published book. You've earned the success you have with this model. Charlie Larkin

This is coming out very nicely, Mike. Although the Chrysler blue was a metallic, tone-wise, you made a good pick. I also like your method for doing a vinyl top. I might try that when I have a car with a three-piece top to build. Charlie Larkin

Nice work on replicating the "cobbled" look. Suggestion: post pictures of your interior, and tell us what you're not happy about. There are PLENTY of people her who will offer thoughtful, informative critique and not rip into you. The goal is to help you get better. We can't do that if we don't know what you're particular struggle is. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Hey, I post my stuff here, and I can't hold a candle to most of the people in this forum. You have no reason to be gun-shy about it. Charlie Larkin

I'm surprised they'd use two seperate parts for the grilles/bumpers. That makes very little sense to, serving only to increase manufacturing and production costs. I can understand the simple press-on wheels for the promos versus the more detailed ones for the kits, but the bumper/grille thing makes no sense to me at all. Charlie Larkin

The photo-editing software is a major problem. I was building something for the contest, but got side-tracked and wasn't able to finish it. My plan, as I shoot 35mm was to grab a 12-shot roll of film (either Fuji 100 or Agfa, as the still have 12-shot rolls,) zip off the pictures and pick the best five. Then, send those in, along with the negatives (and have an extra set of prints for myself.) I believe Revell was willing to return the pictures with an S.A.S.E., so I probably would have had the negs returned anyway. Why send in the negatives? Very simple. Negatives (as Mike, Harry, Terry, and anyone else involved with photography and graphics will tell you,) are nearly impossible to alter without being noticeable. In fact, many courts still will not admit digital photography into evidence because of the high likelihood of electronic alteration, which as pointed out, if done well, is undetectable. This is for protection of the integrity of the case, as well as to protect the attorneys, whose professional reputations and licenses to practice law could be in jeopardy if perjured evidence was admitted, even if without their knowledge and consent. One of my friends does police photography for several of the police departments in his neck of the woods. They will shoot the pictures on black-and-white film and Phil develops and prints the pictures with a policeman in the darkroom to observe (well, as much as you can in a darkroom,) and verify that no funny business occurred. While negatives might reveal how bad a photographer you are, it will erase any doubt of the veracity of your entry. Charlie Larkin P.S.: No film camera? Grab a disposable and use that. A disposable camera is also a good way to force you to brush up on basic phtograhy skills because it doesn't do all the work for you. If you can get good pictures out of a disposable, it'll make it much easier to get good pictures out of a quality film or digital camera.

I've found I receive little or no savings from buying online, but if something can't be found locally, I'll order online. I have three very good hobby shops reasonably close (one about ten minutes, and I go hit them when I go grocery shopping as it's in the same plaza, with the occasional odd trip,) and the other two about forty minutes away. I have six shops within an hour's drive that are good and can fill most needs I have. Two of the shops offer discounts to MassCar and other club members, 10-20% depending on shop and purchase category. So, even with Massachusetts' astronomical 6.25% sales tax, If I'm paying more, it's a negligible amount (like 25-50 cents,) and I have my purchase now, not in a week. The third that doesn't is still one of the best model railroading shops in New England and has a very wide variety of other products. It was too bad they moved a half-mile south into Massachusetts from Nashua, the no sales tax was nice. When do I shop online? If I can't get a kit locally (nobody carries the Galaxie Ltd. kits for whatever reason,) or for oddball stuff. I also do some of my OOP purchases there, as well. As several people have said, I prefer to support my local businesses. These are your neighbors, your friends. The profits stay here and are returned to the community through other purchases, donations to various causes. These are the people you see around town, in church, in lodge, and a number of other places. If a store is not good, over-charges, has rude service, etc., they don't deserve to be in business and lend a bad name to the business as a category. The market will eventually act accordingly unless they get the message. Charlie Larkin

Massachusetts has it as optional, I really doubt anyone does, though. As for states "requiring" it, I not only question the legality of that, but simply from a bookkeeping standpoint, what a mess to keep track of. If a state is SO concerned about losing more of your money to waste, maybe they need to lower the tax rate and structure to make it more competitive, and/or cut the graft and corruption rates to their cronies. Charlie Larkin

The customized '58 Chevy was interesting. I thought that deserved some notice for effort if not complete execution. My personal favorite of that lot, though, was that gorgeous Woody. That came out very nicely, I thought. Overall, though, I agree. While it's nice to help people feel that their efforts will be appreciated, it would've been better to just post all the pictures entered and select the winner if they wanted everyone to get some kind of recognition. I also agree with Mark, I'll bet bad photography had a lot to do with the picks. Charlie Larkin

One girl I went to high school with got a brand new 240 SX for Christmas, 1989. It was either light blue or silver. Who makes this kit? I might go get one just for fun. Charlie Larkin

I always liked that generation Bonneville, too, and came close to buying a couple. This is going to be interesting to see where it goes. Charlie Larkin

Very nicely done, Felix. I'm sure your neighbor would not only appreciate, but approve. Charlie Larkin

Tony, all I can say is wow! That looks great, and your gold is a very close match to the Trumpet Gold paint chip I have. Great work on this. And yes, a new Toro done to Riviera standards would be a huge seller, I think. Charlie Larkin

I actually agree. I think this is a good idea. If the software and other systems can handle it, I say give it some serious thought. Charlie Larkin

It's called when lawyers design your box and advertising.... Charlie Larkin

Looks very good, Curt. Good luck with the move. Charlie Larkin

Wow. What else needs to be said? Charlie Larkin

Although most seem to now be located in strip malls, I think it would be nice to see hobby shops return to downtowns and side-streets. Yes, the parking can be a bit tight sometimes, but a GOOD hobby shop could be the start to revitalizing these neighborhoods. Those stores also tend to be less to rent, which will can allow you to offer a little lower price and still maintain margin. When I was living in New Bedford, I was toying (pretty seriously) with opening a hobby shop, as there wasn't one that was all that convenient to the area, with all of them being at least a forty-five minute drive. Should I end up back down there, I might do it. Charlie Larkin

I'd like a Rampvan. And a Greenbrier. And a Kaiser. Charlie Larkin

Very nice conversion. It's giving me ideas to try this for myself. Charlie Larkin

This should be quite interesting. Charlie Larkin

Nice build and a very nice-looking model. This car is building more and more credibility with me. I want one yesterday. Charlie Larkin

Mk. II is definitely the better way to go. Very nice job on this. Charlie Larkin

Some very neat cars there. Thanks for sharing these, Tim. Charlie Larkin

Very nice job, Cole. Got some close-up pictures of that A? Charlie Larkin

I missed the last few posts of this. This is coming out nicely Greg. Any updates? Charlie Larkin