charlie8575

Honda, at least seems to use "EX" on the more deluxe models, so "Everything Xcluded" wouldn't work. Still doesn't answer what it means. Maybe it means nothing....although "EXpensive" might work. Example: Accord EX- $24,105/5-speed; $24,905/automatic. Yup....EXpensive does fit. Charlie Larkin

I use all of these things, and the screw-top containers for keeping bleach for stripping chrome in. A tip for storing bleach: make sure you use a jar with a plastic lid. The metal lids will corrode. Charlie Larkin

Nice, but very pricey. The 2800 Yen items work out to $34.20 U.S. Charlie Larkin

Makes me wonder why Mercedes just doesn't execute some kind of global licensing compact, myself. Of course, that would make life much easier. Oh...just answered my own question. And perhaps save us some money. Ah...another reason. Oh well. I'll get one of these by hook or crook. Charlie Larkin

I might build that Prius hearse just simply because it's so hideous, it proves that they're not all that wonderful afterall! And that Prius limo is just weird. I did, however, see a great license plate on a Prius when I was up in New Hampshire a couple of weeks. I believe it was a silver one, and it read "VLTSWGN." Well....I liked the plate. Charlie Larkin

An interesting question... I guess I like a little of everything. My great love is station wagons and cars of the 1930s-mid 1970s, along with brass-era cars. I also enjoy coach-built cars, and the craftsmanship they embody. So many of them appeal to me, it's really hard to make a pick. Charlie Larkin

Interesting point, Ken, so I decided to check. It costs on average, about $150,000 to produce a kit in today's money. I checked a calculator, and found that in 1965 dollars, it would have cost about $221,000 to do the same thing. I used this site. http://www.measuringworth.com/index.php Based on an educated guess, I would say kit development (design, engineering, tooling,) would probably have run somewhere in the neighborhood of $25-30,000. I base my conjecture on the factor that the prices of most items seem to have gone up by a factor of about ten. Charlie Larkin

I sometimes wonder if the computer might actually have to do with some of the problems. The way a computer and the human brain process information is different. Computers see lines and angles. The human eye can more easily detect curves and subtle changes in the shapes of objects. The black art was a well-trained draftsman, skilled with a pencil and the several implements of his profession, not a computer jockey that wouldn't know a radial arm if he got hit over the head with it. I think many of the problems we see are also from many schools failing to provide initial training on drafting boards so the students can get a feel for what they're designing, not just how to move stuff around on a screen. The aesthetic quality is missing, and only being trained in non-virtual conditions can help that. Computer-Aided-Design has its places, included the model industry, but perhaps we should look into combining the old and the new. A CAD operator is a highly-skilled professional who deserves respect; I can't do CAD although I'm a pretty decent draftsman. But, sometimes, the computer speed and cost-savings comes at the expense of final quality, and not just with model cars, but many products. By hand-drawing the body part cavities (where most of the problems seem to crop up,) and then scanning the drawings into CAD-Key or AutoCAD, or whatever the mold shop uses for its CAD-CAM software, perhaps some of the issues can be alleviated. I believe that most CAD programs can accept scans of hand-drawings, and then through the magic of computers, make it usable for CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing.) I'm no expert in automated manufacturing, but I have enough college credits in industrial arts that I'm familiar with basic production procedures and can say that a hybrid system like this may work well. Then again, as has also been suggested, it could simply be carelessness and rush-jobs. I wouldn't be surprised if to some degree, both were involved. Charlie Larkin

Interesting take on the intake theory, Mark! Oh, and, you mean this....? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJP2PH8WKaI Just sayin'.... Charlie Larkin

When Harry posted the picture of the model and a 1:1 at about the same angle, to my eye, a lot of the problems seemed to go away. I'm not too sure about the roof, but the basic lines seems about right to me. At the requested price, I doubt I'd buy one, at least anytime soon, but it's not as bad as it could've been by a long shot. Personally, I'm looking a little more forward to the Ranchero; for the money, though, I'd rather buy a Modelhaus Craftsman series repop. What amazes me is that Trumpeter, who has made some really good military stuff and proved it does know how to make a vehicle with the ALF, consistently blows it in some way with civilian cars, and then charges very high prices for their errors. In 1897, Ransom E. Olds contracted with his investors to "build one motor carriage in as nearly a perfect manner possible." This scale motor carriage, while improved, has a ways to go to be the outstanding model that I know that Trumpeter can make. And for $50 (or $40 online,) I want the details right. Models have become so expensive, both in production and for purchase, that no manufacturer can afford a misstep, lest they be ready to receive the wrath of the modeling public. Charlie Larkin

Nice build, Ed. And Rob- I agree with everyone else. Patience and method are the only way to build this kit. Our youth are no longer taught patience at home or school in this modern "instant gratification" society we now have. This will afford him some perspective, which may be a great thing in all areas of life, not just modeling. Charlie Larkin

Nice to see someone else do a stock '32, and a V8 with a rare body style, too. Very nice, Lyle. Charlie Larkin

The Ziplock bags and little tiny zipper bags you get in electronic boxes for little bits and pieces are handy. I like to use the small tool-box-type drawer unites that are intended for screws and such. You can find those at hardware stores for around $8-10 each. Charlie Larkin

If you can wiggle that driveshaft in, great. If not...well, use it as a learning experience. There aren't supposed to be THAT many parts left over! Nice paint work, though and a clean build otherwise. Charlie Larkin

That came out very nicely, Bill. Great concept and a nice reuse of parts. Charlie Larkin

Nice, Steve. I bought the next-to-last kit that Kevin had and I'm very happy to have it. I was toying with doing the light blue, too, and may do just that now that I've seen yours. For curiosity, what did you use for the tires? Charlie Larkin

While we might subject ourselves to the whims of other board members by posting our in-progress and end-products, here, as Harry rightly pointed out, Donald makes a very valid point. Civility and gentle guidance makes (usually) a far more positive result than harsh words, brow-beating and belittling. I taught junior/senior high school for almost a decade. One thing I found that generally got the results I wanted was to try and take the time to point out to the student what he did right, not just his faults and short-comings, and then work with him to correct those problems. While it might not always work, if you garner a reputation of courtesy and respect rather than harshly-worded broadside criticisms, your instruction may go much farther. The attentive ear receives knowledge from the instructive tounge, as the line so goes. However, to make sure that instruction is received, and received well, that instruction should be careful not to belittle or marginalize the recipient in any way, lest the core message be lost. Criticism is a needed part of growing in all facets of life, however, to do so in such a manner that it demeans the recipient and makes you look like a loud-mouthed lout makes things worse for us all. Charlie Larkin

I made it down. For next year- no parkways though, except possibly the Wilbur Cross. For that reason, I didn't get there until a little after noon. Well, that, and the highway signs are horrible. I spent an hour driving around in circles. I had a ton o' fun, though, and with luck, will go back next year. Charlie

Neat project, I'll be watching. Charlie Larkin

I take the pictures for me, but I always offer to share with the rest of the membership if they want them. That GMC derrick truck was something else. As to NNL, perhaps next year. As fair warning, Mike, I'll be heading out your way in the not too distant future for some stuff I have going on in Berkshire County. If you're up to it, perhaps we can do lunch, as I'll be around Lee/Pittsfield. Charlie Larkin

Wow, what a job, Bruce! If anyone can do this, it's you. Charlie Larkin

This looks great! I love the colors. Charlie Larkin

Geez, Mike, this is fighting you worse than my 1:1 car is right now! I hope all goes well with this. Hood aside, it looks great. Cahrlie Larkin

Gee, Mike, I didn't see you at MassCar. If you saw the guy with the Canon FD and Sunpak 600 blinding everyone....well, that was me. Hopefully next year, we can catch each other. Will you be heading to NNL? Charlie Larkin

Coming along very nicely, Nick. You did an especially nice job with that interior, I thought. Charlie Larkin