charlie8575

Great job on the wooden deck. Hope you're feeling better soon. Charlie Larkin

I, for one like it. Might've left the grille a little higher, but the overall look is pretty good. The color is very nice. Charlie Larkin

I like the design. Very nice work you've got there. Charlie Larkin

This'll be the first time in many years I'll be able to get there. I'm looking forward to it. Charlie Larkin

I won't be able to go this year, although I'd love to sometime. I'm doing a little research for a friend. 1. What day is it? 2. Is there something online? I can't find either posted anywhere. Charlie Larkin

Fantastic! That took a lot of doing to get right, and you've captured it very well. I'd love to see some Grahams made in stock form (any casters or AMT/Revell/Japanese companies reading this?) Charlie Larkin

Are they dropping models, etc. too? Just from the sound of this post, they are. What irks me to no end is that in a metropolitan area of almost 300 000 people, plus five colleges with good-sized art departments, and there isn't a SINGLE hobby shop! I've so often wished I had a little bit of money lying around. Solve a market vacuum and possibly my employment problems in one step. Charlie Larkin

http://www.resinrealm.net/Star/STARModels.html Click on the R&R Resin button in th upper left corner, and pictures of all their models will load. Charlie Larkin

I'd be interested in a kit of the factory stock version, primarily because I have nothing to use as a basis. I like doing something a little different. Charlie Larkin

Nice little kit. Is there a website for him? Charlie Larkin

Those would all work, too. The 1955 Dodges had three models, Coronet, Royal and Custom Royal. R&R makes a 1955 Custom Royal Lancer (2-door h/t,) it looks like a promo copy, but it's a start. Anyone here built that one? I was thinking of one myself. I think they also have a 1955 or '56 Sierra (Dodge's wagons.) Charlie Larkin

Riiiiiiight..... Charlie

Very nice build, Bruce. Charlie Larkin

I see a lot of good ideas here. We definitely need more independents; my dad and I would probably buy a case of Hawks between us; I'd like a Studebaker Wagonaire. Actually, a Jeep Grand Wagoneer would be cool, too! I hadn't thought of a LaSalle, but I'd certainly buy one or two, especially if they have different bodies available. Or the casters stepped up and offered varieties...after all, I'll need chassis and running gear. A contemporary hearse would be nice. I also like the idea of a first or second generation Cherokee. I'll bet a good Solstice kit would sell well, too. Some other newer cars that might be worth thinking about. 1991-96 Saturn. Not a pretty car, but a very significant one that still has a loyal following amongst owners and even some car buffs that like to race them. A newer Lincoln Town Car. A 1988-97 Olds Cutlass Supreme coupe- probably one of the better-looking cars G.M. had in the time. The sedan wasn't bad-looking, either. A 1997-2004 Buick Park Avenue. Some of the newer Cadillacs with stock-building options, Revell's got the bulk of the tooling done, might as well go all the way! A 1978-87 Pontiac Grand Prix. I always liked those cars, nice looking machines, especially the LE and LJ models with the extra chrome and when ordered with Rally II wheels. Two-tone blue with a white landau top and blue buckets for me, please... Just a few more ideas. Charlie Larkin

Nice builds. Is the 1960 Pontiac one of the Trumpeter kits or is it the old AMT kit? Charlie Larkin

Put me down for a few '49 and '60 Fords and a couple of '51 Chevies. All those kits have so many nice possibilities for kitbashing and resins. Any chance of getting the '49 Merc back out in stock form? I'm drooling over one of the resin '49 wagons. I'd like to try making a 4-door, too. Charlie Larkin

I'm hoping that this will be a great re-start. I'd love to see a combination of re-issues, new tools, and broken tools repaired and placed back into circulation. I, for one, would love to see both the 1949 Olds and 1950 Studebaker. I was mightily disappointed when they didn't do either of them. I also think that serious thought needs to be given to re-patriating the tools. Ever since even moving the tooling to Mexican production, I saw quality take a nose-dive, and don't even start me on the Chinese production. As to profitability...well, Lindberg is making its kits in America and selling them at competitive prices. Perhaps at a smaller margin, but they're moving product, so I'd venture to guess any loss is minimal. I do agree that paying premium kit prices for less-than-premium kits is a sure-fire recipe for suicide; being blinded by the motive of pure profit can sometimes lead to poor decisions. I was surprised about some of the comments about the modeler-demanded kits not doing well. I remember when the Edsel was released my local hobby shop couldn't keep them in stock, nor could he get enough. Same with the new-tool '57 Chevy, '58 Plymouth, and some of the other really good mid-late 1990s A.M.T. kits. I figured maybe they wouldn't do well with the mass market, but now that they're more-or-less out of the picture, with Wal-Mart dropping kits, I think focusing on model and car enthusiasts want lists may in fact be more lucrative. On the subject of creating demand, I was (and still am toying with) starting my own model manufacturing venture. Realizing that lack of exposure has been harming the hobby, I spoke to Hemmings Motor News about their advertising. Now that I know a principal of A.M.T. redux is posting and reading, I'd like to offer an idea. Hemmings' ad rep said they would LOVE to start taking ads from the kit companies, not just the diecast makers. I don't mind divulging this little piece of informaiton because I think it's to all our benefit. As a lot of the guys that read Hemmings are hands-on, they might enjoy building a few kits, and if pitched as something fun to do with kids or grandkids, it might just work. Toss in some of the educational benefits, like teaching following directions, sequencing, eye-hand coordination without going blind in front of a video game, learning to be patient, and things like that, and you'd have a good sales tactic to parents. Lastly, I have my own little wish list I'd like to see issued. I realize most of these won't be, but I'd like them on the record anyway. 1. 1942 DeSoto. Any body style, those hide-away headlights are just soooo cool! 2. 1941-42 Chrysler Town & Country. 3. 1951-54 Hudson Hornet (I personally have access to a large number of these, if you're interested, let me know and I'll be happy to hook you up.) 4. 1977-90 Caprice/Impala, or a full-size Chevy with the parts to build either/or. I liked the photo-etch parts in the Pro-Shop '57 Chevy, that'd solve the scripts/trim issue easily. 5. 1979-91 LTD Crown Victoria. *for either #4/5, make sure police and civie parts are included. 6. A mid-fifties Buick or Olds (or do both, I'll buy at least one of each.) 7. A 1957 Dodge Sweptside pickup. 8. More Forward Look cars, regardless of division or body-style, but I'd personally love to see a Dodge Sierra or Plymouth Suburban. 9. 1970-96 Full-size GM/Ford/MoPar wagon. Just pick one and do it! Well, you can pick two...or three...or more, I won't get mad if you do a bunch. 10. For a little mass-market appeal, and still something I'd like to see anyway, I'd love to see a 1970-72 Olds Vista Cruiser, ala That 70s show. Overall, though, I think we have a really good shot at being successful. Give it time, folks, and I think we'll see good results. Charlie Larkin