charlie8575

This. And I try to fulfill this obligation. I teach my Squire boys (De Molay's answer to the Cub Scouts for boys 9-12) about history, math (as far as I can,) science, government, philosophy, economics and literature so they'll have a fighting chance at being fully civilized adult men. And I build models with them- cars, mostly, and one of the boys' dads builds plank-by-plank ships, and I suspect he'll be trying it sometime, too. Last year, we tried gingerbread houses. They loved it; some of them were total disasters, but they had a blast. My boys love cars, trains, boats, planes and space. And I'll be the first to tell you that the vast majority of them find the cars of the past far more interesting than the cars of today. Charlie Larkin

Detroit, Michigan went bankrupt in 2013, and it was falling apart for many, many years prior to that. Some parts of Detroit make Baghdad's worst neighborhoods look like the homes of multi-millionaires; very, very bad. Charlie Larkin

I had that happen to me once. Idiot went in the wrong way in a parking lot as I was moving forward on the green light. I ended up at fault. And then had to threaten my insurance company with a suit if it wasn't rescinded. Rescinded three weeks later, new insurance company the next policy renewal. Charlie Larkin

I take it your Altima got totaled? Charlie Larkin

Wouldn't mind that Duster; it'll make an excellent upgrade for the Dart Sport I bought. I don't think I ever got a '40 Ford slantback, perhaps it's time I did. Of course, I keep hoping that AMT will find a bunch of missing annuals of years past and we get a few surprises over a few years. I suspect the '58 Edsel will make a reappearance in the next year or two. It's a very nice kit and looks good together. Another run of Lindberg '61 Chevys? That's a super-nice product. I think Casey made a few good calls. Dreams of new tools: 1950-51 Studebaker- I think Ron might be on to something there. 1950 Buick Special Sedanette, which can be based on the Revell '50 Olds. A brick Caprice or LTD; I really do think we'll see one before much longer. Charlie Larkin

Nice recovery. Charlie Larkin

That two-tone is exquisite. Great choice of color on it. Charlie Larkin

A sort-of happy. To make up for that '60 Corvair that got stolen out from under me a few days ago, I got a reasonably nice built-up in unpainted plastic, so that will be carefully disassembled and made to look good. But it came at much higher a price than I would've liked to pay. But the satisfaction of having a model of a historically significant car and getting me closer to my goal of a complete set of the SMP 1960 model compacts, is that much closer. Oh, and I got my office almost completely set up. I hope to have a model release or two out for sale within the next month after I get some the plans done and arrangements with a laser-cutting shop ready. Charlie Larkin

An annual charge (but not that high) is a fair trade if you don't carry a balance frequently or ever, or don't use the card much. Generally, it costs the credit card issuers about $30-50/year to maintain your account, even if you don't use it- record-keeping and the like. I'm looking at getting another credit card again because, frankly, I need one for a little travel I want to do and the occasional money hiccup. If I don't use it for much of anything, considering the interest rates usually asked, the cards I've been looking at, which run around $30/year, is quite reasonable. The card company covers its costs if you have a small limit, don't use it much, or similar, and you have one if you need it. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews of AMEX. Some people swear by them, others swear at them. Charlie Larkin

Just saw this while watching Blue Bloods. Exquisite production quality. Charlie Larkin

Love the colors and subject matter. Very nice work, Randy. I enjoy seeing your builds. Charlie Larkin

Great job on these! Charlie Larkin

I would like to see some samples, myself. From the Facebook photos, it looks decent, but some run-of-the mill sampling would be nice to see. I did ask, and from what the man was saying, it's a system similar to Cosmi-Chrome. Cosmi-Chrome is very good quality, but I don't know too much about its competitors. Cosmi-Chrome is certainly less money to start out with than vacuum-plating, at about $1200 for the starter system. Industrial vacuum chambers (I know, I've looked,) that seem to be appropriate for plating, were running north of $5000, and that was a few years back. Charlie Larkin

Point of clarification. To make sure I'm following correctly, generally the 351-C was what was used in the Torino, and the 351-W either wasn't supposed to be used there, or was not a regular production engine (e.g. short on Clevelands, use Windsors in the supply chain?) Charlie Larkin

An LA-block Chrysler, according to Tim Boyd, who helped put the concept together for AMT originally in the 1970s. Charlie Larkin

To me, it looks like a Torino. 99% of the objective met. Yeah, I might buy one, especially if a suspension fix can be devised and I can procure more appropriate rolling stock. Magnums and whitewalls sound good to me, maybe in a nice pastel blue with a blue interior. Frankly, I find it refreshing to have a new kit that doesn't have a bajillion microscopic parts. The preceding is my praise. Now comes a statement that expresses, as calmly and politely as possible, what I am now seeing as a major problem. Now...we have a flaw that someone knowledgeable through documented ownership of these cars (Andy), has found, and in order to avoid a lot of problems, will now remain silent, rather than sharing knowledge. Speaking as former teacher and a lifelong academic, both as an instructor and student, I find coercion into the withholding of knowledge like that unacceptable. I think it's very disturbing that this is happening, and even more disturbing that parties in both camps have bullied, cajoled and poked each other's bears enough to now create a shut-down of the exchange of legitimate information. Censorship by intimidation, even if said intimidation was not intentional, is censorship at its very worst. Perhaps we all need to revisit our conduct, and if feelings might be hurt (which I doubt will happen if people remain civil and reasonable,) then so be it. However, part of the reason for the existence of this section of the forum is not to heap praise or blame. Rather, I use this as a way to become a better informed consumer, without which, the entire marketplace will end up failing in the long run, either because: 1. Manufacturers will no longer read see real concerns and make improvements to their products- see Moebius and the '53 Hudson and the C-pillar on the '61 Pontiac. 2. If major flaws are detected, but unspoken, modelers will continue to get less than what should, and could, have been. Yes, if these calls are ignored, it could result in a backlash of poor sales. Witness that kit which shall not be named. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a call for perfection. It's a call for accountability from buyer and seller alike. And if each side of the equation does not respond to the other, everyone will lose in the long run. The manufacturers (vendors) are accountable to us for providing the best product possible. The consumers (buyers) have a responsibility to speak up about sub-standard goods and work with the vendors to help correct errors, especially in development of the product. Charlie Larkin

That black paint looks great. Charlie Larkin

The service provider claims to use 2K clear, which is an automotive-grade urethane product. I would hope that won't yellow. Charlie Larkin

You have to go to the post office anyway to send the rack, what's the problem? Some people don't like credit cards or don't wish to pay the rather high fees PayPal charges. The only drawback to a postal money order is they're expensive. The major advantage is they're instant cash- bring it to any post office, and they'll cash it for you. Personally, I'd be okay with a MoneyGram, Republic, AMEX or WU money order, which can also be presented for cash at their respective agents. Maybe the guy doesn't like banks, and honestly, I don't know if I blame him for that, even the small banks are being regulated into oblivion and their service is suffering. Personally, I see nothing wrong with operating on cash. I've been doing it for years because I have no credit after a very, very long stint of unemployment. Perhaps you should consider the views of others before slamming them for a safe, legal, and reasonable business practice. $25 for a full rack? That's very reasonable. Charlie Larkin

What a screwball header. I'm trying to figure out what engine that is. Almost looks like a Nailhead given how vertical the valve cover is. Charlie Larkin

That's very pretty. Where is this? Charlie Larkin

Very nice. Next time I run across one of these at a show or something, I might spring for it. The models I've seen built from these kits are really nice. Charlie Larkin

Pat, I would strongly recommend switching to SuperClean/Purple Power or Easy-Off oven cleaner (I use the fume free one) in lieu of the brake fluid. I've found brake fluid can do a real number on the plastic itself, by leeching out the plasticizers and other materials, and several other people from reading posts on Facebook have had those problems, particularly with older plastic, and AMT's wild yellow plastic of the 1980s can do weird things. On that I speak from experience. Put the model in a shoe-box size ZipLoc, Gladware or similar inexpensive plastic container that seals tightly and let it soak in the cleaner for a couple of days to a week or two. Paint goes away. Charlie Larkin

After watching so many of my friends have problems with VWs, you'd have a tough time selling me one. That said, the raging libertarian in me LOVES the idea of getting a TDI Jetta/Golf wagon to subtlety flip the bird to the gub'mint. Charlie Larkin

Oh, you're coming here? Seriously, let me know. Among other things, I have my real estate salesman's license. Be happy to help you out. Charlie Larkin