Dr. Cranky

Amen to that!

Well said, Mike. Another area for possible development is re-doing some of the 1/16th Stutz Bearcat, Bugatti, et al kits in 1/24th scale and adding perhaps a STEAMPUNK feel to them. I think the industry would grow by leaps and bounds if they capitalized on the Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Steampunk/Goth-Punk craze that's going around. Shoot, I just ordered four new books that are coming out on the subject of Steampunk alone.

Bob, for a minute I thought that was the Lab-RAT-ory's own EYEGORE, until I remembered that EYEGORE is a bit crazier around the eyes!

I am definitely liking the rust. Keep it going.

Well, you know what EYEGORE is going to say, right? WHERE'S THE EYE CANDY?

Those are INDEED some great bits. Yes, WARHAMMER 40K and Bionicles make great sources for extra cool parts . . . if you don't believe me, check this one out . . . And oldie, sure, but possibly one of Doctor Cranky's favorite built models . . .

The accompanying music is finished loading up . . . I hope everyone enjoys this one. Thank you.

Well said, Greg, and even EYEGORE agrees with you on that. A closet full of kits is never as exciting as what's COMING OUT, and that usually get the creative juices really flowing. Which is why I've devised a new plan for the Lab-RAT-ory. For every new kit that comes in, one has to either go out or be built!

Case in point, a new Henry J is out and could be gotten. They only did a limited run of 3000. I found one last year and put in the collection, nw I can build it in peace knowing I can get replacement parts if I need them.

Many of you will remember Jerry's wonderful sense of humor and great model building skills. He kept a fairly low profile, but he loved to have fun in the hobby like the rest of us. When Ken Hamilton organized and set up the 2007 FALL KRUIZE (the only time this has ever happened!), Jerry went beyond the call of duty and did some wonderful work for it. I hope you enjoy it if you have never seen it, and if you have, then I hope you will relive the good times had by all at the K+J 2007 FALL KRUIZE out of Mays Landing, New Jersey.

Yes indeed, welcome back. And that Engine deserves to be in a museum.

I've noticed too that delaying the release date on a kit adds to the traffic on EBAY. Case in point, all the AMT '50 Chevy trucks are still around, but they tend to be a bit more expensive, etc . . . I hope nobody thinks I'm complaining. Personally, I think it's all good for the hobby, etc . . . I'm just trying to figure out what kind of a choir our Good Doctor Cranky is preaching to here!

Mike, good point, and I try, try, try to ignore the fact that some of these kits are coming out, and when they don't come out on schedule, by then it's too late, they've already done a number on my imagination. I know the kit makers have to attend their national conventions and do "new product" reveals, but that only begins to whet the appetite . . . which I guess is the desired effect . . .

I would love to find out how the rest of you feel about this. I for one--since I am rather OCD (like most of you could not tell this about Doctor Cranky, right?)--cannot get kits that are "coming soon" out of my head. Once I hear (name your favorite kit you are salivatin' for: HUDSON HORNET, '50 CHEVY PICK UP, '48 FORD, etc . . . )that a particular kit is coming out, I get anxious and over anxious anticipating said kit's release. Maybe that's the whole idea behind the manufacturer's announcing a release date: it keeps a whole bunch of us running back to the LHS. Part of me would much rather walk into my LHS and suddenly be surprised that a kit is already out. God knows, I've burned my finger tips looking up the "Just Arrived!" selections at MODEL ROUND UP. But the waiting really does a number on me. ANNOUNCE or NOT ANNOUNCE? Or perhaps the manufacturers should pre-release a kit to a select few distributors (like MODEL ROUNDUP) early and let those of us, the most deranged and desperate, have access to a kit . . . I don't know but I hope I'm not the only one frustrated sitting on the edge of my seat.

Jairus, you are right, Chuck is one of those builder up high in the pantheon whose work is always jaw-dropping, eye-popping, AND very inspirational. I think MCM is going fabulous work because the articles, the builders, the subject matter stays fresh, cutting edge, and more importantly VARIED. It's the only magazine really that is brave enough to do articles on things like RAT RODS, Post Apocalypse Builds, Farming and Heavy Equipment, etc . . . Keep up the great work, Harry and Gregg!

You are not the only one, Chuck! LOL.

A smooth, clean ride. Beautiful!

I like this model. Clean and very well built. Excellent color too. Nice job.

Nice, nice, nice . . . EYEGORE likes it!

In that color and in those wheels it is going to look nice and classy. Keep it going.

Hum, no I have not but then again my files are not dirty right now . . . but this is a great possibility.

Thanks, Big Kahuna! These look sweet. I guess I'll have to start another piggy bank in the Lab-RAT-ory to cover the costs for this one!

That sparkly orange is sweet. Nice job. And it's always a great idea to have great backdrops to photograph your models against.

That black color looks great! Nice job.

Wow, that's one monster engine. Nice job!