Dr. Cranky

Like it? Like it? J, I look at it everyday and drool! Yours is one of those vehicles that got Cranky CRANKED!

Jim, it's honorable and generous of you.

Gee, Jim, if that many people are using the book, I hope you are getting some residuals headed your way. Copyright is more important than ever because I whole new generation has grown up believing all content is free and should be shared for free.

Mike, I think it's some sort of Holy Grail of Rust & Gunk, but you know Harry, not even battery cables to his toes will make him reveal ancient secrets.

Since it's obvious I don't know zilch about cars, I always react with my guts, and my reaction to this one is that I would want to have it as is than not at all . . . besides, once the Dr. puts it on the slab and brings out the electric turkey slicer . . . who knows what will happen. What I am saying it that I'm already Cuckoo for Hornet Puffs!

Terry, you are right about the copper . . . heck, most houses in Florida that have been foreclosed on get raided and vandalized for the stuff. It's like gold. Yes, this place is still functioning, keeping in mind that the good Doctor is constantly working in his Lab-Rat-Ory! If you pronounce that fast it sounds like the word we all know and love!

I could not help mocking up the building once again. As you can see, I already have the windows and the doors in primer . . . and I will paint them first because I have to get them right before I move on . . . Also, if you want to know how I built the lights, I will tell ya. Once again I used the backs of craft store earrings, and some left over Scrabble letters I had. The stackable Scrabble game pieces which are plastic . . . and I magnetize them all . . . 12 lights in all. I initially thought of gluing them down and straight, but then again what's the fun of not being able to put it up and then take it all down and store it away . . . besides I like the look of the lights all out of whack . . . once painted, they should look pretty cool, I think . . . This is like my favorite shot, and it makes me get excited with the anticipation of taking this same shot outside in sunlight . . .

No, Harry, the reason you and I work together so well is that you keep me on your toes, and you don't let Cranky get away with anything. I'm glad you are always there with a strong, critical eye, besides, how the heck are we supposed to learn if everything we hear is complimentary? Now, having said that, I spent the last 4 hours building these to meet you half way . . . I hope it is slightly better, and you be the judge. Ah, what book? What are you talking about? HEY HARRY, LET THERE BE LIGHTS!!!

Of course, I can always hang more from the trusses . . . like this:

These were the lights I was thinking about, Harry . . .

Harry, you caught me, I guess that would be true, but if you know anything about the way Cranky works (and you should by now) you would know that Cranky takes poetic license wherever he can . . . but you did not look close enough, each of those lights has those new curlycue light bulbs that put out 150 watts of power! I guess it would not be too hard to make some fluorescent lights!

Thanks, maties. Yes, this is going to be a Jekyll and Hyde type of structure, if all goes well . . . Here's yet another sign I played with today . . . trying to get a better handle on the crackling . . . for some reason the signs are getting gunkier and more beat up--is this a sign for what's to come? I started with 1/2" stick on lettering from Office Depot, primered them, and then added white paint, and melted Utee on the surface for that bubbly glass look (trying to get to that porcelain look) and then some chipping . . .

I also added some extra structural details to the side wall so that it didn't look so flimsy . . . we'll see what it will all look like when the painting starts . . . I am still trying to find reference pics of how metal siding deteriorates . . .

Thanks, Clay. Cranky's just having fun, that's all . . . Here's the latest progress installment . . . I made a whole bunch of light fixtures with styrene, metal tubing and the backs of earrings from the craft store, then I placed a little magnet so that I can hang up and take down the lights without too much fuss . . . I added a nail to the posts and voila, instant lights . . . I still have to add a few touches here and there . . .

Very interesting technique with lots of potential. This model will stand out in your collection, that's for sure.

Trust me when I tell you there are going to be lots of props for this one . . . including puddles, yes, a few here and there . . . and gunk puddles too. Harry, the trusses come like that. Plastruct makes them, and they sure know how to price them. They are more expensive than the sheets of styrene because they know no one in their right mind would sit there and scratch build them. I am sure many modelers have, but not Dr. Cranky. He's on a mission! I am working on some lights (non- working lights) and other things, so stay tuned in for more progress pics . . .

Cranky likes it! More, more, more.

Thanks, C. I've been thinking of exactly that color and also perhaps a light green . . . something that goes well with both white, concrete, and sand colors . . . I really appreciate your comments. I should have more progress in the coming days . . .

Ehobbies is going to carry it a lot cheaper than the rest the competition, at 22.99 or something like that instead of the 28.99.

it's great to see wonderful automobile dios done in 1/87th scale.

Wow, Wheelman, these places are amazing eye candy, but they are also scary and sad . . . possibly the perfect setting for the end of the world. Not only in Russia, but I am sure there are plenty of places like this in the USA. Thank you for the great resources.

Thanks, Wheelman, I really appreciate it . . . I'll check them all out . . . Jim, Gatorboard appears easy to cut at first, but you'll go through a whole bunch blades before you know it . . . a utility knife works well, but you have to have a steady hand or you can sideways before you know it . . .

Thanks, Jim . . . and by the way, if anyone has reference pictures of warehouse siding (not corrugated tin siding) I would love for you to share it with me here . . . I am looking for ideas for paint color and weathering when the time comes. Thanks in advance.

I've already made up my mind that I will get a dozen of these and spend a year building them all in a row!

Very cool. Yes, there are lots of cool ways of upholstering interiors!