Dr. Cranky

Impressive body work. Can't wait to see more!!!

What? You are not flying first class? What kind of corporate credit do you have? Well, if you are in coach, that little table makes a good temporary workbench.

There's still over 50 days left, which means you can still join the other two dozen builders who have already thrown in their hats. Don't miss out on the fun, chaps . . .

Just think of all the neat gifts you can buy the top posters on this forum with all your clocked miles!!! Some of us just want more of that Kona Lion Coffee!!!

That's a good question. I gotta finish up some shiny builds next. I have a hankering for glossy paint, if you can believe that!

Next thing you know you'll be building models up that high!!! Watch the elbows, buddy. But they won't let you use an Xacto knife. Well, you can file down parts.!

No, keeping the bench clean is really never a priority over building, but a year's worth of not cleaning catches up with you. It just feels good to keep it clean once in a while, even if it is once a year.

Those are ready-made Preiser figures. I always keep a few around to spice up the photo taking!

LOL!!! You should have seen how much salt I swept off the floor!

Here are some fun pics you might enjoy . . . Sometimes a vehicle in the right part of the beach can attract all the right element . . . of course, what's the guy in the leather jacket doing there? He drove over from work to see how the waves were doing and with this much action, he just might change into his wetsuit and . . . I think they are saying, well, you only brought one surfboard . . .. Oh, that's much better . . . but someone has to sit it out . . .

The stairs lead to the small loft where I keep all my finished builds out of harms way and dust, etc . . .and it used to be the place where I had my workbench, but the going up and down got to be too much on my knees. The door marked BEWARE OF DOG is my paint room storage . . .

I let the bench go to disarray all year long, and now it's time to clean it up . . . so I took a break from building and gave it a good cleaning. 8 hours later, I am ready to start building something new . . . There's no feeling like having a clean and tidy workbench. Makes Cranky happy and proud!!!

Thanks, everyone . . . hey I spent the day cleaning up the workbench. I will post some pictures of Cranky's Workshop in a seperate thread, but I also took the liberty and snapped some fun pics I think you guys will enjoy . . . Stay tuned in, amigos!!!

That's what I like about you guys, you keep me honest. Oky. I will have to bite the bullet and get over my lazyness . . . stay tuned in for more progress pics . . .

Here is a round of eye-level pics . . . and tomorrow I will have a surprise in store . . . for those of you who say this is not a diorama!!! Gee, I messed up with that silver Sharpie . . . and I am missing the hatch handle . . . it's funny how things jump out at you in pictures . . . which is a good thing. Good reminder.

Yeah, it's missing a radiator hose, and the spark plug wires, which are invisible!

Here's a picture of the back with some extra added details just to spice up the story. The notch marks, I guess, are the number of perfect waves this dude has caught. What? Perfect waves in Florida? Yeah, they are if you catch them during the hurricanes!!! Surf's Up, maties!!!!

BTW--the surf board is one I found in my spare parts bin and it is NOT going to be the surfboard for this build . . . I am only using it for the mock up pics . . .

All right, we are getting just a few steps closer to the finishing line . . . here are some more progress picstures . . . hope you enjoy them . . . I still need to attach the radiator hose . . . But see, J, there is an engine in there afterall!!!

Thanks, Harry. You are always on the ball. Gee, if now I can finish my book, then I can refer everyone to it . . . Well, my friends, stay tuned in for one final round of in-progress build pics . . . this one is almost finished except for a few details . . . and then I am going to take a round of glamor shots tomorrow . . . Again, THANK YOU, everyone who cheerlead me on . . . and to Jairus and Harry for keeping me on my toes!

Actually, Kitbash, I think you can try it with the ruddy brown primer, wait for it to dry, and then spraymist some water, add the salt, then put your topcoats on. In order to achieve more subtle changes and variety to the rust, I've been stippling some reds, orange, and yellows to the rust, then I apply the salt. For a more detailed explanation check out the issue of MCM where the salt method was originally published. Good luck and have fun with this technique.

I've always had a soft spot for those 62s Imps. Great job so far. Those CDs are the perfect interior touches!!!

I guess you know me too well, Jairus. Actually, no, I built the engine box stock . . . which is fine since the whole thing has so many details . . . I painted the engine green because I wanted to use up some more body color . . . I was tired of making all my Chevy engines orange or red/orange. A little variety, you know. Thank you all for all the comments. Today while waiting for all the washes to dry, I started in on a simple sandy beach base . . . so that the model can be showcased . . . we'll see how everything will go tomorrow. Once again, your comments always make building all the more fun!!! Bless y'all!!!

Not a problem, buddy. I appreciate your generosity. This will be perfect, besides I am not done with all the details just yet!!!

Cranky likes it!!! Cranky thinks you are making progress!!! Cranky happy!!!