Dr. Cranky

Delighted you guys are enjoying Jim's work. I actually wrote him to let him know we were all admiring his build in progress, so I hope he'll jump in and answer some of our questions. He's one of those builders who stays a few steps ahead of the game when it comes to imagination and skill.

No only a cool, sweet model, but some great photography skills too! Double congrats!

I buy 2oz-4oz plastic bottles (pretty cheap by the hundred) with york caps and I transfer all my paints to them . . . the bottles make for easy pouring and little mess, plus they really do a fantastic job if you are using your airbrush . . .

Raul, this is not my Merc. It's being built in Utah by my buddy Jim "Hollywood" Fernandez. Dub, I agree with you, we are only just starting to scratch the surface of what is possible with this new kit. I think it will be remembered as THE best of ONE OF the best of 2007.

Oh, man, I love it . . . the pictures are a little burry, but the model kicks @#$! And you are in Miami Beach . . . very cool. I'm over in Key Biscayne . . . great to know there are other rat rod fanatics in South Florida! Very cool build, buddy. Congrats.

From the imagination of my friend out in St. George, Utah, comes a rare and orinal 49 Merc . . . it's still in progress, but you can tell this one is going to be mean and nasty . . . you can almost see it barrelling down the salt flats . . . To check out the pictures, you can visit Jim "Hollywood" Fernandez's fotki archives . . . enjoy . . . http://public.fotki.com/shrimpee/my_model_...vell-1949-merc/

A clean, clean, beatiful build . . . I love it . . . goes to show you how even at its least flashy this kit still rocks! Great job!!! I likes it!

That's a clean build . . . sweet . . . love the colors too!

That's some great weathering I love all the rot in the pans and panels . . . very good job.

You did it!!! Beautiful. I love it . . . and you did a great job with the pastels too . . . nice and subtle in places, not overdone. Very cool. Congrats, buddy.

I think the definition of good kits begin with the Monogram 50 Ford Pick Up, Revell 41 Willys, and the new Revell 49 Merc . . . it's a pleasure to open those kits and just admire the great work that went into them . . .

It's looking very cool. I likes it very much. Keep up the great, steady work.

Both of those kits you have built are tough ones even for seasoned builders, so you have to pat yourself on the back for having built them and they look good. Bill G. is right on the mark about the paint . . . Nobody on this planet has starting building models and come off the starting block building great-looking models . . . it's a learning process and that's where the fun is . . . I say if you have the bug to keep building, you will see what amazing progress you will make over the years . . . oh, and remember to keep these two in your collection so that a few years from now you can look back and say: WOW, I've really come far in this hobby!!! Congrats & cheers.

It is looking great. I like the chop and the compactness of it . . . very cool build in progress. I can't wait to see more.

The coolness factor is high with this one . . . you are really making great progress . . . it's going to stand out . . . for sure. Great stuff, keep it going!

Great details . . . it looks like its turning out to be a beauty!!!

My only wish for this next round of Holidays coming up is to see some progress, J. Not hinting and I am mindful and respectful you are one busy man!!! Cheers, V.

I likes the smooths, clean build!!!

Man, I'm really enjoying all the progress you are making . . . remember the trick to good weathering is not to overdo it . . . I think you are doing great . . . wonderful to watch you go!!!

Looking great . . . I love the way it is coming together. Keep it going.

Hey, you are making great progress . . . I think tan or sand color for the interior would look pretty good . . . keep it going, after you get back from work. Cheers.

Wow, that's a neat build . . . I love it. Innitially I thought you had used a bullet casing . . . . that's very cool!

It's coming along really well, and you have made a world of progress . . . I think this one is going to fit on the WAY-COOL shelf . . . I can't wait to see more . . . maybe after you eat lots of turkey and take a 2-day nap, you'll have all the energy in the world!!!

That's it!!! That's looking mean and low . . . very cool. You are ablaze with a great build in progress. Keep it going. As the Boss says in his famous song: "You are heading for home!!!" Glory Days . . .

Oh, that's nothing, my friend . . . I have several kits I bought here and there of some of these models, and you'd not believe how amazing they are. In fact, they are so overwhelming I've never build one . . . they make Tamiya look like preschoolers' work . . . You know, it does bring up the issue of how we tend to influence each other as builders, and where your influence comes from . . . I mean, there's nothing new under the sun, but I like to think I can steal and borrow until I'm so darn fertile with good ideas I will explode. Dub, I did not mean to cut into your thread here, but I think it's important to note how we keep egging each other to build more and better!