Dr. Cranky

Those clear containers are a great idea, and I just can't believe you paid five cents for each of them. Wow!!!

Yes, but envision it with a tank engine on the rear . . .

J--I really like the name of Ghost Rod . . . but also, if you look around some of those WWII tanks, the guys would often give them interesting names, just like the airplanes . . . and one of those might work too . . . Like Demolisher, etc . . . this thing is going to be wild for sure . . . I can feel it.

What Grandmaster Truckster Funkster J doesn't know is that as we follow along we are all building the same creature . . . this is like watching that Bob What'sHisName? The tv artist who painted those landscapes and the old folks followed along . . .yeah, that's what we are going. This could easily be a show . . . BUILDING TRUCKSTERS (ONE DAY AT A TIME) WITH YOUR FRIEND JAIRUS WATSON!

Yeah, yeah, THAT'S IT!!! That's the one I remembered. Great job . . . very cool . . . It's builds like these that put smiles on our faces!!! Patience is my middle, name Swammi Master Zen Jairus . . . and though I cannot take the pebble from your hand just yet, I will sooner or later!

J--I hope you remember to discuss the issue of pinning along the way . . . not trying to nag you about it or anything, but it's such an important part of this build, in particular with that big engine . . . regardless of where you end up putting it: front or back . . .

Well, J--it sounds like you've got your work cut out for you . . . in terms of making a decision . . . not that it should be up for a vote, or anything. It is your build and I think whatever you opt for is still going to look pretty sick . . . killer, as I like to say . . . I think the kid you are talking about would have read the mags of the time, like Rod & Custom, etc . . . or belonged to a club where his buddies would have ran the same questions by him, and given him suggestions . . . at the end of the day, it's still his decision . . . How's that for waffling?

Man, that sounds cool too, but can you imagine and extra suicide seat up front . . . of yeah, that would be quite a ride! I like the idea of the panels covering most of the front . . .

Man, I love this one too . . . though I would agree that though it is not a rat rod, it definitely cries out for a speed record attempt at Bonneville . . . great build . . . and most definitely a keeper!

Wait, if you put the engine in the back, what would you fill the gap in the front with? Humm . . . yeah, this one is definitely going to keep you thinking for a while . . .

In the back would look just downright wicked! Yeah, and can you see the exhaust pipes, rusting, the whole thing would the really be something . . . and with such power you might require some anti-wheelie bars too . . .

Man, those are some gorgeous pictures, J--pure eye candy, as I see it . . . . you seem to be really deep into the character of this dude who would put together such a monster . . . and all you logic behind his build is solid . . . personally, my preference would be to keep this engine . . . but I also see how it just might not fit in given the nature of your concerns about it . . . It also reminds me of one of your illustrations of a car with an airplane engine and propeller in the back . . . from a few years ago . . . would this tank engine not be better on a heavier vehicle, or in the rear of a vehicle . . . closer to the cab . . . . Just ideas . . . in any case, you are making some amazing progress here . . .

You know, the more I look at the way you've set this up, the more I believe it's got all that whiplash, look-at-me-NOW, gotcha factor . . . how could it not . . . it's a frankestein in its own right . . . I get the feeling you don't particularly care much for chrome . . . which in these kinds of builds gets in the way, but could be used as subtle accents . . .

Nice, smooth ride. Love it.

Well, if the tank is a 1/35th, I guess he is making it fit via poetic liscense . . . which is very cool . . . but I wonder if they ever made 1/24th tanks? In any case, this is turning out to be a fabulous build . . . can't wait to see more of it coming together . . . . it looks like you've found all the basic elements, J.

Oh, man, this is getting too good to just stand by and watch . . . I feel like I need to do something, build something . . . totally inspiring, unfortunately, I threw out my back this morning carrying one of my dogs . . . so between the pain killers and this tank engine, I think I am in fantasy land!!! Jairus, you sure know how to cook up some amazing stuff . . .

It sounds like you are a styrene poet . . . listening to music, drinking beer (with tea! ) and building your new project as steadily as can be . . .and you are getting great results there . . . parts-box-raiding has always appealed to me, and often, on these forums, it's lead to an intense discussion between the no, no, no-don't-open-the-kit-to-build-it folks and those of us who were born to be junk yard rats and would steal a part even from the most precious keeper-kit . . . You got the stance right and the wheel/tire combination looks killer . . . keep it going, buddy . . . you are on a roll!

That's gonna look cool. Man, as is you've made more progress than most folks do on a new project . . . I hope you will take pictures of both the individual elements and how they fit together . . . in another place you had discussed how you "pin" your parts together . . . man, the more info on that the more we'll all learn . . . I mean, the concept is revolutionary . . . at a time when I did most of my mockups by using water based glues . . . You can take a donkey to water, make him drink, but he'll never become a horse!!!

I think that'd make it interesting . . . . hum . . . I hope you are making good progress, J . . . and don't worry I am not holding my breath or anything . . . . I'm actually looking forward to see how you are gonna drop that engine . . .

Your great build makes me want to build something shiny and smooth . . . wonderful job. Keep it going.

I love the way this build is turning out . . . I think you've done a great, clean job with it and the colors . . . excellent.

Hey, Robin, is that you? Man, that's great to have you around . . . we met a few times over at the BAMA show . . . you are making great progress on those trucksters . . . keep 'em comin'

Thanks, Parki--yeah, I love building what I call "backdrops" to shoot my models on . . . here's one of my all-time favorites . . . which I built from a few pictures out of a magazine a couple of years ago . . . Check out my Fotki archives if you want to see how this one was put together from the beginning . . . thanks and enjoy!

SWEET! Now, that's what I'm talking about . . . I love to see where the builders get their inspiration and work flow from. I really appreciate it, J . . . your generous spirit! Man, you've got a whole paint rack--that's awsome!!!

Thanks, gents . . . I took Frankie outside and shot it on my old street diorama (exactly why I had build it several years ago, so I can take these kinds of pictures) and brought out my Nikon D-80, which I am still learning to use . . .