peekay

Very nicely done Richard! All your refiements really make the model pop. I've got a 58 Impala from Classic Metal Works nearly finished.

Very nice model from you again Krishna.

Nice! Love the colours. Can you get PPG paints in NZ or do you order them from the US?

Wouldn't have thought that possible but you really captured the cartoon look - bet the kids love it!

Wonderful! I've never seen nicer boats in this scale (and I love the Olds too)!

Wonderful! Another one for your museum.

Wow, you really have over-the-top skills! This looks totally real in all photos.

Wonderfully realistic model and a great story, eloquently told.

Thanks again everybody. Although I'm extremely flattered by the comparison I have to also say that Juha comes from another planet. He's a wizzard who can turn a Chevy into a Studebaker: I just paint and assemble the kit as best I can and add (or subtract) a few details.

For those of you who don't know these kits, they came with ALL parts prepainted, ready to assemble. The grille recesses were blackened, the scripts finely tampo printed and the chassis detailed with overspray etc. The paint, while certainly not perfect, was probably better than the average hobbyist would achieve. All chrome trim was done in silver, which was the first thing I sorted - with BMF, of course. I also added wiring and minor paint details under the hood, Modelhaus tyres, an antenna and new number plates but that's it. They weren't on the market long and I haven't seen any others up close but I was amazed at the bang for buck this one offered. You have to wonder wether they were profitable or not. The only thing I didn't like about the kit was the windows with their very visible attachment points and distortion. And of course a couple of E400 decals would have been nice. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

You're probably right on both counts. Getting into spray painting can present a major hurdle to the young modeller. There might be the willingness to learn but it can create chaos if you don't know what you're doing - and Mum isn't going to like it. Everything else can be done on the kitchen table with minimum mess and fuss. Round2 have recognized this and now bring out two versions of some models, one in white, the other in colour. (eg. the Opel GT) And yes, polishing an unpainted model to a high standard can take at least as long, if not longer, than painting one. But being a complete styrene addict, I like working with bare plastic and there's something about the finished look that appeals to me. But you won't often find a suitable cadidate - most kits are molded in the colour "Drab" and when you do find one in a colour you like it has to be swirl-free and not need any filler.

Hi Stan, good to have another NZer on board.

Oh yes, very nice! How you did the window frames is impressive. I once drove one of these from Zürich to Frankfurt. Only being able to do 75kmh on the German autobahn was frightening! Every truck had to overtake me.

Thanks so much everybody! Al, yes, it's a TV, came with the kit and there was a telephone too. Chris, yes but I also wish there were more English classics in this scale. Bob, Johan engineered this kit to have poseable steering and it's nicely done. When I do this myself it's less nicely done - not prototypical, just functional, ie. not meant to be seen. The one's I've done this to have then had the whole chassis painted flat black and my camera won't do a useable shot of this.

I have just started photographing my models for the first time using a Canon EOS 400D camera. I can't get sharp enough focus so I'm thinking of buying a Canon EF 100mm F.28 USM Macro lense for the camera. Would this be a wise choice? If any of you photography freaks have any advice I'm all ears.

Thanks for your comments everybody. Jürgen, the way Swiss banks have been leaking recently I think my models are safer here at home.

Very nice! Looks real in some shots.

Very cool!

That has real class! Welcome back.

Another older curbside, painted with Sikkens base/clearcoat system. A few minor details added, otherwise box stock. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

Thanks for that Jürgen, looks very convincing and I'll give it a go. (That MKII Jag looks amazing! Would love to see more of it.)

Thanks everybody, much appreciated. Yes, jewelry chain hooked up to engine detail wire. Here's a closer shot...

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

Thanks for the comments, very much appreciated.

Thanks for all the comments, very much appreciated.