Jordan White

Minneapolis, MN...quite a ways away from Tennessee!

Just visited probably the largest model store I've been to... (This was just the model cars isle!) And I stumbled across this for $75. It's an Otaki brand 1/12 scale Mercedes 450SLC AMG If the drier dials don't give it away, here's my hand for size reference. Instructions and inside of box. Kit looks very detailed, has opening hood, trunk, and doors. Honestly, this is personally my holy grail of kit finds and I can't wait to build it!

We have to get the word out, but unfortunately it seems that Gregg doesn't care about it enough to point people towards it. I've said in another thread about this that in addition to the links, there needs to be a thread for people to list what they are selling as well so people here can get an idea of what they would find there (and also to update others as to when new stuff is added).

What sort of sandpaper? I know that when I use primer, it generally has a roughness to it to allow the paint to adhere better.

^From what I've seen, the two-axle twin-car haulers are sporting dual wheel setups. The triple axle trailers usually just have single wheel setups.

Yeah I knew about that one, I meant that they could do it again with the glue kit.

I have a suggestion that Revell should do, since they've only done a snap version of it (correct me if I'm wrong)...that kit is the AM General Hummer (H1). I'm currently doing a rebuild of the snap version (thankfully with the stock beadlock wheels and off-road tires), and have been thinking how cool it would be to have a glue kit with opening hood, separate engine-drivetrain-suspension systems, maybe some off-road options, and a system to allow a person to build any one of the 4 styles offered (not including the fastback, unless they make a military version as well): pickup, 4dr softtop, 4dr hardtop, and wagon. The setup would be similar to that of the CJ-7 kit, where there's a separate wagon roof, pickup roof (with inserts for floor and sides), 4dr hardtop extension (with pickup roof), and of course separate doors that can be added, or left off. Other than the snap kit, and I believe only some military kits, this subject has never been made in model form, and I think would be a popular kit. Heck, if they really wanted to be money hogs, they could re-release it with DUBS or as the H1 Alpha version, with alloy wheels and the other newer parts since the body didn't really change over the years. Hey, one can only dream, right?

I still prefer Easy Off for stripping chrome. It'll strip it off in about 10 minutes and seems to take off the undercoat as well.

Agree with Barry, a length like that would definitely need three axles. Otherwise, coming along great!

If you're asking how they made the 4 door Broncos, they basically just took a crew cab F-250 or F-350, cut off the bed and back of the cab, shortened the frame a bit, and added the back end of a Bronco. Centurion Customizers was the name of the company that did the conversions.

Okay, if that's the case then that's good to hear. Like I said, I don't have an airbrush but would like to chrome paint parts.

I found a can of Alclad spray paint that says it's for Lexan. Would that work on plastic as well, or would it be too "hot"? Reason I ask is I don't have a airbrush so I can't use the bottled stuff.

Cool! Once I get the kit I'll get started. I've already picked out the green I'm going to use, and the wheels are going to be a set of 17" Fujimi gold wire wheels that I just received.

Yes, if you plan on building more 4x4s, I would suggest bookmarking Jeff's first link. It's come in handy for me numerous times.

Alright if I join? I've got a '96 Impala SS coming and a set of wire wheels on hand and was planning on making a lowrider with it.

That looks awesome! And yeah, I also thought the wheels looked a bit small, though they do measure out to around 18-19" scale. Edit: Actually it's the tires that are short. Stock 295/45R18 tires are approximately 28" tall, whereas the kit tires only scale out to around 24-25" tall.

Cussler's books are certainly a great read, I've read all the Dirk Pitt and Kurt Austin books, besides the newest ones, and a couple of the Oregon series as well. I noticed it hasn't been mentioned yet, but a series that I would suggest everyone to check out is the "Destroyermen" series, by Taylor Anderson. The overall story arc is a WWII US destroyer that gets sucked into a storm and brought into a different world where an ongoing war is occurring between two strange races, and the US destroyer helps the "good" side attempt to defeat the "evil" by taking technology from their timeline and applying it in the new world. It's great for people who like the whole "into a new world" storyline, as well as people who are into the Navy and Navy stories. Taylor actually uses plenty of factual information in his stories, but makes them very entertaining as well. I believe at this point there are 7 books out in stores.

Closest you might come is the wheels from the Dukes Charger kit or any other turbine-spoke wheels you come across (A-team van perhaps?)

Yup, it's a somewhat basic kit. However if it's what you want, then that's good to hear.

You gonna keep it red, or do you have another color in mind?

Monster van is freakin' awesome! As for the suspension, I'd suggest perhaps making some coilovers and a 4 link...of course, if you want simple, then go leafs.

Well that's the beauty of public television, it is sponsored by viewers like you!

Seems like for a photoshoot, the owner could just take a rag to the chrome and clean it up a bit.

You using the TTB from one of the Bronco kits, or are you going solid axle? (My guess is the latter due to the height).

Might be a little tougher to have a TV show since the railroaders and 1:1 guys can actually use their builds in action, whereas with model cars they would just sit on a shelf. However, it would be cool to have a show where each episode is a different model show where the camera will show off the different builds and talk to some of the builders. There could also maybe be a segment each week that does a review of a model kit.