Foxer

I just took apart a couple of Porsches looking like that ... "melty" IS an appropriate word! I also discovered from a thread here that paint thinner can help soften glued joints ... somewhat, but not too much in ones like on the exhaust. Still, thinner has become another tool in my dis-assemblies.

There are many methods to making a rusted look. Our own Dr. Cranky has a book out that will show you many techniques. Look thru the books offered there by AK Interactive also concerning weathering. There have been many threads here covering this subject .. search the forum for rust. here's one

I have one of these but have a lot of trouble getting a square cut. It seems too flexible and the blade twists or something and the cut doesn't stay square to the length. It's probably me, but I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'd love to hear any tricks to using it from those who are successful with it.

Is orange Jello alright? ... I like the "Sundown" looks it gives ...

Very nice, Harry!

Nice photos, Brian. It shows the quality of cameras today and money isn't important in this either ... just making sure it does what you need. DSLR's are for hobbyists ... and pros ... for the most part, and when you have one there's no other option than the right lens for that camera.

I agree with you 100%!

I really like it!

The saucer looks a little generic ... it's a GM-Mars Saucer? ... what's the mileage?, HP?, how many passengers? Your builds are such fun, Ira ... and looking great!

I have a Nikon DSLR and use it for taking photos of my models, as I've used 35mm SLR's for over 50 years. Closeups are one of my favorite subjects. I've used many devices for closeups over the years ... screw on closeup lenses, extension tubes, bellows and all serve their purpose. I currently use a 90mm macro lens like you're asking about. Most of these devices can be differentiated by cost ... all work but the best are definably at the higher end. I like the 90mm lens because it allows me to get back from the subject to frame it properly and not have the front of the lens almost touching the subject. Closeup lenses also allow you to set the f-stop to smaller openings than a normal lens for greater depth-of-field ... something you want for sure on a model. My lens goes to f32 and gets the whole 1/25 model in focus. I understand what you're saying about your regular zoom lens ... most of those aren't meant to focus very close. I use an 18-200mm for most everything, but it sucks taking closeup model photos. If it's in your budget, DO get this lens ... you will never be sorry!

That's some beautiful work!

First model? ...I'm VERY impressed ... that's impressive detail and body painting!

I always knew there was something suspicious about Tupperware ...

I just recently had to take apart a couple gluebombs and came across a trick I'd never seen ... submitted in an old thread by our own, lovable, George53 ... use paint thinner to soften the tube glue. It really worked! I used thinners I had ... lacquer and enamel and the enamel seemed to work best. It's not a complete dissolving of the glue but helped loosen the joint a lot.

A few mockups ... I must have changed a camera setting as these are pretty poor photos, but were enough to see .. This is the kit tires in front and the larger Mercury's in the rear. I'm going with this but will be easy to use either in the end. The Fuchs are stripped and looks like a lot of sleeving to get them mounted using the sleeves of the kit wheels. The interior with 924 dash and console looks pretty good. Might end with a bit more space between glass and dash but it will all be black and won't show much. This was SUPPOSED to be a simple build!

Not sure how these links showing colors will help .. Some factory restorations ... http://www.porsche.com/usa/accessoriesandservices/classic/garage/reference/911factoryrestoration/finish http://www.porsche.com/international/accessoriesandservice/classic/garage/reference/911factoryrestoration/finish/ http://www.porsche.com/international/accessoriesandservice/classic/garage/reference/911factoryrestoration/ Shroud colors.. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/31223-what-engine-shroud-colors.html

It's grand theft not putting this out for the PC right away!!

I appreciate your eye put to the look of this. I'm sure the rin will look smaller once the center is painted black. It got me into some scaling, as much as possible with a photo. It's really more using ratios. With a good straight on photo of a known 15" '84 rim I ended up with 4.3" for the sidewall dimension ... this is from the middle of the rim edge where the actual 15" rim size would be close to. Measuring the sidewall of the stock kit tires I get 3.4" and the Mercedes tire measures 4.32". This matches the ratioed dimension off the photo pretty well. The outside diameter of a 215/60-15 tire on 6.5" wide rims is 25.1" ... the diameter doesn't change much with wider rims, thanks to the Tire rack. The kit tire measures 223.8" od while the Mercedes tire is 24.9" od. So the Merc tire seems to match best, at least as close as I can get without a 944 out in the garage. The kit tire does look a lot better than I thought it was in the photo above. The rear tires on my 944 were a size larger .. actually 235/ "something" - 15, but I had to go back to the 225's when I replaced them due to rubbing issues. It actually might look more correct using the kit tires in front and the Merc tires in the rear. I'll have to see when I can mock up the tires on the body.

The tires are set I think. I got the rims o-man sent and they are just right! They even scale out to about 15". The kit tires are a bit large as far as the rims go .. they are 17" in the kit. The sidewalls are too skinny though .. my 944 had 60 profile tires while the kit uses 50 series. I found tires on a Tamiya Mercedes 500 SL that look right. The interior diameter is also slightly smaller and will fit better also. Here's a shot of the wheels and tires I need on an '84 944 ... ............................................................... missing photo and here's the rims with the kit tires on the left and the 500 SL tires on the right.

I've always been a fanatic for realism to the point that it causes me to rarely finish a project. But, that doesn't make me sad because I care more about working out how I can make a part more realistic than finishing the project as a whole. This is just me as the same dedication to realism affected me when I was creating 3D scenes and had the same trouble finishing those!

That's pretty small and looks good. Probably one at that scale that doesn't look over sized on your shelf!

Whatever this is, it needs to be lowered!

yes ... Porsches WERE harmed in this process! The junkyard just keeps donating ... a 924 gave up it's console and dash a Testors 944 burped up an inner fender for my '91 build.

Next time I have a wreck, I'm taking it to YOUR body shop! Wonderful bodywork there!

That's looking VERY good ... especially the engine bay!