Chuck Most

The differences were very, very minor. '97's had the NASCAR style exhaust that exited just ahead of the rear wheel. Ford found out this caused discoloration of the wheel from the exhaust fumes, so for '98, the exhaust was extended over the axle and exited out he back in the more customary location just in front of the rear bumper. Both '97 and '98 were otherwise identical, as both years had the same grille and front bumper- The earlier Revel-o-gram kits had this style grille, but as far as I know the only Revell kits with the '99 style grille were the Lightning and Harley Davidson versions. On that '99 style, the bumper was different, the grille 'dipped' down into it a little, and there were different inserts (the Lighting had a mesh setup, while the regular F-150 had the old style 'bar' setup)- That's what kind of throws me- the bumper on this one looks like the '97/'98 style, and since the second-generation Lighting wasn't introduced until '99, and the Revell kit is a '99, and Sonoma says (and I believe him!) all the parts are from the Lightning kits, I don't see how the '97/'98 grille and bumper got into the mix, unless he modified them. But at any rate... I'm really liking the buildup, and yeah, I really think Ford should have built a Super Cab Lighting! (Well, the Harley Editon pretty much was a SuperCab or Super Crew version of the Lightning, but still!) Now if only somebody would do a kit of the new SVT Raptor!

Yep- that new Testors color in the "One Coat" line. Not my favorite, but it does look pretty good on this truck with the cream top, wouldn't you say?

Coming along quite nicely... wow, I need to dust off one of my semi tractor projects. Those lights look killer! ( I would have said "They're illuminating", but I want to earn your laughter. Now pull my finger!)

Very cool- I especially like the use of thread for the piping on the upholstery!

Great buildup of this kit, and I kind of like the color, too, even if it is not correct for the car!

Poorly. Quite poorly, indeed...

Finished up the basic chassis last night- there are still a few widgets and doo-dads to add, but this is bascially it- I also cobbled up a bench seat from scraps of styrene sheet-

Wouldn't want to take that puppy out for a spin on a bright, sunny day!

Found this checking out my e-mail, and I thought maybe at least one other person out there might find it interesting. http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1539/top-head-turning-concept-cars-at-the-paris-auto-show/

So, Tim, I guess you have no use for the '07 now? I'll buy it if you'll sell it cheap enough!

Hey! You must have been that guy!!!! You know, the guy! Who was at Dean's! Buying that stuff. (Fun fact about Dean's- remember the scene in Appolo 13, where Tom Hanks is showing his kid the model rocket? That model rocket came from Dean's! )

Yeah-turned out more than OK!

Great job on a not-so-great kit. Who'd have thought the old Flipper could ever look this good?

Quite a bit of progress lately! Last night, I made up the fuel tank. It's flattened 5/8" brass tubing, with styrene endcaps and filler neck. The frame it sits on is all scraps of Plastruct, and I used photoetched straps and Ma's Resin bolt heads to fasten it with 'leather' belts made from a manilla envelope. But the REAL fun began this morning... I recieved a package from a Mr. Andy Martin containing these wheels... And another package from Steve Kohler at STAR Models containing this... I disassembled the wheels for paint and detailing, and cut open the roof of the T body to open up the interior. In this photo, the Lincoln tire is simply leaned up against the body. I detailed out the wheels, and attached them to a '37 Ford pickup axle. Here's how they looked with the tread sanded, the wheels grimed up, and a spotty dull coat. Then, I cut out the 'breathing holes' for the old banjo axle. I also permanently attached the grenade-knob shifter. Now, I'll have to figure out mounting and orientation of the fuel tank. Then, it'll be on to finishing the frame, weathering the body and , of course, fitting out the interior!

I think I'm going to 'backdate' the front end to an older model, or run a '70's style custom van grille. I'm kind of going for a mildly updated "Shaggin' Wagon" with this one.

The exhaust system in my neighbor's '08 looks quite a bit different than what's supplied in the Revell kits- guess I'll have to ask him if it's aftermarket.

Looking good- I'm really diggin' that McCormick-Deering sign in the first photo!

I'm wondering if the exhaust system will be carryover from the '06 version (and therefore incorrect for a '10)? Won't be a deal breaker for me if it is, though. (Strange as it sounds, I like to display my finished models with the chassis pointed DOWN! )

There's a resin kit of The Car, but I'm surprised Jim Rockford's car isn't in scale! Sure, you can build one from the MPC Blackbird, but it's a wonder no existing plastic kit has ever been produced!

I've had this one in my stash for a while now, but I've finally concocted a plan for it! First off, I've got this crusty old bed from my spares box- which is in the paint stripper as I post this. I have no idea what kit it came from. (Anyone?) And, I've managed to test out some rollers, and the stance- It's a simple old curbside kit, so I think whatever I do will be an easy build, but the sheer "weirdness" of a Transit should make up for any lack of effort on my part!

I'm thinking of building my old 1:1, AND stuffing a big block into another one. Of course, I'll keep ya posted!

I still have to wonder- Round 2, Hawk-Lindberg, and a few Japanese kit makers still include sidewall lettering on at least their reissued kits- what do they know that Revell doesn't?

Just tell us it's the stock, Standard version, which nobody seems to remember. I think the Transit shows some potential...

How about the hearse from "The Hearse"? Or that lime green hearse from "Six Feet Under"? (The lame TV show, not the death metal band.)

I look at it that way too... but we're running out of greedy tire manufacturers, and my truck's gonna need some new rollers soon... Guess I'm going "off brand" this time.