SteveG

Well done Tom !!! ....great color choice too.

While I like several of the other Revell converted diecast kits, especially the 68 Mustang GT 2n1 which is more like a 4n1. This one not so much, I can't get past the body issues. I bought one when they first came out and ended up trading it off. For those who interested, I have photos of the kit contents and comparison photos in my Fotki Album Revell 70 Challenger and 68 Mustang GT Steve

If you like big scale, check out the 1/8th scale Competition Coupe Dragster coming out late this year or early next year. -Steve

I'm pretty sure the 32 Chevy P/U is 1/32nd scale, as for the Stutz Racer it's 1/16th scale. That's one of my box art builds. Here's some photos of it before the decals were added. There is also a Mercedes Racer in the same series, here's some photos of it. You can see more photos of my Lindberg Box Art and Display Models at the link below. Lindberg Build Photos -Steve

Well done Tim, I always enjoy your build ups. Thanks for posting this one. -Steve

I have to admit that it took the deterioration of my eyesight due to age to discover the Optivisor. Now that I have, I also have to admit that I use it see beyond 20/20 when I build. Is that cheating when I'm building something for contest? I'm now at the point where I can't built without it, contest or no contest. I'm assuming I'm not alone in it's use with the over 40 crowd. What I would like to know is how many younger builders and those who don't need any vision correction use the optivisor or other magnification to build. If it's now a standard item on the modelers workbench like a x-acto knife or sandpaper then why can't a judge use it to do his job at a contest? Personally I don't have a problem with it either way if the said Judge needed to use it or not. As for Jim and his editorial, if it was written to spark a healthy debate about the use of magnification and our hobby then so so be it. I say if it's fair to build with it then it's fair to judge with it. I do agree with Art that it would nice to know the reason this specific Judge was using magnification but if you follow my logic then does it really matter? Art, as for your reaction to all this I have to admit that I'm biased. I'm have my own issues with those other folks that I won't mention in a public forum, so I'm probably not the right guy to say if your right or wrong in your position. -Steve

Charlie, It's almost a shame to cover up all that amazing craftsmanship with paint. I'm sure glading your documenting the build up with all those photos. For more of Charlie's incredible work check out his Photobucket Album at the link below. Photos by Firemodeler AKA Chariots of Fire -Steve

Yes, I believe the Tankers are do out real soon too. You get a choice of either plated or painted style tankers kits. They can also be built as a short version too not shown in the catalog. FYI, the Skelly Tanker truck shown above was built by the "Big Rig King" himself, Tim Alhborn. The Yellow and Chrome Tanker was my best effort at Truck Modeling. Tim's probably forgotten more then I know about Model Trucks. -Steve

It's a 1/8th scale prototype that I rebuilt for Lindberg last year based on the Exterimator dragster kit. It was on display at I-hobby Expo in case you missed it. Lindberg Competition Coupe rebuild photos Hit me OTB if you want to know more. -Steve

I'm really enjoying your build up Tim, I can't wait to see it finished. I don't get a chance to build many street rods lately but this looks like a must have kit. -Steve

Lindberg has since acquired their own injection molding facility right here in the USA, it's in Michigan somewhere. They now much better control over the quality so I doubt you'll see the heavy flash issues or that translucent plastic again. Don't forget those kits are all originally IMC tooling from the 60's. The release date is listed as late Sept '09, I'll see if I can find out if it's still on schedule. As far the L700 with the crushed cars, it has been delayed as the overseas tool maker had trouble duplicating the look of the crushed cars, so it's now being tooled up over here last I heard. The L700 with the Box Trailer shown below is due out any time now. -Steve

All the tooling that Testors ran in the HSO series still exists, unfortunately Testors no longer is interested in doing any plastic kits. Lindberg purchased all the kit tooling that Testors had that was in usable condition but the deal did not include the old Johan tooling due to their poor condition. Last I heard is they're still sitting in storage basically in limbo. I doubt we'll ever see them again unless somebody like Dave Burket comes to their rescue. -Steve

James, Great job on that new Revell kit !!!! I also really like that color combination. That's my method too for recharging the batteries. Find an easy kit and just build it !!! -Steve

Try dropping them in 91% rubbing alcohol, the clear paint should come off in no time. That's how I stripped Lindberg's lightbars to repaint them. -Steve

Tom Carter has posted some additional comments on his board regarding the latest news from Revell. Here are some of the highlights. "The ’60 Chevy will have new optional wheels. The ’37 Ford pickup will apparently include a stock grille as well as a custom grille, and the custom one may be what’s suggested on the artwork in the new flier. The ’57 Chevy tool was designed to be able to run this kit as well as the 150 (BW), so the 150 will be able to be run again. BTW, don’t even think about buying the new kit and then claiming the rear seat was missing. The folks at Revell weren’t born yesterday. The ’66 Chevy will undoubtedly borrow the ’65’s chassis, but the rest will be brand new as there’s nothing else that’s shared. The ’30 Ford Phaeton will include some trick new street rod parts. If you want to see variants of the ’72 Cutlass, then buy the heck out of this one to show them there’s a market for more." Click on the link below to see the see his full comments on the Spotlight board. Update on the latest Revell announcements On a related note, for those who already have the Revell 150 (BW) kit, Modelhaus offers a very nice 4 dr sedan conversion kit, a separate back seat to convert the 2dr Utility into a Standard 150 and correct Dog Dish caps. -Steve

This was just posted on the Spotlight forum. Looks like great news !!!! Latest news from Revell -Steve

I just finished the AMT R/T version and the separate grille did make it easy to paint. I see the Revell kit does have the black-out guide on the windows which was a real pain on the AMT kit. It looks to me that those who were waiting for Revell's full detail kit won't be disappointed. It will be interesting to see both these kits built up and side by side. -Steve

I used some of Duplicolors brush touch up Chrysler Black Crystal Pearl that I thinned out with PPG mid-temp lacquer thinner, then I shot it through my air brush. I let it gas out for a few days then top coated it with Duplicolors gloss clear coat. I'm very pleased with how it came out. Overall I think it's a nice kit and a good value for the money although the all vinyl seats didn't impress me. Also there is no guide to black out the window edges. My biggest complaint is with the Decal sheet. All the grille and R/T badging just disappeared when applied over black paint. I ended up using a combination of decals from "Mike's Speed Shop and "The Last Detail" even though I'm still missing the Challenger badge for the passenger side of the grille, I think I got the "Classic style" trim I was after. So if your looking for a quick and fun kit to recharge your batteries, or need a cool canvas to try out some new paint like I did then this kit for you. For those that want something more challenging (no pun intended) the Revell full detail will be out very soon. -Steve

I finally got my 09 Challenger RT kit form my LHS over the weekend. As far as I can tell, the only differences between the two kits contents are the decals and the wheels. So if your doing factory stock I guess it would depend on which version you want to do. If your going to customize it with different wheels and your own graphics it probably doesn't really matter. I'm doing mine as Pearl Black RT version. It's already in paint so I'll post a photo once it's polished out. -Steve

Thanks Dave !!! Your photos are always great, I have searched your Fotki albums on many occasions. It's interesting, I've seen photos of about a dozen different CHP slicktop Chargers and this is the first one that I noticed where the paint appears to be Black Metallic instead of pure black. The Florida Highway Patrol Cars appear to be the same way. There's a Flickr Photo Group dedicated to the Charger Police cars with over 400 photos that have been very helpful to me including more of the CHP cars. Dodge Charger Police Cars Also, here's the link to Dave's Fotki photo sharing site. If you've never checked it out your missing a lot !!! SoCalCarCulture -Steve

I got an email from one of my favorite online retailers they are arriving on Monday. They are already on evilbay and you can also "buy now" right on the AMT - MPC website. I think I'm going to wait until my LHS gets them. I wonder who will be first to post the contents here? I know some guys are going to pass on them because they are curbside kits, but not me. I think they are are great way to recharge the batteries, or try out a new paint or color. They are a still glue kit, not snap together. These kits remind me of the old AMT Craftsman series which is how I started in this hobby. -Steve

Here's a sneak peek at the wheel choices .... FYI ......Keep in mind everything your looking at in this thread is based on pre-production parts. Although I don't expect any significant changes on what I'm showing here, past experience tells me anything can and does happen. So consider this my disclaimer on any related postings to the Lindberg Police Charger kit. Now that the legal ###### is out of the way, here the pic .... Oh and as for how did they decide which departments they would use, mostly likely it came down to which ones would give permission for their graphics to be used without expensive royalty fees. -Steve

Thanks Aaron, Well, it's not pefect but pretty close. That photo is of the exact car I modeled it after as I recognize the 1247972 CA exempt plates. CHP is expanding there use of the Chargers. Last year they bought 88 of the '08 model, all plain Jane's in standard colors and full wheel covers for mostly undercover work and some training usage. They also added some slick top '09 Black and Whites to the fleet for standard patrol. I heard that there's 12 of them. I have photos of at least seven of them that I found doing my research. This biggest complaint I heard is the lack of trunk space. Still as far as I can tell there's only one all white CHP "Ghost Charger". -Steve

There will be at least two wheel options, the Steelies with separate center cap plus the plain 5 spoke covers although they will molded as a separate wheel. There will probably be a leftover set of alloys included too. I'll try to post some more photos later. The tail lamps should be clear, I painted mine to simulate the 09 style. Price should be in the $25.00 or less range I'm told. -Steve

.... built from a combination of Lindbergs first round test shot and prototype resin parts. I still have to add the spotlights and antennas. The spotlights are included, the antennas will be from scratch. I'll probably add a push bar mounted siren from my parts box. The kit also comes with push bar mounted lamps but I left them off this version. The decals are from my own stash, there are no plans for Lindberg to do a CHP version at this time but it's possible. The Vision bar is included with the kit along with seven others. I painted the lenses as they most likely will be molded clear. I modeled this it after a real CHP unit known as the "Ghost Charger" because of its all white paint scheme. It should be on display at the NNL East hopefully with some of the latest round of test shot parts. there are still a couple of revisions to be made but it's getting real close to being ready. I know everyone been asking what's taking so long but consider that they've added over 75 new parts to this version and that puts the current count at over 200 pieces. I believe it will be worth the wait. Stay tuned .... Steve