iBorg

What's the date on the flyer?

I never knew about the decal dating.

With the flurry of reissues, are there good ways of dating kits. For example, prior to the late '60s kits were taped shut. Were the insides in poly bags? The boxes were much heavier in the early sixties. When for each manufacturer did the sealing of kit parts become normal? When did shrink wrapping become normal. I know UPC codes are from the 80's and web addresses form the last ten years. When did manufacturers start adding copyrights? I'd like to create a chart showing these changes as a way to date kits and identify the true age of the box and the contents. Any interest from the community?

Found this again. wonderful work.....maybe I'll get back on some old projects. This is a wonderful build.

For a first model, that looks amazing.

I think we're seeing a major change. Many old line ways of making aftermarket stuff is dying or having alternative methodologies to achieve the same result, for example 3D printing taking the place of resin casting. There are some methodologies where there isn't a new technology to replace it. Short run aftermarket decals are reliant on technology that's 15-20 years old and obsolete. That is a concern. I believe the Hobbico mess is separate from Revell. Revell didn't bring Hobbico down, Hobbico's downfall was being too large and loosing the ability to control its empire. I do worry about this form of modeling hobby in the United States. Automotive modeling is much stronger in Japan and Europe than here. Automotive culture appears to be waning in the United States. Note the empty seats at most major automotive events in the United States and the general malaise toward cars in the 17-30 year population.

I frankly love the Assassination MG A. Of course the problem is finding an MG A.

I keep on watching this build and stopping at the pictures and thinking, MERCY that's amazing!!! All in 1/25? wow. AMAZING.

What's scary in the completed listings, the great majority of his listings have sold......I guess I need to sell my kits as junkyard or close my eyes, paint them and sell them.

Maybe the diorama was a barn find and the build ups a yard sale find from a pre-school.

Oh my.......what did those poor kits do to deserve that? Mike

I'm missing the fun. Can someone PM the seller.

I'm curious to watch. I have a Garlits kit I need to finish (along with fifty others) and sorta stumble to a stop when I look at the decals. I really wish someone made an accurate set. Unfortunately, Dr. Daryl made some but sadly he has passed and no one has picked his decals. His build was one of the best I've seen.

No info on the Dyno Don Cougar.....:(

The tires could be easily overpowered by the motors. The raised nose was to transfer weight to the rear to help the tires maintain traction. NHRA had a rule the crankshaft center line could not be over 24 inches above ground. Numerous fuel altereds ran right on this limit.

Very nice build. These cars aren't the easiest to build. With all the curves, they're a challenge to get the paint to lay down correctly. You look like you pulled it off well.

If that was second place, I want to see first. If you were change the background images from your workbench to something that would not give away that this is a model, I'm sure a 1:1 magazine would run a feature on it as a great restoration. This has been an excellent tutorial on how to build an amazing model and to keep your focus on a moving target. Hats off to you.

The problem with the 550 sports cards is finding them. I no longer have local card dealers which means ordering them online.

I never would have seen the pick up in that roadster. Your build looks almost effortless. I'm quite impressed in the overall final piece. Thanks for sharing this WIP.

Is this the metal kit? I'll admit I've avoided this kit thinking it wouldn't build up nicely. I was quite wrong. What a lovely model of such a lovely car.

This page shows kits marked from 1961-75. How did they stay in business? Their kits typically ranged half price or less of a buildable kit. I wonder how many of these were bought to pacify a child the parent didn't think would actually finish the kit or for a "present" for a party for a less than popular boy. Remember this was the era when it seemed we had a Christmas party and maybe another where we all exchanged gifts. Not necessarily something we wanted to do but a right of passage. I was so glad that habit of my youth has been discontinued.

I agree with you that we spend too much time online and less with people and I know a few of those that have passed. I also realize that while I'm in front of a keyboard, I'm not enjoying certain aspects of the hobby. I regret you stepping away. Not only do I respect your knowledge (I'm still waiting to see the Accurate Minatures Taurus test shot), but I've come to think of you as a friend. I hope sometime I'm near your part of the West Virginia hills to visit or we finally have a show good enough in Charleston to get you to visit. Good luck.....remember you have friends in the cyber world as well as in the physical one. Mike

My perspective as to be expected, is a bit different. I could never figure out why we had the same kits released in RoG and Revell boxes. I've never compared the plastic, but I always assumed it was the same with maybe different decals. What I fear he most is higher retail prices for "imported kits" that are made from molds that were created in the US. Seems most of our kits are already foreign molded. I think kits will remain available but I worry that chains like Hobby Lobby may not carry the same range and local shops may struggle to get kits at a competitive price. As car modelers many of us have the luxury of kitbashing from several kits that are not price prohibitive. I fear if kits hit the $35 retail price that aspect of the hobby will be hurt badly.

I like this......got the same kit on my shelf. Might have to pull it down and take another look at it. It will be strange when rice burners will be considered retro.

Got contact info on Bob? I'd love to know how he made the scoop.