sjordan2

I agree with those who say it depends on the subject matter. I'm not familiar with the often-praised quality of leading Japanese brands, but the others seem to swap out tooling from a variety of brands, under different labeling and especially in larger scales. So it's really a mixed bag for brands like Revell / Testors / Italeri etc., with lots of old-tool reissues. But in general, I've usually been happy with Entex/Minicraft reissues originally created by companies like Gakken and Gunze Sangyo.

Further background on Exner's Renwal Revival cars from the mid-60s, a design project commissioned by Esquire. The kits are all very expensive these days. http://www.carlustblog.com/2008/09/stutz-cars-of-t.html

I would have to guess that Ferrari got on MFH's case, because they say on their website that they have immediately stopped production and sales of what they had in stock.

Looks like a nicely done combo of Italy's Greatest Hits -- Ferrari front half, Maserati Khamsin/etc. razor edges, Alfa Montreal louvers, DeTomaso wheels, Michelotti design for cars like Iso Grifo, Lambo Miura windows, quite a few.

My point was primarily to bring up the subject of licensing costs for products produced in quantity. But we've seen plenty of aftermarket suppliers get caught in the web of unlicensed material. Why more resin casters haven't been nabbed is anyone's guess. And unless anyone has different information, I would guess that Shapeways is helping hobbyists duplicate copyrighted items. And I think this is quite an assumption, considering that the auto makers already have lucrative agreements in place with the major kit manufacturers, and are unlikely to create competitive contracts with cottage industry providers: "I assume that anyone getting into the business of creating and selling 3-D model kits as software would work out any legal issues before they begin selling, just as any business would." I'm not saying that the obstacles, such as high quality and affordability, can't be overcome in time – and I think they will – but I don't think they're as easy to conquer as fast as the rosy picture that some people paint. The "print-to-order" concept makes so much sense for a multitude of industries that it's inevitable. But I think it will take a long time before it catches on in any widespread fashion as a home device. I would further suggest that plastic kit modelers, especially for those into cars and aircraft, etc., have far higher standards for smoothness, accuracy and precise detail than a world of hobbyists who would use a home printer for other purposes and be happy as a clam. I think the latter is where home printers will make the quickest inroads and get the home market going with less-precise capabilities. In any case, I sincerely doubt that car modelers will be the ones who lead the way to affordable home 3D printing, but they can be instrumental in developing higher quality.

Remember what happened to Napster? In our hobby, things would have to be produced in a certain quantity to draw attention, but the copyright vultures are always around the corner. Note that Model Factory Hiro has just discontinued production and sale of all of its Ferrari kits.

Looking terrific, and very accurate.

That's what I said in 1990. I could be wrong.

I'm bookmarking this, and I'll come back in five years to see where all of this may be. I'm betting that in five years there will not be a high-quality home 3D printing system that can produce satisfactory results for over 75% of car modelers, with most not able or willing to master the software.

Let's not forget (as has been discussed many times before) that, in the near term, third party sources like an improved Shapeways, with the necessary skills and equipment, can serve us in the 3D-printing aftermarket, along the lines of today's resin casters. I don't see home applications or truly affordable advanced equipment in the picture for many years to come, and certainly not useful for many but advanced computer artists. How many of us on this forum are highly skilled in CAD or even Photoshop? I know there are several, but I think they make up only a minority of us who are clamoring for 3D printers.

Has anyone tried rattle can clear pearl over color? If so, what are the results?

Yes, he's an amazing craftsman and modeling engineer. You can find a little more detail on the Lincoln at scalemotorcars.com. This link started when he was already 2 years into it (over a year ago). He's up to 54 pages and probably has another year or two to go. http://www.scalemotorcars.com/forum/large-scale-cars/36929-continental-mark-ii.html

This just gets more astonishing. PS: In honor of your most recent avatar, will you be sticking knitting needles through your arm?

Great job, and a wonderful dashboard.

Thanks, Lee, good to know. Do you have his contact information outside of eBay?

Right. The advantage (for me) is that they're available already assembled.

These look very nice to me, and reasonably priced. Sold in sets of 2. Anyone have experience with the seller (from Portugal)? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-24-hand-laced-wire-spoked-wheels-for-GP-sports-cars-fully-assembled-sets-of-2-/121194593083?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item1c37c2bb3b

Right. That should be very impressive.

Well, this is one of your most jaw-dropping builds. I don't know how you made the gauges so crisp. After this, I'd like to see what you'd do with the 1/16 Christie steam fire engine.

I've been watching a collection of Springsteen videos and came to "Highway Patrolman." I always thought it would make a good feature film with vintage car chases, etc., and the video featured an all-star cast, not unusual in the world of music videos. Turns out it was made from clips of a movie made from the song by Sean Penn called "Indian Runner." Anybody seen it? Seems like the music video pretty much tells the whole story in just a few minutes.

Exactly. I've had to jump through hoops many times in producing advertising related to the Tennessee Vols for my ad agency and clients. Once, they even sent us a cease-and-desist on some Vols footage in a TV spot, but fortunately I had a letter from their prior marketing director authorizing its use. All team logos and ID (even saying UT, The University of Tennessee, Vols, etc in copy) are closely monitored by teams and their sports marketing reps. You've gotta pay to play.

I don't know if these are clear-bodied or just cutaway drawings on the box, but there are plenty here: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=1%2F16&_sop=10&_osacat=2580&_from=R10&_pcats=1188%2C220&_armrs=1&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC0.A0.X1%2F16+petty&_nkw=1%2F16+petty&_sacat=2580

Here's a thread on ICM kits from February. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=70976#entry881052 Though it's not available in 1/24, you can often find a 1/16 Packard 12 sedan on eBay. I've seen some beautiful builds of it.

Short. Italian. Hook nose. Pesci can do anything.

Depends on the kind of finish you want and the scale of your model. I've got a good stock of faux-velvet Christmas ribbon, which works just fine for my 1/16 and 1/12 car carpets, but I fear would be too thick for smaller scales -- and definitely too thick for seats. Alternatives for all scales would include printed-out decals (hit with the proper dull finish) or 1/1 vinyl repair kits, which include leather texturing stamps. I don't think there's much out there that would be suitable for anything under 1/16 scale. All you can do is experiment. Get that sheet you're talking about and show us the result.