sjordan2

I find this hard to believe, since dimaxion has been around these posts and on the other forum where it began. My pal Toonces, the Driving Cat, tells me to quote Bill the Cat: "Aacckkkk! Pphhtt!"

Please believe me, this is not a slam at you, but I recommend double-checking your spelling when you search. For example, there is a second i in: missile And the correct spelling is control module. I don't know if this will help with this particular search, but it couldn't hurt. Also, you might see what you can find on other hobby sites from military modelers who build this sort of thing.

If you REALLY want to go for detail – though you'll need to add some of your own extras – the Tamiya 1/12 240ZG offers a big canvas. http://cgi.ebay.com/TAMIYA-1-12-DATSUN-240ZG-COUPE-BIG-SCALE-NEW-BOX-ZG-/270585882217?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f002ce669 The only problem is that it's right-hand drive.

I totally agree with Simón that pearls are more realistic for a standard metallic look at model scale. However, if you're looking for a bass boat, Kustom look, regular model metallics have so much flake in them that they resemble bass boats more than 1:1 metallics when observed up close. As mentioned above, there are a number of heavy metalflake versions available for modelers. The plastic spoon test will reveal what you're looking for.

Judging from the bumper and the black top, I'd say it's a Champion convertible. Could be a Commander, though.

Nice work – looks like a perfect paint match – and it's great to have a kit available for a car you actually own. The only kit of a car I owned came out many years after I sold it – Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. By the way, your kit has a more realistic stance than your dad's car. Or is he a moonshine runner? (Kidding)

That should be beautiful. How do you plan to tint the windows?

Anyway, here's a break from the levity. Why not go straight to the name on Cooter's tow truck? It has an easy-to-make logo that says "Hazzard County Garage." http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1514476843026621166CYZeHt

I vote for the camel.

I don't have anything to add that hasn't already been said, except to add my vote that this is a stunning piece of work.

Well, I agree that the gaps in the hood fit don't look right, the top doesn't fit right, the rearview mirrors look very small and the chrome looks too shiny. Therefore, it's real. (Hey, it's 1950s Detroit Iron.)

This won't help in terms of scale dimensions, but you may find some helpful detail here: http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&source=imghp&q=land+rover+defender+chassis&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai= When I've needed information like this, I've tracked down shop manuals and parts manuals, either on eBay, from the dealer, or whatever other sources I could find. Here are blueprint-style views which might be better: http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=land+rover+defender+blueprint&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

All of that can make a big difference in the impression a model makes. It's particularly part of the package on a Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing or roadster (my specialties, and where details are easier to create at my preferred 1/16 scale), where engine compartment stickers and ID plates define some of the car's personality. I have a Franklin Mint 300 SL roadster, where they added stickers and plates in nice detail at 1/24 scale – and even put a legible shift pattern on the teeny shift knob! Harry P. can show you some nice work he's done on this subject for his 1/8 XKE.

Here's an Aston I wish someone would kit. http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4516/Aston-Martin-DB2-Team-Car.html

What? Don't understand.

I was in grade school in Tulsa when they buried the Belvedere as part of Oklahoma's 50th anniversary of statehood. I was sick when I saw what it looked like when they unearthed it.

Oooohhh...

I asked the question because my Infiniti has the same air bag/child restraint warning taking up most of the space on both the driver and passenger visors, and in plain sight while the visors are folded up. Just seemed like the kind of touch that superdetailers would want to do. I might add that the other sides of the visors that fold up against the headliner have lighted mirrors, so you have to fold down the visors to use them.

On late model cars, does anyone put warning stickers on the sun visors?

Yes, that was my first thought but I am concerned that the connections would be too weak and could break easily.

Yeah, I think you're right. I'm pretty much convinced that tubing and teeny cotter pins are the way to go, but I didn't want to mess with the circular mounts. This looks like something that needs to be done in metal for durability, but though I have a soldering kit, I have zero skills with that and I was looking for a simpler way of dealing with it.

Thank you for these extremely nice and detailed pictures. This information should be very helpful in making decisions about buying and building this kit.

1/16 Minicraft 300 SL Gullwing, one of various versions that I have. Lacks oil tank, water tank, chrome trunk insignia (comes as a grey decal), windshield washer reservoir and exhaust manifold heat shield, but I can swipe those from my Italeri 300 SL cabriolets. Will require a certain amount of scratchbuilding for authenticity. What I really need is a set of 4 hydraulic door lifts, which are essentially working 2-part shock absorbers with inner and outer cylinders, without coils, probably 1/24. Any ideas where to get these?

Aksarben? That's a Shriners chapter, isn't it? Where are you a member?

That is really cool. And may I ask...why a Nosferatu avatar? Just curious.