sjordan2

Drastic Plastic shut down a few years ago and the files were supposed to have been taken over by Alex Kustov at italianhorses.net, but that does not appear to have happened. The current incarnation of Drastic Plastic has a small fraction of what they used to have, so it looks like they need a lot of rebuilding. I don't know what the process for adding instructions there now might be, but the site needs a lot of people chipping in.

I don't know what happened to the original post on this thread. However, here's my nomination for the best kit I own, plus a reissue to be wary of. The original Gold Cup version is nearly flawless, made from measurements of the original car and molded in the exact maroon color. The reissue contains more flash and poor chrome coverage, and is molded in the dreaded red plastic. ORIGINAL GOLD CUP: SUPERB. REISSUE: NOT SUPERB

You might get a more qualified response if you placed this in the Wanted section.

Maybe a Jesus on the dashboard of the car (in case it rains or freezes).

I really want to see what happens to Fiat 500 sales following the Pope's US tour in a Fiat 500L. He should get a sales commission.

Astonishing. Get some outdoor photos against the sky before it goes away.

Test 2. Reinstalled Flash. Phew. It works.

I upgraded my computer and added Firefox and Chrome to my regular Safari, and now I can post again on Safari and Firefox; Chrome doesn't give me posting access on this forum. However, after the upgrade, Flash doesn't work with Safari or chrome. This is a test posted via Safari with an image copied in Firefox.

To me, typical flocking would look more real in large scale than in 1/24-25.

This is a beautiful piece of model building. I think the Monogram version is still in the catalog -- at least, it's still widely available (PS: it's actually a fuel injected GTi). It's very difficult for super detailers -- for example, wiring would include a skinny loom tube with two plugs for each of the six cylinders and the single distributor wire blob is ridiculous). Rivet-counter mentalities like mine will be repelled by the huge inaccuracies in the body, particularly the nose, grille and front roofline, and other details, which are similar in the Aston. The T35B Bugatti is superb, and is becoming more rare and expensive.

Depending on the car, you should just let your eyes analyze what you see on a real version, and invent from there. Most convertible tops will have some indication of the frame below the fabric, which may require some very thin rod or half round, smoothed down with putty. Masking tape over all that might give you the proper texture.

Nice, clean, classic look. Good color choice. Are the wheels perhaps a bit underscale?

Classic in every way, from rod style to superb building.

I can't believe the skill it takes to build such a complex model. What scale is it? Also, where can I get the chain?

Not surprised. Probably made from the first molds over 50 years ago. Mine is a fairly recent reissue, and I'd guess the molds are pretty worn.

For a 50th anniversary update on the Goodwood reunion and Mustang GT350R, go to ultimatecarpage.com Over 150 shots

Even though it's somewhat off the topic of these kits, and requires a lot of scratch detailing - notably the infamous lower body seam, and requires an under-hood structure - I still think the 1/8 coupe is the best of all. Resin convertible conversion parts are available, though expensive.

Every time I try to open the Bug Eye Sprite thread in Under Glass it crashes my computer (desktop iMac). Anyone else have a problem?

The original Futura and "It Started With a Kiss " movie car had a retraction mechanism that slid the cockpit glass over the back. Replicas have used a tilt-up hinge.

I thought the Webbit models were cardboard.

Back in the 70s I saw the bat-flocked version in the Barris showroom -- very coarse to the touch; I was told it had been painted with some sort of electroplating process causing tiny metal particles to adhere to the surface. I always assumed that flatter finishes were used to prevent gloss black from reflecting lights, camera and crew. On the subject of this thread, I agree with the Johan Gold Cup series, especially the Mercedes 500K roadster limousine. Not surprising, since Johan instructions said they had access to the actual car for measurements. The reissued kit, not identified as Gold Cup, suffered from excessive flash and poor chrome coverage.

I think the key thing is for knowledgeable people to express their opinions of what's bad or good in a kit, to warn them, to prevent disappointment, to provide suggestions, to modelers of all different skill levels and expectations. And I think nit picking is important to advise people who have a high level of standards, while it may not matter to others. However, I can tell people not to waste their time on a horrible kit like Revell's 1/12 Ferrari 275 GTB, but I won't be a wet blanket on kits in progress or under glass that are quite wrong. Just a different way of saying that nits should be picked before people spend their money, and manufacturers should be alerted that there is an upper level of modeler that should be satisfied. One thing I haven't noticed much discussion about, though, is the team aspect of model design. Example-- the 1/12 Revell/Monogram Mercedes 300SL Gullwing. The way the kit was imagined, with lots of separate chrome parts cleverly conceived to replicate the complicated dash and body chrome, was unusual and smart. And the body shape is very accurate -- this could be a great kit. But it's like the old story of the blind men trying to describe a camel to each other. Nothing works together. Scale portions of interior, engine and body chrome are all over the place. Whoever the people were who did the details, they obviously weren't talking to each other, and anyone who has built this crazy kit knows what I'm talking about.. Too many cooks spoiled the soup and it's very obvious.

Best E-Type I've seen in this scale.

I actually made a couple of posts here, but they disappeared. Anyway, this is incredibly excellent. I hope I can do half as well on my 1/24 and 1/16 kits.

FIGURES: While you may find the clothing in those dolls too klunky, remember, you can replace it with fabrics that drape more realistically, like silk that you can dye. But these characters from the 1943 film are ideal for everything relating to your subject matter.