sjordan2

Like every one of Harry's builds, this should be pinned in Tips, Tricks and Tutorials in how to do stuff. Unfortunately, it's stuck below the opening page in Big Boyz, which many members don't even know exists.

My real question is, how many people in your local club came to this forum and were treated poorly? And in what way?

So we're on page ten of a thread initiated by the comments of a few people who probably haven't visited here recently?

Could you please supply us with links to your other club forums where this forum is considered to be elitist? If you have already done so, I apologize - I haven't seen that evidence, but it would be helpful to see where they're coming from. What I don't understand is how the inclusion of expert builds makes this forum "elitist". In case nobody noticed, this forum is filled with the good, the bad and the ugly, and learning is to be had about techniques, certain kits, etc., across the spectrum of any quality of building. If there weren't expert builds included in that wide mix, this forum wouldn't be worth visiting.

Amazing that so many members don't realize how much there is "below the fold," or what you can see on your first screen. You have to scroll down to see how much content there is here. "Big Boyz," where Harry does most of his work, is usually overlooked. Scroll down, scroll down, scroll down.

Very nice. Fixing the wheels makes a BIG difference on this kit.

Another impeccable piece of work from you, Matt. A great job on one of the coolest-looking cars ever made.

I knew you were salivating to build this one. Never seen a finished version of it, and I expect this will be another masterpiece. After this, I assume we can see a drop-dead build of a Pocher Rolls woodie.

Regarding hood fit, based on what I've seen on this and other builds of the kit, I'm wondering if the upper parts of the hood are set up to be too close to the upper middle hinge.

Harry's kit is essentially a longer, luxury Cabriolet A version of the race-based Mercedes SSK, available on eBay in 1/24 assembly kits from Lindberg and Bburago; Bburago metal-body kits also offer a cycle fender racing version (as mentioned before, the K in SSK is for Kurz, meaning short). If you're interested in the Bburago 1/24 full-fendered kit, send me a PM and we could work out a trade, which would include my massive CD reference material on this car.

Interesting to note that most of the finished versions I've seen -- even box art photos -- show the hood misalignment on the left side instead of the right.

Those kinds of turn signals are referred to as "semaphore" because they are hinged at the top and pop up to indicate the turn, much as a flagman would do. Anyway, you posted this in Under Glass while I was still commenting on the build in the Big Boyz forum Here's what I posted there: "I picked this kit to mark my re-entry into actually completing, rather than just starting or collecting kits and gathering reference, in 40 years. Wow, this looks like I've really got my work cut out for me. But Harry is acting as a real trailblazer on this kit, and I wouldn't even consider it if Cato hadn't assembled the daunting wire wheels for me. But here's my opportunity to work on the most complicated kit I've ever faced, and chalk it up as a learning experience, based on all the great stuff I've learned in this thread and on this forum. See you with my results in a year or two." I have researched this car and this kit for many years, and there has never been a better building of this kit than what you see here. It is far superior to the photos on the various box art versions Harry -- did you make a pin to attach the radiator logo ornament (not part of the kit), or did you just butt-glue it?

Regarding hood fit: Is this a question of keeping the hood sides flush against the cowling, or making it come down far enough to the frame, or both?

I picked this kit to mark my re-entry into actually completing, rather than just starting or collecting kits and gathering reference, in 40 years. Wow, this looks like I've really got my work cut out for me. But Harry is acting as a real trailblazer on this kit, and I wouldn't even consider it if Cato hadn't assembled the daunting wire wheels for me. But here's my opportunity to work on the most complicated kit I've ever faced, and chalk it up as a learning experience, based on all the great stuff I've learned in this thread and on this forum. See you with my results in a year or two.

Not that it's funky, but did anyone ever kit the original Lotus Elite coupe that was sold as a kit car?

Superb work, excellent detail.

Are you changing the color scheme?

You can get the kit from Model factory Hiro for about 75,000 Yen (about $652 US dollars). It is the 250 GTO LM with the LeMans roofline. http://www.modelfactoryhiro.com/new/en/archives/13228

I think most of what we see here, such as interior appointments, etc, is best viewed from a higher angle. I'm sure we'll see this car in all its majesty after the hood, radiator grille and headlights are installed.

Make a buck from clay or wood, then find someone to vacuform it for you??

Wow. Great finish.

This was originally a Gakken kit, reboxed by Entex and then by Minicraft. So, while Minicraft has repeated problems found in earlier versions of this and some other kits, you can't really apply those failures to all Minicraft kits. This is still the most complete and accurate Gullwing kit out there. The 1/16 Italeri GW has similar and worse problems, and the 1/12 Revell/Monogram kit is a total disaster.

My browser can't open that link. Do you have another one, or could you include images in your post?

I just now noticed that you put correct detail on the steering wheel hub. How'd you do that? Door pulls look great. Did you put backing on the seats?

Great work.