Chillyb1

I added some further weathering, mostly airbrushed Tamiya acrylics. I'll use their weathering sets and sticks, too, if I feel like it. I made some mud for the wheel wells by using Tamiya putty applied with a round wire brush (meant for gun cleaning), washed with thinned dirt colors, then airbrushed. I'll try to get a photo that shows it because I think it looks pretty convincing.

Just a couple of photos I took today after trying a little weathering on this one. I corrected a couple of things and still have some other stuff to do before it is complete, but it is getting close. I hope the antennas show up because I think they look pretty cool.

That's really cool. I especially like the way you adjusted the ride height in the front.

That really is pretty astonishing. There isn't much that interests me, but the sheer abundance is remarkable. And looks like there is a logic to the collection so it isn't just a random amassing of stuff. Is it worth $150,000? I mean that question seriously because I cannot personally attempt to evaluate the collection and assign a dollar value.

Thanks for the explanation of both of those items. And, while I'm just old enough to remember "Maude," the only thing I really recall clearly was the presence of Adrienne Barbeau.

Wow, it really is remarkably difficult to express my admiration for your astonishing work. One is dumbstruck by the quality and ingenuity of your craftsmanship. I don't build trucks, but whenever I see ones this cool it makes me want to. A couple of questions: What's a headache rack? What's the reference to "Maude" in relation to paint and why would it date you? I know these aren't modeling related; I'm just curious.

This is really amusing. I had completely forgotten about this fact. I'm glad to see Lownslow making his lemonade from this kit and when I saw the hood bent up, it just looked right. But now that I realize how the front actually opened up I can't believe I didn't notice it. Not that it really makes any difference; it is a model and he could always claim that the American owner had the thing altered to open up this way. Lownslow, keep up the top-notch destruction.

I sell all my built models on eBay as soon as I'm done with them. There may be others making their way around regional contest circuits, for all I know (or at least I'd like to flatter myself that it is possible). Actually, it had never occurred to me that someone might enter one of my builds in a contest. Most buyers have expressed much gratitude for my models and claim they'll be sitting on a shelf with other models (and have even sent photos of the models as displayed). And I know that some of my buyers have been fellow modelers because they participate on the various model-related fora and are easily identified. This category of buyer I thought would surely never be so dishonest as to purport to be the builder. As Bob pointed out above, this is a fairly small (insular, I'd say) community. I found out about this because a modeling friend from Puerto Rico (Simon Rivera-Torres, himself a very fine modeler) posted photos he took, and while glancing through them I saw a very familiar little redhead. But I hadn't seen any photos of the NNL East 2009, so I didn't know the car was there also. I checked NickF40's photoalbum of the event and, sure enough, there are several photos he took of it. I suppose there are other online photoalbums posted by other modelers that include my car. Let's call this a consciousness-raising experience. No, I don't think all contest entrants should have to provide notarized statements of provenance, but I do wonder about self-policing mechanisms in the model-competition world. It might could be that my experience, now shared, will stand as a kind of warning: people are watching and it isn't worth the aggravation of getting caught. However, I did try to get a couple of "authority figures" involved in a more widespread (less scattershot, that is) effort to raise awareness of this particular type of misdemeanor, but was rebuffed. I'm not angry or bitter, but more nonplussed. As several of you have said, "why would someone enter a model not his or her own in a contest and be able morally to accept that it was okay?"

No, but I'll add fuel to the fire. It would seem that my Ferrari also made an appearance at the NNL East this year. The photos in the current magazine were taken then and can be seen here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/NNLEast09/index17.htm I think that explains the misattribution in this instance. I believe Gregg was given my name as the builder when he took photos at the GSL (after the fact, and as a "correction"), but since this Ferrari is apparently well traveled, it may show up elsewhere under another person's name. I guess if MCM includes GSL coverage my model will appear again but with my name under it. The brighter pennies among you ought to be able to solve the equation 2 + 2 = X correctly with the information in this thread. I don't really want to spell it all out clearly or name names.

How about this as an inversion of the question?: How much would you pay for a model that would win a contest for you? I don't mean how much would you pay for a contest-winning model ex post facto, but what amount you'd pay for a model you could enter in contests and win. I realize that most of us modelers operate under an unwritten code of ethics that would prohibit us from entering in a contest a model we didn't build, so most of us would reply, "Nothing." But there are those less-than-scrupulous modelers (or maybe just buyers) out there who would do so. So, how much should a contest winner garner in cold, hard cash? I realize that the many variables involved preclude any objective answer; I raise the issue more as a prod to reflection among modelers on the ethics of contest entry. In other words, how can we even begin to monetize what we do? Harry's original query could be posed differently: How much would it take (in prize money) to get you to enter contests solely to win money?

While I'm happy to see one of my models in the magazine, I'm a little less happy to see it attributed to someone else. A friend told me about this recently and I just today got a chance to see for myself. If you look at page 29 in the July issue you'll see at the top left my Hasegawa Ferrari 250 TR. Yes, there's a story behind all of this, but for now I'd just like it to be known I'm the builder of that model, which took second place in its class at the GSL show this year. I'm proud of both the model and the second-place finish, and I realize that probably only one other person might care. Nonetheless, my fellow modelers, I ask your indulgence at this blatant self-back-patting. Thanks for your time.

A couple of photos of the body. I'm almost done with this one.

Here are a couple of photos of my ongoing work on Tamiya's Peugeot 206 from 1999. I'm using Scale Motorsport's p/e set and KA Models' racing harness p/e. Comments, suggestions, criticisms, and anything else welcomed. More photos can be seen here: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v230/Chi...t%20206%201999/

Just as a historical note of clarification, the notion that VW is state owned is based on the fact that it was entirely state owned until 1960, when 60% of it was privatized and the remaining 40% was split 50/50 between the federal government in Bonn and the state government of Lower Saxony, which conditions of ownership obtain to this day. The case of savings deposit accounts for new Volkswagens was settled in 1961. Some 330,000 people had started accounts and they received either cash or credit toward purchase of a Volkswagen. This settlement included citizens of the Bundesrepublik as well as the DDR.

I've never really understood this impulse among my fellow Americans to become such enthusiastic cheerleaders for the abstract concept of capitalism and so-called free markets. I've noticed particularly virulent strains of this in first-generation immigrants from eastern Europe, but there are plenty of the native-born who don the same garb and pom-poms. The kinds of dystopian visions conjured up that purport to portend the future of GM and its products seem to me to be just silly. Oh no, tiny little boxes on wheels or Obamamobiles. Nooooo! Milton Friedman, we beseech thee, please save us! Why so wedded to this supposed "right way"? If a company makes quality cars and people buy them, isn't that more important than what percentage is nominally owned by the state? It was private-sector mismanagement that caused problems for GM and Chrylser and I don't see any reason that the same private-sector corporate leadership should be any more able to dig them out of trouble whether the companies are entirely privately owned or partially state owned. What's more, it wasn't just mismanagement in the automotive sector that brought low these manufacturers, but astonishing corporate malfeasance in the financial-markets sector. The wholly integrated economic system necessarily requires harmonious operation across sectors if any and all are to prosper. And, not to burst any bubbles, but free markets are a myth (also there is no Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy, Virginia). I once was interviewed for a part-time teaching position in social sciences at a community college and during the interview we got somehow to talking about Thomas Friedman, with his Lexuses and olive trees and a flat earth. I don't think much of this Friedman either whose writings are over-simplistic, grossly detached from reality, and amount to nothing more than pro-capitalist propaganda. The interviewer at one point finally declared, "I like free markets!" As though he'd know one if it bit his tongue. It is an abstraction used as a metaphor to describe the exchange of goods and services on whatever scale one wishes to view, not a real thing that can be apprehended in concrete detail. Of course, we are free to support with our hard-earned dollars those companies that conform to our ideological proclivities whether or not they make quality products. As Blue Coyote pointed out, VW is a state-owned enterprise and they seem to be able to thrive in international competition. Another example is Renault, which for at least forty years was entirely state-owned and was during that period one of the worlds most successful automotive companies (if not here in the USA). In other words, this is all much ado about nothing.

But how does it look on a model? I'm also tempted to try it, but I don't like the heavy or super-glossy look. Extra thick gloss coats look good on customs, show rods, or lowriders, but I build factory stock or road race cars that don't require deep clear coats. Is this one-coat stuff suitable for this kind of application? I really like Tamiya's TS-13 because it goes on in really thin coats and works really well for recreating realistic finishes on the kinds of models I build. Any comments? Or photos?

I failed to mention in the original post that the most useful set for us scale auto modelers is one containing earth tones. There are several varieties of this and other brands, but most I've seen have one comprised only of earth tones. I do hope this is helpful as these seem like a pretty useful item. Elsewhere a modeler mentioned that one can mix these pastels with water to whatever consistency you desire and can be applied in liquid and semi-liquid states to suit your weathering needs. I'm going to be experimenting some and will post photos if I come up with anything interesting.

I like to weather many of the vehicles I build. I find it both fun and rewarding in realism. But weathering supplies can be expensive if you go the Tamiya or MIG Productions route. Of course they are great, but for a lot of effects you can use artists pastels ground up and brushed on. Here's a set available for $5.99 at Hobby Lobby (and much less with their regular 40% off coupon) that includes a nice range of colors for almost all dust, dirt, mud, sand, grime effects we modelers like. Hope this is helpful.

If this topic isn't already a dead horse, I'll strongly recommend the Bob Downie Method. I've found it to be astonishingly simple and, more importantly, effective. I always wear gloves and hold the can and glass decanting jar under a tabletop just as precautionary measures, but I've never had a problem yet. And you can get every last drop from those cans.

I really like this one, too. It was used in a recent magazine article to illustrate decaling techniques. And now I really want one. I'm really impressed by your detail work in the engine bay. Lots of stuff going on in there and you've done an excellent job of differentiating among all the different parts and assemblies. The tire markings are a really neat touch also. Is there any convincing way to do something about the panel lines? Or is there any point to doing anything with them. I always want to accent lines, though sometimes it is very easy to overdo it.

Thanks for the report, Bob. I really like the idea and you guys always pull off some incredibly cool builds. Meanwhile, I was watching parts of the race and playing guitar. No modeling at all. Though I got myself all worked up and I'd just about kill for a reasonably priced kit of the Peugeot 908. I look forward to the Testa Rossa next year.

I'm excited this year, also. You are right about that Aston Martin. I've been looking a pictures of it recently and just can't get over how cool it looks. Bob, I always enjoy seeing what you and the gang come up with for your 24 Heures builds. Make sure you take, and post, plenty of photos this year.

Well, that's just terrible. I'm sure my fellow modelers will agree that you should probably just give up the hobby before you embarrass yourself further with shoddy, sloppy work like this Starliner. I mean, you can hardly tell it's a car! Sell the supplies and get out while you can. Of course, that's just the jealousy talking (and maybe a little of the envy, too). That is a beautiful model and so well executed I'm stunned into near speechlessness. I'm new to this forum and I spent last evening going through your WIP thread for this build and I enjoyed every second of it. Time well spent for a modeler who aspires to your level of quality. AWESOME WORK, Cruz.

It is an interesting conversion. But I disagree: ALL 2CVs are cool!

It is difficult to come up with anything to say that hasn't already been said. I also love these cars. Some really cool lines all the way around that body. Excellent execution of an unusual subject.