styromaniac

Always thought the Orange Crate had a wicked look with that chop...but like most Revell kits of that era it's a tough build.

The 32 will always have that mystique, that aura about it ....but as far as model kits go...wish I had bought one of those 30's in the short time it was available. When is it coming out again? Guess it's re appearance is hampered by the Hobbico debacle.

The Maryland Automotive Modelers Assoc ( MAMA ) holds an NNL event every May ...recently near Annapolis...previously in Towson just outside of Baltimore...participation seems to be holding up although like many shows these days it is an aging group of modelers...the last of the baby boom generation. One has to wonder if the hobby will attract enough younger participants to sustain itself...quite different than the boom years of the early to mid sixties when automotive modeling's contests peaked...surpassing all other types...reflecting what was happening in the full scale hot rod custom car scene. Car models were so popular back then they were sold in every type of store...five and dimes...grocery stores...hardware stores....

The IPMS Old Dominion Open held every February at one of the show rooms at the Richmond international Speedway in Virginia seems to be as popular as ever...showcasing scale modeling of every type...mostly military aviation and armor subjects but a decent number of automotive and maritime models...as well as figures. This winter I think they had a record number of vendors. The show has become so large it's difficult to take it all in in one day. My only beef is that in the automotive category they included muscle cars in the Street Rod category...and the three judges gave all three awards to late 60s early 70s muscle cars...without acknowledging any of the post war 40s 50s hot rod entries....of which there were several in both traditional and contemporary style. I always thought the definition of a street rod was a car manufactured in the period between the 30s and 50s modified ...

Is 1/87th equivalent to HO scale ? I actually have some automotive kits in 1/87th intended for railroad dioramas.

You don't have 1/48th ?...isnt it also a favorite military scale ?...mostly aviation subjects? I know 1/35th is primarily Armor but some of the mfg are making Rotary wing in the same scale to match...

I guess they feel compelled to add the comic relief to attract a wider audience, but it just comes off as pretty lame to me. I wouldn't mind a little back and forth ribbing between the personalities...but one of the last Bitchin Rides I watched they set up a nerf ball gunfight...and I remember watching one Fast and Loud episode where they included some silly wild west skit...my wife turned to me and said" why are we watching this stupid show?" If I'm watching a car show involving a restoration or a customization Id like to see the process...the problems encountered and the solutions they come up with. That's why I found the Wheeler Dealers shows with Ed China both informative and entertaining.Some of the Fast and Loud episodes were equally compelling before they started adding the goofiness. I really liked Rick Dales American Restoration for its informative educational value ( much like American Pickers ) but even they wandered into almost sit com stupidity at times.

Thanks for the crazy journey! Outrageously original...and looks like a super clean build to boot.

Getting to hate the inane scripted antics of the tattooed meatheads on some of these shows. I liked the skills the bearded mechanic Aaron on Fast and Loud brought to the show but the host Rawlings was really annoying. Danny on Counting Cars is a likable character but some of his crew...particularly that Horny Mike dude was a bit much. I like Dave Kindig's style & skill sets on Bitchin Rides but even they resort to scripted antics. The plot lines of Wheeler Dealers I found enjoyable but I miss the quiet dignity of Ed China...it was a good counterpoint to the host's gregariousness. The new mechanic Ant Anstead is filling in OK though. As for Garage Squad...I like the host Bruno Massel and his mechanic...but the real reason I watch is Heather Storm...Id watch her polish furniture for an hour.

Like where you started...and where you're goin with this one. Those resin tires...could they be the old Herb Deeks "Bigs and Littles"?...they look familiar...I used them on a Channeled AMT '29 Model "A" I started many years ago. Really like to know where you sourced the steelies...they seem to work well with those tires.

LOL..."lots of chrome plated parts" .Yeah, right.

I thought it might be House of Color...their paint really stands out...never tried it myself though...dont know where you can find it. P.S. the other 36's shown have great paint jobs too. I especially like that Lilac Lavender one imitating the box art.

Nice paint job....what did you use?

I own several of the versions shown...the wheels and tires are the major difference between them all, with a few other tweeks.The original Roth kit included options...such as the pick up bed...and cycle style fenders. In subsequent versions the cylindrical gas tank was dropped in favor of the bed, a traditional model T type radiator shell was offered in lieu of the chopped deuce style radiator shell...in addition to traditional T type headlights instead of Dual headlights. Not sure about the nerf bars. The small block chevy stayed the same...but the curved carb stacks gave way to the flared trumpet style intakes. I think the exhaust pipes went through some changes from kit to kit as well. Glad to see Revell restored it close to the original...even though I did invest Norm' s resin restoration kit. If you have collected two or three of these variations you have a lot of options on hand for T-Bucket builds. Now....how about Monograms original 1/24 scale "Little T"...and all its changes...."Boomer Bucket" etc.

Met Bill one Saturday years ago at a M.A.M.A. meeting...he had brought some of his work...he started out as I recall doing classic lead sleds with beautiful finishes...soon branched out to even more original concepts tapping classic 50s styling...even with touches of art deco or futuristic cues.Besides the club meetings ( which unfortunately I haven't been able to attend frequently ) Ive seen his work at some of the local contests...and his work pops up in the modeling magazines and online now and then. I always found him to be quite helpful and informative when asked about his modeling techniques. He is a true master of the craft.

I've seen his basement casting operation & model collection as well, and it is impressive. He is pretty much a one man operation....so when he decides to hang it up and retire it will be a tremendous loss to the hobby. Thats why I have stocked up on as much of his stuff as I can....for my own retirement days.

Amy did a great job packaging Harry's delicate Revell Orange Crate chassis and Olds motor, which I hope to finish one day....doing justice to his standards.Those of you who tackled this kit as both a kid and an adult know how challenging it can be.

Outstanding work there Dad. Thanks for all the info and pics.

Back in the day...and I mean waaaay back...working features were popular in scale automotive modeling. Started with opening up doors and trunks, then progressed to poseable steering...working shocks in the suspensions. Somebody somewhere got the idea of borrowing from the scale railroad hobby to put working lights in their model cars. If memory serves I think it may have started with "grain of wheat" bulbs placed in headlights & taillights, powered by concealed battery packs. Not sure if the heat given off by those bulbs caused problems with the paint and plastic from extended use. With today's advancements in technology I've been wondering what success anybody out there has been having illuminating automotive subjects...or is that something that's just not as popular as it once was. I've talked to a few sci-fi modelers at IPMS events about what they've used...would like to hear from anyone who has had good results and what they have used.

Absolutely fantastic look on both builds....scale artistry.