SpeedShift

Somewhere along the line I noticed that some more expensive kits over the years were marketed as "Hi Tech".....they included photo etched parts, wiring etc. perhaps to keep up with the aftermarket options that were gaining popularity. If you use only what comes in the kit, (PE parts Resin parts, wiring etc.z) isn't it still OTB? I see in the IPMS rules that there were clarifications, IPMS MODEL CLASSIC: 4. Separate Out of Box categories: Out of Box models may also be entered in the appropriate regular categories if desired but will be judged as NOT Out of Box against their peers in the category. Models entered in the appropriate Out of Box Categories must be constructed using only the parts that came in the kit. There are a few exceptions such as adding simple seat belts, rigging or ship railings. Check with the Head Judge if necessary. These entries must be accompanied by kit instructions or original box art IPMS NATIONAL RULES (WITH 2022 CHANGES) I don't see an Out of the Box category, but there is something called a Basic Kit Build : BKB rule, given all the confusion resulting from packaging of "aftermarket" parts (resin, photo etch) in some modern kits. G. Basic Kit Build (BKB) – Single Media Only, General Guidelines: (in effect for 2022, 2023, and 2024 contests) i. The IPMS/USA National Contest will include separate categories in selected Classes for Basic Kit Build (BKB) entries. An exception to this is the Junior Class; since the number of Junior entries are relatively low, most Junior entries are regularly built as basic kit builds. ii. The model builder should note that entering a model in any Basic Kit Build category is their choice. Models in these categories have limitations applied to them that are not applied to entries in the rest of the categories. iii. The spirit of building BKB is two-fold: (a) First, to limit yourself to using only those components supplied by the kit makers of older/simpler/less expensive kits, and yet work to get the best result regardless of any shortcomings in the base kit, such as may exist with its detailing or accuracy. (b) Second, to compete at a more basic level, knowing that basic modeling skills are the only difference-maker - not what variety of detailing materials is supplied by the kit manufacturer, nor by after-market detailing sets, nor by using more advanced re-building or scratch-building skills. iv. The general BKB approach is to build what came in the kit box. In some cases, this may result in a perceived incomplete or inaccurate model. While prior guidelines for out-of-the-box were modified for exceptions/inclusions, the BKB approach will return to “what came in the kit box”. You are not required to make-up for any perceived kit deficiencies/inaccuracies based on detailing accessories. Some examples are: (a) Aircraft models aren’t required to have antennas, rigging wires, seatbelts, nor can they be added unless they’re included or noted in kit instructions. IPMS/USA © 2022 National Contest Rules All Rights Reserved Page 4 of 6 (b) Automotive models aren’t required to have seatbelts, radio antennas, battery cables, spark-plug wires, or fan belts, nor can they be added unless they’re included or noted in kit instructions. (c) Military Vehicle models aren’t required to have closed sponsons, separate tow cables, or radio aerials, nor can they be added unless they’re included or noted in kit instructions. (d) Ship models aren’t required to have railings, radar antennas, or rigging, nor can they be added unless they’re included or noted in kit instructions. v. All Class Head Judges and the Chief Judge will have final say as to what is permitted for any BKB entries within their Classes. vi. Models that meet the Basic Kit Build criteria (outlined below) may be entered in the BKB categories, but they are not required to be entered there. Modelers may, therefore, choose to place their model in a standard category, where it will be judged against the other entries with no reference to it being a BKB kit. vii. Basic Kit Build (BKB), Specific Guidelines: The BKB entries will be governed by the following rules: (a) Kits. Any commercially available kit may be used as long as the kit is constructed as a predominantly single medium product. It can consist of an all-polystyrene kit, an all-resin kit, an all-photoetch kit, or any other ‘single’ material. Kits with various other materials included (e.g., cast-resin or 3D-resin detailing accessories, etched metal detailing frets, turned-metal detailing parts, and other similar detailing parts) will not be permitted. Examples of other material parts that will be allowed are kit-supplied vacuum-formed windscreens, canopies, windows for Aircraft and Automotive models; kit-supplied rubber/vinyl tires and poly-caps to retain wheels and/or parts attached to pylons; metal gearboxes and/or metal rod axles for Armor and Automotive models. (b) As a general guideline, kit parts that are necessary to complete and support the overall structure of the completed model are allowed. However, other kit parts that provide enhanced surface-detailing to a completed model will not be allowed for a BKB entry. (c) Construction. The modeler may fill seams and gaps; sand off rivets; drill out gun ports, exhaust pipes, or other appropriate openings; thin to-scale such parts as trailing edges, flaps, and doors; re-scribe panel lines lost in construction, and add rigging and antennas, if shown on the kit’s instructions. No major reconstruction or modifications will be allowed for BKB entries. (d) Decals: Decals other than those included with the kit may be used. They may be used to replace old/damaged/missing kit decals. They may also be used to provide alternative insignia and markings to those originally provided with a kit. However, their use for BKB entries is restricted to 2-dimensional water-slide or dry transfer products. 3-dimensional products such as 3D printed or resin-dot printed instrument panels, access panels, fasteners, bolts, rivets, stitching, etc., are commercially offered as after-market improved-detailing products, and so fall outside of the intended/ accepted usage as decals for BKB entries. (e) Finish. All painting/finishing techniques are allowed. Insignia, markings, and instrument panels may be hand painted instead of using decals. Weathering is permitted. (f) Exclusions. It is not permitted to vacuum-form, manufacture, or replace any part, or substitute parts from another kit; cut or separate canopies, surfaces, hatches, doors, etc. (no major surgery); combine a standard kit with a conversion kit; add anything other than specified on the instruction sheet. (g) Instruction Sheets. Modelers must attach at least the first page of the kit instruction sheet to the entry form and have the rest of the instruction sheet accessible to the judges for review during judging (preferably, directly under the table from the model). Models entered without an attached kit instruction sheet cannot be considered for a BKB award, since judges then cannot verify if the builder used only kit-supplied parts

LOL - Well, I guess until the day that judges are required to mandate "originality" when awarding prizes in contests, OTB will always be popular. Some OTB contest rules don't even allow you to wire an engine, or change decals.

Back in the day, those of you that built models with Pactra, Testors, and AMT lacquer recall that lacquer over enamel was a no no. I believe Don Yost, who promoted airbrushing Testors bottle enamels thinned with lacquer thinner, said you could use Wet Look gloss (a lacquer) over the enamel. Not sure about post Model Master Testors Extreme Lacquer - Wet look Clear from Rustoleum over enamel, per Steven : maybe it is a hotter lacquer. Recently used the newer Rustoleum/Testors Extreme Lacquer - Wet look Clear over a "pre Rustoleum" - Testors Model Master "Custom Lacquer System" Custom Lacquer paint, no problem, as expected. I've also accumulated a lot of older rattle cans (inc the Boyds brand) but these days, with the newer formulations often changing, I wouldn't try older paints without testing on a throwaway subject. As Mark said, "Paint, being one of the last things you do on a model (besides final assembly), isn't the place to experiment, at least on the model itself." Or as Bill/Ace said: "TEST TEST TEST TEST and TEST SOME MORE." FWIW - I've tried the inexpensive Testors bottle enamel /lacquer thinner airbrushed method Don Yost promoted and was very impressed with the high gloss sheen it has. Didn't even need a gloss overcoat. It was that good. Unfortunately dealing with a dust particle or blemish with some light wet sanding and then polishing never seemed to bring that impressive high gloss sheen back to the same level

Nice work. "A new chrome color for me should arrive in the next few days. This is Super Chrome from AK. I'm curious to see how this can be processed." After using Alclad for years - I tried AK super chrome, it is very good. It will brush on small parts but it is excellent airbrushed. I haven't tried the Revell chrome in the spray can, from what I've read it is even better...but expensive.

Yep....but where to put it?

" it's good to remember no matter how good you think you are, there are builders out there who can quite simply blow you out of the water." Well of course that is true. And that is a good thing to remember - whether you prefer building "out of the box" - or modifying a kit with scratch building and or aftermarket stuff.

Thank you Tim !, Much appreciated. Took much longer than anticipated but was a good learning experience.

Revell 14553 '32 Ford Tudor Sedan 2'N1 1:25 scale model car kit | Revell (carrera-revell-toys.com)

Noticed in reference pictures the American Graffiti '58 Impala has a slight rake to the stance...the stock AMT kit has the body a bit low on all four wheels. Fabricated a lift kit for the rear suspension. Think this might get it where I want.

Finally on the last lap to finish this one. Fitted out the interior with steering wheel/dash, masked and painted the seat pleats black, added tear drop taillights, made a tiger tail for the gas cap location, attached firewall to body shell and added beehive oil filter and fuel block (need to wire up those). Need to add a drag link to steering arm ...waiting on aftermarket gas cap and license plates.

"are you a builder or an assembler?" "a kit is just the raw materials of a project." Totally agree. The availability of aftermarket parts and resin bodies has enabled the creative process more than ever - and allowed much more personal expression. I haven't built a kit "out of the box" as long as I can remember, but I understand why model builders gravitate to the OTB build, even in contests. For a project or two I've recently contemplated being an "assembler" again, going OTB to get a project done, or to refocus and hone my building and especially my painting skills. But every build to me is an opportunity to make a personal statement or recreate something that inspired me.

Beautiful color.

Found these looking on the net....more vintage 32 sedans....

Is that a resin 32 sedan body, ....unchopped roof ?

Thanks Michael. I've been working under a cloud since last November...but it's actually been a real incentive to getting some of my "ongoing" projects finished. Still have a bunch on the bench that were started years ago, two modified '25 T dry lakes racers, a post war '32 highboy roadster, a sixties Austin gasser, as well as five American Graffiti builds. And - I got a couple of belly tank bodies recently that are begging for a hopped-up flathead or Ardun/supercharged engine. So, what's the big deal adding another log on the fire?------ LOL Only thing really bothers me is a long recovery period where my doc doesn't want me around solvents. That would really suck.

Yep...I'd like to do a '32 Tudor like Dean Moon's '32 Tudor sedan lakes racer. That will depend on my health prognosis this month (cancer).

Thank you. Appreciate the input. One of the many things I derive benefit from on this Forum is the insight from both the model builders, and the occasional full size car builders.

I had been thinking the same thing when reading the kit reissue thread. Lots of possibilities with this one. "This is a fresh challenge. You can enter an already started project, but only if it is no more than 30% complete." Darn it. LOL

Checking out the rear view...exhaust tailpipes from 1/8" aluminum tube attached. Thinking where to mount taillights, a license plate, maybe a white pinstripe decal if I can find a good one. On the front, need to install the steering link after I attach the radius rods. Getting closer to finishing this, .......again. LOL

Fitting up rear shocks with the exhaust pipes, need to make some tube ends for exhaust pipes.

After some discussion on the suspension, I crafted two tubular shocks from aluminum tubing for the rear end, and I'm reworking the leaf spring on the front. I like polishing aluminum tubing with micro mesh 3600 and 12000, looks as good as the chrome paints, and much better than Alclad, which doesn't take handling very well.

Down under:

Thanks, looking forward to your build.

I see. I like the parallel to frame position much better. I'll see what I can rig up.