Agent G

Staff Sergeant, just doing what you do is awesome. G

Ditto X2. The new Commandant now says we are no longer "former Marines", we are Marines at a different time in our careers. Ouhh Rahh! Actually the coolest thing that ever happened to me was on Christmas eve 1982. I got a call for a "sick case, child not breathing", in the projects. Back then it was uncommon to be in a one man car, except during the holidays. I got there real quick, even with the snow and ice I beat the meat wagon by a fair amount. Lady answers the door holding a little boy. He's limp and not responding. All she can blurt out is "he's dead". For the life of me I cannot fathom why I did what I did then. I wasn't married at the time and had no children of my own. I grabbed that little boy from her arms, turned him over and smacked him on the back. Frikkin' kid inhaled, looked at me, and started bawling. Wagon crew got there and pronounced him fit as a fiddle. I on the other hand was a wreck. About 1993 that little boy joined the Police Explorer Post. He's an ATF agent now. G

They were pretty basic as far as being curbside models. Flat chassis pans, metal axles, that sort of promo thing. They had pretty good wheels and dog dish caps though the tires were some funky rubber substance. Some had electric motors and clunky steerable front ends. The bodies seemed pretty good as far as accuracy was concerned and some of the cop bits were really good. Lightbars were hit and miss, some being really oversize to facilitate lights. Interiors were basic but did replicate copcar interiors well. Plymouth/Dodges had the correct steering wheels, something that we haven't seen since. I always seemed to part them out for other kits, never actually building one. G

Ok everythings combined and time to move to "Under Glass" G

It started with the kit's inaccuracies and went down hill from there. I could care less so I built what I wanted. G

Very very nice. G

Where I live is a good 20 miles south of the strip. I figure a big earthquake in California, and a small one in Vegas, will leave me with beachfront property. G

Uh, we don't even have one here! '08 was an eye opener for me. 6" of good heavy wet snow and the city was paralyzed. Seems there is an entire segment of the population here that has never seen snow outside of a picture. Cold today, but clear. On a somber note, those tornados in St Louis today tore into my old stomping grounds. All my kids and family are ok but I was a bit anxious there for a bit. G

That's looking really cool. I used an Italeri LAV for a phantom vehicle myself. The kit was so poopoo'd by the armor guys I didn't feel apprehensive about using it. G

Thanks Guys! The body sat down real well, in spite of the fact I had to join the interior and body first due to the wiring. Wheels are on now and I'm well on the road to completion. Looks like tomorrow night might be the end. I'm not real pleased with the rear end ride height. It seems to be too high by just a smidge. The front looks good. I'll post pics as soon as I can. G

The cars looking real good. I like where this is going. In regards to the orange paint, play with it for a bit and make sure Tamiya's thinner is compatable with the tube acrylic. The flow enhancer is almost a must, for the reasons stated. My worry wouldn't be the airbrushing as much as after the spraying. I'm wondering how well the finish will hold up. I have tubes of that paint for figure work, and they seem durable after brushing. I thin with distilled water when using these for painting my stuff. G

Actually that was all headed for us however we were able to divert the snow to Arizona. 29 degrees this morning on the way to the office. It's warmer in the midwest than here in the Mojave desert. Horrific winds too. December of '08 we got 6" of heavy wet snow, worst snowfall in 35 years. Viva Las Vegas! G

Yup, B.R.A.S.S, Breathe, Relax, Aim, Squeeze, Shoot. Personal best, 1193 yards, across the outer perimeter at Tahn Son Nhu Airbase, April '75. G

MrsG insists on buying cinnamon rolls, the kind that come with icing. The icing is contained in a white vinyl plastic cup which is impervious to everything. These make great mixing bowls. These plastic cups are covered by an aluminum disk 2" or so in diameter. I use bluetack and place glue bottles, accelerator bottles, paint etc etc etc. onto them, thereby increasing the size of the base. G

One more, for some reason photoyuckit didn't like this one. D

A little of this, a little of that and before I knew it the car was like this. G

Gorgeous! G

I had the opportunity to add some detail to the engine compartment. I worked off a photo of my co-workers GTO. I used some scrap wire and some beading wire to replicate the various hoses and lines. G

Some tips if I may. For the most part stay away from CA glues. Fogging will occur, and, if you place a part crooked, your screwed. CA is good for armor and other military subjects as we tank builders put the whole thing together, then paint. I use several different types of adhesives. Clear paint is, first and foremost, my favorite. Dab a bit on, place the part and wait. You can use masking tape to create a ledge for the emblem to sit on while the paint dries, preventing gravity from taking hold. There is a certain type of white glue called Gator Grip, that I have been using a lot lately. It's a bit different from good old Elmer's, it dries quickly and is rock hard. http://www.gatorsmask.com/index.html Future is also a good alternative, I've used it a lot for clear parts. Again I'm using all this on armor, but the basics are the same. That's a fairly simple detail set which will look good when applied. Those nickel frets can be polished up beautifully. DON'T use a power tool, like a Dremel, for this. Talk about a launch like the space shuttle. Brass PE bends well when run through a candle flame first. Nickel is tougher but as you can tell, the set you are looking at is designed in a way that the parts sit flat and require little or no bending. G

I know you were! I would have also, but I think making them is easier, as resin casting what will be a delicate piece is the pits. G

I'd like to share this with my forum friends. Sorry I'm late but I was baking cookies. This our favorite family recipe for cookies. Be sure to read the instructions VERY CAREFULLY! Jack Daniels Christmas Cookies 1 cup of water Lemon juice 1 tsp baking soda 4 large eggs 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of nuts 1 tsp salt 2 cups of dried fruit 1 cup of brown sugar 1 cup Jack Daniels Whiskey 1. Sample the Jack Daniels to check quality. 2. Take a large bowl, check the Jack Daniels again to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. 3. Turn on the electric beater. 4. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. 5. Add one teaspoon of sugar.... 6. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the Jack Daniels Is still okay. Try another cup, just in case. 7. Turn off the mixerer thingy. 8. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. 9. Pick the frigging fruit off the floor. 10. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers, just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the Jack Daniels for tonsisticity. 11. Next, sift two cups of salt, or whatever. Who giveshz a sheet. Check the Jack Daniels. 12. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. 13. Greash the oven. Turn the cake 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner.! 14. Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Dack Janiels and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

If you positively have to have duplicates and cannot afford kits, here's what I'd do. See how the parts are just rods, attached to fittings? I'd replicate the fittings from styrene and obtain some styrene rod of the correct diameter. You can then carefully glue away. Stiff wire will work also, as will brass rod. Make a pattern and carve the fittings from sprue, or if you like buy some plastic sheet. A $1.99 "For Sale" sign from a DIY store will work just fine. G

I use a brush on acrylic clear flat from Windsor and Newton. I get it at art supply stores. It doesn't dry as fast as other acrylics, so you have some working time. I like using clear acrylic "paint" as I can control the application, and can be assured it won't seperate over time. Being acrylic it won't effect the base coat (same color as the flocking BTW). G

MrsG and I are drinking coffee, and discussing all sorts of mundane topics this morning. We did not exchange gifts per mutual agreement. We took care of the kids and grandkids (spoiled). Tomorrow is her birthday, she wants NOTHING, but I did obtain a card for her. Commercialism has spoiled the season, therefore we look inward and thank God for our lives together and the blessings we have. G

Oh I like that. G