David G.

Wow, I'd almost forgotten about this one Anton! I'm glad you didn't though. Seeing all the detail you're throwing into this makes me smile. David G.

That's a clever bit of engineering with the cocktail stick David! The only non-toxic fume free suggestion I might offer to fill in the dimples would be hydrocal plaster. Though it would likely be tricky to mix in teaspoon proportions and then there's the matter of painting the fill afterword. It probably wouldn't bond with the plastic either unless you mixed some PVA into it. Hmmm. She does have a good stance in profile. David G.

Thank you kindly Bob. =D-

Thank you David. I was really surprised to discover how colorful and opulent looking many of these ships actually were. Thinking about it, it makes sense though. These vessels were functional emissaries of the Empire and often the first representation of the Crown that people of other countries would see. England had a reputation to uphold. I've learned so much about so many different topics through "playing with these plastic toys" as some would see it. David G.

Thanks! Yeah, it's like I say: "Back before Stock Car Racing became the National Association of Same Car Auto Racing." =D-

That looks great Bob! Sorry to hear about the whole BMF situation. Getting old sucks. It seems that we spend the first twenty-five years of our lives pushing to find our limits and then the next fifty years trying to live within those limits as they slowly shrink around us. David G.

That's quite a good shine David! I see also what you were saying about the transition between the wings and doors. Aside from the parting seams, it's not bad at all; nothing like the abysmal mess I dealt with. It wouldn't have been so bad it it were just one side but... It looks like you got lucky with your kit. David G.

She is indeed, thank you. I found that photo while researching this build. 😮 It's the only one I saw with the speed likes like that. I figures that it's probably a replica with two right-sided number decals. Or they just didn't pay attention to which side was which. Thank you David. =D-

I think they're excellent photos, I snatched a copy of them for my own reference. As a young man I frequented scrap yards in search of parts to keep my own cars running. I would often spend hours just exploring and visiting the old ghosts that seemed to haunt such places. Poking about old wrecks like the one in those photos you uploaded, I could feel those old cars for what they once were. In some I could see the potential of what they could once again be. From the photos, this feels like one of those cars. In what it is now I can feel what it was and see what it could be again. Great progress on the polishing! I like the properly sized mascot too. I wish I could have found one for the Rolls I built. David G.

Hello Everybody! Over several build sessions I was able to apply remainder of the decals, install the windows and add the chrome bits. I also bought some BMF black foil to put on the gravel guards. Just the edge of which can be seen in this photo. Last night I got the whole thing scraped into a pile and assembled. I can see some touchup I need to do on the BMF door spears and a couple of other locations. Other than those few items, this one is done! I'll get some better photos to post in the Under Glass section later this week. As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to comment as you see fit. David G.

Thank you Michael, slow and steady. Well, slow anyway! =D-

Based on your description and the photos you shared, your version of this kit is almost identical to the one I worked on a couple of years ago. Right down to the proportion of wheels to tires. I believe your Hubley kit is the of original release and the Minicraft that I built is a re-pop. From what I can see in the photos you posted it looks like the transition between the wings and doors is in a somewhat better state. David G.

The paint looks good. David G.

Hello Everybody! I do plan to finish this one. It's not particularly difficult just more of a slog than anything else. To try to replicate the blue and gold of the rosettes on the gallery area I decided to start with some gold BMF. I brushed on a coat of turquoise enamel paint, let it dry for a few hours then cleaned off the frames and rosettes. It'll need a little more effort but I think I can make it work. I made a first pass at throwing some color at the decks. I expressed some of the Tamiya TS-33 Dull Red from the can and brushed it on along with some XF-68 NATO Brown and XF-52 Flat Earth. The second pass at the deck detail got things cleaned up a little but there's still more to do. As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post any comments you may have. David G.

Wow Jim, you're right. This one has been going on for a while! It does look great though and it's been a lot of work to get here. The decal on the package shelf is perfect! David G.

It's nice seeing your progress on this endeavor David. The polishing technique you've worked out seems to work very well, I'll have to keep it in mind for future use. I think I may be the forum member you're referring to. As far as the mixed results, the polishing actually came out rather well. The only problems I had were some issues with my attempted clear coat. I did of course paint the livery markings but the Gulf blue is as cast. The build turned out to be one of my favorites. In fact it's the one I use for my avatar here and on my Face Book page. Back onto the polishing topic, have you considered Novus products? I believe their phase 2 & 3 compounds are water-based, at least they have no odor that I can detect. And their #1 seems to be a thin acrylic solution. Just another suggestion. I can't wait to see more of your work on the Rolls. I'm glad you were able to find the other one that's still left on the planet. David G.

Oh yeah, the dreaded "axle hole" Nice work filling that and on the other details too. Great looking engine! Thanks for posting them.

Maybe the reason you're having difficulty finding any more of those old Minicraft Rolls kits, David is because you have most of the ones still in existence! For paint have you considered Tamiya acrylics? I know they're a solvent based acrylic but their solvent is essentially the same as glass cleaner. Though I'm not sure if even that is within your safety zone. David G.

You have a great attitude toward this whole situation David. Diet, exercise and lifestyle may sound cliche but they do make a difference in providing a foundation on which the physicians can build their care plans. Medication can only do so much, the rest of it is up to the patient. That Rolls looks like the same monstrosity that I struggled with a while back. The engine looks like a good fit. It's difficult to imagine that the makers of such a large and heavy automobile would put anything other than a V-8 in it. But maybe I'm just thinking like an American here. David G.

I love being able to find a use for those left-over customization bits from other kits! That will look much better than the other one. David G.

Thank you Michael. This has been one of the more enjoyable builds I've done lately. Thank you Dennis. Thanks Bob, I really appreciate that. David G.

Great looking build, love your photo set too! David G.

That is just so cool! You haven't just built a model or diorama, you've built a little world! David G.

Wow David, I'm terribly sorry to learn of your unfortunate diagnosis. I do hope you can find some satisfactory alternatives to the VOC-based paints and adhesives we use in this hobby. There are many options out there so I'm certain you'll find a way to continue building. All of that aside, how are you doing? Aside from the obvious, I hope you're feeling well. It almost seems flippant to mention it now but great work patching up those light leaks. David G.

Hello Everybody! Here's the next installment of the '50 Oldsmobile Club Coupe Darlington Version saga. It took three build sessions but I got the brightwork foiled. I also drilled the holes in the hood for the jet-plane ornament. Next come the decals. This is about half of the ones called out for the Darlington version. I also started detailing some of the chrome bits. As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post any comments you may wish to share. David G.