David G.

I received this as a birthday gift from my son. I have three name options, I'm leaning toward Potemkin but I'm open to suggestions. This is a big model. Here's the Jeep I built recently as a size reference. When people buy a model kit version of the truck that their dad owned in 1980 and ask me, "Can you build this for me to give to my dad for his birthday?" I kind of chuckle. Because if you just want me to glue it together, then no problem. If you want me to actually *build* it then you're looking at as much as $100.00 in paint and supplies and about 40 hours of my time. Here's about $75.00 in paint and supplies for the Starship. Working on the Bussard Collectors and housings for the Warp Nacelles. The clear bits are colored with translucent orange paint and a red Sharpie. The discs behind the collectors are covered with Bare Metal Foil as are the ridges on the orange collector. I added the radial lines with Sharpies to the disc to help simulate the "propeller" effect as seen in the TV show. It should look pretty good when complete. The internal radial lined propeller effect shows better in person... but only slightly. As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to comment. David G.

Excellent retro custom work! David G.

I remember seeing one of these kits as a child but couldn't afford to buy it. I've always wanted to build one, thank you for sharing yours with us. Excellent work! David G.

Aside from style and substance, I miss the rich smell of unburnt hydrocarbons and well-burnt rubber. And this... David G.

Good color choice- love the grille detail. David G.

Thanks Hector, I'm glad you like it. David G.

Great work on the rescue, excellent color choice. David G.

Nicely done, great patina! David G.

Most Impressive! David G.

Looks great loaded or empty, excellent work on the tractor too! David G.

I remember this dragster form my childhood. I may have even had a model kit like this one. Nicely Done! David G.

Thank you Carl. David G.

Thanks Mike, I do have a second kit so that is certainly an option worth considering. Thank you Chris. David G.

The rope is actually a bit that I unraveled from some old clothes line and dyes with thinned acrylic paint. David G.

Very well done! David G.

You always have the best paint jobs and foil work Túlio. Your assembly and detail are top-notch too. David G.

Thank you Peter. Thanks Keith, I cut templates for the wiper tracks from masking tape then dusted the windshield with powered pastels for the dirt. Thanks Ron. Thank you Dave. ~ David G.

Thanks Snake. Thanks Alan, I'm glad you like it. I kind of thought the same thing Bruce. "Does anybody else hear the theme from M*A*S*H?"

This is done and can be seen in the Under Glass section. Thanks Everybody! David G.

I'll be watching with interest, excellent work so far! David G.

As near as I can tell from looking at the model kit, this version is based on the Ford... or Willys Jeep that would have been manufactured in 1942... or as late as 1955. There's just not enough detail to chop it that finely. This Jeep came with three options: A mounted recoilless rifle, which I don't believe was implemented in WWII, a .50 cal MG, which ended up on the Pacer Recon, and an ambulance option. Obviously, I chose the latter. I hand painted the bumper markings and if my research is correct, this Jeep is Third US Army, Medical Battalion, Vehicle 4. The Red Cross markings on the rear quarter are supposed to be placed on the sides just ahead of the rear wheels beside the seats. They were much too big to be placed there so I improvised. I think it still works. In my research on ambulance Jeeps, I found a number of different modifications for accommodating stretchers, most involved angle-iron frames bolted or welded to the front or rear. I considered going that route but I decided to keep it simple. Even with the inaccuracies, it still captures the feel of the original. And of course, the Display Case shot. As always, thanks for taking the time to visit and please feel free to comment. David G.

Very cool! David G.

Nicely Done! David G.

Nice! David G.

Thanks Patrick, that's just the look I'm going for. David G.