Erik Smith

That looks very nice - very nice color. I wouldn't mind seeing some more pictures. I actually like the simple lines of the '63 Chryslers as the earlier years tended to be a little too "odd" to my eye(s). The pictures look a little distorted, though - wide angle lens effect?

This is still on USFS property, Lolo National Forest, Ninemile Ranger District, Montana. It was converted to haul pack mules and has an aluminum bed on it. Engine and tranny still in place - it looks like you could crank start too! (hole in radiator to crank shaft pulley)

This is going in my latest build, a 64 GTO. Engine is the 618 cu in Chevy Big Block from Revell's shoebox 55 with a few mods: It's stil a work in progress but pretty close to being installed.

...When I found my first issue of SAE at, of all places (and to the best of my memory), a Supervalu grocery store in Campbell River, BC, Canada. I must have been around 14 or 15 and couldn't believe there really was a "world" of model builders out there. After a break (I built through college, then life got too busy, I guess), I picked the hobby back up and the Internet again affirmed the reality of the "adult-ness" of the hobby. I have never been ashamed of the hobby, but it is difficult for some people to realize or acknowledge the skill, patience, and artistic ability required to build an attractive, well built model car.

Foind this old Kenworth in Montana

I have never had to thin it. I have had some clumping issues of not shaken well enough though. I believe it is an enamel - Alclad Laqcuer is just in the name.

I believe it is a Boss 429. It would not be easy converting it to a 429 Thunderjet (correct, anybody?).

Kit T474. I think this was '78???

Traveling on business? Maybe. Otherwise, there is too much to see and do when I travel. I will stop by hobby shops of I see one, but I wouldn't sit down and build. It does look like a neat case though.

Glad it was a hit. I am a couple hours from the Tri-Cities but haven't really been into hydroplanes for about 25 years or more. Maybe I'll take the kids some year.

You need to mess that bench up a bit. Really nice work area. I just purchased one of those big 1/8 hot rods - yours is looking cool.

Wow. 13 and she put together a HELLER kit? Looks great, too. Nice work! I have a 9 year old daughter and she builds periodically - she's working on the Beatle's Yellow Submarine currently.

Nice build! Great weathering and overall look.

This is a neat kit - has some issues, but bring on the four doors! I actually found one at a hobby store 2 years ago and built this:

One.

Here is an interesting little kit I just received in the mail from Tokyo Hobby. It is a 1980s Suzuki ST30 "Carry" - this being a Post Car version. I admit, I don't know a lot about this little truck, but I like to find and build odd cars and trucks and this one fills the bill. It is typical of many Aoshima kits in that it is curbside with very little detail on the chassis - all of the detail being molded as one piece. Also, there is no chrome tree - and research shows no need as these were work trucks and with little or no chrome. The body: Notice the large window openings on the cargo box? The truck represented in the box art is a closed cargo box, so this kit has seen life as another variation (there are two Aoshima kits currently available, both closed cargo box) - more on the "other" variation below. First Sprue, clear parts: Notice here - there are windows for the openings in the cargo box. Also, there are two lanterns (left side of sprue) in addition to some other "extras". Next: Here we have the interior tub for the cargo box. More clues as to the previous variation of the kit - it appears to be a food truck, or "Roach Coach", of some sort. There is a small seat, grill, and some misc. cooking items. One of the two sets of wheels are here too - they appear to be a Watanabe style. Chassis and interior tub sprue: Note the lack of detail on the chassis - pretty simple - leaving lots of time to detail the cargo box! The other wheels and the tires: Nice steel wheels with open holes and decent looking, and very cute, tires. More parts: Here are the "fillers" for the cargo box sides. They are made out of very thin styrene and it is necessary to sand off the window moldings on cargo box in order to get these panels to sits flush. Luckily, Aoshima includes a sheet of sand paper (I assume is for this task). The nice little decal sheet includes marking for the "Post Car", and I have no idea what else they say. Well, I can read the Suzuki decals - the rest requires Japanese translation. This looks like a cool little truck. I bought two so I could build a stock one and one either weathered old workhorse or a custom of some sort. I am intrigued about the original variations of this kit, one, I assume, is represented by this truck: I'll be keeping an eye peeled for that thing! Or any of these!

I scratch built an engine compartment for a 1/32 car once. It was relatively simple yet it took me hours and hours to finish. The compartment on this car is not simple - I am really looking forward to seeing the work you will be putting into it. Excellent work and thanks for taking the time to continue posting your progress!

I like the interior work so far - over the top, but that's what I like. This will be a cool model.

I like the custom touches - never anything wrong with trying something new - too bad your not all that happy with the headlight treatment, I think it's cool. The engine turned out great. One thing that glares out to me is the front tires. They would benefit immensely from a little sanding of the tread - they are very noticeable on the Manx front end.

Continuing with the other sprues... Four of each: Decals and extra booklet, nice touch:

As promised last week, here are the contents (not trying to cut out Casey's pics, but I felt bad not getting to this until today): I am pleasantly surprised how nice the parts look considering the age of the kit and how many times it has been released.

I like it!

Great combination so far. I like it.

Just grabbed one of these kits at HobbyTown USA today. I have to say, it looks tremendous considering this thing is such an old kit. Very little flash - in fact, it is a very cleanly molded kit. I'll get some pictures up later.