Erik Smith

Tamiya kit I love minis and this kit - I have about 10 more in different configurations.

The mailman brought these today. Two funky camper vans.

Really cool. Wish i could buy more time AND more kits. I love these old Toyotas. They are rare in the US - I've seen a lot just north of the border. Does the kit have full floating axle in the rear? Toyota seemed to short US spec vehicles of the heavy duty options available else where.

Question - are models a good investment? If your careful where you buy and how much you spend, models can be a decent investment? They are relatively quick to liquidate for small amounts of cash - just throw them on the auction block. Some kits will probably never be reissued, so until our computers start printing out replicas, they will retain or increas in value. It probably beat the NYSE for the last couple years. I have been fortunate and made more selling than I paid for a lot of kits. I guess I won't sell the ones I paid too much for.

Great looking build. Nice work.

Running some google searches... Found this: http://picasaweb.google.com/m/viewer#album/ErieChris333/5062443911084470689 I'm on my phone, so I hope the link works out.

70% Isopropyl alcohol for Tamiya Cheap lacquer thinner for Model Master

I spent $19.95 on a Gremlin with an ill fitting grill. Expensive, yes. They do look awesome when Alex builds them though. I am considering spending $100 on an old kit, but will probably delay long enough for someone else to buy it. I can't imagine debating myself for a $300 kit with fit an finish issues.

Darin - did you get some parts made with the kit? I remember reading and looking at Randy's build - I'll take a closer look now as I forgot he had some PE made and made some on his own. I have a couple scratch build projects coming up that involve scripts/ribs on valve covers and I think I'll get the kit and try it. I'll let everybody know how it goes - unless they turn out terrible. Then I'll destroy everything and find a new hobby. No, not that last part.

I followed the other topic and have seen some others - but, has anybody actually used this kit? Anyone have pictures of something they have made? Good or bad, I've been intersted in this system for awhile. I read a lot of "won't work because of" comments and recommendations but never by someone who actually used the system - or at least that indicated they had.

I have a problem - I like to build and tinker and look...when I get kits I open them, loll through the parts, test fit some stuff (lose some stuff), pull stuff out for other projects - you get the idea. I bought a rare sealed kit with the intention of reselling it but I HAD to open it first - probably knocked a little off the selling price, but whatever. I have a few vintage/rare kits and of I don't plan on building or raiding them, I sell them. One thing I find interesting is everybody thinks the kit they have is worth X dollars (usually the highest buy it now price on eBay) but are flabbergasted when another person wants X amount for their kit - human nature I guess.

This is a great looking build. Very clean and well done. I really like. If I didn't have 87 years worth of projects lined up, your build would get me going on one of these.

Cool. I've never seen one of the MFH being built so this is interesting. MFH is an interesting company too.

All the kits in my stash are unbuilt. There are about 300.

Two of the "black" colors are Engine Black and Grimy Black from Floquil. Engine Black is pretty black while Grimy is closer to charcoal.

Welcome Robert - always great to have new builders on the site. I have learned and been inspired by this forum - I hope you will to. That Revell Impala kit is one of the nicest kits made. The version you have has a bench seat, but the SS version (newer release) has the bucket seats, center console, and gear shifter plate you'll need.

What did, or how did, you cut that louver panel? I have always loved these cars - well, since about 6th grade anyway. A car built for one thing - winning rally races. Like the little details being addressed.

Really cool engine in that, well, thing. Nice execution. I like the transition of the blue to silver paint.

Don't overlook the Paasche H series brushes. They are single action, have a variety of tips, and are relatively inexpensive - and are popular with some people who really know how to lay down nice paint jobs.

Great work - and lots of it. Looked through the Fotki album - you took that R & R kit and made it into something outstanding!

I had one and returned it to HL for an Eclipse. It sprayed really nice right from the box but as soon as I tore it down for a thorough cleaning the consistency of spraying dropped off. I had trouble keeping a seal on the head cap. It came from the factory with some type of red thread seal and once I removed the cap, it did not seal and caused the AB to sputter and spray erratically. I did get it sealed with thread tape but that is a pain to have to replace every time you clean. Also, I removed the nozzle and upon retightening, I destroyed the tiny rubber grommet between the nozzle and the body. You can get replacements, but, again, a pain. I already had an eclipse siphon, so I returned the NEO gravity and got an eclipse gravity feed - both eclipses have served me very well with no problems.

Nail polish applied WITH the polish brush! Classic! I'm all for building ANY model - cut up, stock, just built. Collectors should like it too, makes their stuff more valuable.

Nice. It's refreshing to see a Subaru built up that's not too modified or a Rally car - I like those too, just nice to see a model of a car I would actually see on the road. Great job on a very clean build.

Go with the wagon! Tear into that box! I would love to see it built up. Think how lonely all those parts would be if you just left them in the box.

Really nice, clean build. Very attractive car. Nice job.