Darin Bastedo

As Many of you know Barely 'Cuda Suffered some damage at the last show I took it to. After much deliberati9on I decided (With the input of many of you) to tear it apart, fix a few minor flaws give it some new tail lights, (in the same style as before) and a new paint job that is considerably smoother. I hope to have this ready for the IPMS Regional in Roanoke next weekend.

Ireally don't have a break out model. My taste vary so much that you really don't know what is going to come of my bench. Current projects include; 1996 Porsche 911 GT2 Custom Speedster Ferrari F189 Formula One Car - Nigel Mansell Ford GTX1 Roadster

Rob, That is absolutely the most out-freakin'-rageous models I've seen. I can't wait to see it completed. the only thing I don't like about it is that I didn't think of of it first! BTW I adjusted your last couple of pics to show it off better. I've been collecting pics of this build in my Fotki; I Can't remember the last time I've been more interested in following a build.

Computers are just tools like a pen and a dial caliper. If you ask me the problem is human. A human didn't sit back look at the shape, he created and see if it looked right. There are plenty of reasons for a model company to release a kit that is inaccurate. there may be few viable excuses though. I guess this goes back to my Rant about measuring. Those who championed the practice of Eyeball engineering, here is your model. I agree with you Harry, We shouldn't have to fix a new kit, But unfortunately this kit is what it is. Revell isn't likely to swing for a third time after two strikes, and there is nobody else at bat. If you want to build an AAR 'Cuda, you have to use what is available. I guess the million dollar question is, would anybody buy a corrected resin body for this kit? If so I'm willing to bet I could make it happen.

I'm not surprised, not dismayed and still going to buy some. To me a model is a box of parts. some have a lot of good parts some only a few. I may correct it, I may simply use it to convert a Monogram 1971 'Cuda, I Might even build "Barely 'Cuda II". My point is there is no such thing as a useless box of plastic. At a recent model contest one of my fellow modelers commented that "You must have a fortune in that Model" when talking about my "Barely 'Cuda" Speedster. Imagine his surprise when I told him it was a parts box special. I had a spare 'Cuda body, a Callaway Corvette speedster body interior and glass, some seats from a built up Revell Stingray III, a handful of Ferrari Tail lights, some pegasus wheels and a bunch of sheet plastic, and I put it all together. No complete kits were harmed in the making of "Barely 'Cuda". Who knows with the right outlook, an inventive builder might even be able to build something out of this new kit. Barely 'Cuda in Progress My prediction, once the inaccuracies in this kit are fully known by the modeling community, there will be a lot of hand wringing, wailing at the skies, and maybe a flame war or two on other boards (not inhabited by fine gentlemen like we have here) and this will be another sign of how the model car hobby is drying up and blowing away. But it is what it is. It's just a flawed model in a long list of flawed models. this too shall pass. Who knows maybe a resin caster will do a correct body for it.

Ok, I think I've got enough feedback to help me decide. It's seems the overwhelming opinion is it looks great the way it is. So here is the plan. I will Repair the damage to the taillight panel and keep the ferrari taillights. While it is apart I will shoot a new coat of paint on the rear spoiler and re-install. The paint will get polished to a higher sheen I will reassemble and hopefully it will look just like new, but a little better. I thank everyone for their input. It really was a huge help.

Try Bob over at the Model Car Garage. He does excellent work. what ever route you go, I'll order at least one set.

While I was setting Barely 'Cuda on the contest table at this weekend I knocked the rear spoiler off. While I was glueing it back on I noticed that the rear tailight panel was warped rather severly. Here is what she looked like when I finished her; My problem is, I can't decide what to do. There are several noticable flaws, and the paint is not as shiney as I would like. Please vote above. If you vote I should make changes / improvements please post your ideas and suggestions. TIA, Darin

Here are some more pictures including some I took at Rick Hill Imports here in Kingsport. There are lots of detail pictures, including some under the skin shots. More Carrera GT pictures

Bravo! Belisimo! you hit that one out of the park!

Thanks Harry. These are the parts of a build I like the most. the small barely noticable details that make the build "pop".

On Saturday I lent my cell phone to my dad, who accidentally broke it. We after looking at my options for replacing it, I decided to ditch it in favour of a land line. Those who want my new phone number can Email Me at darin.bastedo@gmail.com and I will email you back with the number. Thanks

Hmmmm.

That is absolutely gorgeous! I've been planning to do that car for a couple of years. That is just as cool as I thought it would be. I like the way you think.

Yes this will have the correct tail lights too. When we discussed doing this kit, we knew that it would be put under the microscope by those who desperatly want one of these. With the high demand there is for this subject we figured it's well worth the time to get it right. when it came to making the appropriate changes to make the coupe body I went the extra mile to measure every possible angle and dimension. I think you guys will be pleased.

I'll be photographing the show for my website, East Coast Car News.

I'll be there. I hope to have a couple of new projects finished by then including this one...

You can get one right now, as a matter of fact many others already have. You can email Don at Reliable Resin For details.

Here are a few of my favourite detail items. I tend to use aftermarket parts like a good chef uses salt. a little goes a long way... Detail Master Wire wheels: Model Car Garage Ditributor Kit: Pegasus Hela wheels, Detail Master Exhaust tips & license plate frame: DB Designz / Reliable Resin Ford GTX1 Resin body. (I may be biased on this one. I mastered it.)

No sweat I'm glad I could help. cool contest BTW

I tried it on my own and it is working. I'm not sure what wasn't done but I say give it another try.

Welcome aboard Jackie! I'm glad you found us!

I fill the sink mark or gap with super glue, and then spray it with accelerator, which cures it almost instantly. then I simply sand it smooth. it feathers out nicely, doesn't shrink over time and paints just like plastic. That is how I did all the body work on this model; as far as the detail painting goes, I suggest picking up a good set of very fine brushes from the local art supply store. As you get more into this hobby you will find that a small investment in the right tools will save to a lot of time and give you better results.

"I am fairly new to model building, and I just bought a Revelle 1/12 Ferrari Testarossa. The Testarossa was my favorite car as a kid, and I want this model to be perfect. 1.) How do you paint inside the strakes behind the door on a Testarossa? Those are usually a flat black. And that is a hard spot to reach. Its pretty much too small to mask with tape-I tried it. I have read that you should always glue all body parts (spoilers, vents, etc) on before painting. Do you really have to? Especially when its a car like this that has some narrow areas to get into." Only the area nearest the door seam gets a semi-gloss black treatment. I would use an arylic semi-gloss paint and a very fine brush to paint this area after painting the main body color. by using acrylic over lacquer or enamel any mistakes can be removed with an alcohol dipped Q-Tip. This technique can be used on the engine cover also. "2.) Interior flocking. Where do you get it? Hobby Lobby and Michael's don't carry it. Who does (names of places)?" Detail Master has the flocking you need. 3.) Like most models, there are some tiny flaws from the mold it came out of. What would work as a filler other than a plastic model filler? I don't live in a huge city, and finding a specialty item like plastic model filler or flock is very difficult. Would a regular epoxy or glue work? These flaws are VERY small. They may not even show up through several coats of paint. Many guys use automotive glasing putty, but I use gap filling super glue (Medium) either works fine and should be available locally. 4.) Has anyone built a Testarossa (any scale) on this forum and wouldn't mind sharing some pics? I see a lot of 360s and 430s, but no TRs. I didn't see any on the other forums. I have an extensive collection of Ferrari detail photos in my Fotki account, and am in the process of adding about 300 new Ferrari albums. Here are two Testarossa albums to get you started; Black 1987 Testarossa Red 1987 Testarossa I hope this helps.