Matt Bacon

Close, I think, but no cigar this time! best, M.

Well, that's me told... Just to speak up (briefly) for what I do, marketing isn't (or shouldn't be) advertising or sales. Nor is it just about asking customers what they want and building it, no matter how it turds out (see what I did there...?). Marketing should be about understanding what matters to customers, what problems the are trying to solve, or what needs they have that need meeting, and creatively, with passion, coming up with products that meet those needs. To take an example close to what we do, WingNut Wings is NOT only a product of passion. They looked at the WW1 modelling fraternity, which was previously served by small-scale kits, vintage Auroras, and a few 1/32 kits from Roden, mostly, and figured out that the kind of people who would model WW1 aircraft would want large scales (1/32), state of the art, made with love, and presented with a certain style...and actually weren't too bothered about the price, because the value per building hour was high. Add to that a USP in the shape of Peter Jackson, his 1:1 collection, replica chops, and Weta Workshop and you're onto a winner. On a different but 1:1 angle, the original Mustang was ENTIRELY a marketing-led product, driven by executive corridor guys, and their secretary, telling "engineering" what they could sell... Don't knock marketing (to death, anyway). If you've ever sat down with some customers, heard what they think they want, and thought "I could do that, but it would be better if...", then you've done marketing! bestest, M.

Great job... and I know how challenging it is! Very nice colour combination, and it is such an achingly stylish car to have on the cabinet... Time to do the DB4 next? ;-P best, M.

Started good, but when I went back to work full-time in April, it went down hill pretty quickly... ...must do better in 2017! best, M.

There's a 1/24 Aston Martin DB5 in the list as well... best, M.

I don't remember the details, but I have a feeling it was a result of a short-lived period when there were possibly going to be EU regulations about the average fuel economy of all the cars produced by any individual manufacturer. I think it became clear that this was pretty silly, pretty quickly, and these days I think there are exemptions for "low-volume" manufacturers, which is why the Cygnet is no more. I also remember that one of its "selling points" at the time was that it could be easily craned aboard the luxury yacht that serial Aston owners would have, and function as an "on-shore tender..." I guess someone also figured out that it would be cheaper to hire guys (me! me !) to drive your Rapide and V12 Vantage from London to Monte Carlo than buy a whole new over-priced, body-kitted iQ... best, M.

Maybe it's just me, but the new MX-5 RF looks really cool to me... a mini 599 GTO! With a red body and black roof and flying buttresses, I think it would look fabulous. An at £33k for the top spec, it's a tad more affordable and available than a 599 GTO, and probably 95% as much fun on normal roads in daily use! best, M.

I don't know why "if they get kits from model companies they'll give good reviews" keeps coming up. I regularly read a number of 1:1 car magazines including Evo, Top Cear and Car, and I read Car & Driver online pretty regularly. All their cars are provided by the press offices of the car companies for long and short term tests (with the exception of Ferrari, which doesn't like have a LaFerrari tested head to head with a P1 and 918, so that review required one borrowed from a friendly owner...). I don't see any sign of writers and reviewers pulling their punches or ignoring the defects that they find. And those magazines get a good chunk of their money from car company advertising. Why would it be any different in the world of hobbies, where the stakes are, let's face it, rather lower...? bestest, M.

...anyone built one of these? I just snagged one for a very good price, and it looks exquisite in the box. Any build guidance much appreciated! best, M.

See, this would have been the giveaway: It's basically a motorcycle with the ultimate fairing, not a car at all... Best, M.

Ahhh... this sucks. So sorry to hear. Be strong, Harry... stay with us. You've always been an inspiration to the community, and now the community is rooting for you: I hope you feel it. Rage against the dying of the light, and come back to us. With the very best wishes, Matt

Dann... don't get your hopes up for the DB5. It's a whole different ball game, and very much worse. There are five generations of Airfix 1/32 scale kits: 1950s: vintage cars, much like Revell Highway Pioneers. Most of the 1/32 vintage cars began at this time, and it shows. 1960s (1): "modern" cars (ie up to date when launched). Includes the DB5 and E-type that are still in the range. These moulds are mostly pretty tired now and fit and detailing are highly variable. Some of the more "ordinary" cars (Austin Maxi, Vauxhall Viva) have become quite collectable -- as well as the rarities like the Mercedes 280SL. The Triumph TR3 and Ford Escort have been out more recently as well. The best of the bunch (and pretty rare) is the Jaguar 420, which is very well detailed. The DB5 is long overdue for replacement. 1960s (2): racing cars, originally intended for adaptation to slot racing as well as scale models. Includes the Ferrari 250LM, Ford 3 Litre and Porsche 917. Good shapes, but simplified (virtually non-existent) interiors to leave room for motors etc. 1970s: a few, very high quality, vintage cars, including MG K3 Magnette, 1933 Alfa Romeo and Vauxhall Prince Henry. Very detailed, a bit fragile, but beautiful models when finished. Also "Monty's" Humber Snipe staff car, though that appeared in the military range. 2010s: Modern racing cars, sharing some heritage with new Scalextric toolings (since both brands were now under the Hornby umbrella) Includes the XKR GT3, Aston DBR9 (another great kit), Mini Countryman and Ford Fiesta WRC cars. Better interior detail than the earlier slot car derived tools, with simplified chassis, though. Scalextric has just announced a new 3D-scanned E-type, so there's some hope that might lead to a new Airfix one, one day. Equally, Scalextric has HAD a brand new and very nice DB5 as a result of the 007 license since Skyfall came out, and there's no sign of that in an Airfix box... bestest, M.

That looks really good... and I know what you mean about the decals. The only thing I'd suggest is cutting the "leaping" Jaguar head decal where it crosses the door shutlines... bestest, M.

Who got it right? Only dw1603 carsntrucks4you Well done, guys! best, M.

You know the rules... answers by PM to me before end of play Friday. Answer posted Saturday morning GMT. Please don't use reverse image look-up. This is a 1953 Ford Comete Facel Coupe, though the sharp eyed among you have spotted that it's fitted with the later 1954 "Monte Carlo" bonnet (hood) with fake airscoop and the chip-cutter grille. It has the underpowered 2250cc V8, not the later 3.9 litre Mistral engine. This was an "under the radar" project by Ford France, with just over 2000 built. best, M.

I love everything about it except the wheels. Which, frankly, to me make it look like one of Hot Wheels' more "caricatured" models... which is a shame, since the majority of the build is so nicely done and authentic-looking. YMMV, clearly... bestest, M.

I think sometimes you just have to let the past be the past: an awful lot of German soldiers rode to war in a GM truck, and an awful lot of Americans bought a "Strength through Joy Wagen" in the 1960s... The Mitsubishi selling cars in the 1980s is NOT the same Mitsubishi that built the materiel for Pearl Harbor, any more than the VW that will sell you a Tiguan today is the same company that created the "peoples car"... bestest, M.

Actors: 1. Dustin Hoffman 2. Kenneth Branagh (see "Much Ado about Nothing" and "Conspiracy") 3. Glenn Close 4. James Stewart 5. Leonardo di Caprio 6. Jimmy Cagney 7. Cate Blanchett 8. Jack Nicholson 9. Robert de Niro 10. Gene Hackman Stars: 1. Marilyn Monroe 2. Sean Connery 3. George Clooney 4. Errol Flynn 5. Elizabeth Taylor 6. John Wayne 7. Julia Roberts 8. Steve McQueen 9. Paul Newman 10. Elizabeth Taylor and special mentions for: "Actor for whom I will watch any movie if he's in it": John Cusack "Actress for whom I will watch any movie if she's in it": Sigourney Weaver best, M.

A big +1 to that. And I'd maybe add: try to walk a mile in their shoes, or if you can't, at least recognise that while their shoes shoes might not fit you, they could still be a perfect fit for them. bestest, M.

That looks absolutely fabulous, Harry. So crisp and neatly detailed. I wonder how the performance compared: I suspect the little'un could run rings round the monster in a real race... Now if only they'd add a couple of similar Alfa classics to that range... All te best, M.

Who got it right? Only one... dw1603 Well done, Dave... maybe the rest of you were distracted by Real or Model... ;-P best, M.

I'm so sorry to hear that, Harry. My thoughts are with you, and you know we're all here for you. I don't know whether there's an equivalent in the US, but these people: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/index.html were fantastically helpful to my brother-in-law, his wife, and child when she was diagnosed and treated. There are a lot of support materials generally, and good advice on how to to talk to your children about it here: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/coping/talking-about-cancer/talking-to-children With very best wishes. All the best, Matt

Guest presenting, at Ken's invitation. You know the rules: year, make and model by PM to me before end of day Friday. No reverse image search... And that would be a 1994-1999 Caterham 21. Similar underneath to your more familiar-looking Lotus 7-alike Caterhams but with a nice curvy body on top. Sadly, also a heavier body, which did nothing for performance...

This showed up today: I've wanted one for years, and now it's been paid for by money for a car modelling magazine article, so I can justify it! best, M.

Just be aware that the Airfix kit isn't exactly 1/24, so your interior will need some adjustment to fit. Thanks to the type of construction, which is designed to be plug-compatible (see what I did there?) with a well-known make of construction bricks, it's 1/26 in one direction and 1/22.5 in the other (I can't remember which one is which). That said, it's by far the best plastic construction kit of the P1 that there is... bestest, M.