Jim Gibbons

Hmmm...sorry about that; I'm sure I was able to see photos before I joined their forum. I'll ask the builder if I can download a few pictures and post them here.

I'm in a paper modeling forum, and plan to ramp up my tutorial build of a paper VW Bus here soon. This 1/12 Olds Runabout model that is in progress must be seen! Art Anderson, in light of your Knox model, I know you'll enjoy this. For those who are Doubting Thomases about paper modeling, just take a look at this. I'm blown away! http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/civilian-wheels/13696-1904-oldsmobile-runabout-1-12-scale.html

I'm on a fixed income due to a bone disease, so fortunately I had a modest stash of kits before I had to go on disability (including a few aircraft, maybe 30 kits total.) The Moebius Hudson and Chrysler C-300 will be must haves, though. Paints are my biggest problem, as the price of them now is nuts. I don't own an airbrush, so I have to rely on sprays. Tamiya is my brand choice, and since I build mostly '50s, early '60s models, two toning is a wallet buster for me. I've been getting into paper modeling lately; many are free downloads, and if purchased, fairly inexpensive. I can print the download ones out, and the printed editions can be scanned for personal use so I can build a "beta" version before I cut up the original. The only supply cost is craft glue, cardstock, color ink cartridges, and #11 blades. I still build plastic, but I've modified my modeling hobby a bit to fit my budget. I was recently fortunate to get a small inheritance from a family estate, so it's allowed me to treat myself to a few things. I plan to stock up on some paints, especially in light of their ever climbing prices. That's my take on it.

Danbury Mint out-did themselves on this; I don't get many diecast models, but if there is an especially amazing one, and if it's a car that appeals to me and isn't available in kit form, resin, etc., I will go for it. I wish Bandai would re-release the 1/16 '37s, but that looks unlikely. I doubt this car will see the light of day in kitform, so it was a must have. I find it amazing they were able to incorporate all the working features in 1/24.

It is...I made one simple modification to mine. I guess some of the earlier production runs have incorrect width on the whitewalls. They painted the inner part blue. I popped them out w/ a blade, scraped the blue paint off, sanded and repainted white. Big improvement. Here's the thread from the Diecast Ramblings board that made me do it: http://www.diecastramblings.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2115 I also have to admit I had seen a picture of the car you posted in an auction report article a while ago. I think it sold for a bit over $200k. I remember drooling over it and thinking that if I only had the money...well, one can dream, no?

I guess I'm late to the party, but this was a good idea. It's nice to put a face to the handle. Here's a few: October '63... Christmas, '65; playing with the train set I received. The back end of the Hess truck in the left side was my gift the previous year, the first issue. I still have it. Sadly, the train set is long gone. I wasn't into scale fidelity back then! A fairly recent one...

Real. That would be a beautiful body style to convert an Entex '37 Packard into. I had to save and order the new Danbury Mint diecast of this body styled Packard, and it came last week. Wow. This is one of my top ten favorite automobiles.

There was a good thread on converting a 55 Belair convertible using Nomad parts, etc. into a 4Dr wagon: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42106 Hope this helps!

Happy 50th! The Eiffel Tower is 122 today; look how young you are! I just realized that I officially joined this forum one year ago today, too. Definitely a red letter day all around!

That IS a good day, indeed!

Very cool; it did bring back memories. Neat to see the truckloads of new '60 Ramblers, and later, '60 Cadillacs in the film.

My first car was a V8 '54 Ford Customline 4dr. I built the Lindberg '53 Victoria in the same colors and interior as mine, so that's as close as I can get. My second car should really be considered my first, as I didn't drive the '54 much. It was a Daytona yellow '69 Camaro coupe. It was pretty much a grandma Camaro, as it had the base 327, Powerglide, a/c, hubcaps. It did have a black vinyl roof and the high back all vinyl seats. I did build the Monogram '69 in the late '70s to come close, but I never liked the proportions of that kit. One of these days, I'll convert one of the newer kits into a good replica. One I will build soon is an AMT VW Rabbit to replicate my '78 Bronze Edition. I have a can of the factory paint to use on it.

A sad bit of news. However, he has also caused me a lot of grief at certain times during my model building days. Credit should also be given to Chaim Weizmann, who developed a process to create acetone. There have been many times that that I appreciated Herr Weizmann more than Mr. Coover!

I've used both straight and alternating direction, depending on the model. I prefer to alternate, but clearly, it would be nearly impossible to use the alternating direction method for something like the rear quarter panel under the fin on a '59 Chevy. The past few years, I've been using Tamiya rattle cans, and with a carefully applied paint job, I've been able to start with much finer grits. I can't remember using anything less than the mid range in those polishing kits in many years. Unless you have a paint job with a lot of orange peel, drips, etc., start with the finest grit you can use. I also polish the paint directly without using a clear coat, unless it is metallic or special paint; then I apply clear. Hope this helps.

Sorry to hear about your pain. I have osteonecrosis, and it has destroyed my hips, knees, and left shoulder. A product I use for my knees and shoulder (my hips are too far gone for this stuff to work, and there, it is bone pain,) is Topricin. It's a homeopathic anti-inflammatory creme, and I'm amazed at how well it works. It's fairly expensive, but worth it. It also won't interfere with medications you might be on. Here's the website link, and it has a store locator to find if it's available near you, or you can order from the website. Topricin

No problem; I figured I'd ask, and all opinions are welcome! I'll be posting it on the papermodels.com board, but I was curious as to whether there would be interest here. In case you want to see what can be done with them, here's a video someone posted of their totally scratch built Hummer H2 paper model with working suspension and lights. Kind of like an Aftashox version in cardstock! Edit: I meant H1, not H2...it's like a bathroom break; there is a difference between #1 and #2!

I might have to get this book. Very cool. I like the production line photos; that would make a nifty diorama. Thanks for the heads up.

If you drive yourself a bit crazy with a lot of parts to kitbash, the Fujimi Porsche 356 kits have some nice detail. I know a lot of folks don't particularly like these, but I built one years ago, and it came out very nicely. Here's the Drastic Plastic link to the instruction sheet for the 356 Speedster. http://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/instruction_sheetsh/instruction_sheets/fujimi/fujimi-porsche-356-/

One of my other modeling interests is paper models. I recently got this very nice VW Bus model by Schreiber-Bogen. It's quite nicely done in 1/24 scale. It has the option of building it with full forward cab section interior detail, including separate pedals, shift lever, dash, door panels, etc., which is the way I will be building it, making my own windows. Is anyone interested in a tutorial on paper modeling while it is in progress? There aren't a lot of passenger car paper models (though Dover books has a nifty one of sports cars,) but there are quite a few trucks, buses, heavy equipment, and military vehicles available. Let me know. I probably won't be starting this for a couple of weeks, but figured I'd ask if there is any interest. Here's a picture of some of the main parts and the finished product.

This is just too cool! I build replica stock style, but really enjoy creative efforts like this. Back in the late '70s, I owned a 1:1 '56 Fairlane Town Sedan. This model was also the first AMT model I ever built in their great series of '50s cars. After building a Revell '57 Chevy from the era, the AMT's were a treat. I'm being transported in time to the late '60s, early '70s here. I've probably built six or more '56 Fords over the decades, and it will always rank as one of my favorite kits.

Awesome job! I'm hearing Buster Pointdexter's song "Hot hot hot" in my head about now.

Maybe add a couple of Brooklands screens on the cowl. Very cool 3/15 you're building!

Wow, another home run! We are going to have to start calling you Chief Pontiac! I really, really like what you've accomplished with the '62 and '63. Such pretty cars modeled beautifully. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, that is looking fantastic.