Jim Gibbons

Impressive what you're doing with this kit. Streetrod is the way to go with the Pyro. If you want to build one stock, the old Monogram kit is pretty nice. Just a hint; on the 1:1, the headlight covers are flush with the fenders, so you might consider deeply scribing around them, then sanding them down.

Stunning; a beautiful build.

Just plain awesome. Wow.

Love it!

I love this thing!

A couple...

C'est magnifique!!! Chevrolet should have made that.

I've learned that international shipping can be a fling of the dice. I received an order from Germany in less than a week, yet one from Italy took over a month. Well, I really shouldn't be surprised at the efficiency of Germany's postal system!

As said above, it's likely a modeling concession to make the wheels positionable. I guess that back in the '60s, models with working features got better sales. I know it did with me. Opening hoods, doors, steerable wheels; modeling heaven back then! I remember building my first Revell '57 Chevy with all the operating features (including pivoting, retractable rear windows!) with the internal engine detail. I thought it was the coolest thing. The old Revell '59 Ford Skyliner retractable hardtop with a working roof!? The Revell VW DeLuxe bus with all the opening panels? Nirvana. I need to get another version of both of those and relive my youth.

17/19....that was fun.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the Monogram '58 T-Bird is an F series (was on the 1:1.) If I recall, and what I can see from the Drastic Plastic's instruction sheet, the distributor is at the front of the engine, a sure F series sign. Myself, I kind of liked the '56 Fairlane engine a bit better than the '57. I think that the fact it didn't have all the chromed parts that the early '57 Fairlane releases had, had a lot to do with it. Monogram also had their 1/24 '56 T-Bird which came from the diecast metal bodied models from the '70s, but I built it so long ago for someone, that I can't remember some of the engine details. Depends whether or not you want stock Ford valve covers, or chromed T-Bird versions, and in what scale.

Chris, that is a magnificent job! It makes me want to build one. If I really wanted to lose what's left of my mind, I'd like to light it up with fiber optics and LEDs. That'd be a lot of portholes to drill out. Back in the early '80s, I built the Dover Books Alan Rose waterline paper model of the Titanic. I really would like to find another. I did all the rigging with carpet thread, and it was an impressive model that was at least three feet long, if not more.

Those are beautiful. I built von Richtofen's version for a friend. I'd really like to build the framework version, but I need to get a photoetch jig first. The Eduard kits are wonderful.

Great job; I also have that book. I miss the Hueys and the distinct sound those rotors had.

Glad to hear some news from you again! I have a Zen attitude when it comes to models; things will be finished when it's their time. I've been messing with a very simple Heller 1/43 Citroen 2CV, and enjoying every prolonged minute of it!

Totally understood, Mark. It IS amazing at how many are available. However, speaking for myself, I'm disabled and on a fixed income. I would buy a Modelhaus '56 Lincoln Premiere in a heartbeat if it were in my budget, as with a '56 Mercury and '61 Plymouth. I'm having a hard time swallowing the current prices of plastic kits as it is. That's one reason I'm so excited about the '53 Hudson Hornet and '55 Chrysler C-300 from Moebius; yes, they are pushing the $30 envelope, but offer a big bang for the buck for cars that were never done in plastic. I've already put money aside for these. Yes, I've spent some $ in the past on 1/43rd resin kits, but can't afford them any more. I still want a 1/24-5 '61-'64 SAAB 96; to the best of my knowledge, that's not available even in resin in that scale. If anyone knows differently, PLEASE let me know, and I'll donate blood to get one, LOL!

Very nice; I like your choice of the two tone colors. A bit of time with a polishing kit should give the results you want. I will definitely copy your body bracing idea when I get around to mine. I likely would only have done it after a disastrous break while building. I'm looking forward to see more of your progress; I know I will learn from you. Happy new Year, Erik!

If you search for "The Big One" in the On the Workbench forum, Romell (Aftashox) is wiring his wrecker model with LEDs. He included the link http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/bl-214f.html that has them. I just tried the website, and couldn't connect, so perhaps their site is temporarily down. Hope this helps.

Really cool; I don't know how extensive the photography is in the magazine you're using as reference, but Hemmings Classic Car wrote this same car up back in January will many pictures. Here's the link: http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2010/01/01/hmn_tips1.html

I will also miss Jerry's talent; I always looked forward to his new cards or calendar pages. Many years ago, I read that heaven is the place where one's fondest dreams and thoughts are realized. If that is indeed true, and one's soul can transcend time and space, then I know Jerry will be track-side somewhere, watching Fireball Roberts, Joe Weatherly, etc., racing. I have a Starter 1/43 Buck Baker '59 Chevy that's been sitting around for years. I will build it this coming year, and dedicate the build to Jerry. Godspeed, Jerry; we will miss you.

Very nice. I built that same kit with the same decals back in the mid '70s. I believe that kit dates back to the '60s. The decal "silvering" is likely from applying to flat paint. When I build a camo painted aircraft, I apply gloss coat over the flat paint, apply the decals, then finish with a dull coat. A pain in the neck, but is worth the extra time to avoid silvering. I mainly build aircraft with a natural metal finish using aluminum foil or Tamiya gloss aluminum, so I'm able to skip the clear coat steps. Hope this helps.

That is totally, completely, wholly, awesome! Jagermeister distillers should see this thread if they sponsor a car. Wow.

Looking great; can't wait to see it under glass. The current issue of Hemming's Classic Car had a great profile of the Bronco. You know what'll happen now after scratchbuilding this...someone will come out with a kit!

Very nice; I'd like to tackle a 1/32 Trumpeter aircraft model someday.

Phillip, that's a beautiful job! I've been building foil finished aircraft for over 25 years, and nothing looks better than real aluminum to replicate natural metal finishes. I had actually started to build the same kit in the same way, but at the time, I had a roommate with cats that played with and hid a number of key parts (my fault for not packing my work area away better; I got sidetracked by a Saturday night beer and darts party my roommate had in our apt.), so it went into the abandoned project pile. No doubt, cats and models don't mix well. (As with beer and darts, lol!) Well done; I love the pre-war "yellow wings." I have a Grumman XF5F I've been slowly working on, but that will be finished in Tamiya Gloss Aluminum, as that's how Grumman painted it, along with the yellow wings.