Exotics_Builder

mcwautofinishes@cs.com

They claim 1/24th. I would say between 1/24 and G Scale (1/22.5). Hobby Gear has a bunch of diorama stuff: http://phoenixtoys.com/Hobby-Gear

My haul from the DuPage Toy Show I’m thinning out my collection prior to moving, so I was out looking mainly for aftermarket parts. Here’s what I got:

http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/2013%20Arlington%20Hts%20Historical%20Society%20Car%20Show

Saw Nick and a lot of other club members. Spent a few bucks mainly on aftermarket and got a Villa Rivera 65 kit for a decent price.

Went to last Supercar Saturday of the season. A little rain shower went through early and several cars pulled out. But, there were still some that remained. Mainly sports cars, exotics, modern muscle cars, but some others as well... http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/2013-09-07%20Supercar%20Saturday

A lot of work, but the right way to do it. I lot of hand work is necessary even with a tracer program. Raster graphics (JPEG, PNG, TIF, etc.) will always be a bit fuzzy. I'll scan at 2400 DPI to get a good start. But that can create a file of 60-80 megabytes on a typical decal sheet.

The majority of these will require you to go the Japanese model manufacturers and aftermarket. Some options are: Revell California Wheels kits with the larger wheels and tires. Tread patterns are limited and no sidewall detail. Aoshima and Fujimi do wheel sets that include wheel and tire. They do offer 17"-20" sets. Many are out of production but are reissued from time to time. Not many are big-littles, mostly same size front and rears. You need to watch for these as reissues sell out fast. Hobbysearch Japan is a good place to watch for these. Tuner Model Manufactory offers modular style wheels and sleeves but no tires. Setts are limited and pricey. With the sleeves you can apply to different tire sizes but you must have the tires. Hobbylink Japan carries these. I haven't seen a US seller offer these yet. Hobby Design offers wheels and various tires. Their older sets were a bit crude, but they have upped their game in the lst year and a half and quality is up. Many are same size front/rear, so you'll have to research. Again, Hobbylink Japan is a good source. A+ Club offers resin wheels but no tires. Mediamix Hobbies from Singapore is a good place to check for these. Scale Productions (Germany) offers sets of wheels and tires, but many oriented to foreign cars. He does sell a 19" and 22" sets of Foose Nitros with tires. Pegasus Hobby sells tire and wheel sets. Tires are limited in sizes and tread patterns. Wheels are 19" or 23". They also sell sleeves that can be used to widen a existing wheel set. You'll have to fit them. Tires are included with the sleeves but tend to be narrow wall. Detail Master used to sell PE wheel sets, including wire wheels, but not larger diameter. Also, it seems they are selling out what they have and I am not sure if they will be doing any more. There was a company called FG models (out of China) that did some interesting wheels, including some HRE's. But they seem to have dropped off the face of the earth. There is a new company Factory 81 offering wheel/tire sets, but I haven't seen good photos yet or have a sense of quality. There are some posters on this forum, such as Lownslow, that are doing wheel and I think tire sets. Scan the forums to find them. I'm sure I've missed a few, but what I listed was what I covered in a modern wheel seminar at C.A.R.S. in Minature club meeting a few months back. On any of these. You may need to do work to adapt them to you hubs. FOr example, Hobby Design wheels are geared to the Fujimi/Aoshima Hub design. Revell Calfornia Wheels aer geared to Revell hubs. Keep in mind that you may also need to consider upgrading your brake package to look right under any of these wheels. HTH Gerry

Beautiful day if you went early. Got crowded fast and there were a lot of inconsiderate people that walked into the picture and didn’t care. Some examples of the cars: This way to the album with 211 pix…

This was Friday the 23rd. Ran late that day, so decided to go back with a fully charged camera and snap stuff not in the previous and take some more photos of last week’s with better lighting. In an hour and a quarter, I still got 222 photos. Some Examples: This way to the album with 222 pix…

From HLJ email annoncement: "An all-new kit of the all-new Ferrari LaFerrari, from Tamiya! This stunning kit of the stunning LaFerrari features full detail inside and out, with detailed 6262cc V12 engine (with HY-KERS motor system), transmission, interior, and suspension, plus scissor doors and a rear cowl that can be positioned open or closed even after assembly to show off all the detail within. "

I have bought often from HLJ, and everything I get I cannot get here. Since they have added their Private Warehouse feature, it is even better. When I have a question about a product, their support answers, even going back to the manufacturer if need be. If I can buy it here, I will. Even if more costly since I firmly believe in supporting your LHS. But, a lot of aftermarket is not readily availbale anywhere in the USA, let alone a LHS. I speak of foreign car aftermarket. I just put my preorder in for the Tamiya 1/24 La Ferrari which will be released late this year. What I find interesting, is that both HLJ and Hobby Search are also carrying Revell USA, Revell Germany and Round 2 kits and selling in the Asian markets (I suppose as prices are high).

Ah, that is more clear. I understand your point as I like detail and accuracy as well. As you probably have already done, but cutting thing plastic with a compass, gluing to the bottom and painting silver are an option. But is is a bother to something that should have been molded in.

I believe it has more to do with attaching to the provided carburation. It is virtually impossible to see underneath an air cleaner when mounted on an engine particularly IF IT EXTENDS over the carburetor. Not all aftermarket air cleaners have a bottom plate either.

Okay, I found a 429 engine that I beleive is from a Johan model, Comet perhaps? The plastic is green. Anyway, I pulled out a Revell 1/24 429 Valve Cover set and placed next to the 1/25 set: And here is a side shot to get more detail: As you can see, the Johan is close, but the Revell much more accurate. You can also see the size differential. PTX Mini engines from Phoenix/Hobby Gear does a couple of 429's, but, IMO, the valve covers do not match the detail you are looking for. Ross Gibson offers resin 429 engines as well. I don't have any, but the photos I have seen are inconclusive as regards valve cover detail. And you would have to buy a complete engine set. I have a few of his Chevy engines, which are very nice. Gerry

I may have an old Johan Boss 429 in my engine spare parts. I'll look tomorrow and see if I have it and what it came with. Gerry

This was Friday the 16th, but I just got through cleaning up the pictures. The cruise-in was about 3 miles from the house. Lighting conditions were bad with the lowering sun. I wasn’t expecting a large show and did not recharge the camera. So when I got about 80% through, the battery said enough. Still got about 240 photos of some interesting cars. This way to the album with 244 pix…

Haven't seen anything like that. Scale Modeling by Chris does a 429 Valve cover that is nice but has FORD on it in large letters.

Agree with Dale. Everything else is fine and, since I have already bought some wheels from you, I love the product expansion.

Went to a couple of car shows this weekend. One was in Huntley Illinois, about 50 miles out from Chicago and 20 miles from my home. Some interesting cars such as: > and > And then there was this abomination: > It’s a FAKE flathead and is really a Small Block Chevy engine. The other event was a Corvette show at a Chevy Dealer (who’d have thought) and had a few interesting cars: > > Here’s the link to the album with photos of both shows…

We went to visit a family friend who retired to Mountain Home Arkansas and did a little sightseeing on the way down. In the town of Hardy, in Northern Arkansas, there is a small auto museum with an interesting array of autos, mainly pre-1940 as well as memorabilia. There also was an interesting gun collection, though I’m not sure how these combine. Here are a couple of photos followed by the album link… Here is the link to the album…

No.

Acu-Stion makes limited runs of their stuff. I have several of their offerings and they generally are good. A few of the older ones can be oversized for the kits. There is no English translation on their stuff. If HLJ is out of stock, try: http://www.mediamixhobby.com.sg/shop/brands/acustion?limit=30 or http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/1833/3/1

Good point. But, again look for tread type as the F50 is older and Tamiya didn't do a 458 or California. Fujimi and Revell did 458's and Revell only for the California. For example, I am using different wheels and tires on my Calfiornia build. The F12 Berlinetta from Fujimi has pretty decent tires in the kit as well.