Exotics_Builder

As Pete said. So I will assume for this that it is real not a model or prototype

Went to the weekly Palatine Illinois Cruise in. This is a new venue, as the previous Rolling Meadows area is being redeveloped. Some interesting cars. This is only the second week and they’re still getting organized. As always, I have the full size pictures if you want a copy for detail. Thanks, Gerry This way to the album:

Getting back to 56 Del Ray street machine. I have the interior painted and the body in Primer. Decided to do it in Evening Orchid metallic and white. Wheels are either going to be American mags (pictured), Cragar S/S or chrome reverse with baby moons. Jury is still out. I modified the SMB Chevy with a Turbo Hydro and Holley 4 BBL. Also using a MCG Edelbrock dress up kit for air cleaner and valve covers. Excuse the picture quality as my camera battery was low. Thanks, Gerry

Getting back up to speed on building after going through an estate sale of my Mother-in-Law’s goods. We still have a storage locker here of stuff that wasn’t included in the sale, but can work through it more slowly. I started a club project, the Revell Ferrari California. It was due to be completed at the May meeting over a week ago. I am woefully behind because of family and work matters. However, I am starting to make some progress. Attached are some photos of where I am at. Color will be Bianco Fuji from Scale Finishes. The color is a pearl white. Scale Finishes provides you with the basecoat and pearl coat. Wheels are still up in the air. I had acquired a set of Hobby Design 20 inch wheels for this, but two of the wheels are misshapen enough to not be useable. I mentioned this to the Hobby Shop I got the set from and they contacted Hobby Design and got a replacement set. It just arrived today. And two of the wheels are misshapen as in the original. However, with the 2 sets of wheels, I should be able to do them. I also have a set of Aoshima 5 spoke wheels as an option. I am still on the fence as to which one. Excuse the picture quality as my camera battery was low. Thanks, Gerry

KA models have released PE sets for the Revell DTM cars, both Mercedes and Audi. I received an Audi set, and will likely get the Mercedes set as well. This set requires “surgery†to the model if you want to use the side strakes provided. I haven’t done much check out yet but thought you’d be interested in some detail shots. Thanks, Gerry

Here they are online: Hobby Search Caterham Info

You mean like this: Thule is close, I believe. Then Fujimi in plastic.

Revell SLS is only available from Revell AG and Hobbico is importing. I reported a while back when Revell visited our club meeting that the rep reported out that licensing for M-B, unlike Ferrari, needed to be separate for US. Given potential order volume, Revell elected to just keep with Revell AG version in US. The Fujimi SLS, announced recently, is supposedly only a curbside. I am still waiting to hear more. That would fit given their other modern releases such as the Ferraris. Also, the Revell USA version of the 458 Italia will likely be here by June. I am trying to find out more on that as well. I sure hope your source is correct about Fujimi doing a 599 GTO. Even though I did buy the Hobby Design transkit Gerry

I had to leave early because of a commitment. So, there are models yet to come and, of course, no winners to identify. I’d expect Tom Tanner to do an update. Here is what was displayed before I left: The Model Cars: A lot of interesting full size cars, including a 458 Italia. A manager opened the engine cover of the 458 and I took some detail photos as best as I could. Here is the link to the car photos: The Big Cars: Thanks, Gerry

I intend to detail with an engine by combining the Revell kit. So the big deal is getting a good spec on the new airbox. If I may ask, did you do yours by eye or did you have some details you may like to share? Thanks, Gerry

Really interesting! I'll have to check with my cousin who lives in Wilbraham. I was born in Palmer.

Okay. I broke down and bought the Hobby Design Ferrari 599 GTO transkit. I guess you can all thank me that Revell or Fujimi will actually now release one at a reasonable price  Given that, I did get the kit from a hobby store in Singapore that I have great success with on stuff that does not make it to the US. Their price was quite a bit better than other options. The body is built off the Fujimi 599 and I’ve included pictures of the kit and instruuctions. Here you can see the Fujimi and HD bodies side by side. The HD kit looms bigger since there is a big piece of flash below the sill that will need trimming. You can also see the side sills are already attached to the body and the rear vents are included. Overall, the casting looks pretty clean and accurate. I will need to do more analysis to see if there are any issues. But initial viewing looks good. Here are shots of the front and rear: There are relief clips in the windshield and rear window for the vacuum forms supplied: If one wanted to use the kit windows, some surgery would be required. Also included are the prototypical wheels (with tires), modified rear air valance, seats, brake calipers, front spoiler clip and 3 sheets of photo-etch: Here’s a pic of the instructions: It will be a while before I get more into this. I’ve got to catch up on some other kit work first. Thanks, Gerry

I also took a bunch of photos from IHOBBY, including Revell. Gerry

I don't know, but since it is a snap kit, my GUESS is no

Doug for sure.

Lake Michigan Model Car Club meets 3rd Saturday of the month in Bensenville. Just had a new member from Crown Point Indiana yesterday. There are two othe clubs in the area that I belong to. GTR modelers and CARS in Miniature that meet, resapectively, 1st and 2nd Saturday of the Month in Crystal Lake. All are open to new membership. PM me for any details. Thanks, Gerry

This one is custom only. Multiple build options like the 49 Mercury. Thanks, Gerry

Revell attended our Club Meeting last night and brought along some test shots to show. Here is what was mentioned: The 2010 Camaro test shot has arrived but is not yet been fitted. We might see that at next month’s meeting The 48 Ford Custom Coupe test shot was displayed. They are still working out some quality control issues, so expect this in July or August. They didn’t say, but it would seem that another test shot round may be in the wings (my speculation) The new Mustang coupe and convertible test shots were displayed. The convertible has an opening hood. Although the convertible is a snap kit, with the opening hood, it would seem that a reasonably experienced modeler could put another mustang chassis and engine in it (again my speculation) The Ferrari 458 Italia test shot for the US packaging was also displayed. Revell USA is able to piggyback on the RoG license for Ferrari. Not so for Mercedes. A separate licensing for North America is needed. At this point, the hassle and costs for getting that license means the RoG version of the Mercedes SLS (which is still available) is the only way to go in the US. Expect last half of the year release info at the end of April or early May. No comments on what will be on it other than that there will be some interesting announcements No discussion on release dates for the 1/12 Mustang For those considering attending this year’s IHOBBY show, it is very likely that the 2010 Mustang Convertible snap kit will be the Make and Take model. Pictures below. Thanks, Gerry

Amen to that! I don't have the time to attempt a conversion at this point.

G Scale is the closest. O scale is usually 1/48. G Scale is 1/22.5. A little large, but that is the closest. Watch though, as G Scale pieces can range in scale and I have found some that are closer to 1/28

Well we had somewhere between 20-22 inches in the Northwest suburbs. We’re about 30 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and 18 miles northwest of O’Hare Airport. It wasn’t just the snow. The winds caused a lot of drifting. Most everything was closed today, which meant plenty of time to clear out the driveway and other areas. I even wound up helping a couple of neighbors because of the snow thrower I have. Here are some photos from our place. For comparison, my wife is 5’-2†tall:

The instructions for this kit are not on Revell's sites. It doesn't show up in Towe Hobbies Inventory either.

Hobby Design has the wheel type used in the 599 GTO. I’ve been amassing the parts to do one just as soon as I finish the 612 Scaglietti. I keep thinking that Fujimi, Revell, or Hobby Design will come out with the GTO as kit or trans kit.

Here’s what I do. First I soak the chrome parts in white vinegar. That takes the chrome off but not the clear base beneath. This can take a few days for really stubborn chrome. Just keep checking the parts. Then I use Polly S Easy Lift Off on the clear film and scrub off with a soft toothbrush.