Exotics_Builder

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.

I’ve finally had a chance to get back to this. For a while, I was going to pass on the 612, and move on to the 599 GTB. Then I thought since I had the kit and some PE for it, I should get at it. I got started on this early in 2010 and then family and work issues slowed me down. I am just getting back at it in the last month. The kit is the basic Revell of Germany 612 Scaglietti which represents a pre-2007 model, primarily of European specification. There are some decals for US spec, but they need to be augmented. I made some body mods to the wheel arches to reduce the lip area (an issue noted by other builders). To help in painting and if any warping occurs, I decided to glue to body to the chassis and then separate the body sides from the chassis. In the engine bay, I stripped the chrome and glued in the engine compartment shroud and top sides. I also decided to keep the tree part in the front window area to add bracing while I worked on the model. You may also notice the roof panel is gone. I decided I was going to do this as a 2008-9 model and US Spec. As best as I can determine, the Electrochromic roof appeared in 2007. I decided I would try my hand at doing this. Also the 2008-9 models have air filter boxes like the 599 and the steering wheel has the 599 type mode controls. I “robbed†an extra Revell 599 GTB for the parts and will adapt to the kit. Here are the basic aftermarket parts along with the first priming of the body (Tamiya Gray Primer). The body will need more cleaning up and I will start laying out the clear top. I have some clear styrene for forming. As you can see, the hood is lying flat (a problem often seen on this kit). It took a little sanding of some high points and I will need to watch as the paint gets applied. I also cut out the seat centers and will either do a Daytona or Diamond insert pattern. Right now I am thinking a Daytona seat pattern. For the engine air boxes, the Revell 599 is not quite correct, and will need modification. I will sand off the incorrect detail, add Evergreen strip for the correct ribbing. For the interior, I will fix the steering wheel light system that is not on the 612 and also add a Bose system with Navigation Screen and rear camera.

Went to the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show in Rosemont Illinois. My camera battery started to act up so the pictures aren’t the greatest. So much for Lithium Ion life, the camera is about 2 years old. Anyway, some interesting cars, although lots of GM’s. Here’s are some sample shots. Link is below. This way to the album:

Every year, I try to figure out a way that I could get to the SEMA show in Las Vegas. My company is not a member, so I settle for going to SPORTRUCK.COM. They always have a comprehensive set of photos from SEMA, and didn’t disappoint this year. As always, there is something for everyone. And, to my eye at least, some garish and, perhaps, sacrilegious topics. But everyone has their interests. Below are some pics from their coverage and the link to their show coverage. This way to the Album

Well, it was bit of a bummer at the IHOBBY show for the public days. Several exhibitors appeared to have closed up and Friday and packed off. This included Mobius Models. Their rough copies of the autos and truck were packed away and they only had box art displayed. There was a young lady there who didn’t really have much info to pass on. Lindberg/Hawk was conspicuous by their absence. As usual Tamiya was not there. Revell’s booth seemed smaller in size, but they had a lot to display. Round2 was well represented as well and first time appearance by Matt Wells and Scale Motorsports was welcome. Also, Pegasus hobbies were there as well and I don’t recollect them from prior years. The lighting was worse this year than last and my camera seemed to be acting up so some of the photos are a bit blurry or shiny. Sorry about that. I didn’t want to lug the digital SLR around the show and keep in the Make and Take area either. I didn’t imbed any photos at this time but have about 250 on Photobucket. Reply with any questions and I’ll check my notes. Now down to the quick report. Revell Revell’s announcements are only for the first the first half of 2011. This seems to be their practice for the last couple of years as well. There will be more interesting stuff announced next spring. Revell’s display included what they are bringing in from Revell of Germany. Included in that is the Ferrari 458 Italeri and Mercedes AMG SLS. Even the Ferrari 458 had a good looking engine from the top, it did not appear that the engine bay opened. I will continue to try and check that one out. Of note are the 1/12 Mustang which is very highly detailed. Also, a 62 Chevy Impala SS is coming out which will have the buckets and correct hub caps. This is a 2n1 with custom wheels and other goodies. There is a 69 Nova COPO with the dog dish and a BENCH SEAT. It will come with the big block engine, not small block. Revell’s research was mixed on whether a COPO big block was available in 69 or not. They opted to go with the big block. The 2010 Camaro SS is redone to the real car and they are working to make the body kit add-on’s in the photo optional. The Mustang Convertible is a 2010 even though the picture provided to them by Ford is a 2011. The Curtis Midgets are just jewels. They are unbelievably nice. As prior noted, the Edelbrock Ford is first followed by the Offy. The 48 chopped sedan custom is really nice. Revell did not have all the options there, but prior photos of it have been posted. The engine is the same Flathead from the convertible kit. Round2 (AMT/MPC/Polar Lights) Truckers rejoice. A lot of truck and trailer reissues are coming. The 61 Ford Galaxy is supposedly due before the year is out. The Chevy caprice is being reissued as well as the Opel GT. The Batmobile is soon to be, notice the test sample. There is a delay in the Meyers Manx due to some issues on the test sample. Round2 is working to keep that moving. A 1/16 Petty Charger is coming out as well as several other reissues. On older kit reissues, if they can find previous box art, such as the Opel GT, they will use it. Other Plastic Manufacturers: MRC was showing their upcoming 20†wheels and Lambo Countach. They had the already issued Mercedes SL63, but didn’t have the soon to be released Black version. Hasegawa had the Lotus 78 and Ferrari 312 F1 kits on display. Scale Motorsports had their Cobra, Audi and Corvette C6R transkit there along with several other offerings. Squadron Hobby had several KA models PE aftermarket sets on display. KA models is a Korean company that makes quality PE and Daytona Style Ferrari seats for a lot of Japanese kits and even has a PE for the Revell Mustangs. Diecast: There was diecast galore and you wouldn’t believe some of the detail, especially in the 1/50 scale construction equipment. Not cheap, but quality and detail were amazing. Other: Lots of HO and N scale vehicles on display as well as some real cars on display. Some new tool offerings as well including new sprue and PE cutters by Xuron. This way to the Album

I will be at the IHOBBY show tomorrow and will take pictures and try to get as much info as possible as I did the last three years. I will concentrate on autos (plastic and diecast). Any other areas folks have interest?

That is interesting on the BMF. My one and only experience with it was several years back and was the same as reported. I never used it again. The black also could rub off in handling if not extra careful. Gerry

As John said. Two things happened that caused Tony to close shop. First, the Hobby Shop he was collocated with expanded into his space and caused him to need to move. Then the divorce cropped up and he needed to close up until that settles down. Tony is an exceptionally great person and I hope he can get by these hardships and get back in the game again. Hopefully, he might post an update here. My biggest concerns are for his well being and for his children. Hopefully things will work out

What you describe is Decals by Lucas. His decals are pricey ($15 a sheet) but of very high quality. He attended our Cars in Miniatures club meeting on September 11 and went through a long description of his approach and process. He does have a web site, here is the link: Decals by Lucas HTH Gerry

I don’t see any images or link?

If I recollect correctly, the R-M Miami Vice TR was just a repackage of their kit, available in coupe and spyder versions. I built the spyder version some years ago and have a coupe version downstairs in the “hobby shopâ€. The kits are quite nice and are actually US Spec, a rarity for exotics. They include the correct side marker lamps and exhaust catalytic converters. I don’t recollect any building problems with the spyder other than car in fitting the chassis with the body. I can only assume the kit you bought had some type of warpage as previously noted,.

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It's Gerry, not Dennis, and you're welcome.

First, I got to see my very good friend Jim Greene who was in Dubuque Iowa visiting his sister. As I had not been able to make it back to Seattle this year, as planned, it was great to get some time with him. On the way, my wife and I stopped in Galena Illinois and saw a motorcycle with side car and trailer: I missed a couple of car shows on Saturday as we were on our way back, but hit Skip’s show and swap meet at the Lake County Illinois Fairgrounds on Sunday. Some interesting cars there: Anf here is the link to the Album

Sorry for the delay. Had to load up and edit 347 pictures plus pick up a new car. Went to the Geneva Illinois Concours and saw quite a few interesting cars of various types. On our way from there, we came across another car show at Mooseheart, community and school for children and teens in need. This was more of a cruise-in style show, but quite a few interesting autos: This way to the album:

The GTR Model Club had its annual NNL today. The rain forecast for late Sunday arrived around 10:00 AM causing the parking lot vendors to batten down until all cleared. Fewer models this year, likely due to weather and other events, but quality was high. As I was helping out, I missed many of the later entries. But here are some pictures: I thought the Pacific Northwest Modelers would like this pic: The theme was European Car, and there were a lot of examples (BTW, a Shelby Cobra would qualify as a European Car because of the AC heritage) Interested in the Revell of Germany Ferrari California Closed Top? Here’s a great example: How about a 1/64 scale model: And to show real determination, this model was one of several entered by George Kroll. George is LEGALLY BLIND, yet builds models and supports the hobby. He is a member of the Lake Michigan Model Car Club. And the album link: GTR NNL Album

It looked real. But I am not expert enough to confirm. If anybody wants, I have the 5 megapixel original images I can email out. Amen to that.

Universal Technical Institute has a campus in west suburban Chicago and they had an open house today with a small car show. There weren’t a huge amount of cars, but some interesting ones. Here are some photos And a link to the album: Car Show Album