Exotics_Builder

Oregon and Washington have put in bans on large gatherings for several weeks

I recently fretted over spending money on kits that I lost interest in and unloaded. I've about broke even on those. I am not into collecting, but my buy rate (as with many of us) has far outpaced my build rate. As already stated, armor, aircraft and naval modelers often far outspend us in completing a kit. Just walking through an IPMS event opens the eyes to the degree of detail these modelers go to and the costs of achieving. As regards building, I try to get by as frugally as possible in any build, but I strive for realism and the effect I an trying to achieve. I will scratchbuild or kitbash, but rely a lot on aftermarket. There is an amazing amount of product now available to us to achieve what we want. When I was working, I did not have the time to delve into some of the modeling techniques as 3D design and print, machining parts, etc. Not only is there the cost of equipment, but the huge investment in becoming proficient. I (as many of us) have limited time for the hobby (and it is a hobby not a profession). So time spent is either on building, supporting one's club or learning new tools/techniques. Many of the aftermarket vendors have made it easier for me, at least, to acquire what I need and spend the time building rather than machining or designing my own parts. I look at it as how to best use my hobby time. Cost is relative. We all have our budgets and views on how/where we want to spend our money. A good model is in the eye of the builder. If satisfied, that is good enough. If others appreciate it as well, so much the better. But, we all improve our skills on every build we do. I have seen models that are very good done in the $30 kit/paint/etc range to ones that are several hundred dollars (both exclude the time spent cost factor). As it is a hobby, enjoy it at the level that gives you satisfaction and strive to improve.

Thanks for the help. I got back to my friend. He has some guidance now on next steps. I think he is going to try to search some "boneyard" sites for a body, or at least the roof to graft onto the body he has. I have unbuilt 63 coupe and convertible, but not ready to part out the coupe body. Nor, am I ready to sell it to him, given he only needs the body.

A friend of mine is looking to restore an AMT 63 Tbird kit but the body is beyond hope. He was looking into getting a promo for the body. Does anyway know if the plastic on the promos was different or might affect what he is looking to do?

Another for MAD distributors. Norms are good as well if you want a unique color. You can also buy vacuum cans from Norm to use with his or Kris' distributors

Put this one on the back burner for a while. The more I got into it, the more I think this deserves a modern custom treatment rather than a period custom. Switching gears to another project for the June deadline. Stay tuned for future updates on both

That is what was claimed. He did a variation of it also that was supposedly 60 copies. I bought mine when they came out. Just sorry I didn't do the 67 Camaro. It seemed too Mustang looking. Yes. I have the 64 kit and that roof is in it.

I am sorry that I passed on the Camaro Fastback. I did get the Wagon. He also did a Mustang, but I wasn't interested.

The Kaucher Kustom esin ws one of 60 copies made and is not quite an Italien. You use the newer issue AMT 62 TBird for the donor kit. It needs some work to match the Italien or you could just do it as a custom

Thinking of trying to create that from this

That 46 Chevy P/U sorta copied my color combo ?

I went all in and stripped it, cut out the "vents", and then used Alclad Chrome followed by Alclad Aqueous Clear

You are certainly in the "neighborhood". To my eye, based only on this photo, it does looks out of scale compared to the 1:1 photo originally posted. Unless you are going to apply another coat of color to reduce the texture. Most Manx's I have seen have a grainy texture as displayed above and like this pic

Its for bandaging/surgical dressings. A "paper" tape. Amazon, Walmart carry it. Perhaps only online. There are other brands that have a more regular pattern that I have used for street (not racing) seat belt material.

I have yet to do any "raw" or rough fiberglass on model. I have a future project where I will likely do that and had been considering using 3M Micropore tape and painting over it to get close to the look.

Pretty much what I also do. I use the spray can for regular coverage. And m actually thinking of decanting that to get more controlled coverage, even though I'm quite satisfied with the results out of the can.

My order arrived a little while ago. Thank you Randy!

Plan on open fender wells for this(at this time). I've got the emblems and Cad caps, but thought the Sombreros would be more fitting. But this is a genre in which I do not have a lot of experience

Slow progress as I am still trying to plan out the details. Stripped the chrome from the Revell Caddy Parts Pack engine and going with the four carb manifold option. Started some work on the rear axle and deepening the door and trunk lines prior to primer. I also dug out a Morgan Automotive Detail 8 cylinder pre-wired distributor from the stash. Just started toying with the brake lines on the rear axle. More tweaking to go there

Each of these cars were essentially hand built. Unless you are replicating a specific chassis number, I'd say do what is pleasing to you. What you have so far done is fantastic

Well, the Hobby Design/Alpha Models folks are in that Province. They posted that all are well but things appear closed for a couple of weeks as this runs its course.

This is neat!!! I just started my first truck kit, the Unimog Schlingmann RW-1. But I am keeping it relatively simple and just doing a rescue/equipment vehicle. I saw the below and was interested, but thought it too challenging for a first going. Will watch this with great interest.

Same here. As much as I enjoy the speculation, I'm just waiting and hope to be pleasantly surprised. I have a boatload of unbuilt kits that are craving for attention.

I know. I have this kit unbuilt in the stash as well as the coupe. One trick I learned that I have yet to try on ghosting is to brush liquid styrene glue over the area.