MILD

Wow- I certainly didn't expect this thread to stir up the conversation that it did. I'm almost embarrassed to say that the question purely stemmed from me trying to decide whether to drill the chassis rail and use tubing for the exhaust on my Black Widow! I'm not even looking to enter it into a contest but just making sure I've got my head around the terminology

I know this may seem like a silly question, but what is the definition of OOB? Is it quite literally a build using only elements that come with the kit or is there room to move such as using brass tube for exhausts or after market decals accepted? I'm speaking from a contest stand point so although I am well aware there will be different personal opinions I am curious as to the more technical answer. Thanks gents.

Paint looks far better in pic #2 mate. edit: Whoops- just read your last post. Best of luck in the contest!

I got some very nice side cutters from my specialist electronics store- much cheaper than the LHS too I might add. I saw them when picking up a new multimeter and couldn't resist!

I'd like to second the call for Firefox- I use it with no problems. Out of curiousity what forum skin are you using? Sometimes it can be as simple that causing problems remaining logged on or posting. I'd just like to add that I feel the moderator(s) are doing a good job here. I say that because whenever I visit I rarely see negative comments or threads. Sure- I know they exist but it's pretty easy to avoid threads that quite obviously exist simply to be abrasive. Threads like that don't seem very common at all here though. Perhaps if it's all too much we need to have a different moderator for each sub forum- many hands making light work. And I'm sure we have enough mature, good natured members here to make that happen- finding those who are keen to take on the responsibility might be the trouble though.

Absolutely- I'll be back in a month with some new muscle- hopefully Australian!! This would be the coupe: The car was screwed together by the Salinas Boys.

Those are simply amazing Harry. Do you sell the finished items or is it simply a passion you have? I for one would have no problem purchasing something of that quality. Great job! I can't wait to see one take shape in your tutorial thread.

And here's the cover of the issue:

Some of you are probably wondering why I am making a post of a 1:1 on this forum so let me explain myself. I think every member of a forum should have a little something to offer. I don't have half the talent of most (if not all!) of you, but I can share a slightly different perspective when it comes to modified cars. Especially those built here which typically follow a slightly different style to the American builders. I am a religious buyer of the Australian magazine Street Machine which features some of the best built cars in the country. Each month I will make a new post show casing the latest cover cover. Sometimes it will be American iron and sometimes it'll be something more domestic, but hopefully there will be something of interest each month. After all- the magazine doesn't do bangers! But enough about me... This month is Mario Colalillo's Wild Cad. You might notice it's a pretty serious build of a 1959 Cadillac Coupe De Ville. It's got a 454 Chev, turbo 400 box and nine inch rear end (wearing a lil' pin striping) with that paint laid on by Gene Winfield. Yes- that Gene Winfield. There is so many more body mods to this car than the big chop on the roof. It's got a one off chassis designed so everything is tucked up neatly with nothing hanging down to get smashed to bits when the bags are at their lowest. Hopefully the pics tell some of the story because I really am at a loss to describe it past that. There's just too much to list and this post is long enough already The car was built with a view to compete on the show scene in the States and as far as I am away it is over there already. If you're lucky enough you can probably catch it!

Well it certainly is all doom and gloom in here, ain't it I like to consider myself a young modeller at 27, married with two young boys and the full time job that keeps us funded. From what I have seen in our local hobby shop- admittedly the only one- the hobby isn't dying much at all. Unfortunately I think many modellers have moved away from clubs and even the LHS to find a better deal online. As such, the already limited social aspect of what is a very individual hobby is hamstrung further. The builders are still out there- they are just a little more under the radar. I remember as a young kid going into our big box department stores and looking at the myriad of models on the shelf from military subjects to bikes to cars. That is gone now and if you are interested you'll find yourself in a dedicated hobby store sooner or later. In some ways I think the internet is actually good for the hobby- it exposes new people to what is a niche market both through random image searches, dedicated communities such as this one or just through the typical random finds the internet so often throws up. In other ways it has to be blamed for the decline of local stores. To be honest, I don't regret waiting until now to get into the hobby. I'm financially stable and able to throw the couple of hundred dollars at the required tools and materials to get the most out of a new kit. I'm sure it's something that keeps the youngsters away- especially when a game can seem to offer so much more value (even though we most certainly know better). So in summary, don't lament the lack of 'young' modellers in that pre-twenty five age bracket. The true future modellers are the twenty fives and ups in my humble opinion.

The Fifth Element if I remember correctly.

They look fantastic- I'm guessing they come like that rather than you finishing them yourself? What are they worth?

I'm loving the base. Have you thought of looking for some clear rod rather than painting the current support?

Mate- you have absolutely done the kit justice with a very clean build. It looks amazing and it's great to see a kit put together as was intended!

I'm starting to think it will take that long for it to dry clear as well!

It's looking fantastic Jim. I really like the colours for the interior as well as the extra painted detail in the engine bay. Out of curiousity have you checked fitment of the tub to the body? Mine was a little tall as another poster (apologies but I forget exactly who!) suggested it would be and ideally should have been filed down.

I'm trying to shake that bug, mate. The mnodelling is my release from all the other pressures in life- I guess I still have a little more work to do

Thanks gentlemen. I need to get as much mileage as possible out of it being my first build- there will be no excuses next time And I did have a ball building it. I'm hoping to be much, much cleaner next time- especially with sub assembly clean up and foiling. The next stop will be trying on the Black Widow two tone so I can have a dip at masking. Thanks to everyone who replied.

I've got Revell's Black Widow 57 next up. I'm really looking forward to it.

I am currently looking for a single acrylic display case for my model but am unsure what is the best way to go about securing the car within the box. I don't want to glue it in place so it can be better secured during house moves and also group photos (), the only other thing I can think of would be a very thin spot of a blu tac or similar (like a thin adhesive putty). How do you guys get around it? Also, what size case is typically used- I looked at the 1:24 cases but there is no way my '60 Impala will fit in one so I've had to go up to a 1:18- is this relatively common? Thanks gents.

Firstly, thank you to everyone who followed the build and offered encouragement, criticism and advice through out my On The Workbench thread. I learnt a lot from reading the board and putting a lot of what I had read into practice. The model benefitted greatly from the knowledge here and if I didn't find this forum I doubt it would have finished up any where near as good as it did. Having said that, there's a lot of things to be improved on in my next build. My attempts at foiling weren't the greatest and the kitchen foil a bit thick which only highlighted the problems more- I've ordered my BMF for next time Anyone who takes more than a cursory glance will also notice the upside grille badge (opps... I did it on the sprue and completely ballsed it up!) and the poor fitting chassis. I only discovered the interior tub would need filing after painting and by then I was not going back- I'll consider it a permanent reminder to test fit I look forward to hearing any constructive criticism that you guys can offer concerning areas I may have over looked or neglected on this build. I know at least one poster here has the quote in his sig that each build is simply practice for the next and it's a philosophy that I am going to unashamedly subscribe to. Any advice, comments and criticism most welcome- thanks again. The test fit image- I'll brush on some gold to disguise it! Upside down, Miss Jane (the fogged headlight on the right is actually undried canopy glue... I'm hoping it'll clear up soon enough) The mark on the underside of the bonnet is left over blutac I should have removed before photos...doh! The build thread is here - http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=33033

I can't say I do actually- is it a forum? I can definitely see the similarities in the Caprice. From the looks it's not actually one borrowing any panels from the other but the similarities are there. I reckon with a bit of careful cutting and slicing I could make a pretty close replica of my car out of one of those Caprice kits. That's a project I'll definitely file away for a rainy day! As for the Lexen- it is a rebadged Commodore. Holden and Toyota had a crazy deal back in the day where both makes were rebadged and sold in the same market. I am unsure of the exact reasoning but it was political. Something to do with taxes if I remember correctly. As for the Stato police only offering, that sounds very much like our Holden Caprice (the Caprice being the V8 Statesman. I seem to remember the Stato has now been dropped from the Holden line up). There's no American built GM RWD V8 these days is there?

In my line of work I shift every 2-3 years. Right now I'm in sunny Albury Wodonga. Adelaide is most certainly still home now. I can't wait to come back in a month's time and spend an afternoon at Hobby Habbit.

That big metallic fleck is going to suite this down to the ground. Great build topic.

You might be needing one of these: With that out of the way, I'd love to know how you achieved such a smooth look with the paint. I'm guessing it was rubbed out at each stage (primer / colour / clear)? If you could share the recipe I'd be much appreciative.