Aaronw

I saw a Sprint car kit the other day at my "local" Hobbytown (if 2 hours can be considered local), I think it was from Revell. It looks like it can be built as a sprint car with a rounded nose, or as a wedge shaped open cockpit racer. Anyone know about this kit? Does it build up into a decent sprint car? It is the only kit of a sprint car I've ever seen, so I thought about getting it, but thought I'd ask about it first. Thanks

I don't really know what you are talking about but racing actual "stock" cars would be much more interesting to me than most racing out there these days. My favorite is the dirt track stuff because I can relate to dragging some junker out of a farmers field cleaning it up, adding a limited amount of after market stuff and tearing around the track with similar vehicles. You know racing that doesn't take a 30 million dollar corporate sponsor to participate. I do like the rally cars, because they remind me of Speed Racer and the Sprint cars are great, like mad scientist racers, 2 speeds, stop and crazy fast.

Great job, what motor did you tuck in there?

I've seen wall paper used for linoleum, the right pattern would probably work for tile as well.

I think that is the paper with the little pictures, but I'm not sure.

Just thought I'd add I got my order from Sourkrout this afternoon, this was my first time ordering from him. Very happy with the service, online ordering made it easy and I got my order in less that 2 weeks, probably less (I don't remember exactly when I made my order).

I've never run across a pic of the H cab tilted, does it tilt above the lower section (so literally a C cab sitting on a seperate lower fairing) or does the whole cab tilt. I always assumed the whole cab tilted but noticed you attached the lower cab to the frame but you said you plan on trying to make the cab tilt, which make me think only the upper section tilts. The resin cab that was once available had the lower section as part of the upper cab.

I've bought from him several times, nice castings and decent service. He can be a little hard to get ahold of and occasionally the wait can be a bit long, but he always comes through and everything I've bought (truck stuff) has been well worth the minor inconveniences. He also sells on ebay occasionally and some of his truck stuff is available from Sourkrout's models. http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/

Who makes the Studebaker truck?

The Ford H was a development of the C. The cab was raised higher on the H for use as a highway tractor. The Ford C came out in 1957, the H in 61 or 62.

I don't have the older GMC or Chevy pickup kits, but the '72 Chevrolet kit re-issued a couple years ago included some custom parts, a custom grill and wheels at least, don't remember what else. There was also a custom "Rides" version of the kit, but I never got that so don't know what it added / removed from the kit.

I was just looking for the resin conversion for this truck the other night and found out it is no longer available. I'll be watching your build, any details you can share will be appreciated as doing it myself may be plan B. Looking really good so far.

I actually didn't have that hard of a time tracking one down on ebay last year, I think I got it for about $30.

Spaldings has really cut back their offerings. They used to have a Ford H (kind of a C on steroids) and a sleeper for the C. They don't list either anymore, I found this out looking for the H cab which just reinforces buy it when you can. They have added a neat 1950 Ford F-8 conventional though. The sleeper for the C cab shouldn't be a hard scratchbuild if you can get a few decent pics, it is basically just a rectangular tube that fits on the back of the cab.

Thanks, I guess I be spending some time at Hanks trucks looking for inspiration.

Did the older release of the Blitz have vinyl or rubber tires? I have a couple of the fire truck version and the tires are all plastic which seems to work ok, maybe they learned.

If you are into old airplanes you could make it a weekend trip, the old Castle AFB is just down the road in Atwater and it is supposed to have a pretty good air museum including one of the last B36 Peacemakers (whopping huge bomber from the 50s).

Thanks, just when I think I'm starting to get a clue about custom car terminology I get whopped upside the head with a new one.

Are you talking about the flatbed that comes with the Dodge L-700?

It's one of the small towns along Hwy 99, between Modesto and Merced.

There is an emergency vehicle show coming up in Ripon on October 4th. Mostly cop cars but should be a variety of other types as well. Anyone else going? http://www.riponmenloparkpolicecarshow.com/

I have several resin cabs for trucks from the 40s and 50s, they were mostly planned for use on antique fire apparatus but I've suddenly gotten the urge to make at least one as a commercial truck. I guess that is always the problem with research, you get details for one build and come up with 5 more build ideas. Anyway I was wondering which trailer kits out there would be appropriate for a semi-truck from the 50's. I kind of had my eye on the 27 foot doubles kit that was recently released, or maybe the Lindberg milk tanker due to be re-issued. I also have a couple of the van bodies from the Ford Louisville, would that be right for a smaller delivery truck or is it too new? Thanks

Well I got the Car Modeler magazine, in the article the truck is converted into a tractor trailer, but he shows what to change to make a pickup too. Looks like I need to get myself a '37 Chevy coupe. What is a tuck and roll, he mentioned that the seats need to be replaced because the kits seats had a tuck & roll job. I think I have a '34 Ford truck willing to donate a bench seat for the project. Tom, I could use some interior & dash shots, also a close up of the chevy bow tie on the side of the hood, and grill that looks like a good use for this PE kit I bought last winter. Thanks

I know what you mean about unique perspective. My son really became interested in taking photos when he was about 4, he got some great shots of my elbow, bottom of my chin, my wifes nose etc.

Well unfortunately my #1 hobby is dreaming about the time for any hobbies. I have a lot related to models since for the most part it is an easy hobby to squeeze into what little free time I get. I've learned to do resin casting (well still learning but I can turn out decent looking parts), I'm learning to do photo etch and I just got an ALPS printer to do decals. I once thought about starting an aftermarket buisness but quickly figured out that is like real work. Maybe someday but for now I'm learning and it is nice to have the skills and tools for use on my own projects. For those of you that have never tried resin casting, thank a caster for the stuff they provide us, it is way more work than the money they get for it. Besides cars I build a little bit of everything, ships, tanks, aircraft, sci-fi, real space / science (someday I'll finish the visible man & woman I started for my son 3 years ago ). I also have an old truck I tinker with, but lately its not much fun all maintenance stuff, little improvement or restoration. During the winter I go skiing with my sons school. It's a pretty good deal, we pay for the kids and the parents ski free helping the kids. The parent to kid ratio is usually pretty good so we take turns and get to ski on our own once in awhile too. I spend a little time on the PS2 or PC now and then but it is a serious drain on my free time so I try not to spend too much time glued to a screen, I'd prefer to b gluing my fingers together. I started a website for emergency vehicles which I guess is a hobby, but its been awhile since I got any updates done. http://www.geocities.com/cnf_e32/index.htm I read a lot, mostly history (of everything) but some fiction too. I do play with my camera a lot, mostly pics from work, fires, rescues, aircraft and emergency vehicles. Also some scenery & wildlife since they are right outside my door. I play as an amatuer fire history buff, I've even written a couple of small articles for my local SPAAMFAA* chapter's newletter. Someday I hope to restore an old fire engine but those take a lot of time and if 1/25 models are hard to find display space for you can imagine the problems with a 1-1. I'm even considering starting a museum of wildland firefighting but that is really out there, more an excuse to restore several old fire engines. *SPAAMFAA Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America http://www.spaamfaa.org/ Also a bunch of other stuff I'd like to do but don't get the time to do, I have tropical fish, used to go shooting, did some archery, I have a wood shop but its been a couple years since I used it. Someday I'll be retired and then I'll probably still be busy.