GTMust

Just to jump in with a quick comment about cutting up old kits......... IMO..... There are three trains of thought: A...... Keep it in the box...... not my idea! B...... Cut the s**t out if it as a custom... wild or mild..... Or C....... build it box stock... maybe add some wiring, etc. Of course, there is a fourth option...... sell it and try to gouge someone on the price! Personally (just my opinion) I'd go with option C provided the kit is in good original condition. But in the case of this particular build........ I'm with you, Chris. Looking good! Tony

Hi Jason. Yes, I built the convertible version and also have the hardtop version in my stash. I found the kit to be very nice and well detailed, but the plastic they use doesn't take well to the regular Testor red tube cement. It started to come apart soon after I built it, (especially the suspension components) so I removed all the loose pieces and put the kit back in the box. I haven't got around to trying it again, but I will some day. When the pieces came off, I noticed that the glue was sitting on the surface (like white glue would) instead of welding/bonding the parts together. Maybe superglue or some other manufacturer's styrene cement would solve the problem? Other than that It's a great model. Hope this helps. Tony

Thanks for your comments Seb. I really appreciate it. Tony

In England back in the early sixties when the Sunbeam Alpine (on which the Tiger was based) came out, it was considered more of a "ladies sporty car", when compared to the MG's, Triumph's and other "manly" sport's cars around at the time. I remember seeing the Tiger for the first time and thinking..... WHY? I'm not sure of the actual chronology, but I believe the Tiger was conceived as an alternative and possible competitor to the Cobra, which we all know was originally a converted AC Ace. Unfortunately, from what I remember of the time, it was initially considered by the average enthusiast, as a bit of a joke..... and it wasn't until it showed it's abilities on the race tracks that people started to take it seriously. Now, of course, it is a much admired and collected automobile. Funny how things turn out.

I haven't yet built a gas station dio... but that Dale Klee painting sure inspires me. And I'm keeping a close eye on your project! Thanks for the inspiration. Tony

That's very, very impressive Hadi..... I also model mostly in 1/32 and 1/35 scale so I can really appreciate your work at this scale. By the way, that is just as "professional" and "realistic" as any professional models I've seen. Well done and keep them coming. Tony

Thanks Seb. As a member of your site and forum and an admirer of your (and your brother's) incredible work, I really appreciate your comments. Your diarama work has been one of my greatest inspirations....... although I haven't built any junkyard vehicles or gas stations to date.... maybe they'll come next? Tony

Fantastic detail work! Excellent! Tony

Thanks Andy. I'm still waiting for the balcony railings to complete the buildings. Hope they didn't get lost in the mail! Meanwhile, I've been working on the English pub scene dio. As an ex-Brit from Essex (came to Canada in 1966), it has special meaning for me. Tony

Wow!!! My eyes won't focus! That's some wild 60's decorating! Were we really exposed to that..... I don't remember, so I guess I must have been having a good time? Tony

Thanks Harry.

Thanks Terry. The timbers are mostly basswood strips with a few of the larger ones from balsa. Tony

I took a picture of the three buildings side by side after spending another afternoon getting some details finished. From left to right....... Building 'A' (the kitchen and storage areas), Building 'B' ( the main pub with landlord's accomodation above, and Building 'C' (the private bar... sometimes referred to as the "snug"). All I have left is to finish the windows, figure out how to build the roofs, add the entrance slabs and add the chimneys..... I think!? Tony

I was planning on finishing the windows on the right side building (which I shall now refer to as Building 'C') before moving on to the left side building (which I shall now refer to as building 'A'). I'll also refer to the main building as Building 'B'..... so from left to right, it will be 'A', 'B' and 'C'. (i know, it sounds a liitle silly, but I'm tired of typing "Left side building, left side wall", etc.!). But, instead of completing the wndows, I decided to start on Building 'A', as I wanted to challenge myself to the brick/timber construction of the wall. First, I cut out the wall from a sheet of Foam Board and cut the openings for the door and window. I then glued the timbers in place on the wall and painted them. While that was drying, I cut panels of brick from a brick colored, molded styrene sheet that I obtained from my local hobby shop. I used double sided tape to hold each panel in place and then gave the "bricks" a wash of diluted black acrylic paint. When it's dry I'll "scrape" the face of the bricks with some coarse sandpaper and the color should be a little lighter with only the wash left in the mortar joints. It's coming along.......

I am getting old and confused.... it was Corvairjim... not crazyjim! Sorry 'bout that....... Tony

Just checked.... and it was you Jim. Way back in June last year.... remember? Tony

Maybe I'm getting old and confused....... I sent someone some wire wheels from the AMT Cobra kit. I thought it was you, but I guess not. I'll have to go back through my PM's and see who it was..... duh! Tony

Jim.... you could also check out the Evergreen sheets...... they may have something similar. Yes we know what can happen with shipments from Canada to the US. Did those wheels ever arrive? Another happy afternoon of "pubbing it"........ and it's coming along. I've got the right side building framed and painted, and added a door. Now I have to complete the windows and then I can move on to the left side building. (Must remember to add the chimney!) I've also added a door to the main building. The side of the building has a thin coat of drywall compound added before painting to create a "troweled" plastered wall finish. I've also added a door to the main building and completed the eaves at the roof. So..... what will it look like when I add some vehicles? I can't wait to find out.........

Jim.......... The stone comes from Model Builders Supply. They are here in Ontario but ship to the US. "Google" their web site and you should find it easily. I would guess it's a fairly common product available from most hobby supply companies (maybe Plastrut?) I use two sided tape to attach it to the Foam board as the white glue won't work on styrene and stryrene cement destroys the Foam Core board. I think someone on this board gave me that idea........ Thanks for the support guys.

Well done Lanny.... a fitting end to a terrible kit! R.I.P. (But a great build!) Tony

I agree with you 100% Doc. His latest dio work is unbelievable! More great inspiration and ideas for our own projects. Especially that three storey building and the truck.... Oh, what the ****! All of them!!!! If you're reading this Ken....... thanks for posting these progress pictures on Fotki. I'm checking each one with a microscope. Tony

Like you, I've had mine (the Lindberg re-issue) for a whole bunch of years and got so fed up with the thing that, after painting the body, I just put it back in the box, where it still resides! The same thing with the re-issued Auburn by Lindberg from the Pyro mold..... and that one's even worse! ......... maybe.... one day........ Tony

Another afternoon at the workbench and I've got the remaining main building windows installed and painted between the timbers......... I've also got the timber framing completed on the right side building and painted them. ............. more to come

Thanks Harry.

This is definitely a test of my patience! I've got the timbers and a couple of windows on the main building installed and painted... I started painting between the timbers, but decided to start on the right side building instead....... to give me a break from all that detail work! Getting the roofs to line up was a challenge.......! Another interesting challenge on this building is trying to get it to look like the stucture is sagging with time without it looking like I didn't build it square! I think I overdid the main floor of the right side buildiing and I'll straighten it a little........ next time I get to the workbench. More when my eyes re-focus.......!