GTMust

Great detail and prototypical accuracy in those doors and frames. If this is a sign of things to come, this dio will be a knockout! Tony

Looking at ALL the progress photos, I can't help but notice how organized your hobby room is! Your attention to detail and beautiful clean building methods is reflected in how you maintain your work space. Then I look around my work space and...........! I follow all your builds with keen interest... and I think I'm learning something about your personality at the same time. And it's to be admired. Tony

This is a great start to what could become a very popular item. I'm surprised no manufacturer ever (?) issued a kit of this van. Keep up the good work! Tony

Nice work Pat. These certainly appear to be a vast improvement over earlier Airfix 1/32 scale modern car series offerings. I think you may have got me hooked! Tony

Great reference information........ Thanks. Tony

I've looked at these kits long and hard...... but just haven't got around to actually buying them.... yet! I'll be watching your builds with great interest to see how they come together. Some of the other Airfix 1/32 scale cars leave a lot to be desired, especially such things as overly thick window glass that doesn't fit the openings, etc. But that was the older ones and it will be interesting to see if Airfix have improved their quality. Your comments on fit, etc. would be appreciated. Tony

I don't know how far you intend to go with "weathering" but you may want to consider that race cars were usually spotless underneath. I raced a Mini Cooper 'S' back in the late sixties/ early seventies, and we made a point of keeping the underside and engine compartment really clean so we could see any major problems that may be developing. Just a thought....... Tony

What happened to this? Tony

Great start.....! Tony

I think you finally nailed down those heights Tom. Darkening up the photo sure clarified that. (Why didn't I think of that?) Definitely a tip to remember for next time...... Tony

That's the size of your real garage.....? Man, am I jealous! Looks like your structure is coming together well, using tried and tested techniques (Foamcore, etc.). Follow Ed's advice and you can't go wrong. And there are so many examples on this forum to follow. Tony

And if none of these work...... go to old faithful, Easy Off oven cleaner. It always works like a charm for me, including removing chrome from plated plastic parts. But use care not to inhale the fumes..... you'll be coughing for a week! Just spray it on (I use the one finger pump type... it goes further than the aerosol spray type) in the bathroom sink, get out of there for about half an hour (hoping no-one needs to use the room!) and when you go back, brush it around with an old toothbrush to loosen the plating or paint, then run it under the hot tap until it's clean. If any residue is still there, repeat the operation. Don't let the stuff get on your fingers though, you may have to regrow your fingerprints... use latex gloves. Tony

I'm with Ed. What he said....... Tony

Good to see this one finally started..... was wondering what happened to it. Hope you can find accessories in 1/48 scale that will suit. (1/43 may also work as I believe there may be more vehicles, including period fire trucks in that scale. But not so easy to scale out unless you get a scale ruler for 1/43). If you're not going to add vehicles, then 1/48 is probably the way to go. As 1/48 is 1/4" to a real 1'-0", it's any easy scale to work with and there may be many accessories in the model railroad stores that will work for you. Looking forward to watching progress. Tony

I love that you're building this just like a 1:1 garage! Keep it going that way, and it will be a contest winner for sure! If this is a model of your own garage, you have fantastic reference to work from. I'm going to be following this one. Tony

Wow Junior. Your detail work never ceases to amaze me... and at such a small scale! Tony

You are doing a great job on that motor... but I can't help wondering why you didn't fill that recess in the oil pan? I'm no expert on these motors... so maybe I'm way off base? Tony

This is really coming along great Junior. I hope you have lots of room in your town (basement?) for this, the truck dealership and the bus terminal. And then there's Mel's...... and what else? Tony

Here's one of many, many stalled projects that have been started over the past 50 years (yes... 50!) This Auburn started (if I remember correctly), as a Pyro kit (the box has long since gone) which was later re-issued by Lindberg. For it's time it wasn't a bad kit but lacking in many ways. I did build it but was never really satisfied with the way it turned out. However I did have a spare Lindberg kit, a glue bomb Johan Cadillac, a MPC Lincoln (I think) and an assortment of other parts, so I started playing around with a "What if?". This became the basis for what you see here, using parts from all kits. The intent was to see if I could build a phantom Auburn Phaeton using the radiator, engine, bulhead, cowl and front door section, and grafting on a Phaeton body from another kit from the front doors back. This stalled project is at least 30 years old or more. Looking back, I kinda like the look of it, so maybe this will become a future thread subject when (and if) I ever get back to it! Tony

I must admit I haven't been following this topic as this generation of Shelbys never really grabbed me. But today I looked in and, boy, what a great job you are doing!!! Now I have new respect for the car..... and your customizing skills! Now, if Factory Five approaches you with an offer..... you're on your way to fame and fortune...... Tony

Welcome Atin. I see you're from Billericay..... not far from Romford where I came from back in 1966! Glad to see you on the site and look forward to seeing your builds. Tony

What a fascinating and incredible thread to follow!!! Unfortunately I don't understand a word of the technical side of it.......... but that's what happens when you turn 70 and technology leaves you in the dust! But keep it going...... I'm absolutely amazed at what can be done these days... and I'll try to follow along. Tony

Perhaps I may suggest that the K3 build isn't getting as much attention as you hoped as you put it in the Community Builds section of the forum. I believe it would get a lot of attention if it were in this section. Just a thought..... Tony

I hope you'll do a build up progress thread on this kit. I would love to see it come to life. Tony

Nice work! Add my praise to all the others! Tony