GTMust

Well done.... great idea! I've been trying to figure out a way to do the OH garage doors on my two car garage dio. You appear to have done it! Can you show me how you managed it? Tony

The SVO kit hasn't shown up in my "neck of the woods" hobby shop shelves yet.... but when it does, I'll definitely get a couple. (One for Backyard Billy and one for Driveway Dave..... let's see what they would do with them!) Thanks for the kit information, Brad. Tony

I've sanded Driveway Dave's '79 ready for another attempt at a smooooth coat of paint! The orange peel along the rockers looks a little like rubberized undercoating, so I left that as is. Backyard Billy's coat of red isn't quite so bad, but will still need a little touch of 1,000 grit before it's second coat.

We had a beautiful wind free, blue sky, sunny day here the other day, so I thought I'd get some paint on some models that have been waiting patiently for the spring weather. Unfortunately, I failed to consider the temperature, which was still a little on the cold side. Orange peel, the bain of a painter's life! To cut a long story short, I have some work to do to get it ready for a second coat.... and then clear it...... when the weather warms up! Not a big deal, but I'm dying to get my Foxes finished!

Hey Andy. I still play with Hot Wheels as well and I'm 55 years older than you! Tony

Looking good Jason. I like those wheels better than the stock Cobra ones in the kit.... what was Ford thinking? Can't wait to see it in glorious color! Tony

The 'Tang in the garage in primer would make a great dio! Before I start any model and to get ideas, I "google" to find pictures of actual cars and then use the pictures to try to represent them. Especially look for pictures that show details... engine compartments, interiors, etc. The web is an incredible source of information. You've made a great start...... keep honing your skills. All it really takes is research and practice. Air brush use is a skill in itself that requires much practice. Read all the on line tutorials and books you can find. But one thing to remember..... never use laquer on raw plastic without a primer. You can spray enamel over laquer but not laquer over enamel. To get a feel for spraying start with hobby spray cans. This will help to give you a feel of distance from the model and how much to spray before you get too much paint and runs. Some may disagree with this suggestion and will suggest you go straight to the airbrush... but, in my opinion, if you can master the spray can... the airbrush will be much easier to learn. Just a few thoughts. Maybe you already know this, but if not.... I hope it helps you to get started. Tony

I wish Florida wasn't so far away from where I am! Tony

Hi Phil and welcome. Nice to see another Canuck joining in the fun. Personally, my diaramas have been in both scales. I have a large collection of 1/32 scale models that I have collected over the years that need a scale "home". The disadvantage of this scale is that there are very few accessories available, so a lot of scratchbuilding is necessary. There are a reasonable number of figures, some of which are period specific and were issued in old 1/32 scale car kits. If you're into racing, a large number of figures and racing style accesories are available through the slot car fraternity. The big advantage of 1/32 scale dios is the small amount of space they need (relatively speaking). Most of my (over 500) 1/24 scale models are in display cabinets or individual display cases and I sometimes use the base of the display case as a small, one car, diarama. Full 1/24 scale dios are more popular due to the large amount of models, accessories and figures available... but they do take up a lot more space and need more construction material to build (if cost is a factor). So the choice is up to you. If you have a lot of both 1/32 scale and 1/24,1/25 scale models then I suggest you chose a time period that you like the most and relate that to whatever cars you want to display. But then....... why not do both scales to suit your collection? Tony

Pity about the windshield, Nick......... that's a sweet looking Vette! Tony

This is very nice, and an incredible return after 40 years! If you still have any of your original builds, it would be interesting to see them...... Tony

An interesting concept. I'm going to be following this as it develops. Good start. Tony

If I didn't already know that this is a model, I would swear that it's real. Yeah. I know it's been said before but...... it definitely needs repeating, just to remind us! Tony

Excellent....... keep us posted as you add more details. Great start! Tony

Now.... with the dio idea as well....... you're REALLY cookin'! Loving it! Tony

If ever you want a job in my miniature body shop.... just let me know...... no pay but lots of fun! Can't wait to see the finished body. Tony

Great stuff! Definitely my kind of race car..... wish we still had the Trans Am Series V8 muscle cars today instead of those high reving, FWD, little go carts on steroids. But I guess I'm just old school. Keep up the good work..... I'm a follower on this one. Tony

Well, you certainly answered my roof question in a BIG way!!! WOW!! Now you've really got my interest. Tony

Hi John. I just read back through this thread and see I could have answered my own questions! Sorry about that! But one little thought...... if this is set in the post WW1 era (1918 - 1920). The car looks like it's approximately 1911 to 1915 vintage, so probably wouldn't be a rusted out hulk by the time of the dio. Unless of course it had caught fire and burnt out! Maybe you already explained this and I missed it in the text. If it had burnt out there would be a considerable amount of fire related debris around the car, and the fence would show signs of either fire damage or repair. If it had been left for the owner's return from the war, it probably would have been in the garage or, at least covered over with a tarp. I hope I'm not being too picky and I only mention this because the dio is going to a National museum, so a little detail like this may be important. It's a great little item to catch people's attention, but without an explanation of how it got there (especially with the recent tire tracks) it might also raise a few eyebrows? Just a thought. Tony

Awesome! Tony

I believe the 1959/60 Caddy also came as the "Series 62" version without all the chrome trim. Google "1959 Cadillac Series 62 convertible" and you'll see what I mean. Nice build! Tony

OH BOY!!!! I forsee another great build in the making! Tony

That's great challenge and a great start! What will you use to create the extended roof line and the rear access door for the coffin? Just a suggestion but the Johan ambulance and possibly a modified Nomad roof may work. On the other hand, with your obvious talents, you could probably scratchbuid it! Tony.

Include me in with the other comments. A great build..... now you'll have to build a race track dio to stage it! Hope we can see some progress pics on the SVO. Love it! Tony

As another Tony (the Tiger) once said...... GRRRRREAT! Tony