GTMust

Thanks Tony. The Ranger passed the safety and E-test with flying colors and I even got the new windshield installed! Now it's all legal and on the road.... ready for a Canadian winter? Tony

I didn't touch the body, but I Z'd the frame at the rear and modified the floor to fit. I cut openings in the bulkhead and the rear wheel arches so the body would sit lower in the chassis rails. It was a lot of trial and error! The windshield was a piece of clear styrene with a chrome edge made with BMF. It's just glued in the open position. Tony

I built this rat rod version a couple of years ago. Might give you a few ideas....... It's fun kit to build and I'll be watching your progress with interest. Hope my pics help......... Tony

Great.... he used all the correct cars from the movie as well! (But I don't remember a 2CV in the movie.... or is the memory just fading?) Replacing the '55 coupe with the two door sedan will be the "icing on the cake". Love that sign! Tony

Looking good Jerred. Don't forget to add a 3' x 7' door somewhere. Also increase the size of the header over the garage door (scale double 2" x 8") and add the studs above it. Great start! Tony

Two brothers. Great builders with a lot of great information and ideas. Their model photography is incredible. Subscribe to their blog.... well worth it and it's free.... no strings attached! Tony

Lipstick? I just thought she was a messy eater! Tony

Joe.... The '29 Model A pickup is from the Pyro/Lindberg kit..... and the previous picture with the grey car at the pump is a Pyro kit of a 1930(something) Packard Coupe. Thanks for the comment. Tony

What's stopping anyone scratchbuilding it in a larger scale? It's mostly glass (clear styrene) and there's all kinds of reference photos if you Google for them........ But like you said Harry....... that would make for one HUGE dio!

Thanks for the encouragement, Harry and Sam...... but still a lot more to add yet! Tony

Starting to think this is a roadside convenience store with a gas pump... instead of the other way round! I've got the sign pole made and all the signage in place with the exception of the hanging sign for the pole. I have it made but still looking in the craft stores and dollar stores for some chain to hang it from the pole. I also intend to weather the signs a little. I have found a few Greyhound bus signs to suit the era.... which explains the young lady waiting on the bench? Oh... and the sand in front of the pump?....... that's to soak up an oil spill from a previous customer!

Pretty darned impressive Terry! Well done! Tony

Slow going... but it's gradually taking shape. Finished weathering the building and added some period (I hope!) advertising signs. Seems this was typical for the era and this kind of gas stop. "Fill 'er up!". "Be back in a minute". Have to do a little more research to find out what kind of pole signs and building signs for Mobilgas would be appropriate for the era. Soon the weather will turn and I'll get a little more time to work on it. Tony

This work of art gets more impressive every time I see it! Tony

Haven't had much time at the modelling workbench lately as I'm trying to get a recently aquired 1994 Ford Ranger ready for the dreaded Ontario E-test and Safety certificate to transfer the ownership into my name for a winter vehicle. So far, had to do some rear box bodywork and all new brakes and lines all round. Next a new windshield... and I should be ready? But I have got some siding on the storage shed and metal roofs to both buildings. Decision to be made....... To paint the walls with faded, peeling red paint and white trim.... or to leave as weathered wood? Tony

Superb!!!!! Tony

Far be it for me to tell you what to do.......... but don't forget our previous discussion regarding laying the structural floorboards diagonally.... and the finished floor boards (if you add them), lengthways. But then again... it's up to you. LOL! Tony

If diaramas are new to you....... can't wait to see your next ones. Excellent! Tony

Here's the definition according to www.thefreedictionary.com/diarama Still confused? di·o·ram·a (d-rm, -räm) n. 1. A three-dimensional miniature or life-size scene in which figures, stuffed wildlife, or other objects are arranged in a naturalistic setting against a painted background. 2. A scene reproduced on cloth transparencies with various lights shining through the cloths to produce changes in effect, intended for viewing at a distance through an aperture. [French, blend of dia-, through (from Greek; see dia-) and panorama, panorama (from English; see panorama).] dio·ramic (-rhttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/abreve.gifmhttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/prime.gifhttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/ibreve.gifk) adj. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. diorama [ˌdaɪəˈrɑːmə] n 1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) a miniature three-dimensional scene, in which models of figures are seen against a background 2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) a picture made up of illuminated translucent curtains, viewed through an aperture 3. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) a museum display, as of an animal, of a specimen in its natural setting 4. (Performing Arts) Films a scene produced by the rearrangement of lighting effects [from French, from Greek dia- through + Greek horama view, from horan to see] dioramic [ˌdaɪəˈræmɪk] adj Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003 diorama 1. a miniature, three-dimensional scene, often depicting a historical event. 2. an apparatus designed for giving extra realism to paintings by transmitting light through them in various colors and intensities at different times. Hmmmmmm.......!!

What an interesting question! Although I tend to agree with both replies.... I'm sure there are instances where a stand alone vehicle on an "asphalt" road surfaced base, or just placed inside a garage backdrop could be considered a diarama. Does it depend upon what the viewer reads into it? (Which I guess means the viewer creates his own "story"?)....... hmmmm! Tony

Thanks Danny. I'm getting a lot of inspiration from your garage dio. Pity you don't make your great resin bits and pieces in 1/32 scale........ but I'm guessing the demand would be very low. Probably wouldn't make financial sense. Tony

My wife's a "tree hugger" (not that there's anything wrong with that). Her favourite saying is "Why do you need so many cars?". Oh well! Tony

After debating all the possiblilties for the right side of the building in my mind (tiny?), I decided the gas stop needs a storage shed. Here's my inspiration: (This is a great picture for my reference purposes, but if I'm breaking any copyright laws, please feel free to remove it.) .... and here's the start of mine: I also added an extra 4 scale feet to the back of the office/store and reduced the front deck by the same amount. Tony

Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling....... if you know what I mean! (Or maybe you have to be Irish to understand?) Tony

James... not to be a "buttinski".... but either Ken was thinking your pictures of your "office" was a model..... or his comments were tongue in cheek, or maybe..... I'm just going senile! Of course... if it was a model......... !!!!!! LOL Tony