Jim Whalen

Thanks guys - it took a few goes to get the paint to where I wanted it but I am pleased that I stuck with it. The compliments are very much appreciated.

Hi Guys, Here are some pictures of the '40 Ford Coupe that I completed over the weekend:

Hi Guys, After a break from the '40 Ford to finish a project for somebody else I am working on completing it. Hopefully, it'll be finished to go a competition at the Huddersfield show this weekend in West Yorkshire, England. It was the first time I had used solder to complete an exhaust system and found it quite easy to work with so thanks to all those people who have mentioned using it in their builds! The rolling chassis is now complete so will be working on the body and final assembly the rest of this week. Here are a few pictures of the completed chassis:

Hi, I'm very, very impressed! Everything about it is excellent - those old AMT kits can look good but we know how much work it takes to get them looking as nice as these. Thanks for putting the link up about the figures as well - will have to check it out.

That would explain your knowledge Geoff! We'll have to get together to have a chat one of these days.

Interesting colour Geoff - I wasn't aware of that one. How did you find out about it? That looks like a good example of a Mk1 Golf, where did you get the photo?

Hi Guys, I've always liked VW Golfs so I am looking forward to building these kits. I saw them built up on the Revell stand at Scale Model World in Telford last November and they looked really nice. The GTI is a very early Mk1 (as evidenced by the dashboard and tail-lights) whereas the cabriolet can be built to represent a later car due to the dashboard and the fact that their tail-lights didn't change when Volkswagen gave the first Golf a facelift. I think it would be quite easy to kit bash the dashboard from the cabriolet to the GTI but the rear light clusters would be a challenge. I should imagine the aftermarket will be producing some parts for these models so maybe someone will offer a kit to make a facelifted Golf - this would then open up the opportunity to build the later versions of the car. I didn't know that these kits did not have a chrome sprue - looks like it'll be Alclad for me when I get one!

Nice start on the Mk1 Cabriolet. I'm planning to get one, as well as the GTi kit. I've already researched the colours for the GTi (fairly easy as they didn't have too many colours) but it'll take a bit more time to get the information regarding the cabriolet as they used more colours and the car was produced for a much longer time. A neighbour of one of my friends has a cabriolet and I've already got permission to get some detail pictures of it to help me with my build. Keep us updated on your progress - your paint has turned out really well!

Superb idea - it will all go together really well. I really like the way you've done the stripes on the cab. Looking forward to seeing the completed project!

My resolution is to be more productive - I spend too much time being distracted - and that includes this forum sometimes!! I've started off well as I made use of the mild weather yesterday and got some airbrushing done. This morning I made some throttle linkages for an engine which should be finished next week. I will set goals, use the "eat the elephant approach" (for those who haven't heard this expression it refers to the idea of doing a bit at a time you will eventually achieve a lot) when I haven't got much time for building, and will try to get some model building done every day (as much as possible). Last year my resolution was to join a club - which I did, and enjoyed it very much. Our first meeting of the year is tomorrow so I am really looking forward to it. Probably the most important resolution is to ensure I enjoy this great hobby of ours and not to get too frustrated when things don't go according to plan. Things can always be done a 2nd time, 3rd time, 4th time etc.!! It isn't like I'm wasting a lot of money by making mistakes and by learning from them the building will get better - maybe...

I like how you've adapted the engine to fit into the C1 body. Bet your mate's car really shifts!

Nice start, I'm looking forward to seeing how your paint turns out on those curvy lines of the '37!

Well done on passing your test! I work as a driving instructor in Wolverhampton, England. It is a shame that a minority of young drivers wreck it for the rest but there is not much we can do about it - unless someone successfully challenges ageism in the European courts like they did a couple of years ago with sexism (stopping companies charging less for women). Approaching driving properly is almost an art form - I still come across new situations and I have been driving for 30 years! Now get onto more important things - model building!

Hi Guys, Just replacing this thread about my Candy Red '40 Coupe that dissappeared when the site moved to a new server. To recap, its a Revell/Monogram kit that has been the subject of some kitbashing. The small block Ford engine is from the Revell '32 series of kits, the interior is a resin tuck and roll from Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland (to give a more tradtional feel), the wheels are from the '32 Highboy kit to give a different stance without too much work, resin drums are at the back with photo-etched discs at the front, the body has had the bumper slots filled and the bottom of the front fenders slightly reprofiled and the paint is Candy Red over a medium silver Candy basecoat cleared with 2-pack (all Zero Paints). I thought I was at the assembly stage and found the exhaust didn't line up so have just made new front sections using solder (final picture). Here a few pics to remind people: Should have some more pictures up next week.

Now we're talking- a few pressies in the back and the picture would be perfect!

Thanks for the comment on my '32 pro street - its a build that was started in 2011 but got the motivation to finish it for our pickup theme on our SIG table at Scale Model World. I used three sets of fenders to get the wide arches at the back - if you're interested I'll get some pictures up if you would like to do a similar thing for your project. These fenders restrict the tyre size - but the ones from the Revell Willys Street Rod kit go in nicely. If you wanted larger wheels it would mean fabbing larger fenders and wheel wells on the body.

Nice build! Did it go together well? I've got one of these in the stash to build.

Looks like a good project - it would certainly save people some time. Took me quite a while to do all the converting on my '32 prostreet pickup! I'd be interested - the other subjects you have in mind will prove popular as well.

I normally clean all the parts first, put subassemblies together and then paint all the parts to the model. If it is a big model (e.g. a truck) I might do the subassemblies as separate models to relieve the boredom of cleaning so many parts. If I am kitbashing or converting models I make sure everything fits before committing to paint - learnt that lesson the hard way! Doesn't always work though and I find myself having to redo things If I have multiple projects on the go I try to paint parts that are the same colour together to save time. Since the paints I normally use (Zero) dry quite fast I don't need to have parts waiting around to harden before continuing with the build. Good thread - I like all ideas suggested by people!

Hi Guys. Norm's stuff is great and this VW transkit looks just the ticket to bring back some '70's memories! He doesn't have a website so the best way to contact him is through email: replmincomd@aol.com I've already got some of his transkits to do and this VW plus a chopped Model A coupe are going to have to join the build pile.

Nice Kenworth - I like the colour, it really suits the truck and compliments the chrome nicely.

Very nice - I like the paint scheme. Seeing these trucks on the highway in Canada during the '70s is what got me into model building. Your build has certainly captured how these kings of the road used to look.

Thanks for the comments! The stance comes from a scratchbuilt chassis incorporating the suspension and wheels from the Revell Willys street rod kit, just put the suspension into the chassis where the wheels dictated it, got a bit lucky with the final outcome. The colour is Porsche Colbalt blue.

Hi, I tend to use Alclad's own gloss black base and spray the chrome (other hi-shine finish) on after about an hour using an Iwata gravity fed dual action airbrush at about 10psi. I have heard that Testors Gloss Black enamel works well as a base but have not tried it since it is not readily available here. As for dust, I give parts a blast of air with the airbrush before I begin painting and always keep the parts in a shoebox, only taking them out whilst they are being painted.

Thanks for the comments guys - much appreciated.