Lunajammer

My uncle was a tail gunner in one on sub patrol. Loooong hours over the water. To humor himself sitting in the back, he'd push his feet on the flight cables and the plane would climb, pilot would correct then he'd release and plane would drop. Pilot would correct again then he'd push again, etc. etc. Pilot complained to mechanics about a porpoising problem. Darned problem never went away, even after plane was checked and cleared after several inspections. Pilot and mechanic finally almost came to blows when he thought he better back off the fun & games.

He was bigger than his stature that's for sure. I never really appreciated his early work, (particularly the old hollywood style,) until his later years when he dialed it back a little and showed how well rounded an actor he was. Liked him in "The Black Stallion" and was superb in the TV movie "Bill," where he played a mentally challenged man. RIP.

My brother has a (grossly generalized) theory I like that states everything costs roughly 10-times more now than it did 50-years ago. A full size Buick was about $3,800, today $38,000. Gas .32¢, today $3.20. Stamps, food, products etc. is roughly ten times more. Give or take a bit it applies to models too. It's all just a rough approximation. So as far as value, are we really paying more relative to our standard of living than we ever did?

That's pretty much my drill too Harry. For me, modeling is sort of a season. A season when there's little more to do than clear snow, earn a living and hibernate through dark and chill. Summer is short and too filled with sunshine, chores, family passing through, motorcycling, fire pits and more chores. Clearing the bench removes the temptations which take me away from other obligations, even if those obligations are to enjoy a different kind of fun.

Roger Corman eat your heart out.

The tape and tear are brilliant. And it's not just for looks, it serves a compositional purpose. Nice work.

That's a really good article and fantastic photos. You should be proud. Better buy up some extra copies.

Those are really neat and they did a good job with the look. Never seen them before.

Neat. Reminds me of the kind of vehicles you see in photos of agriculture regions of eastern Europe.

Looking at it again, I have to ask, is that Alclad Blue? It's so radiant, like chrome.

Super clean and precise build. So lovely.

At the moment, yes. But come summer it will have to find someone to invest in new head gaskets, shock mounts, 2 tires, radiator and/or heater core and a slew of lesser annoyances that still wouldn't please the "queen." More of an investment in the relationship than the vehicle. The 'stang has been a surprisingly reliable, durable and trouble free car over the years though.

The power of television. It's not just a car, it's a screen used product of Hollywood from an hour long commercial.

Well it's good-bye to my dear 96 Mustang, this photo is from when I bought it 12-years ago. It's worn out now, girlfriend hates it because she can't drive a stick shift, bucket seats hurt her back and it can't carry dog crates. So last weekend I bought this PT Cruiser. It's a little fun but I'm really going to miss my rear wheel drive 5-spd. But, the queen loves it. I'd like to mod it and I love that there's a ton of clubs, forums, fan support and aftermarket gear for these cars.

NASCAR has become, well, bland. Otherwise NASCAR wouldn't keep tweaking things to add interest. Danica is interesting. Though the media plays a part, they didn't invent her. I don't think they dwell on her but they keep fans like me informed. It's kind of telling though, that in Las Vegas, it was reported Kevin Harvick offered her some tips on working the track and she gained ten positions. Yes, she's still learning, but some of that knowledge would maybe be intuitive to a top ten driver. You have to wonder what her cars would do in the hands of others.

Yeah, I guess you're right Tim. I've just always thought the potential for a great story and great, real life car action can coexist together. That goes almost more so for WWII aircraft movies.

A workmate and I were just talking about how we're due for a really good, really driven (read as no CG), epic car stunt movie that becomes a lasting standard. What I don't get is why these movies always shoot themselves in the foot with brainless, paper thin scripts. Does Hollywood think that devoted car guys just want eye candy and fragmented one liners? Maybe marketing says they do, but I still have faith in the expectations of the thinking car guy.

I have nothing against the car, it appears to be a masterpiece of engineering and quality. But to me the Ridler Award goes to cars I would typically describe as "amazing grace." I see no grace in this presentation. I see the same conspicuous audacity that every corner of our culture seems to reward more and more.

Many years ago I found an awesome can of red automotive lacquer, might have been Duplicolor. It looked luscious and I used it on a bunch of models. So I'm trying to not use red for a while.

They were shipped nose down so the little cars could look at their futures.

Outstanding Eric! You're clearly an extraordinarily experienced builder. I love everything about this and your details are exactly right.

X2. Really superb. I can look at it a long time just taking in the nuances of your craftsmanship. So good.

I don't think the same model should be shown in back to back years, but personally I enjoy seeing the return of models I haven't seen for awhile. About every third or fourth year I'll bring a model I've shown before because I've always thought bringing models, whether contenders or not, is a show of support for the show hosts. I've never considered it lazy or egotistical of someone to let us see it again (within reason). I also think it's a shame to show a model once then no one gets to see it again. Why hide them? I love models.

This is great. That deck is really nicely crafted. I'd love to see it with that base on a display table.

@ Psychographic @ customsrus These are absolutely inspired and exciting. The T-bird bumper/grill... brilliant. Such different and targeted looks to the same general idea.