Lunajammer

Your kids should be proud. Those kits CAN be hard for kids but more importantly than how well they did is how their perseverance paid off. That's one of those little life lessons that the hobby can contribute to personal growth of the growing.

I concur. Our annual local contests have always included a no-fee, non-competition, display-only table. After all, we really just want ya to bring what ya got.

Andy you have nothing to be ashamed of. Rather you should be proud. Your build was lovely and you should consider your honorable mention as an enthusiastic welcome back to the hobby. This discussion here is just train-of-thought opinions. If we were all sitting around a table everything said here would be done in ten minutes. A forum just makes it feel more permanent.

One of the reasons I didn't compete was that it was tied into a television show. While the promotion may benefit Revell and the hobby in general, Gearz has an interest in the outcome. Like any loosely scripted or directed reality show, producers will also help select models that will most benefit their story line or their production. I'm willing to bet there were morning meetings about which models most represented what Gearz is about. From the beginning I've had a hunch the renown hobbyist judges, whether they knew it or not, were probably invited on board to add credibility. But nothing happens by accident on produced programs. Gearz doesn't strive to teach viewers how to build March, Lola or Ferrari engines to elite auto makers. They're meat and potatoes television for a vast audience of average car guys. The scale contest could only be the same way. However it would surprise me if they didn't at least spotlight some elite builds to show what COULD be done with models. I fully expect any future contests to follow the same criteria, but I wouldn't let it stop anyone from entering. Just make a nice clean build that you think represents the full scope of the spirit of what Gearz is about.

This can't be natural. A repeating code like that could only be made by intelligent life. Oh yes, there's someone... or should we say, something out there.

Haven't done it, but at a glance it could be problematic since the Revell '53 Bel Air (formerly the Monogram issue) is 1/24 and the 53/54 street machine is 1/25.

But they don't write country songs about new wives.

The bulk of what I see are pretty good builds. I just can't comment on all of them any more than I care to comment on every entry in the shows. Doesn't mean I don't enjoy seeing every one of them. I respond selectively to the ones I relate to in some way. Likewise I also don't expect lots of fanfare when I post. If I get it, that's great but I don't hang my hat on it. Validation comes from within. The rest is gravy. Same with critiques. Not everybody is a wordsmith so it's not fair to perceive critiques as hostile, even if it's not worded well, or taken as inflamed. I think there's a vast silent majority on this forum who shouldn't be held in contempt for their silence. Also, as in person, friends are more likely to comment to friends than to strangers.

So the stars are a popularity contest? What, are we in high school again?

Vanbulous.

Nice touch with the mix-n-match wheels. Much like every car I've ever seen on a budget lot. Ever wonder where all the treaded tires on budget lots migrate to? Is there a used car axiom that mandates all tires must be mixed sizes and come from a ditch?

Sort of falls into the "Can vs. Should" category.

Wow, that's it. Boom. You nailed it. Dead on, and other exclamations. I think it's pitch perfect and the stance is exactly right. Nice eye. You got it. Well done.

Heck yeah. That's why I've got such an awesome parts box that I've inherited from the modeling elders over the years... because I'm too chicken to risk using "one chance only" parts. Sort of a hoarding mentality. The part's too precious to actually USE. What if I botch it? I'm sure there are studies.

I approve. Nice choice of wheels. I just love this kit. Not too many sedans look sexy but this would be one. Almost any muscle wheel looks good on this.

I agree. I built this as a tyke back in the early '70's. It's great starting material. I am, of course, sentimentally biased.

Never before had I noticed or even connected the resemblance to the '65/'66 Ford Galaxy, but I sure see it in this photo. Nice work.

I think everybody is entitled to an opinion, then step aside and allow/respect a rebuttal. Point, counter-point. The end. The dramas I see unfold is when the criticizer can't respect or let go of the response.

I've always liked this kit Dave and you gave it a real crisp and clean build.

Yup. Nice job Rob. Everything worked out real well.

I don't know how far your plan will go for this but I built one box stock some years ago and my favorite part was the engine it came with... at least how it views from the top. Maybe not ideal for strip running but factory stock was great.

Count me in. I like this a lot.

I know what you mean H, but what if there's congestion and gridlock. You still want to merge going 55? Also if I'm driving a Pinto (again) and trying to merge 55 into a pack of Mario Andrettis... well, I don't have to tell you how that would end up. (That's hypothetical that a Pinto even could go over 55) Sincerely, 95-percent.

There is one slight advantage to using the one part version of this product. You can thin it with lacquer thinner to create a brushable primer of whatever thickness or thinness you like. I'll do that sometimes to smooth and sand an area over choppy putty before spray priming. You might guess though, this method doesn't do too well on bare plastic. Clean brush with lacquer thinner.