Lunajammer

Given my "druthers" it would have been easier to do the Revell 3-window but for me that's too nice to be butchering about. This was a $5 kit looking for action.

A project of firsts because there is a lot of new territory I've never covered. First rat rod, first roof chop, first lateral section of a body, and first time exploring rust beyond just light rusting with pastels. This is the kit I'm starting with. It's not a highly detailed kit so in some ways that makes things easier, but also denies me some chances to make it bling. First thing I want to do is chop and section the body. If I'm dissatisfied, then there'll be no reward in continuing. I've marked out the cut areas with Tamiya tape, I think it was 3/16" Well, the damage is done, I guess I'm committed. Lots of pieces.

Slanty, slanty. With the top angled back upright again and level with cowl.

Meh. I recommend not trying to prepare it yourself.

Superb.

And while I'm here, I think it's important to link this to Bernard Kron's thread here on chopping and sectioning a '40 Ford that was begun by Ed Fluck III. A good discussion with visuals from 2009.

Shamelessly ripped off from the Jalopy Journal, this is one of the most comprehensive diagrams I've found of how to section a 40's vintage vehicle. Taken straight from a book from the era.

For the times you come across one of these bagged in a bargain bin, then a year later the MPC Pinto wagon is released, providing all the part necessary to revive a classic.

I liked his movies, especially in Casino. I respect the comedy niche he defined for so many years and his place in entertainment, but admittedly his brand of humor never connected with me.

Hey, look who stepped out of the depths of oblivion to present a spanking sharp Mopar. Lookin' good Nick.

Oh, you can't get away that easy. This hobby has a grip on you. It will always find you and lure you back to the lair. All the best on your new job, sounds really good.

Some years ago I had some success selling a custom body and custom trailer I'd mastered myself. Then a well established resin caster asked if I'd like to trade for one of their products. I was so fearful he was going to bootleg it that I turned him down and quit selling it on ebay so that he couldn't get one. Well, I met him and learned more about him later and then felt bad for being so paranoid. But it clarified to me how vulnerable you are once it's released to the public.

Got this '70 Toronado for free because it was a basket case. Cut the chassis off and smoothed down the glue mountains. Chassis front was unusable with engine glued in sideways with LOTS of glue and chunks of paper towel in the glue acting like putty. But, it had no paint on it. After leveling the mounded glue from all panels and using an Eldorado donor chassis & engine (back when they were still on store shelves).

The fact that he even had my holy grail, a '66 Bonneville Wagon was astonishing. I paid top dollar at a show for a longitudinally warped body ( I assume from sitting snuggly wrapped in those little boxes for a few years), but then picked up three pristine, clean, desirable bodies for about $8 each. Go figure.

Hey Cato, I would be remiss if I didn't thank you for speaking on Harry's behalf when he didn't have the strength or fortitude to do it himself. We really did want to stay informed about his well being and even when the news was not good, hearing it from you was better than nothing. Thanks for caring about our community enough to take on that troubling task. Flat out, Thank You.

I need to forward this thread to my GF who doesn't understand why I would haggle $3 for some filthy, busted-a$$ model at a flea market.

Love this little thing. Now if they'll do the same for the Camper/Wedge I can go on a 1/25 holiday.

Long before the passing of our forum's grand marshal, I've asked myself what role modeling should play in my life. Looking back, a lot of life has been spent in solitude scratching plastic. I've asked myself if that's a responsible use of this precious, limited life. My answer is, I don't know. Though I enjoy modeling, there are many things I enjoy that could make better use of time, say, in terms of friends, family and community. Even if it's hitting the road on my motorcycle and meeting new people along the way. There was a book called "Life After Life" where people with near death experiences shared their after-life glimpses. Some had similar tales of being in the presence of God and being asked, "How have you lived?" and "How have you loved?" and you cannot lie. Essentially, an accounting of how you used the life God gave you. In His presence, you became your own judge and you couldn't make excuses.

Pretty easy conversion to 4-door wagon. Just rescribe the panel lines, cut off the package shelf and add a panel behind the rear seat. Since the interior is sparse anyway, I'm not sure how crazy I would get into detail beyond that. It still wouldn't be accurate, but that ship sailed before you opened the kit anyway.

Here are the finished shots posted from that site. Thanks to RAM_51 who posted them.

I actually got a shot of adrenaline. I'm shocked. Speechless. I really didn't think it would come to this so quickly. To his family and friends, my deepest condolences. So sad.

I'm a little confused about the details... Is it the cancer that is so grievously draining his health or the cure? If he can tough out the chemo, is there a chance he can be on track to regain strength and recover a little more from the heart problem? I know it's grim right now, but it just seems like he went down hill a lot faster than the cancer would take him. Regarding Hospice, my mom's health improved once she got their help because they managed her acute care so much better than the medical bureaucrats and clock punchers at the hospital.

What a great link. I didn't know there were so many 1/32 offerings of some great subjects. Some others in there I'd long forgotten about. I still have the '57 Chevy convertible half built from when I was a teen.

It's hard to make out from this photo but door detail is etched into the back side of the door piece. The multi piece body fits together really well. No fuss. Proportionately, it looks pretty good. Don't let the simplicity of this very old offering deter you from considering it for a pretty fair 1/32 project. The Lindberg 49 Ford that's part of the same series, is also an okay kit but proportionately I never thought it measures up as well this one.

While laying the groundwork for a project that uses this kit, I decided to share an up close look what this kit is, so that others may learn and grow in wisdom. It's a simple but good kit and fits together pretty well.