Mercman

Today the GOODYEAR truck showed up with a load of racing slicks. Also acquired a new shop truck. Which is a WIP. Preview of the shop wall. This is not all of the equipment, but the pieces I scratch built, except the pop machine. Getting ready for the Sat. Nite action.

Some of the equipment started to arrive today. Tool chests,and cabinets. All are scratch built from plastic.

Looking for some things the other day, and found this one, so I took it out, and started on it again. Here are a few pics. Oh yeah forgot to mention it's 1/87th scale.

Today in the body shop I added some bullet tail lights. This is what I am using, they are sequin pins, that will be trimmed down.

Today the cement truck showed up to pour the floor. Also Bryan is up checking out the new roof. Careful Bryan, even if you have a safety rope!! They're already arguing on which is real racing.

Started on the building/garage for this one. They will offer all sorts of race cars, not just NASCAR.

I'm currently working on a couple of dios where I needed copyrighted prints for reference. I wrote to both artists, and got their permission to use them for my own reference. One asked that I would not try to sell, or pass it off as my own, and I agreed. Also I gave them both full credit for the original idea during the progress posts of the build, , and displayed the print with the finished build. The one dio is still a work in progress. As for a few of my models, I have had people contact me to download them for magazine use, and what not. I feel that it is only fair to do this. .

Pics here at the link. http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/mercman51/SPUD%20VALLEY%20RR/Spud%20%20Valley%202010/ Here's a couple of the entries.

Started with Durham's Water Putty for the base coat, then misted it with water, and sprinkled dry plaster through a strainer over the areas. Work in a small area at a time. Also Woodland Senics make a snow powder that comes in a shaker can. It's a 32 oz jar, number SN140 soft flake. I scored one today at the train show.

Doing this one to go with a dio I'm doing. Chopped it a scale 3 in's. and added the cruiser skirts. Also lowered the rear end. The yellow one is stock height.

Here are some pics taken outside. I need critiques, and comments on it as I have a day to tweek it a bit before the show. Thanks for looking.

Today it snowed here, even with 80 above temps. Now it's time to add some shadows to the snow, so as it's not so uniform, and white looking. Here are a few of the small detail pieces I made for it also. I think the weathering on the fuel tank came out okay. The car is just about done. Finally a couple of mock up pics. Still have a few things to do yet.

Like they say it's all in the little details. I built these today to go with this dio. The gas pumps are just some Evergren square tubing, capped with Plastruc Channel. The hoses are a oice of phone wire. The center light pole is aluminum tube, with brass wire, and HO scale lamp shades. Also the light on the side of the building is done the same way. Finally the oil tank is made from a 1/4 in. square basswood piece, with a halve round Plastruc tube. The bottom was carved to shape, then it was covered with aluminum printers plate. The sight gauge is a pice of brass wire, and superglue tube, the fill cap/pipe and vent are pins. The legs are florist wire.

Found these at the Ben Franklin craft shop. They woud make good reeds, or small sticks for dio's. Only $.99 for the bag. So it pays to check out the craft shops.

Some more work on the 40. I made a firewall from aluminum sheet. Also a roll bar. Next I think I solved the front tire problem. I took the tires off the rims, and just painted the rim outer. So what do you think?

Been awhile posting anything on this one. I started the 40 Ford today for it. Here is what I started with. It was interesting to remove the hood to say the least. Now I have to carve a firewall for it. Scoped a engine for it from a Racing Champs 59 Edsel diecast, and maybe also the tires. Here it is mocked up. Thanks again to Chester for the two IHC 40 Fords.

Amazing what you can do with a superglue cap, and some tubing. The car is afrom a key chain. This will be the sign post for another project I have in mind. Now the pole has to be painted.

Got the ground work done. I may add a few rocks to it also. The trees are in the paint shop getting weathered. Here they are just placed to give an idea. Once again the cars are just to see how it will look. Comments and suggestions welcome.

My first model was made for me by my Dad. I wasn't even a year old yet, and he thought I needed a hobby. Little did he realize where it would lead to. Over 10,000 models over the years. The first one I remember doing myself was the AMT 36 Ford 3-1 kit. The one with the chopped roof. Also a whole slew of the old Monogram 49 er's. They were called this because they were only 49 cents. Back then you could buy a kit AMT glue, paint, and brush for $2.00. Yeah you might have guessed by now I'm older than dirt Here is a pic of it, as I still have it. This is the only model my Dad ever built. He is gone now, 10 years coming up in Oct. But I have him to thank for my love of cars, and such.

Got some work done on the base. Instead of paint I used Krylon Fleckstone paint. First i covered the base with some window screen. Then masked off the top, and sprayed it. Now it's onto the turf part of it. Laying in the grass, and trees

Ground work has begun. The pics are kind of washed out, actually it is a dark green base coat, and the darker area is Modeler's Asphalt. The green is Krylon Camo paint, this is the base for my grass. Still have to do the Fleckstone on the rest of it. Have had this jar now for 10 years or better, and it's still good.

That's robbery.

Chopper's Shop is just about ready to open. Borrowed a idea from Chuck Doan. What is hiding behind the door? All of the lettering was done with a fine point Sharpie pen.

Package is in the mail. Junior

Looking for these pieces, either AFX or Aurora. Needed for a diorama I have planned. Junior aka Mercman