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Everything posted by Modelmartin
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What does "NNL" stand for?
Modelmartin replied to spudmuffin1959's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
You may have read that but it is wrong. John Strick has it exactly right. I was there and that is how it happened. John wasn't at the first one but he was at many of the early ones and for many years now has helped put on the Toledo Nationals show along with his club members. They deserve much thanks for doing such a good job for so many years now. The First Toledo NNL was held in my room at the long-gone Toledo Turnpike Motel. The Second one was held in Mark Gustavson's room!! After that we were at the Holiday Inn. Ooh! Moving up in the world. After about 5 years or so we ended up at the Lucas County Rec Center which was the home of the NNL until this year. Good times! -
Personal issues aired on the forum
Modelmartin replied to Harry P.'s topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
Pear, man! Who 's your editor?? -
What's Everyone Profession,etc..job,
Modelmartin replied to stanleymsn's topic in The Off-Topic Lounge
Machinist for last 13 years, but have been a bus driver, model maker, and resin caster which I still do and hope to build that business up to be full-time again. -
What a bunch of hacks we all are!
Modelmartin replied to plasticgas's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
For a slight amount more effort and a modest increase in budget he could have built a real one in 1/1. That's not a "model Car". It s a real car that's small! -
I will add my name to the list. Steve is always an honest and easy to work with guy. I suspect that since you are the second hand reporter here and there might be language issues, there might be more to the story that might help explain what happened.
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Scale Model Supplies is at Lexington and University in St. Paul and they have several tracks including 1/32 and 1/24 multi-lane and a 1/24th full scale length drag strip. They are open 9-9 Monday through Saturday and I think 11 or 12 to 5 Sunday. They are an incredibly well stocked hobby shop with kits, supplies, etc. You won't leave with a full wallet!
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From pics I have seen that thing is too clean to be a rallycrosser!! Too much bodywork left on it, too! Seriously, though, it's fun to see a non-serious model done well!
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Does resin have a memory?
Modelmartin replied to Bobdude's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
I can't remember!! If the resin was mixed well there should be no problems. -
Where are the Model Trucks?
Modelmartin replied to The Red Ranger's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
Regarding the USA vs Japan quality issue I would add that there are big cultural differences that help explain it. The Japanese have a highly developed sense of honor. Every person from the CEO to the Janitor must do their utmost or they will bring shame onto themselves. Contrast that to a lot of Americans who have no shame or sense of honor. Some are even proud of that! My Grandfather bought a new Oldsmobile in the late 30s and it had a terrible rattle like nothing he had ever experienced before and he started out driving Model Ts! He brought it back to the dealer and they checked it out. The body must have been dropped onto the frame at quitting time because all of the body bolts were found under the carpet in the back seat footwell! That would not happen in Japan. It's interesting how different model companies quality stacks up over the years. Monogram is a great example. Their kits from the 60s are all very high quality. They were probably the best in the world at that time. They completely lost their way in the mid to late 70s with that awful 69 Camaro and others. AMT with all of their different owners over the years is interesting too. They were consistently good for many years but once in a while a clinker would pop up like the 1/16 NASCARS in the 80s and all of those craptastic showrods in the 70s!! How about those Revell gassers (Henry J, Austin, Willys PU)from the early 70s? They were junk! Some of the low rent Japanese kits from the past are pretty cheesy - about equivalent to Palmer, Pyro, etc. Tamiya started making wood kits in the 50s. Some of their earlier plastic stuff is very toy-like. Even when they started putting out serious kits they were still motorising them. They have gone from strength to strength over the years and their newest stuff is outstandingly good! Even in the resin scene I have seen a couple of Japanese kits that were about as good as a TKM!! But then they have Model Factory Hiro which is quite good. I guess the point I am trying to make is that there is a range of quality both in the US and Japan and some have improved and some have not over the years. A number of Japanese kit manufacturers have folded or quit making kits altogether like Bandai, Eidai, Tilt, and Gakken. I think the biggest reason for the successes of Tamiya, Fujimi, etc is that their subjects have international appeal and they maintain a consistently high level of quality. I had read that Tamiya sells 80% of their production domestically. I would think that their exports now make up a bigger share than then. The Japanese are mad about models but that extra 20+% they export can't hurt. -
Where are the Model Trucks?
Modelmartin replied to The Red Ranger's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
To try to recoup some of the money invested in it. Even though it wasn't a big money maker for them they aren't going to scrap the tooling. Once their old stock clears out they can run a few more. And regarding Model King re-issues I would venture a guess that his investment is not as great as the model companies. He just buys what he thinks he can sell. He doesn't have to pay for tooling or maintain a building and injection molding machines. His overhead is very small. -
What year was this made?
Modelmartin replied to Custom Hearse's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
My best guess is about 1977 or so. I know I bought and built the 55 Convert in that series in about 77 or 78. -
Brilliant! Smashing!
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Where are the Model Trucks?
Modelmartin replied to The Red Ranger's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
Inflation! All of the advances in moldmaking(CAD design, CNC machining and EDM processes) do make it a lot easier and cheaper in adjusted dollars than the old days. My understanding, and Art I am sure, can verify or deny that the cost of producing a tool is roughly about the same now as in the past but inflation wiped out the savings in time as far as costs go. I think the Galaxy 48 Chevies were produced straight from CAD files. I would be surprised if anyone makes patterns anymore for plastic kits. The only place you can find pantographs these days are vo-techs and scrapyards! -
Where are the Model Trucks?
Modelmartin replied to The Red Ranger's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
Art has hit the nail squarely on the head in his post. The hobby has changed and continues to do so. It is and will become more of a serious adult hobby. It will continue to become more expensive and higher quality. For those pining for the good old days there will be nothing but nostalgia and disappointment. For a look at where the hobby is heading check out these Youtube videos of Scott Hards of Hobbylink Japan interviewing Mr. Hiro of Model Factory Hiro. They are about 9 minutes each. Well worth the time to watch. -
Is Revell watching this thread, too???
Modelmartin replied to Harry P.'s topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
Tamiya did the XB 1st generation. It's called Toyota bB in Japan. Fujimi has a kit of the element. Most of the various Japanese sedans and mini-vans have been kitted in their domestic versions and names. Go to HLJ.com and take a look. -
Is Revell watching this thread, too???
Modelmartin replied to Harry P.'s topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
This thread is HI-larious!!! 1.) Who has all of the models that they intended to build with existing kits finished? Anyone? 2.)I am a big Bugatti enthusiast and haven't had a new tool since the Italieri T41 Royales in the early 80s. They made 2 versions. That gives me a grand total of 5 Bugatti kits ever produced in plastic in 1/24 scale. Quit your BITCHING! Have a nice day! -
Go, Art!
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Where are the Model Trucks?
Modelmartin replied to The Red Ranger's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
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240 MPG Volkswagen!
Modelmartin replied to Custom Hearse's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
Oh Yea! My cousin's uncle's next door neighbor's hairdresser has a big ole Caddy that gets like 75 miles per gallon!!! -
240 MPG Volkswagen!
Modelmartin replied to Custom Hearse's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
Maybe he's "hyper-miling" that Caddy. It's possible!