James W

Don't try to put any type of clear paint over pastels. You will lose all your hard work. It just disappears. I like to dullcote before application. Gives the chalk something to bite into. There is a product to "set" pastels that artists use on canvas, but I've never tried it on a model. Sharp looking tub by the way.

I'm looking for a 54 Olds or Buick 2 door post. Would not mind seeing a new Dodge short bed/regular cab either. An interesting twist on the pick-ups, issue them as either Two or Four wheel drive. That's a 2-n-1 I'd like to see.

The Revell Parts Pack Experimental Turbine Engine. Bob Paeth had a few of these some time ago. I bought one to put in a '64 Dodge drag car. Thought it would be like a What-If factory experimental car. Well I took it home and started putting it together. Put a brass screen in the housing end. But the illustration on the package was a little... ambiguous. Next time I saw Bob I asked him for some insight. He just laughed, thought it funny I had tried to build it. Seems with the popularity of turbines in the mid 60's they wanted to have something to sell the kiddys. The thing started as a starter motor for some large scall engine, add a few odd shapes and call them things like "fuel control cap","relief valve" and you have a unique kit. No one bothered to engineer the thing. Emphasis on Experimental. I know it's a little off topic, but this kit really is impossible to build. I get a good laugh out of it now too.

Bob Paeth has a vinyl mask for painting flames. Cool thing is the whole sheet is there so you can mask the positive or negative. Give him a buzz, he probably still has some for sale.

Great treatment of a forgotten car. I don't remmember from your in progress shots, what engine did you put in?

Nicely done!I've always liked the look of these. Now you have a model to match your avatar.

I used to build models, but had to quit because I'm still reading this endless thread...thanks Steve My name is James Warkentin(war-ken-teen') I am 42 and I have been building hiatus free since I was 8. On the personal side I have been married 21 years this month, to a wonderful supportive wife. We have two kids, 10 and 7, who enjoy building to be with Dad, but it was a great day when my son asked to work on his own project even though I was not in the room. My daughter may or may not carry on the model thing, but that is alright. I grew up in Salem Oregon and live half a mile from the house I grew up in. I worked in my parents print shop running letterpress equipment, including operating a Linotype(google this one) machine that you type on like a keyboard and it casts a lead slug that is then used in the printing press. I began to volunteer as a fire fighter in '95 and was too old to start a career, but got a CDL with help from a fellow FF in '99. In 2000 I went to work for a food service company and drove a delivery route and now work for an LTL company driving a delivery truck. No more time to volunteer however. I also am a sound tech at my church which has a variety of musical groups from choral singers to electric guitar driven bands. I am a born again Christian. On the modeling side, my dad and older brothers built models and my dad got me started. My first solo kit was the Revell 55 Chev. Mom would not let me start another kit until I finished the last. She held the line while I was in the Revell model of the month club, I chose the Prudhomme dragster to start, but one Christmas I got 8 or 9 models and there was no looking back. I've had a backlog of projects ever since. Don't tell Mom I juggle about 5 at a time now. At a contest in about 89 I entered some glossy muscle cars but the show operator told me everybody commented on the beat up pickup truck I entered. It was poorly done so I thought I should start building a wreck from the begining. About this time the MPC 88 Silverado came out and I decided to build it as an old used truck. I got hooked up with a model club and they took my truck to a show in Portland Oregon where Bob Paeth said "send that thing to Salt Lake" So I mailed it off and a couple weeks later they sent me a Best Light Commercial trophy. I could not believe it was true until the magazines came out. Even then I had my doubts 'cause they misspelled my name. I've done alot of weathering since then and trying to make plastic look like rusted and dented metal. I enjoy making stuff look like real life; used. I also get a kick out of learning new processes like RTV and resin casting and vacuum forming to make my own parts. I worked for an industrial design model builder who used CADCAM design and a mill to create stuff that only existed in a computer before he made it. He was killed in a car accident before we could replicate his 41 International p/u in miniature. Like Andy Martin said, it is the people you meet that make the contests so much fun and the club members have improved my models a ton but it is the generosity of the membership that has enriched my life. This forum is a great place to 'meet' other model builders and improve our skills. It's value is incalculable, but don't forget to sit down and build something once in a while too.

New DSL explorer installed yesterday. Remember how easy it was to find the picture I wanted to upload on the old system? That is gone now. But compared to changing internet explorers, it was a cake walk.

Just picked up the new release and there have been some additions Engine: New TPI intake consisting of 5 chrome pieces and unplated fan belt. Suspension: New rear axle center and front spindles. Radiator: New top tank, chrome. Wheels: New large diameter wheels and tires, nice. Disc brakes also. Decals: Feature larger pinstripe images than last time, disc brake details and whitewalls for the new tires. All the old parts are still there, nothing has been deleted, even the old staight axle set-up, so you can build the 'old school' rod with 15 inch wheels and tires and carbed engine or the new version.

I agree with Richard. They make a great disply as is. With decals still intact they have got to be rare indeed. You paid for them so their fate is up to you. I would not change a thing.

Well done. A nice mix of custom parts and a straight forward build. I like the dashboard. Don't think I've seen one with fenders in a while. Kind of refreshing to see.

Very nicely done. Looks just like the real thing.

Great build up of a nice looking kit. I have a soft spot for those since I test drove a pair of them back-in-the-day. (can you say that about the 80's?)

I built in my work bench. Starting with preformed countertops you can get a home improvement stores. I built a corner unit on top of a couple cabinet units for storage. The space between the cabinets allow one or two chairs. Power strips under the table supply dremel foot switch and lights. I drilled holes in the countertop to mount the adjustable swing lamps eliminating the clamps that never stay tight and routed the wire through the base pivot point. Jairus has some pictures, perhaps he will post a couple?

I envission an array of 7 Stromberg 97's. I'd like to see you build the linkage for that!

That's a good looking truck. Proportions are right.

I like the idea. I'm not sure I follow your discription of the changes you plan, but after looking at the photos, something did not look right to my eye either. It could be that the body fills all the space between the wheels at the front. What if you turn the car into a wedge so that the grill is the lowest point of the nose. That would lower the hood between the wheels giving an agressive stance. Feel free to ignore my suggestion.

I think you model looks hot and from the look of it, you found a great place to drive it too. Nothing to run into as far as the eye can see. I once drove an ATV in a 20 acre field and ran it into a tree. True story.

That tank engine is a nice piece. Jairus vacuum formed the cooling shroud over the engine then trimmed it to look like the real thing. That engine is the second or third engine he sticks in every mock-up. Looks like it may have found a home. I'm going to miss it.

Call me if you ever get it done.

I'm not familiar with the two builds you refer to but maybe this will help. Multiply the measurement of the tube by the scale you are working in. Example; .125" x 24 is 3 inches in 1:24 scale. Evergreen has many sizes of tubing and other shapes in styrene at most hobby shops. Familiarize yourself with full size builds to see what size they use, then mix and match different size Evergreen to achieve the look. If these builders are on the forum, you can try to contact them dirrectly to see what they used.

DON'T DO IT!!!

Hey Jairus, How about some large headlights like those found in the Revell 32. Mount them high in the grill openings so the hood acts as an eyebrow. The grill and hood make an excellent transition from fat cab to fenderless rod, very inspired.

Congrats on the build! This has been a fun one to watch. Great job and thanks for showing all the gory details.

I have removed the tampo prints from numerous Hot Whells with car wax. It is slightly abrasive. Just rub on a little and polish until gone.