av405

Here's my Alaska State Troopers 1997 Ford Expedition. I used the original issue Revell kit + the interior police parts from the most recent re-issue of the kit. Light bar is from the Classic Metal Works Crown Victoria and the decals are Chimneyville, minus the "STATE TROOPERS" decals found on ebay. Front bumper is scratch built. What I was hoping would be a quick build of a snap kit took longer than I hoped. I did not at all enjoy brush painting the door handles and most of the black window trim and will have to find an alternative method next time I do that. Besides that, I'm pretty happy with it. The inspiration:

I have some of Greg's bodies. He's active on facebook and has a group called "Holy Grail Resin Model Parts." I spoke with him a few months ago and told him I wanted to order some stuff. The thing is that for the last year and a half, I reach out to him and he either doesn't reply back or he replies back but then doesn't answer when it comes down to ordering something. He is in the middle of building a new shop, so I think he's not currently set up for casting bodies. But the communication has been an issue for me. Hopefully he get's things back up and running soon since it was so easy buying stuff from him a few years ago.

Thank you all for your answers. It's given me some good food for thought.

It wasn't clear if your "oh geez" and "but folks just never learn" was directed at me, at others, or who. Yes, that was confusing for me as the OP. Anyhow, thanks for clarifying and thank you for your information.

Sorry, your tone is confusing me. Did I say something wrong? The whole point of my question is to learn.

Duplicate Post.

I agree. I'd like to add that I've seen some of the more high-profile "I build for fun" folks always make a point of this and contrast themselves with the so-called "rivet-counters." They're just as bad as the people they're supposedly making fun for drawing that line in the sand. If you want to build with Rustoleum paints and not sand mold lines, have at it. In fact, embrace it. But don't constantly make excuses for it or mislead people by saying how great your stuff looks when objectively, it's probably just "good enough." I'm convinced that the prevalence and embrace of this mentality is what has led to what seems to be a spike on the forums and on facebook of the "I painted with rustoleum and cleared with dollar store floor polish, why doesn't my model look as good?" questions. Which can then, sadly, drive some people away from the hobby because they want instant gratification using the cheapest tools/techniques possible. I personally go for a "high-low" mix when it comes to tools and results. Not every paint or tool has to be top of the line or every model plumbed and wired to the tee. It's been a process of learning when I can take shortcuts and when I shouldn't based on my skills and limitations.

It should be a rule that when people start posts like this, they provide information on what type of paints, primers, etc were used and the painting conditions/location. Pictures to start off wouldn't hurt.

I mainly build curbside and tend to forego engine detailing if it's an option. Most of the time, I've painted the hood and bodies separately and then glued the hood in place when I was done. I did once glue the hood onto the body first and then painted it all together, but I found that there was a lot of paint buildup between the gaps of the hood and body. That was probably my fault for overdoing it on the painting. I'll stick to what has been working for me. Still, I just wanted to get your guys' feedback on painting with the hood on or off, assuming the engine compartment isn't in play.

The only difference as far as I can remember is the steering wheel. The red version has the 1992-1993 steering wheel while the 1995 has the 1994-1996 steering wheel with the airbag. 1992-1993: 1994-1996:

I'm curious why you didn't use the MPC Sod Buster. It has the correct 1981+ body lines and split seats.

I like it!

I just received an order from them today. Very fast shipping and good service. I'm not going to lie though, the first time I saw the website I had my doubts.

It would have been better if I hadn't been cramped in the back seat!

Your paint job came out pretty good! I rode in one of these once, same exact color and trim, back in the day. Seeing your post immediately brought back the distinct leather smell I remembered from that ride.

Burbank is my favorite shop but Ventura Hobbies is definitely worth checking out. Just make sure you check their operating hours as its a 1-man show. I also recommend Marty's Hobbies in Thousand Oaks. It's more RC-focused but it's an amazing shop with many tools and a decent selection of kits. They advertise price matches too.

As mentioned above, that kit is getting a re-release next year.

I work a few miles away from there. Have you dropped by Ventura Hobbies? It's the only old-school, car-focused hobby store left in the county.

I pull the blade. I know someone else mentioned that they put the surgical blade on the xacto knife handle, but I actually like the surgical handle more for this particular task. Like anything else, try every option out and do what's best for you. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Z39CL8B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089XW2JQ4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 Here's my last build just as reference. All of the window trim and bottom rocker panel is BMF. I'll never claim to be the best at this, but I figured I should back up my claims with something.

This is the way. I used surgical blades for BMF on my last build (which required quite a bit of it) and it was an absolute game changer compared to Xacto knives. I found that I had much better control. Plus I got them for cheap off of amazon.

Welcome. I'm originally from LA but now live in Ventura County.

I'm going to be selfish in saying that I really hope not. It seems that with the re-issue of the Sod Buster kit, Round 2 is attempting to refresh and make much-needed changes to this line of trucks. I'd rather Round 2 issue a truck without the Fall Guy storage box engraving on the box than do another re-release of it.

Gorgeous work so far!

I always enjoy your work. Nicely done.

Good work, I look forward to your next post.