1320wayne

Shane, I'm sure that with your modeling skills that you will have no problem doing this project justice. This is one cool car. Can't wait to see more.

I've had the pleasure of knowing Dave for the past eight years or so. Six of those spent living in the same part of the country, members in the same model club, traveling to model shows together and so on. I can tell you that Dave's attitude towards this hobby, and life for that matter, are truly genuine. His wholesome personality is infectuous. And just being around him makes you want to be a better person yourself. Now I know this isn't a "how great is Dave" thread but to say that his words should strike a cord with most people that we need more positive outlook on life, each and every day. Unfortunately, people will do you wrong in life, and in this hobby, from time to time. You must find the perserverance to move on from such incidents without making the situation even worse, for all parties. There's a line from a movie that goes "What we do in life, echos an eternity". Now I know that life isn't as serious as a line from a movie but the statement still holds true that your actions speak volumes for who your are and how you are perceived by others. And although you should never worry about what others think of you, that still doesn't mean that it's o.k. to go out and act evil towards people on a regular basis. Find the good in people. If you can't, do your best to walk away and let the chips fall where they may. Now that my philosophic moment is over I can get back to working on my next project. Thanks Dave.

Here is a quick, finished build. I picked up the AMT 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 right after it came out and I finally decided what to do with it. Its finished in Testors Burgundy Metallic with added graphics from an AMT/Model King Challenger funny car kit as well as Scale Motorsports carbon fiber decals for the lower rocker panels. The tires and wheels are Aoshima aftermarket pieces. I added some extra details to the interior but after the model is finally assembled you really can't see anything. There are magazines in the back seat along with a Mopar drivers uniform hanging in the back but they are almost unknown due the darkness of the interior. The license plate and frame on the rear of the car were created on my computer.

Most excellent job. Your level of detail and realism is superb.

Very nice build. You don't see too many of these kits built.

All great sources of bolts and boltheads. One other is to venture over to the model railraoding side of the business and find "Grandt Line Bolts". These are primarily plastic bolts and boltheads with many different styles and sizes to choose from. And because they are plastic they are fairly resaonable. Usually a package of 50 bolts (they come on a sprue just like model kits) will only run about $2 to $3 dollars. They also make brass variations as well as white metal ones, which go for a bit more money, but not much more. Check them out. http://www.grandtline.com/

Very nice. One of my favorite Labonte paint schemes.

Excellent build, Mick. The weathering looks cool as well.

Excellent job Ron. It will be cool to see this one up close and in person at Atlanta. It will also be cool to have two good sized dioramas on display there with the one that I just finished. Can't wait.

Well, here's more on this one. The body has been clearcoated, after adding carbon fiber decals to the rocker panel areas. A custom license plate was made, sized to fit and printed. And the interior is done. More to follow.

Here is the start of a rather quickie build using the AMT 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8. The paint is Testors Burgundy Metallic with decals from the kit (hood) and the AMT/Model King 70 Challenger funny car (side stripes). The wheels are aftermarket. This one shouldn't take too long to complete.

Jeff, this is how it's going to be; with the engine outside the car, ready to be installed. Thanks for the comments. I had a lot of fun building this. I might do more dioramas later on down the road but probably on a much smaller setting.

Well, let's see. I have been collecting items for this diorama for a number of years so it might be tough to remember where everything came from. Some of the dogs came from ToysRUs. You can find them in their nature toys section and they are simply called "Tube of Dogs". About 20 dogs come in a clear tube for about $5 and they are pretty close to the perfect scale. Some other dogs, along with the geese and ducks came from a toy set that I stumbled upon years ago at a Kaybee toy store. The set also came with the canoe that's behind the garage along with some fish and a smaller boat and an amphibious vehicle that is too small for 25th scale. The trees are a mixture of items that I found at Lowe's during Christmas time and Dollar Tree stores, also at Christmas time. I also picked up some on Ebay. You can find decent trees in "G" scale for model railroading as well. Try this link to find an amazing site for realistic trees. They are a bit pricey but if you want realism then this is the place. Almost any type of tree imaginable. http://www.virtualdollhouse.net/

Folks, this one is done. The completed pics. are up in the "Under Glass" section. Thanks for looking.

Great job Jeff. That is an excellent build of the modern version of the real car.

O.K., so this would be one very large piece of glass if this build were to be displayed "under glass" but this seemed like the best place to post this finished project. It is my first attempt at building a diorama, although I had been collecting pieces and parts for it for many years. The garage has a removeable roof section to better see all that has been built inside. The pond was created out of two part clear resin epoxy tinted with food coloring. The roof shingles, along with the door and windows are from a miniature dollhouse company and the shingles had to be added one at a time. The base is made from plywood and styrofoam along with spray foam (Great Stuff) as filler. Lots of trees, shrubs, rocks made from resin, dogs ducks and geese and other hidden birds and squirrels. I had a lot of fun with this one and once I started on it back in the early Summer I simply couldn't stop working on it until it was finished. And, even though I call this one finished there is still the possibility to add more as I see fit. If you want to see more detailed pics. of the inside of the garage simply go to the diorama section for more detailed photos. Thanks for looking.

It will be very interesting to see where they go with this over and above what has already been announced. My wife is already cringing at the thought of how much money I might be spending on models next year.

Looks good Kenny. I'm a Mopar person but I've always liked this body style.

I sent you a PM Nick. Thanks for the response on the build.

I will definately be there, with a truckload of folks from down here in Florida. An awesome show with excellent models and great people.

Here is the latest update on this build. The engine is being assembled using numerous parts box pieces. The four speed is a resin piece from Top End Miniatures. The Hemi valve covers are resin pieces that I created. The intake is a resin piece that has been re-cast from a Ross Gibson Hemi Super Stock engine. The carbs are Revell pro stock units that I enhanced with aluminum tubing. The engine will be displayed outside the car hooked up to the engine hoist for the purpose of the diorama. All of the wiring and plumbing will still be added. The body has the grill painted and attached as well as some of the chassis work completed.

Excellent work Shane. Don't sell yourself short. Your work and your skill is right up there with anyone's building ability. But remember, the only person you have to please is yourself. So, if your happy with the final outcome then your build is a winner. Again, great job!

You mean to say that I got mine on the same day as Bob? Well, miracles do happen. I have only had time to merely skim through the issue so far but I will bring it to work with me tomorrow and go through it more thoroughly. Congratulations on 10 years. That's awesome.

Excellent work, Nick. Where's the license plate from the picture that I sent you? Looks like that's the only thing missing.

I finished some of the people and positioned them. The Dodge Dually will be the vehicle outside the garage. I built this one years ago and then rebuilt it about two years ago in hopes of one day adding it to a diorama. The 67 Coronet is merely mocked up in the garage at the moment. When it's complete this is where it will be placed with the engine hanging from the engine hoist, waiting to be installed. I also added a sign down by the water letting folks know what they could or could not do on the property.