Harry P.

Very cool idea. And nicely executed.

They both look very good!

Of course! The only reason they keep "updating" computer operating systems (and software programs) is to force you to keep buying them! Think about it... if your computer's operating system was never "updated" by Microsoft or Apple, you could run that computer, on that OS, forever without a hitch. If your computer runs fine today, it would run fine 50, 75, 100 years from now! But the software company wouldn't be able to make any more money off you, because basically, you and your computer are set for life! So they keep coming up with new upgrades, to get you to open up your wallet and pay for the "latest and greatest." It's the same old "planned obsolescence" business plan that the automakers use. It's all about $$$ and getting you (the consumer) to fork over $$$ over and over and over and over again. The computer companies have us by the you-know-whats, and they're not about to let go.

Oh, ok, I get it...

Check the calendar, people...

? Is there really a John Teresi "how to" DVD available?

Very cool. Love that color (it was Mrs. Tucker's favorite color). The only drawback is that FM always had huge panel gaps... DM was much better at tight, in-scale panel gaps. But regardless, that's a beautiful model, and for $40 you can't go wrong.

Rolls didn't use wrapping on the springs, they were completely sheathed...

I used the kit top as a jig to align the scratchbuilt top bows and hold them in the right place while the epoxy dried...

Beautifully done! So crisp and sharp... the foil work is practically flawless! And that dash... amazing what you have accomplished there.

Here you can see how the side rails from the previous photo mount to the seat. The horizontal brass rod behind the seat is what the lower edge of the top's back flap will attach to, and the main top iron will attach and pivot on the forward ends of the side rails...

The kit's top is molded plastic, and the top irons are hoghly simplified, with a bunch of missing pieces. And the way the top irons mount to the seat is completely wrong and inaccurate... so I'll have to build a complete top framework and mounting system, along with the top itself. First up... to create the rails that are bolted to the sides of the seat, and on which the top irons will connect to. I used reference photos to get the shape of the rails, and used styrene tube, brass rod, and sheet aluminum (for the individual mounting brackets) to create them:

Sony Cyber-shot.

Pretty much everything they have is good. You really can't miss, no matter what you order. Of course, Portillo's started out as a neighborhood hot dog stand in Villa Park, IL. called "The Dog House." So you have to have one of their "Chicago style" hot dogs and fries.

And they still are. Sox 5, Twins 3...

Is there something in the water? New grandpas are popping up like dandelions around here...

It's hard to see details when everything is painted black, but I added the missing rear wheel brakes and linkages to make this an "official" 1904 model (1903 had only a band brake on the trans, no brakes on the wheels).

What I don't understand is why all model kits used to have branded tires, and everyone was happy... and suddenly now "licensing fees" are being blamed for the blank generic tires in today's kits. Weren't licensing issues in play 20 years ago? Did the tire companies all decide to jack up their licensing fees so high that all the model manufacturers can no longer afford them? Seems unlikely. Or... as I suspect, was is that the model companies, in an attempt to save a few bucks, decided to stop paying any licensing fees altogether to the tire manufacturers, and just put generic blank tires in kits.

And there you go... both sides heard from. But this is a little too close to politics to keep open.

Remember, don't post any hints or answers here! PM me with year, make and model. The answer: 1923 Jordan MX "Playboy"

The "IMG" code. For any photo, Photobucket gives you three links to choose from... the IMG link is the bottom one. That's the one you need to copy, and then paste here in your post... and Presto! your photo will appear here in your post.

When you upload pictures here directly from your computer, the pictures are stored here. You only get a very limited amount of storage space here, because this forum is not intended to operate as a photo hosting site What you have to do is open up a photo hosting account, like Photobucket or Fotki, upload your photos there, then just post links to your photos here. That way, we can see the photos here, but they are actually stored on your photo hosting site, not here.

Actually it's supposed to be 65 here tomorrow (opening day). Should be nice. And believe it or not, there are still patches of snow on the ground here and there... mostly on the shady side of hills... but still there!

I don't know if this has already been asked, but what are you using as your references? Are you working strictly off photos, or do you have actual mechanical/technical plans. or what?

I wonder how people who are starving and wondering where their next meal is coming from would react to this? Not to bust your chops, Tom. But sometimes we forget just how good we here in the US have it compared to millions of people across the globe.