Harry P.

Also. if you're using a laptop, the angle that you look at the screen makes a big difference in what you see.

No, my monitor is calibrated. I overdid it a bit to make the point, though.

Luke, I don't mean to bust your chops, so don't be offended... but your photo reminds me a lot of the typical photo I get submitted for the contest issue. Almost always, the model is so dark and murky that you can't really see anything except a silhouette. If you lit your shot better, your photo could have looked like this: I may have overdone it a bit to make my point, and I don't mean to pick on you specifically, but your photo perfectly illustrates the problem I have to deal with all the time. I spend SO much time retouching photos before they get into the magazine, you'd be amazed. Too many people don't realize that there's more to shooting a model than a clean backdrop. Lighting is the most critical variable of all.

Same here. Back cover looks like it went through the war...

Outstanding detail! BTW... try saying "Slant Six Slingshot" fast three times. Go ahead, try it...

I'm all for taking your photography to the "next level," but a lot of people first need to get their photography to the "first level!" How many times do we see photos like this posted?

The reason Chuck has two features is that the Hudson story was originally supposed to be in the previous issue, but got bumped at the last minute by the iHobby coverage... which led to the soon-to-be-collector's-item #164 "wrong cover" issue.

An adjustable speed Dremel is definitely the way to go. I use a foot-pedal operated speed control where you plug the Dremel into it, then plug the speed control unit into the wall. Since the speed is controlled by the foot pedal, I just leave my Dremel (which is an adjustable-speed model) set at the highest speed and then control the actual speed with the pedal. This way I can adjust the speed while I'm using the Dremel. http://www.amazon.com/MOTO-TOOL-PEDAL-power-tools/dp/B000P4E412

Any basic set of modeling equipment would include: • X-acto knife • Razor saw • A selection of files in several shapes (flat, rat-tail, etc.) • Sandpaper in various grits from coarse to very fine, maybe sanding sticks too • A selection of glues (regular tube glue, 5-minute epoxy, CA (crazy glue), liquid styrene cement, white glue, etc. • Pin vise and selection of drill bits • Sprue cutter • Paint brushes in various sizes • A bunch of small spring clamps Of course, everyone has their own personal preferences, but the above items are pretty much "must haves." Those basics will get you started. As time and your wallet allow, you might want to add: • A Dremel tool and selection of grinding, cutting, drilling and shaping bits (if you only buy one power tool, I'd say it should be a Dremel • Bare Metal Foil to do "chrome" trim • A food dehydrator (painted parts will dry much faster in there than if left to dry "naturally" • A polishing kit to polish painted bodies to a smooth and shiny finish • A spray booth/exhaust fan setup to allow spraying indoors Down the road a bit, you might want to get into airbrushing, resin casting, or machining your own custom parts. Many guys, however, never get into those areas. Some guys see an airbrush as "essential," some guys never use them. And resin casting and machining parts are pretty much an art all their own.

No Photoshopping done by me. That's the photo as I found it.

Well, you were a little shaky on the rubber window gaskets, but points to you for adding that often overlooked detail. And the engine looks great.

"Affordable" can mean different thing to different people. Not sure what your price range is, but I've heard very good things about Pace booths. They come in four different sizes/prices: http://www.pacepaintbooths.com/pace/

And also not real. It's a Photoshop fake.

How about it? Real or model? The answer: MODEL!

Uh... yeah!

As a matter of fact I'm having a nice glass of chardonnay as I type this...

They submit whatever they want to submit, it's totally up to them. No suggestions or ideas given, they do what they want to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1UYclfndBY

Uh... that would be "sherry"...

It can be. Depends on who created it. They're not all like the photos you posted, you know!

Hmmm... must be some sort of "magic" pulley...

I just finished doing the layout for an upcoming "Sketchpad," and I realized how lucky we are to have not one, not two, but three incredibly talented artists who take turns creating the Sketchpad feature you see every month in the magazine. Brad Leisure, Mike Lomaka, and Jairus Watson. You guys rock! What a pleasure it is to do the Sketchpad layouts with such a talented trio supplying me with the raw material! I hope you readers are taking advantage of all the terrific build ideas these three talented and creative artists are bringing you every month. There are definitely "contest winning" ideas coming from our three Sketchpad artists... you readers should be taking advantage of the inspiration they're providing!

Not necessarily a modified muscle car. It can be a modified something else...

Are you missing some engine pieces? The lower belt pulley just hangs in space connected to nothing?

As far as covering up the holes in the walls, I'd say frame the doors and windows the way they are in real life. You can use basswood strips... easy to cut, easy to glue. Run a frame around the opening using a strip that's the same width as the thickness of the walls, then add the inside and outside moldings using slightly smaller strips. Just take a look at how a real door is framed.