Fat Brian

Thanks, I wanted it to look like a vintage one so I went with a honey/iced tea burst look.

I just finished this a couple weeks ago, I've tried to learn guitar on and off for about 25 years and my fat fingers put me off it every time. I built this from a kit with 5 strings to give me a little more string spacing, so far it seems to be helping clean my chords up. I've got a Tele style built also, I just need to finish the soldering.

The new version still has those tires in it as well.

You're builds have a crispness that is something I aspire to.

Well done, that one will look great on the shelf. This should give you a good foundation to build on.

Interesting, I've wondered why they didn't build this but hadn't really started researching it yet. Thanks for posting this, this gives me something to think about. I knew the turret rings were different sizes but hadn't got much further.

There's one "what if" thing I've been mulling over but haven't tried to build yet. It's a Panzer IV with a modified Panther turret, basically a cheap tank that could mount the long 75mm that would have given Allies a fit. It was kind of a thought experiment in what would have been an actually effective weapon instead of the crazy things the Germans really did.

They're metal transfer stickers I bought on ebay. Evidently there is a big market for high end Transformers figures but most haven't licensed the logos so they're sold separately.

Thank you, I'm beginning to realize this project is probably going to be more Evergreen than kit pieces. I based the wrecker bed off this truck and a Weaver 3 ton boom.

The gearhead in me loves armor and aircraft but I find modeling them creatively stifling. The limited number of correct ways to build the thing gets to me after a bit.

The bed and boom are almost done, just need to put somr D rings on the bumper and figure out a tow hitch.

Thank you, it all started with a giant straight 8 pulled out of spare parts bin years ago and trying to find a home for it.

Jim, what would it take to get one of those Falcon rear windows? I'm in need of one as well.

I bought it on ebay, it came in a two pack with a more rectangular one.

The rear window on the blue car is also open toward the rear changing the viewing angle a bit.

I would do black on the whole thing then shoot the sun faded areas with either a less black black or black cut with just a touch of gray. Then satin clear everything and finally hit the most faded areas with flat clear. It will be much easier with an air brush but can be done with cans if you find the correct blacks.

Yeah, it's possible you're getting through the finish somehow. Try using a Q-tip to burnish the foil down and when you cut it you only need a little more pressure than the weight of the knife. Try it one a spare body until you get the feel of it.

The wheels in the Revell 2014 GT kit are close.

Since you plan on polishing the body I would put a couple coats of clear over the decals. Nothing is worse than burning through the clear and ruining the decals.

I got the bed roughed in, need to do some trimming and sanding once the glue dries. Then I can start on rear fenders and the wrecker setup.

I thought about that but didn't know how visible the axle was going to be and I found it fairly cheap.

I was going to do that but all of the banjo rear ends I have are open on the top so I didn't want to put even more work into it. Fortunately I was able to find a kit breaker selling just the chassis from the 40 so I didn't have to buy an entire kit.

Okay, that's a lot different than what thought you were asking. Here is how I did that. I cut out the area over the axle and notched up into the wheel wells the amount I needed to lower it. Then I used strips of styrene on the top of the chassis plate to deepen where the axle goes through. Once that was deep enough I used a flat sheet to replace the floor pan piece then sealed the wheel wells back with more strips. I still need to trim the inside but this is what it looks like.

Check out these wheels from Hobby Design, they're 19 inches but have the exposed lug nuts and are big and little. I have a set and they're very nice, I think Tamiya slicks might fit them as well. I can check when I get home if you're interested. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/303417172134

What I do is make the part a little long, fit the joint how I want it, then sand the flat end to correct the length. Parts that are mitered on both ends can get a bit tricky.