What Do You Do First?

[curt raitz]

kinda strange...I usually sell or give away most of the models I have built, but still have the origional instruction sheets for'em all

do you still have the race team it was green a van and a mini I think the picture said there was something in the van but they didn't say what I always wondered what was in there..

Boy you are really going way back...

yes that was my 'miniscurt raitzing' mini in the pits with the van, if you peaked thru the rear window of the van you would have seen two figures, male and female doing what males (mostly) and females like to do...

sold it to guy who took it with him when he moved to Ohio about 15 years ago...

[bobss396]

Most of my builds are Frankenstein jobs, so there are no instructions. I get that out of the way early on.

I build the little ones the same way I do the big ones. It usually goes, engine and driveline, chassis, interior and paint. Since I paint regardless of the weather, I can finish a body whenever I want. I go for a final body fit complete with glass before I do the final paint, in case I have to fudge wheelwells or add clearance for something.

Bob

[curt raitz]

kinda strange...I usually sell or give away most of the models I have built, but still have the origional instruction sheets for'em all

do you still have the race team it was green a van and a mini I think the picture said there was something in the van but they didn't say what I always wondered what was in there..

Randy...where in Minnesota do you reside?

I'm originally from Bemidji, lived in Circle Pines awhile before our family headed out to Californy a long time ago...

I occasionally make it back to God's country (summer only-don't like snow), my brother lives in Grand Rapids...big model train guy

[evilone]

i work on my favorite thing first THE ENGINE

that decides what the car is going to be,what the color is going to be,and how the car is going to be in the attitude department (if it works with me or not)

[m408]

After getting the box open and parts sorted out, I usually start by saying "can I really build this?"

[randx0]

Randy...where in Minnesota do you reside?

I'm originally from Bemidji, lived in Circle Pines awhile before our family headed out to Californy a long time ago...

I occasionally make it back to God's country (summer only-don't like snow), my brother lives in Grand Rapids...big model train guy

lakeville just south of burnsville. most of my time growing up was spent in minneapolis.I first saw that dio in the 89 contest annual which was about when I got "serious" about models and discovered the magazines which opened up a whole new world.for some reason that particular dio captured my attention it's always been one of those that I wanted to emulate.btw I wasn't sure where exactly the picture was but I found it in the first book I looked in and boy at that contest there were alot of heavy hitters. at least alot of guys that were doing top notch work.well keep up the good work talk to you later

[Olle F]

Yeah, that's why I don't like to over do the research. I get to the point of no way possible to build the model with TOO much information.

Somethings I would have been better off not knowing because there is no way that's happening in 1/25/24 scale.

I tend to get stuck on details like that too, but I have come to the conclusion that it's better to improvise and go on than letting the kit sit half built forever. I do what I can to get it right where possible, and try to do the rest in a way that looks "convincing enough". After all, there's usually only a precious few that know exactly what a particular car is supposed to look like, so who's gonna tell?

[FactoryStock54]

I love doing research on the cars that interest me (factory stock American cars of the 30s to early 60s). I'm always looking for good color images of the cars, especially good shots of the interiors (instrument panels) and engine compartments. One excellent source I've found is Hemmings Classic Car magazine; I've built up quite a nice reference base with all the detailed photos from this superb publication. I also do a lot of web surfing; specific owners' or enthusiasts' clubs offer some great sites loaded with photos and technical info.

Sometimes I know exactly what color the car is going to be when I get the model and this really helps to focus my research. Usually I'll paint the body first thing, after making appropriate modifications and corrections. This is often the case when I'm working on a car to which I have a personal or sentimental connection such as the '39 Chevy 4-Door Sedan or the '54 Chevy 210, both projects "retro-built" factory stock cars based on street rod kits.

Sometimes a kit will sit in the stash for a long time as I try to puzzle out what color I'd like for it. Suddenly I'll get an inspiration, a "flash" or "vision" of the color I want to do, and then I look for cars of that color in my reference sources. One car that I love and have always tried to find interesting alternate color schemes for is the '49/50 Merc; I'm going to be doing a '49 with a mild custom color scheme; dark blue roof over turquoise body; I'll also be doing a '50 using Modelhaus and old F&F resin parts in a lovely Haze Gray.

I tend to obsess about period-correct tires, and many of my projects get delayed, sometimes for a very long time, until I can find the right tires. If I have a good set of wheels and tires I will usually do these first.

I approach each sub-assembly as a model in itself; the tires, the engine compartment, the interior and the body; I focus my attention on the sub-assembly for which I have the clearest vision and the most accurate information at the time.