2023: My modeling year in review

[ismaelg]

Hello,

   Happy holidays and best wishes for a wonderful new year!   Life continues to be beautifully chaotic.  Very busy with work, family, community and other hobbies.
This 2023 was a very interesting year. Hobby-wise, while 2022 was dominated by cameras and stereophotography viewers restorations, in one of those curve ball life throws at you, I spent a lot of time in 2023 with a modeling tool that became a new hobby in itself: Airbrushes! I now collect, restore and research airbrushes, particularly vintage units.  I have worked in more airbrushes this year than scale models.  Very few cameras were worked this year: serviced 3 but they were not mine. I also worked one or two stereophotography viewers.
I also did an epic trip with my wife to Italy, one of the most beautiful places in the universe.
But talking about scale models, this was a productive year. For the first time in over a decade I was able to finish 9 models within a calendar year. Granted, most were curbsides so sometimes I felt like cheating  
They were also quite diverse:
4 Corvettes in 1/25 scale
2 Star Wars spaceships
2 cars in 1/32
1 race car in 1/43 
No aircraft models this year, nor any modified Hot Wheels

Here is my class of 2023 in chronological order:

1.  Darth Vader's TIE Advanced X1. 1/36 scale   While mostly built in 2022, it was finished in early January so it counts for this year.  AMT kit: Contender for the worst fitting kit ever made.



Link to the build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/2962/finished-darth-vaders-ride-advanced 

2. 2012 Corvette Grand Sport Coupe.  Carlisle blue: one year only color.  1/25 scale. Modified Z06. Very long term project started almost a decade ago.
 


Link to build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/1857/finished-2012-corvette-grand-sport


3.  Red Squadron Leader (Red 1) X-Wing Fighter  1/63 scale  Reissue of the old MPC kit.  Modified.



Link to the build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3072/finished-star-wars-wing-fighter


4. 1978 Pontiac Trans Am  1/32 scale.  Monogram kit.  Fun little project.



Link to the build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3103/finished-judge-monogram-pontiac-trans


5. 1915 Ford Model T  1/32 scale.   Excellent old Pyro kit from the 1960's   Tons of details added. Complex project. Very happy with the results. 



Link to the build thread:race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3111/finished-1915-ford-model-pyro


6. Early C4 Corvette Racer.  1/25 scale. Contender for favorite of the year. Part of a local Corvette buildoff. Heavily modified 1984 promo.



Link to build thread:race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3242/finished-quick-builds-local-buildoff


7. 1990 Corvette Convertible.  1/25 scale. Part of the local Corvette buildoff. AMT kit. One of the worst fitting Corvette kits ever made. Tons of work required.



Link to build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3242/finished-quick-builds-local-buildoff


8. 1963 Corvette convertible Restomod.  1/25 scale. Part of the local Corvette buildoff.  Quick custom using the Revell snap kit. 



Link to build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3242/finished-quick-builds-local-buildoff

9. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM (Mille Miglia)  1/43 scale  white metal kit.  A most challenging build.



Link to build thread:race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3147/finished-43-1956-ferrari-290


What is your favorite?  As usual, your comments are appreciated.
Looking forward to 2024!

Thanks,
Ismael

[Bullybeef]

I really dig #6 that fade paint is killer! 

[Phildaupho]

Very diverse but all exceedingly well done.

[Slotto]

Super clean builds!

[Yeah Nah]

Hard to pick a favourite but I'd be leaning towards the old Ferrari Ismael.

[Dragonhawk1066]

Excellent completed builds!

[bbowser]

My vote is for the Ferrari, but they are all amazing!

[Rattlecan Dan]

Great stuff! Some fine modeling there. Happy Holidays!

[Kah puts]

I’m always a fan of small scale but all are primo ??

[ChrisR]

Cool builds!

[PappyD340]

Very nice group!

[Andrew McD]

I think the 2012 Corvette Grand Sport Coupe is my favorite but the 1956 Ferrari 290 MM (Mille Miglia)  is VERY cool.  Hope you continue the great work in the coming year.

 

[Brudda]

Fantastic! Love the sci fi projects 

[slusher]

Ismael your an excellent model builder and I enjoy seeing your work my friend.

[TooOld]

Great collection Ismael !  As for curbsides being cheating . . . I've been doing more and more curbsides myself and think they are just fine .

[Zippi]

Great looking builds for 2023.  

[Darbo]

Number 7 is sweet

[ismaelg]

Happy New Year!
Thank you all for the nice comments. I really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Ismael

[David G.]

I think I remember seeing a number of these builds posted here throughout the year.

The quality and detail of your builds always impresses me Ismael. Your photography skills are excellent too.

May you and your family have a happy and prosperous 2024.

David G.

[spencer1984]

Your work never fails to impress, beautiful job on all of them!

[cruz]

Great builds as always mi pana.....

[Lunajammer]

Enjoyed these, especially the X-wing. Thanks for posting.

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Sorry for the late reply. Thank you all! I really appreciate it. It was a nice year and I hope 2024 is even better!

Regards,
Ismael

[Dann Tier]

Vell done!!