Revell's California Wheels 1960 Impala

[MILD]

Firstly, thank you to everyone who followed the build and offered encouragement, criticism and advice through out my On The Workbench thread. I learnt a lot from reading the board and putting a lot of what I had read into practice. The model benefitted greatly from the knowledge here and if I didn't find this forum I doubt it would have finished up any where near as good as it did.

Having said that, there's a lot of things to be improved on in my next build. My attempts at foiling weren't the greatest and the kitchen foil a bit thick which only highlighted the problems more- I've ordered my BMF for next time Anyone who takes more than a cursory glance will also notice the upside grille badge (opps... I did it on the sprue and completely ballsed it up!) and the poor fitting chassis. I only discovered the interior tub would need filing after painting and by then I was not going back- I'll consider it a permanent reminder to test fit

I look forward to hearing any constructive criticism that you guys can offer concerning areas I may have over looked or neglected on this build. I know at least one poster here has the quote in his sig that each build is simply practice for the next and it's a philosophy that I am going to unashamedly subscribe to.

Any advice, comments and criticism most welcome- thanks again.

The test fit image- I'll brush on some gold to disguise it!

Upside down, Miss Jane (the fogged headlight on the right is actually undried canopy glue... I'm hoping it'll clear up soon enough)

The mark on the underside of the bonnet is left over blutac I should have removed before photos...doh!

The build thread is here - http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=33033

Edited September 5, 2010 by MILD

[RodneyBad]

Out side of the One headlight issue you brought up, I thing it looks Perty dang Great..

Paint and color looks great.

I think the BMF looks perty good too.

Nice work I say..

[1955chevy]

Sweet, I like it

Good job!

[Guest]

Sweet Impala. It's not as bad as you have made it out to be, I think you did quite well, and you know what you did wrong, and are going to make the steps to corect it on the next one. I have far worse builds in my collection, good work!

[crazyjim]

Your first build? No way! The Impala looks real good. I wish some of my builds would look that good and I've been building for a long, long time. What are you going to build next?

[MILD]

I've got Revell's Black Widow 57 next up. I'm really looking forward to it.

[charlie8575]

Anyone would be happy with that build.

For your first time out, you did an excellent job.

Charlie Larkin

[David G.]

It's a build that any seasoned modeler would be proud of! Everything I can see looks excellent.

[DRG]

Ok, so the emblem is upside down and a few other things you mentioned.

It looks good to me, you know where the mistakes are, and you are going to correct them on your next build.

But the question is; Did you have fun building it??

[Steve Keck]

Mick, that's a great start out of the gate! I too question the "first" as there is evidence all around of the care you took in your build. Sure there are issues but just the fact you recognize them is more than half the battle. It appears you are a long way down the learning curve.

Great job!

Steve

[cazxr2]

Wow thtas stunning. I would never have thoughnthay was a first bud

it's mint. I will be watching out for ur future builds that's simply stunning.

[Greg Cullinan]

Beautiful build,perfect color. Save that first build story for someone who believes it

[71datsun1200]

LOOKS GOOD!

[MILD]

Thanks gentlemen. I need to get as much mileage as possible out of it being my first build- there will be no excuses next time

And I did have a ball building it. I'm hoping to be much, much cleaner next time- especially with sub assembly clean up and foiling. The next stop will be trying on the Black Widow two tone so I can have a dip at masking.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

[Tedly]

I agree with eveyone else. You are way too hard on yourself. It looks great, you really only need to satisfy yourself anyway. I always try to make each build better than the last but sometimes they get worse, but I just keep trying.

[W-409]

This is very good looking Impala! I think it's awesome for the first build. It's awesome for the 2785th build too but specially for the first one! Like this, good colour choice and detaliling looks very nice on the engine. Trunk is looking very good too.

[MILD]

You are way too hard on yourself.

I'm trying to shake that bug, mate. The mnodelling is my release from all the other pressures in life- I guess I still have a little more work to do

[dimaxion]

Nice build . If this is a Factory Stock and not a repaint , the roof would be black . It would sell in the Northern States . Not down South , these were the days before A/C was popular . Please keep them coming . Excellent buil;d , the headlights will be Ok in a few years . Thanx ..

[MILD]

the headlights will be Ok in a few years . Thanx ..

I'm starting to think it will take that long for it to dry clear as well!