Dick Montgomery

Thanks for the link! I don't build as many armor kits as I build Sci-Fi spacecraft...but I really like to hang around the armor guys...I use many of the same painting and weathering techniques as they use for their projects. One can never have too many model related websites.

I received an email with this message just this morning. Check it out, especially if you are 50+ and you will recognize many models, long gone, that you probably owned or built in your younger years. If you have a moment, please take a look at my Dad's model collection - around 4,000 models - mostly plastic. We saved his collection from Hurricane Katrina and have displayed them on this site.http://www.tfmonti.com/

Patti, That is excellent work!!! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to seeing more pics. Don't forget to submit pics of your finished work to Larry Randel for inclusion on the Member's Gallery.

Thanks for the compliments gents. Andy...you'll see it in the "metal" (flesh?) on Saturday. Ken Loup and I agreed to a challenge build and he'll have his X-15 there as well....same kit but I understand he is doing the flat black bird. I don't hold out much hope when I compete with Kenny but its fun and a source of motivation to go up aganist someone who is an excellent builder. Gumbo....yum!

Looking good! What paint did you use for the body?

That's not coffee... it's either a "wash" for the motors or its prune juice for the builder.

A tried and true Classic, this is the Revell 1/72nd kit. It builds up into a nice model, is simple and relatively trouble-free. Although I started this project in April, 2009 the actual contact time from start to finish was probably around 10 to 12 hours. There's nothing like finishing a project to increase one's enthusiasm for the next model!

I'd go after the Space Odyssey Space Station and Space Clipper. I have the original Aurora Space Clipper but the Station in that scale would require a domed stadium for display.

Bass Pro Shop....on the wall where fishing equipment is sold. Orvis Super Strong Tippet Material....8x40 Meters Diameter is .003 (yes...its tiny) 1.75 test (I guess its for goldfish.....:) ) Can be tinted with any color you wish using a Sharpie.

For additional help you may wish to try the Model Train Forum at http://www.modeltrainforum.com

Thanks for all of the helpful advice gents....its done! I was watching the Colts slap one on the Ravens last night and before I realized it I ran out of loose parts and decals! This was a fun build, taking just under 14 hours of hands-on time. There is much that I could have done to the basic kit but it is a review item (be watching for the write-up here on the IPMS channel) and the task is to build and review what comes in the box. Matt, you'll be seeing it person at CALMEX but its not up to the standards you guys set...but you will note that I put Louisiana plates on it! You know what we need to do? We need to set a day....a National Model Day, in which IPMS members are challenged to work on a model...with folks posting pics of what they started, finished, or are building on that specific day. That would be fun.

And here is the Kenworth on a white background...the black is actually my work surface with a cloth draped over my computer monitor so it doesn't distract... The hood, tires, side-steps, skid plate, and headlights were added. I found that I did not remove those hood hinges as I mentioned earlier. They are molded onto the chrome radiator grille rather than on the hood itself. All that remains is to add the "trim"...the mirrors, running lights, and a few other parts. There are still some decals to apply...Hopefully I'll have this model done tomorrow or on Sunday. Ed, I'll bet you've a ton of trailers that could be paired with this cab!

Mike and all, I'm not much for red either....but I thought red would look good with the white decals. It was going to be either red or blue. Its starting to fall together a bit faster now. Just this morning the cab and frame were mated up. I'm starting to add all the little bits and pieces such as lights, mirrors, and other gadgets to the exterior.

If I had a million bucks................. I'd buy a used U-Haul truck, one of the bigger ones, and set up my modeling area, complete with AC/Heat/Spray Booth, portapotty!!!, mini-frig, sleeping area...and that would be my mobile modeling area as well as my "in the driveway" modeling area. Until I hit the lotto I'll just get by with my little corner of the garage.

The cab and engine hood have now been painted and some of the decals have been applied. I'll let this sit until tomorrow and then shoot some gloss over it to seal in the decals.

Very impressive Garden Gargoyle, Clare....perhaps a "wash" with some flat black will make those shadows a bit deeper..... Seriously...that thing is huge! So much for the Texas winter. Temps are pushing the low '60s and we ought not to see but one more shot at freezing temps...but who knows? At least we don't get hurricanes and earthquakes here. Now, a tornado or two isn't that unusual... Thanks for sharing guys!

This is a new release from Revell, kit # 1507 and is 1/25th scale. It's rather big measuring 12 inches in length and about 5 1/2 inches at the top of the sleeper box. The exhausts will, of course, extend above that. The cab and sleeper box are one piece and that makes life easy. The engine hood is hinged so that one can open it and display the engine, but like an idiot I removed the hinge pieces from the hood thinking they were part of the parts carrier rather than hinge pins. Oh well. I should have the paint for it on Monday or Tuesday and hope to have some additional pics by this upcoming Friday.

There are some neat Sci Fi kits highlighted in the Review section of this website. If you're new to the hobby or just getting back into it those reviews may prove helpful.

Sorry Matt...I've already got a rattle can of the Tamiya primer so I think I'll go that direction. So I'll follow Mike's guidance on the paint. However, I want some of that Gumbo when I go to the upcoming show in Lk. Charles so I'll paint it red...gotta keep LeBlanc happy. I'll post pics... later. It's now a few days later and here they are:

I like 'em big. Remember that I was the one who suggested a B-47 in 1/48th would be #1 on my list. But a B-36! That would be a monster! How cool would that be! Another area which I'd really like to see develop is that of "Land Speed" vehicles. I am not familiar with the resin and cottage industry releases but the injection kits are few and far between. These vehicles have always interested me.

The Texas winter has finally arrived (central TX) and its 22F this morning. Since my spray booth and painting machinery are in the garage its just a bit uncomfortable to do any airbrushing. I've done some airbrushing with the temps in the upper 30s but now that we are below the freezing point I'm thinking I'll let it warm up a bit before shooting any paint. I'm not worried about the paint freezing...doubt that it freezes at the same temp as water, but my fingers get chilly. Note that in Central Texas there are, for all intents and purposes, no basements. The rock and soil are not basement-friendly. That means one is in the garage or in the house. How about you? How does the cold affect your modeling?

I'm building the new Revell Kenworth W900. I'm ready to paint the cab and engine hood. Any suggestions on how to prep the surface for a clean, smooth, and very glossy finish? Also...what color would you like to see? and what paint brand would you recommend?

I've been making sure I started 2010 out right....building models, working on my Model Inventory Files,taking pics of models. As I was shooting paint on a truck model this morning my mind wandered a bit and I was thinking about models I wish were being manufactured. So, the question is put to you. What do you most want to see? In what scale? Don't forget tools, decals, and after market parts.... I'd like to see: 1/48 B-47 with typical SAC markings. Accesories? Sure.... how about some flight line carts and, perhaps, a mechanic's stand so that one of those engine pods could be hinged open showing a fully detailed engine. Don't forget the after market P.E. for the instrument panel, ejection seats, .... yeah...that would make me part with some hard-earned cash. You?

Hi Bob, A zoo keeper,heh? Me too! At least when I was working...I'm now retired. I spent 37 years as a teacher in high school. That qualifies as a zoo in the eyes of most folks. Seriously though....nice to find another Dino modeler! I've been building Dinos for about 15 years and I really like the Tamiya kits. Most recently I bought an Albertosaurus, a vinyl kit that looks like it will be a ton of fun! I'd like to see pics of your Dinos or anyone else's, for that matter! Why I like to build Dinos: 1). No decals to silver. 2). Really hard for a rivet counter to bad mouth since there are not any rivets. 3). No one can say my paint scheme is wrong. 4). The "landing gear" don't have to be aligned perfectly. 5). If someone tries to pick up the model during a show they'll get bitten! 6). The Dino model is house-broken...the real critter is not. 7). No metalizer finish to worry about. 8). They scare the mice away from the other models in the display case. 9). Very few parts and no photoetch to get lost in the carpet 10). No canopy framing to mask off and paint

This just in from Pip Moss. On Sunday, Jan. 31st, there will be a demo on mold/making and casting miniatures for modelers along with sculpting materials/tools. Reps from the NY based Complete Sculptor Co. will come to the Hobby Bunker in Malden, MA from 1pm to 3pm to hold this free demo. Interested people can click on the URL below for more detailed info. Contact matt@hobbybunker.com for more info. http://www.hobbybunker.com/events/index.cfm