Model Update

Recent builds

I was on an airplane kick several months ago and built this very basic Japanese Zero. I've had this kit for probably 30 years, picked it up for a buck at a 99c Only store in California.

This 1/72 Focke Wulf 190D-9 was given to me earlier this year by a friend at church. He's a long retired toy distributor and had a few left in his stash.

I almost completely ruined the build when I went to spray it with a matte finish, the paint came out heavy and milkey. Turned out okay.

I found this kit at my daughters resale shop, no, actually she found it for me, sent me a picture, and I said, "Save it for me!" It's a farly sought-after kit, this version was re-released in 2003.

You might recognize the one-off 1955 Lincoln Future since it's the car that became the Batmobile. The kit is fairly basic, but the fit is really poor making it a tough build.

One of my favorite cars, the Model T, and one of my favorite kits, the AMT 1925 Model T Ford. This kit offers two complete cars in one box: build a traditional Model T AND a hot rod Model T. The choices are limitless!

I decided to customize one into a Ford Speedster, a stripped down version used for early racing.

This is the Revell 1926 Ford Model T Sedan. I built this kit like the one that was issued in the late 70's of a custom car by Lil John Buttera.

Revell had a line of 4 cars by Buttera in the late 70's, this build is the second of the four. I hope to build the set at some point.

That's it for now. I have two more cars in the works, and more in the pipeline.

Gassed and Cracked

Combination post of my latest car model and some highlights from a box of cards from A Cracked Bat received a while back.

First up, some shots of the AMT 1949 Ford Coupe gasser "The Gas Man" I recently finished. 

I didn't follow the box art to finish this kit, I gave it my own interpretation.

Julie sent a small box packed with Angels cards, so I selected a few to highlight this awesome trade.

2001 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Certified Autograph Issue BDPA-JL

1994 Donruss Studio Editors Choice #6

2013 Panini Americas Pastime #5, 082/125 and #70, 094/125

2015 Diamond King #99 Silver 32/99

Todd Greene!

 2018 Topps Fire Gold Minted #67, #173

1998 Stadium Club Never Compromise #NC19

2014 Topp Tier One Bat Relic TOR-MT 064/399 

And this beauty.

Thanks so much Julie.

Cars and Cards

Latest model car I completed, and some recently received cards in the mail.

My son won this kit as a door prize at the annual model kit show I've gone to the last 6-7 years now.

He let me have it since he isn't really a model builder any more.

I decided to go with a more custom look, than the traditional red shown on the box.

The kit came with these funky purple decals, but no explanation or photos of body color options. My wife suggested a yellow. I couldn't see that combination at first but I went with it anyhow. After a while I started to kinda dig it. I also wanted the interior to stand out more, so I went with white, with the same purple highlights.

I left off the side windows as I couldn't get them to fit in with the cockpit.

I think it's a flaw in the kit, they were too big and couldn't really be trimmed down.

Would have looked better with them on.

I don't usually add any extra details to the engine, just use the parts that come with the kit.

Don't look too close, but I forgot to install the tail lights before I sealed up the chassis to the body!

I'm pleased with the outcome.

Jim (aka Mr. Haverkamp) went to the National in Cleveland earlier this year and actually thought of me.

He picked up this nice 1962 Post card that was on my Top Ten. He also sent me some really sweet Fleer Baseball Stickers (still pecking away at those sets).

These Grand Slams are some of the older stickers, and harder to come by.

Thank You Jim!