Leaning_Dog

Nice start! You're going to love building this one - Tamiya motorcycle kits are amazing. The Top Studio details will really take it to the next level. Looking foward to watching it all come together. Cheers! John.

This is the only car I've ever owned that I seriously regret selling. A 1966 Jaguar Series 1 E-Type. The mechanicals were perfect - the owner before me had completely rebuilt/balanced the motor, new clutch, and rebuilt the transmission. 4.2 liter straight 6 with triple SU carbs and full syncho 4-speed gear box. The body was sound, with a nice patina although the color left a bit to be desired. It was a thrill to drive, but as SUV's on the road got bigger, it was just too scary driving a car that small, and that fast, on crowded public roads. I sold it in 1999, and every once in a while I think about getting another one... in the same condition today it would only cost 75 Wingnut Wings Felixstowe F.2a kits at current EBAY prices...

Hi Joe - FANTASTIC result! The motor looks just right - your extra detailing takes it over the top. Love the interior. Perfect stance. And you TOTALLY nailed that paint job. (I'm going to have to try that Testors "Wet Look" clear...). Absolutely brilliant. Thanks for sharing. Cheers! John.

Oh my! That is lovely. Thanks for sharing. Cheers! John.

Airshow Models (Fisher) Pitts S2B - my first attempt at an all-resin kit. Got this far and stalled out - when I put the correct dihedral into the bottom wing, it changed the geometry just enough that the main struts don't fit. Should be simple enough to scratch up new ones, but the model was packed away when we moved house in 2017 and has yet to resurface... REALLY neat little kit. Hasegawa P-26a that made it this far before being packed up for the house move in 2017. The box is around here somewhere... I hope. Williams Bros. Caudron racer - started this one for the 'Blue' group build and just got tired of carving, filling and sanding. It's a fairly simple kit, just need to be in the right frame of mind to finish it. There are some really interesting projects in this thread... at some point in the future, would it be worthwhile to have a "Clear the SOD" group build? With the obvious suspension of the 'less than 25%' rule, it looks like there are plenty of qualifying projects out there. Cheers! John.

Awesome! Cheers! John.

Hi Jerry - Nice job on the 'vintage' Monogram Tomcat! I'm currently tinkering with the 1981 issue of this kit and having a lot of fun with it. The 'old' Monogram kits always provide great modeling value and freedom to try new things without the stress of stuffing up one of the newer (and way more expensive) ones. Cheers! John.

Awesome build! Thanks for sharing. Cheers! John.

From my perspective, as a solid ‘average’ modeler, I try to pick and choose my projects carefully. Once I’ve identified/admitted to an emotional pull to a particular subject, I then have to consider whether or not my skills and available time will allow a reasonable chance of completion, to a level that looks good to me once it’s sitting in the display case. I have enormous respect for those on this site (and others) who can take a pile of plastic parts and turn it into a work of art, and enormous gratitude for their willingness to share their work so folks like me can enjoy their builds and pick up a few tips along the way. Having said all that, the latest generation of Revell kits hit it out of the park for me. They build relatively easily, and look pretty good from across the room when completed. And for someone like me, the price is a major factor. Looking at the new F/A-18e listings, they are a fraction of the cost of the Trumpeter F/A-18e or Academy F/A-18 family offerings. Yes, the Academy kit is amazing – I fully agree. But I simply don’t possess the time, patience, or skills to do a kit like that justice. The Revell kit has plenty to offer to keep me busy for quite a while, and presents an affordable canvass to experiment with various painting and weathering techniques, and I won’t feel completely depressed if I stuff it up somewhere along the way and it never makes it into the display case. So, to make a long answer a little longer – at this point, once they hit the shelves in the U.S., I plan to purchase one. Cheers! John.

Absolutely gorgeous build - your paint finish looks perfect from here. Modifying the slot-car driver was brilliant - it really makes the build. Stay safe! Cheers! John.

Awesome. Cheers! John.

Epic. Cheers! John.

Very impressive stash there Hubert! Quick question regarding the XS Models Hughes racer - do you know if they are still available? Cheers! John.

An absolute joy to watch this one coming together. Thanks for sharing your skills, tips and tricks - a truly inspiring build on so many levels. Cheers! John.

Fantastic build on a very challenging kit - fit and finish are perfect. Thanks for sharing. Cheers! John.

Just to follow up on my post of May 31... today (June 12) I received a small box in the mail from Revell sent priority via Deutsche Post. Rattling around inside the box was a small, clear plastic bag that contained clear sprue J - the replacement canopy for my kit. Unfortunately, the canopy had separated from the sprue at some point and has a couple very minor scratches that will easily buff out. The quality of this replacement canopy far exceeds the one supplied with my kit. Based on my experience, I would rate Revell customer service as excellent. The replacement canopy came exactly when the email said it would, and the part is a vast improvement over what was supplied in the kit. Cheers! John.

Hi Chris - I simply clicked the link in the original post at the beginning of this thread, filled out the form, and hit 'Send.' The form appears to be located on the Revell of Germany website. The reply email came from "service@revell.de". Cheers! John.

I clicked on the link in the OP yesterday morning (May 31), filled out the form requesting replacement clear sprues, and received an email from Revell Customer Service last night stating they had received my information and 'handling time is 1-2 weeks'. Nice. Cheers! John.

Excellent work so far! Quick question - I can't seem to find a clear photo of what the exhaust stacks looked like and as you know, the ones in the kit are a little rough. In your research, have you been able to find any photos? Thanks! John.

Hi Karl - Lovely work on this one so far! I have to say, Paul produces really exceptional resin kits - both aircraft and automobiles, and his customer support is among the best in the business. Cheers! John.

Hi Torben - Brilliant modelling skills on display right there! Cheers! John.

Hi Don - Fantastic result! Thanks for sharing. Cheers! John

Brilliant! Cheers! John.

Hi Vaughn - Full Marks - 10 out of 10 - awesome creativity and brilliant execution. Truly fun to watch it all come together - thanks for sharing! Cheers! John.

Hi Shawn - Everything about this build is simply awesome! Thanks for sharing! Cheers! John.