DRUMS01

MANUFACTURER: MPC SCALE: 1/25 AGE: Kit Molded in 1982 MODIFICATIONS: - display base modified with ballast. scale rock, and vegetation - all gold plated plastic (80%) discarded and replaced with real brass - cab interior scratch built plumbing, gages, and and controls - various operating rods added from scratch - drive wheel yellow stripes added - tool box created and tools added - oil can, lantern, wrench, and jack added in or around cab - hinges added to tender floor plate - gas filament added to drive light - over 100 nut and/or bolt heads added throughout - scratchbuilt valve rods, water valve controls, and steam bleeders PAINTS and COLOR: - Tamiya, Testors, Vallejo colors - pastels, pigment, and water colors used for wear and aging REFERENCES: - Wikipedia - The General 4-4-0 Steam Locomotive - Federal Railroad Commission - Library of Congress - Baldwin Locomotive Works - The Southern Museum (location of actual locomotive) PRO's: - great modeling subject - interesting war story behind real locomotive - nice scale makes impressive display piece when finished CON's: - very poor mold quality (out of register, flash, ejection pin marks) - right and left angles on parts were not square making correct fit difficult - soft detail on chassis and cab details - some parts molded incorrectly, incomplete, or not at all - terrible decals (most likely due to age) NOTE: The kit is not in the configuration or colors of the locomotive as it was during the civil war's "Great Train Race". The kit is similar to the train currently sitting in the Southern Museum. In the 1870s, the General was completely rebuilt, it had received a new pilot, boiler, and other components. Most notably, its three dome configuration was reduced to two domes, and its Radley-Hunter style balloon stack was replaced with a diamond stack, as the engine had been converted to burn coal. Indeed, the rebuilt engine had little resemblance to its original form. The locomotive was originally built to the southern states standard rail gauge of 5 ft (1,524 mm). After a change to the northern states gauge was mandated by June 1, 1886, the General was converted to be compatible with the U.S. Standard Gauge of 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm). The kit was built my me and my special needs son over a span of several months (July 24th till October 9th). After many ups and downs we present our version of the "General" Steam Locomotive.

I thought I posted this earlier this year, but evidently not. This aircraft was built by my special needs son and I (Jarrod and Ben respectively) and represents a "what if" Arado AR196-B single main float variants that was dispatched to Italy for duty in the Mediterranean. The aircraft did not arrive with any weapons in the wings, only the German 7.92mm shooting through the engine cowling, so they (we) added 7.7mm Breeda Italian MG's in each wing. The camouflage is a disrupter cross hatched line effect, as shown comonly on the Savoia Marchette SM79 schemes during the period. We know it is not perfect, but it is a decent looking 2 foot model. Constructive comments welcome as I read them to my son who enjoys them a lot. Thanks for looking! Brand: Revell Scale: 1/32 Paint: Vallejo, MIG, Tamiya, and Testors Other Items: - Kit World 3d printed seat harnesses - Master Model machined machine guns with PE sight - Eduard canopy mask - Verlinden printed battle maps - Aerobonus Stuka pilot and gunner figures (modified for this aircraft) - Quickboost resin open port exhaust ends - Trumpeter riveting tool on wings and fuselage - Alley Cat replacement canopy set - Eduard propeller and spinner - Master Models 7.7mm Breeda Italian MG barrels in wings - Guitar string used for cable wire bracing the floats - Kit World Decals set for an Italian Dornier DO-335A - Hungarian Aero Decals for the Italian Fiat CR-42 - Eduard spinner masking spiral rings - Custom 6 inch round wood base with routed edge - Custom photo image of Italy added to display base - modifications using brass, aluminum, resin, and solder

I was thinking that there never seems to be enough "X" series aircraft in the larger scales. While some of the obvious would be X-15, and the other somewhat popular X-series would be good. But how about more of the obscure models like the X-36, X-48B, X-02 Wyvern, X-59, or the rotary SB-1 Defiant? In 1/32 or 1/24 of course (large scale planes)

As requested by several of you in this string, here are a few more photos of my current "work-in-progress". It is the old mold of the 1/350 Tamiya IJN Yamato. This is the main detail set I used to update her. It has 13 sheets of PE, and turned barrel sets for the three larger gun systems. In addition, it includes four brass screws and anchor chain as well. Here is the paint I'm using to finish the build. I believe the Antifouling Red is a little too bright, but thats just my take. I've replaced all the smaller guns with after market items. One thing of note was the lack of ammo containers/lockers almost anywhere on the ship. Oh, and the paravanes were not in the kit either. Those were also updated with mail order items as well as a veneer wood deck. Some of the many modifications: I will wait for the full color (painted) photos once I have her rigged, the small aircraft added, and properly weathered. Then I will post a full reveal in the appropriate section of the forum with all the AM items, modifications, etc. Ben / DRUMS01

After reading this string, I think I share a similar view to all of you almost. When selling ANY BUILT MODEL related to this hobby there are always variables; - what do I have invested in the kit? - does it matter what I have invested in it? - how much sentimental value do I place in it? - what is the buyer's value of the kit? - what will eventually happen to it if I would not sell it or give it away? - wouldn't any kit be better in the hands of somebody who appreciates it versus eventually being destroyed? - am I really doing this as a business or as a hobby? - if you build as a hobby, isn't it really nothing more than time and money exchanged for the joy of the build and the end result? OPINION: As for me, I would 99% of time give a completed model to somebody who really wanted it and not sell it to them, especially if the person or family have some kind of connection with the actual 1:1 item (especially if it's veterans or their families). In other instances, I would normally give an unbuilt kit to a new builder just to further promote the hobby. I still have just a hand full of builds over my 55 years of building that I would not want to part with along with a few key ones in the stash, but everything else, meh.

I guess, to keep it all in perspective, you can look at it this way: - 1/200 (eBay), Nichimo, (old production) $899.00 - 1/200 Mega Hobby, Galery Models, (pre-order) $699.99 - 1/200 Hobby Search, Mono Chrome, (same kit) $392.40 - 1/350 Tamiya, (new tool with full detail deck, brass, & PE) $350.00 +/- - 1/350 Tamiya, (new tool factory), $210 +/- - 1/350 Tamiya (old tool with detail sets), $225 +/- - 1/350 Tamiya, (old tool), $75 - $125.00 As many of you said, it's all about budget and space. When reading the comments, the 1/200 modern carrier sounds interesting. That is if you have a large enough ward room to display it or a very understanding significant other. For me, I am just completing a highly modified 1/350 Tamiya IJN Yamato in another forum. I found that even in 1/350, the task of manipulating the model around the hobby table becomes daunting. The more details are added, the easier it is to disturb something. 1/200 would be a challenge pushing 5 feet, WOW!