When you first see this model car, your first impression is: hmmm, something looks familiar here. Truth is, what you are seeing is a model masterpiece, built by Robert Downie.

With amazing precision, he has handcrafted a car that combines the 3 modern pony cars all into one. The Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, and Chevy Camaro. It's a brilliant concept, with flawless body work. Everything goes together so well with three different styles, it's hard to tell where one begins and one has ended. It probably doesn't matter, the car stands on it's own.

Catch the link, and see some images from his build. According to Robert..."The basics: body/interior/chassis (no wheelbase changes) from AMT Camaro concept, hood/fascia from AMT Challenger, tail end from a Revell Mustang GT. Wheels are modified Maisto Mustang GT wheels, paint is Testors Grabber Orange w/satin black accents...".

Dodge Challenger Models | Ford Mustang Models | Camaro Models |

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Good morning ! Time to settle down with a cup of Joe and browse through some model show pictures. Personally, I am a big fan of McDonalds coffee if you are on the run. I am practically addicted to it.

But whatever your favorite, here's some links to inspire your modeling:

• Baycon Model Show 2009
• LIARS Model Contest 2009
• ACME Model NNL 2009
• LIARS Model Event 2009
• Atlanta NNL Model Event 2009

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Nantucket Ship Models | All Model Ship Models | Ship Modeling Books |

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Round 2 is offering a limited Glow in the Dark Royal Rail.

Molded in an erie "glow in the dark" special release, they only made 300 of them, so now is the time to add this kit to your collection !

Model Kit Features: Molded in "ghostly glow" translucent and clear with chrome, black vinyl tires and water, release decals, Windows included in clear, clear purple and clear orange.

Round 2 AMT Glow in the Dark Royal Rail | Show Car Model Kits | TV & Movie Model Kits |

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A well executed model would be, in my eyes, considered an art piece. It would go beyond being just a scale model, especially once you have scratch built 95% of your project, and the detail is uncompromised.

Enter James Corbett's sculptures. While they are not a model per se', and probably not to scale (who cares?), they still display an outstanding automotive piece on their own.

Made from parts of machines, primarily automotive, these art pieces have a facination that keeps you looking at them for an hour. Each one is a visual discovery of all the various parts, what they are, and how they were incorporated into the desgn. Each sculpture has it's own character, like a snapshot out of time. The way the tires are ovals, rather than a static round object, gives you the idea that the vehicle is actually moving. Adding a driver (or rider) is the icing on the cake. These sculptures are acton packed !

Autoblog features some of Corbett's work, as well as his own site. Check out the images, you won't be disapointed. You may even think twice the next time you go to throw away that old wheel bearing.

James Corbett Gallery | Brightwork: Classic American Car Ornamentation | AFAS: A Celebration of Automotive Art |

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Some modelers go way beyond just putting a model kit together. Way beyond what you or I would do. Details that are so striking, you would hate to paint over them.

Such as this kit, a Monogram PBY-5A Catalina from Monogram, and built by Jorge Roberto Wolf.

The attention to detail is amazing. What started out as flat plastic stock, once cut and assembled, becomes seats, desks, radio equipment, and much more. This is an aircraft kit that is almost to well done to be fully assembled and painted. While the pictures are clear, and worth an hour of your time, there is a lot of text where Jorge tells you some of his methods and tips. I highly recommend you read it through, it can be very helpful if you ever thought of tackling a similar project.

Don't miss the links at the bottom of his page, those go to Page 2 and Page 3 of the build.

AIRCRAFT MODEL BOOKS | PBY: THAT CATALINA FLYING BOAT | PBY CATALINA FLYING BOAT PILOTS FLIGHT OPERATIONAL MANUAL |

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Mekatank has released a new 1:48 scale 'walker' tank. The kit is resin. I cannot read all the text associated with it, but it looks cool.

The description mentions: "...This first generation of robot walker represents very well the technological advance taken by the new coalition. After a first version (Ausf. A) that won't be put in production, the model (Ausf. B) is put in service in July 1947. Intended to the recognition, this" walker" is armored sufficiently to resist the junk of the battle field until the bullets of 14.5 mm. The cannon of 20 mm in spite of its modest calibre is very efficient thanks to its fashion of semi-automatic working and to its speed of mouth of 823 m/s. An infrared sight completes the arming of the Wolf as well as a generator of smoke in order to be able to escape in case of meeting strong resistance. Its lightness and its agility allows him to pass in" all land" with easiness and its important autonomy allows him to fill its mission of recognition in depth in the device enemy"...

I like the way it is obviously modern technology, but with an almost "steampunk" type look. (I not sure how it would be powered, even in the future). It might give an ED-209 a run for it's money. If you like modeling unique subjects, this would be for you.

SCI MODEL KITS | GERMANY'S SECRET WWII WEAPONS | GERMAN FLYING SAUCERS |

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Time to post some links to some recent model shows. Get inspired! Enjoy with your morning coffee. :-)

• Vancouver Automodelrama Nov. 7 2009
• 2009 Vancouver Modelrama
• HoT USA Fallbrawl 2009



HOT ROD MODEL KITS | 1:8 SCALE MILNER'S COUPE | 1932 HOT ROD WITH SURF BOARD |

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As modelers, I imagine most of us are pretty handy at building things. Not just models, but everything from furniture, to real cars, to fixing our own home plumbing. We just seem to be able to assemble many parts into a finished project.

While I am no carpenter, I was able to build a desk for my daughter. A Big scale project for sure. And most of us Dads build many things for our kids over their childhood years. We are usually the go to person when toys break, or that bicycle needs to be put together. (This includes Moms, since my own was a single mother raising 3 boys. She helped me build my first model kit (a Skyraider prop) when I was probably around 9.)

For all the cool Dads out there that make things for their kids, here's a project online, for a Star Wars blaster made from PVC pipe, courtesy of Tom Heck.

He didn't go out and spend $$$ on a new toy from China, but made a custom toy for his 10 year old son. Very Cool ! I also like this idea because here's a kid using his creative imagination, and he's outdoors having fun (as opposed to mindless hours in front of a tv or a video game).

Check out the easy and fun project (do it with your kids together, see what ideas they have), it's a win / win deal all around. Tom includes a PDF file at the link with the directions to build your own.

STAR WARS TOY GUN | STAR WARS MODEL KITS | THE PVC 101 PROJECT BOOK |

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In 2004, SpaceShip 1 won the $10 million X-Prize when it became the first commercial vehicle to successfully fly to the edge of space (100 km) and back twice within a week. 

Fantastic Plastic now brings you the first scale model of this ground-breaking spaceplane system.  Patterned in 1:144 scale by Scott Lowther and cast by Masterpiece Models, our 29-piece kit contains both the SpaceShip 2 sub-orbital spacecraft and its gigantic jet-powered "White Knight" carrier.  Landing gear are also included.  When completed, the entire model has an impressive 11.5" wingspan.  (Sorry, no decals with this one).

Build the future of space flight right at home !

SPACESHIP ONE MODEL KIT | SPACE MODEL BOOKS | SPACESHIP ONE ROCKET |

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Some of the iHobby pictures are starting to show up online. It looks like the coming 2010 year is going to bring a lot of great new kits.

Mixed into the fray are a lot of reissues. Some that have only been out of production for a short time, and some that have not seen the light of day in 40 years. Here are some of the highlights that appeal to me:

• Lindberg: 1:144 U.S.S. Arizona Battleship, at 55 inches long !
• Lindberg: Two paddle steamships, the Clermont and Southern Belle.
• Lindberg: Florida State Trooper Dodge Charger
• Round 2: The C57D, which I missed the first time around it was issued.
• Moebius: Superboy and Wonder Woman figure kits, along with the 2001 Moonbus.
• and the Number 1 choice for me: Round 2's 1966 Batmobile in 1:25 scale, as a glue and snap kit!

There are a lot more things on the way. These are but a few, and you can check out the links to see more. But I think this year, there are models to cover whatever you build, from Scifi, cars, trucks, monsters, figures, ships, aircraft, space, you name it, and a kit is probably on it's way. It's a good time to be modeling !

There are some rumors about other kits that may be produced, but I could not confirm the information, or find pictures, so I will hold onto that until I know more, and post them on the blog at a later time.

iHobby Model Pictures 1 | iHobby Pictures 2 | Model Shows & Events |

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BamBam Productions has produced a resin kit of Battlestar Galactica's Poseidon. It is 15 inches long, and includes extra guns, a stand, and two extra engines for upgrading. The master was done by the famous Alfred Wong.

I never really like the new TV Show all that much, the classic Battlestar Galactica I feel was better. But if you dig the new series, this kit would be a good addition to your display case.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA SERIES | CLASSIC CYLON | CYLON RAIDER MODEL KIT |

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Moebius Models does some exclusive kits for special events. Sometimes it's the box art, sometimes they glow in the dark, but many times they kits are molded in certain colors or a transparent plastic.

Just in case you may not know it, their smaller 1:350 scale Seaview kit is available in Transparent Blue plastic.

Made for the IPMS Nationals in 2009, (but arriving to late for the event), they are limited to 240 kits, 120 for the US market, and 120 for Japan. So if you ever wanted something unique for your collection, now is the time to grab one.

SCIFI MODEL KITS | SCIFI MODEL BOOKS | SUBMARINE MODEL KITS |

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In the past, when it came to drag racing model kits, especially in the 1970's, you were probably building Revell kits. Whether it was a 1:25 or 1:16 big scale kit, from funny cars to dragsters, you had something on the model bench that was made to go fast. Cars from teams like Snake & Mongoose, The Hawaiian, or Jungle Jim and many others. Those that remember those days know how Revell was providing sponsorship to real drag teams on the track and in the series.

Early drag racing subjects have been kind of slim these past few years. Thankfully Model King issued some great kits that hadn't seen the light of day in 30+ years, but let's face it, you can never have enough floppers or rails to build in your growing model stash.

But old times are here again! Like the glory days of drag racing, NHRA and Revell have gotten together to release some drag racing its just for you !

...""NHRA welcomes the return of Revell and their classic model kits," said Gary Darcy, senior vice president-sales & marketing, NHRA. "The Revell models were synonymous with the sport of NHRA Drag Racing, and reintroducing these classic model kits to today's fans will reinforce the long and storied history of the sport and its partnership with Revell."...

So get ready to build some nostalgic drag cars and smell the fumes, they're coming your way !

DRAG RACING MODEL KITS | AMERICAN DRAG RACING |

Should be some new announcements from the iHobby show this weekend (or sooner !) on new kits. We will have to see. Stay tuned.

Round 2 has already got a sneak peek going on with their 1:1000 scale Enterprise-A from Star Trek. I am more partial to the TOS Enterprise, I don't like the A-model nacelles. Still, this scale will go well with Round 2's other 1:1000 scale Star Trek kits.

STAR TREK MODEL KITS | SCIFI MODEL BOOKS |

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Here's a really cool looking kit. The Markov Anti Gravity Racer, a resin model by ALB-LAB.

The kit was designed from an illustration by Ben Mauro. It has a little bit of everything as far as influences, from Star Wars to The Fifth Element. Painting the vehicle is wide open, but being a racer, I'm sure racing stripes and gumballs will be right at home.

The model is 1:35 scale, but still ends up a respectable 17.5 cm (about 7 inches) long. Like any good race car, it looks fast even when it's sitting still. It's not quite available yet, it's projected for November, but I recommend you get your orders in early. It looks like it will be a hit.

RESIN ANTI-GRAVITY RACER | SCIFI MODEL BOOKS |

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Model company ICM in the Ukraine has released a new 1:72 scale Sukhoi Su-27 Jet Fighter. The kit represents one of the "Russian Knights", an AF Display Team.

The SU-27 is Russia's fourth generation fighter, and serves with some of the the CIS Air Forces, including Russia and the Ukraine. As well as with other countries such as China, Vietnam, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

The kit features engraved panelling, highly detailed landing gear, and colorful decals to model any aircraft of the "Russian Knights" Display Team.

"The Russian Knights are an aerobatic demonstration team of the Russian Air Force. Originally formed on April 5, 1991 at the Kubinka Air Base as a team of six Sukhoi Su-27s, the team was the first to perform outside the Soviet Union in September 1991 when they toured the United Kingdom. On December 12, 1995, disaster struck as three team members flew into a mountainside while practicing formation flying in adverse weather. Despite this unprecedented tragedy, the team bounced back and now performs with four Su-27P's and 2 Su-27UB's..." www.electronicaviation.com.

ICM SU-27 MODEL AIRCRAFT MODELS | SUKHOI SU-27 FLANKER WARBIRD TECH | AIRCRAFT MODELING BOOKS |

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Models by Dave has released a new resin heavy truck cab / kit. Fresh off the mold, this new model is a 1:25 scale International 4000 Standard Cab.

The conversion kit is designed to replicate one of the most popular International trucks on the road. This kit will fit on most 1:25 heavy truck model kit chassis', with minimal modifications.

The kit includes: Cab, interior, hood, grill, bumper, headlights, quarter fenders, and the dash. These trucks / cabs were used in all kinds of duties, from fire trucks, box trucks, to beer trucks. So there are a lot of possible builds and projects you can make.

INTERNATIONAL TRUCK CAB RESIN MODEL | INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS | INTERNATIONAL PAYSTAR 5000 DUMP TRUCK |

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There was a time in the 1990's when monster / horror kits were everywhere, cast in resin or made in vinyl. You can still find them today, but I believe that was a peak time for sales, and many small shops / companies folded, with molds and products never to be seen again. (despite some re-casters).

One strong company then, and still going strong now, is Geometric Designs. They continue to release new products, and their name is known as one of the premiere companies producing monster and horror kits.

New for Geometric is their Mr. Hyde figure. It is 1:12 scale (around 8 inches high) and includes a base. There is a lot of detail, especially in the face and clothing. I can see a modeler reconstructing the street lamp and making it light up, to give an eery glow on the scene.

One product they also make, and these are fun for model car builders, are their 1:25 scale monsters. Very unique !

MR HYDE FIGURE MODEL | FROM GRAVES TO CAVES, MODELING YOUR DIORAMA | HORROR MONSTER MODEL KITS |

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Just about every modeler has made a diorama of one kind of another. Usually incorporating their favorite model subject.

Diorama Dreams is a company that specializes in dioramas. Building large scratch built models and scenes, often in 1:6 scales, you are drawn into the action and display. The models vary, from helicopters, science fiction, figures, to military vehicles.

Many of their scenes use figures, in what appear to be modified GI Joe bodies. An interesting touch.

Check the site out and see what you think. There are a lot of ideas, especially if you into large scale projects.

DIORAMA MODELS | SUPER DIORAMAS | STYRENE MODELING | SCUD MISSILE MODELS |

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