Over at Model Truck Mafia, once again a big project gets finished and up online.

The latest creation from Adam is a Peterbuilt Service truck, featuring a trailer and knuckle boom. The trailer is modified from a Revell racing offering, while the interior is detailed to the max.

I have seen this model at a show, and the scratch building and detail work is amazing. Known for his highly accessorized interiors, including everything from flocking to donuts. (in scale of course), no one captures the lifestyle of a trucker quite like Adam does.

Click here to see all the amazing detail photo shots of this massive build.

Just a quick mention of some new kits from Hasegawa for October.

• 1/48 Kittyhawk P-series Aircraft
• 1/48 FA 18E Super Hornet
• 1/48 F4 Phantom II
• 1/48 Razorback Rescue Squadron
• 1/48 Nakajima B5N2 Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber
• 1/72 S2F1 Tracker US Navy
• 1/72 AH64A Apache
• 1/72 FA18F Super Hornet
• 1/72 F14D Tomcat

Announced list of some new car and truck kits planned for late 2006 and 2007. Check the sites out for more information.

I am sure they will carry most, probably all of these kits. And they take preorders.

• REVELL-
• 1941 Chevy Pickup
• 1969 Pontiac GTO
• 1969 Ford Talladega
• 1970 Buick GSX
• 1966 El Camino
• Deal’s Wheels ZZZZZZZZZZ-28 Camaro
• Deal’s Wheels “The Baron” Red Baron
• Plymouth AAR Cuda
• 1955 Chevy Pro Sportsman
• 1965 Chevelle SS396 Z-16
• Baldwin Motion 1969 Camaro 427 BB
• Chopped 1949 Merc Custom
• Good Guys 1948 Ford convertible
• Good Guys 1930 Ford Woody street rod
• Good Guys 1955 Chevy Bel-Air Hardtop
• Good Guys 1937 Ford Coupe
• Good Guys 1929 Ford Roadster Pickup street rod
• 1967 Corvette Coupe
• 1991 Firebird
• Porsche Slant Nose
• Ferrari Super America
• 1964 Ford T-Bolt Street Machine
• 1958 Chevy Impala Lowrider
• "Uptown” Cadillac STS-V
• “Uptown” 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
• “Uptown” 2006 Chrysler 300C Hemi SRT8
• 1999 Chevy Silverado Pickup
• 1999 Chevy Silverado Custom Pickup
• 1997 Ford SVT F-150 Lightning Pickup
• Chevy SSR
• 1977 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade
• Corvette Aerovette
• 1934 Ford Coupe Street Rod
• 2006 Camaro Concept Car
• 426 Hemi Cuda Engine, 1/6
• Ford 427 Wedge Engine, 1/6
• 1963 Chevy Impala SS
• 1970 Chevelle
• 1986 Monte Carlo
• 1987 Buick GN
• 1971 Cuda Street Machine
• 50th Anniversary 1957 Chevy Hardtop, 1/12
• 75th Anniversary 1932 Ford Deuce Roadster Hot Rod, 1/8
• LINDBERG / HAWK -
• 1/25 Display Case with Chrome Base
• 1/25 Display Case with Chrome Base 2-Pack
• 1910 Ford Model T 1/16
• 1925 Ford Coupe Tall T Street Rod 1/27
• Ford T Pickup Street Rod
• 1929 Mercedes Benz SSK Roadster
• 1931 Bugatti Royale Victoria
• 1932 Ford Closed Cab Pickup Street Rod
• 1934 Ford Roadster Pickup Street Rod
• 1934 Ford Pickup
• 1934 Ford Pickup / Stake Truck / Wrecker
• 1935 Auburn Convertible
• 1937 Cord Convertible
• 1940 Ford Coupe
• 1948 Lincoln Continental
• 1953 Ford Victoria Hardtop
• 1953 Ford Convertible
• 1953 Ford Convertible Indy Pace Car
• 1961 Chevy Impala Convertible
• 1964 Dodge 330
• 1966 Chevelle Hardtop
• 1969 Dodge L-700 Tilt Cab
• 1969 Dodge L-700 Tilt Cab with Flatbed Trailer
• AMC Gremlin “Grabber”, 1/20
• 1996 Ford Crown Victoria 4 Door Sedan Patrol Cars
• 1997 Ford F-150 Flareside 4X4 Pickup
• 1997 Ford F-150 Off-Road 4X4 Pickup
• 1997 Dodge Dakota Sport Pickup
• Dodge Dakota Sport Pickup “Raminator” Monster Truck
• Chrysler Atlantic Concept Car
• 2007 Dodge Charger Super Bee
• Bill “Maverick” Golden “Little Red Wagon” Wheelstander
• Bill “Maverick” Golden 1964 Dodge Super Stocker
• Ramchargers 1964 Dodge Super Stocker
• Color Me Gone ’64 Dodge Super Stocker
• Richard Petty ’64 Plymouth Belvedere
• Motorized Mirrored Turntable
• 1925 Ford Roadster Street Rod 1/32
• 1930 Ford “A” Pickup Street Rod 1/32
• 1932 Ford “B” Roadster, 1/32
• 1934 Ford Coupe, 1/32
• 1936 Ford Roadster, 1/32
• 1940 Ford Convertible, 1/32
• 1949 Ford 2 Door Sedan, 1/32
• 1924 Ford T “Big Red Rod” Street Rod, 1/8
• 1924 Ford Track Nose “Hot Canary T” Street Rod, 1/8
• 1924 Ford “Bobtail T” Street Rod, 1/8
• 1924 Ford “Tall T” Street Rod Coupe, 1/8
• “Exterminator” Dragster
• Horse Drawn Field Artillery with Horses and 3 Figures, 1/16
• Concord Stage Coach with Horses and 5 Figures, 1/16
• 54 Foot Chris Craft “Constellation”, 30 inches long
• 40 Foot Chris Craft “Sport Fisherman”, 30 inches long

Here's a gallery from the IPMS model show in Phoenix AZ.

• IPMS Show Phoenix 2006

Normally I would just mention something new here, but there are so many great kits out lately, that I'm just going to link directly to the folks over at Starship Modeler, and you can pick up more details there. Some of my favorites they mention:

The hanger bay for the Polar Lights Enterprise is interesting. I have that kit, it's huge. The saucer portion reminds me of a round garbage can lid...that's how big it is. This is one of those kits on serious hold for me, because it is so large, where do I store it after I build it? (and not let it become a dust magnet?)

The Zero X kit is great looking too. If I remember right, this is from the movie Thunderbirds are Go. (which I have on video......to bad I don't have a video player anymore. Moved on to DVD's. Sometimes progress sucks). The shear size of this kit is amazing. They even made it out of multiple parts, allowing you to separate it like in the movie.

Two Star Wars kits are also new. The Imperial Probe Droid. I was at an IPMS model show a couple of weeks ago, and there was one built at the event. It's very large as you can see. Also Fantastic Plastics own (Padmin's) Royal Starship (the chrome ship).

There's a lot more, but as I mentioned, check out there site and see all the new Scifi kits that are coming out.

Finescale Magazine is getting ready to release their Great Scale Modeling 2007 book. Chocked full of some of the best models from the latest shows. All kinds of subjects, from aircraft to ships to scifi.

Currently, Finescale is running a special offer, by preordering you can save a buck and get free shipping on the order . Click here to get the details !

The Model King is releasing two kits soon. One is a Revell Firebird (1993-2003 body style) Prostock Match racer drag car. The other release is two car models in one, a couple of Lindberg Vintage Dirt Modified's. Two different car kits in one box !

The modified's look like you could swap a lot of parts, and maybe even use some parts or make an older street rod out of. The Firebird pro stock will no doubt be used by modelers for the chassis alone.

Hey, it might not be the Discovery Channel's Motorcycle Mania, and it may not have Jesse James or Billy Lane, but Scale Auto Magazine has a Chopper build-off of their own going on at their online forum. Be sure and check out the WIPs (Works In Progress).

These bikes seem to be a good hit for Revell. Some say they lack detail, but isn't that what modelers do best? Add detail ? Hell, if you want something with a lot of detail right out of the box you might as well just go and buy a die cast.

That's no fun !

So far I have seem some great builds from these kits. Even built box stock, they come with extra parts and can be assembled multiple ways.

Way to go Revell !

The Classic Plastic Model Show at Lawrence Elks Lodge in Lawrence, MA.is over. But if you were unable to attend, no problem, here are some galleries of some great model builds to get those creative ideas going.

• Classic Plastic Model Show 2006
• Classic Plastic Model Show 2006
• Classic Plastic Model Show 2006

Monsters in Motion is offering an injected kit of the Airwolf Bell Ranger helicopter, from the TV series. It is being reissued by Aoshima, in it's original 1:48 scale. The old AMT kits can can go for quite a bit on eBay, this may give you a second chance if you wanted to add a sealed kit to your collection.

You may have missed the show, but you don't have to miss the models. Here are some links to pictures of the show with hundreds of cars that appeared.

• NNL Model Show 2006 - 1
• NNL Model Show 2006 - 2
• NNL Model Show 2006 - 3
• NNL Model Show 2006 - 4
• NNL Model Show 2006 - 5
• NNL Model Show 2006 - 7

Revell USA has updated their site big time if you have not been there in a while. Months ago they redesigned it, but it was a little thin. But over time they have added some new features, some are very useful.

For instance, want to see what's in a kit before you buy one? Check out the FREE download of the directions. Of course, they are also useful if you actually lost your directions. But this is a great feature for buying. (the first model company I ever saw do this was Retro Hobby's, which I mention in a previous news story).

There are also some features, such as their Lowrider Club information, and a section for (living) Large. Not all the products are plastic injected, sort of a mixed media of plastic with metal bodies. Still, it's support for a wide range of modelers who want to build something new.

Yesterday (October 7) was a great day to see new models and catch up with some old modeling friends. I have to say this was a pretty good show. Some may think it was small, but considering south Florida is practically an island in itself, the turnout was good.

There was no lack of enthusiasm, and everyone seemed to be having a great time. I didn't notice any problems with the show itself as far as logistics, and there were plenty of models. The single room was just the right size, not to big, not to small. It could be a bit crowded at times, but that's ok, there were quite a few modelers there, the room was alive and vibrant

The show ran from 8:00 AM (as far as registering) till 5:00 PM. To me that was just right, a one day event, a tight well run show.

I got more than one great modeling idea from the show, especially from the military builders. Many would think that being an IPMS show that car models would take a back seat, but that was not the case. The car, trucks, and motorcycles easily matched the military kit for kit. It was just a great all around show.

I received a good deal from one of the vendors as well (who were all pleasant to deal with ) on a 1:32 Revell Apache helicopter. I am looking forward to detailing that out, maybe for next year. (anyone know of some detail aftermarket parts for this kit? Drop me a line)

This was the second show I have been to from Flight 19, and it was just as good, if not better than the first one I attended / entered. (over the years I missed some of them because of my schedule).

As a note, my camera does not do close ups very well, but if you want to see a few pictures, go here.

Revell Germany is looking to buy Airfix. It's hard to say what exactly this will mean in the long run. But here is an article about the buy. This deal also involves Humbrol (the paints division / company) and even Heller.

I find it interesting that they blame poor sales on "... as children became hooked on computer games and TV.".

I do not believe this to be true, in the sense that while there is some of that going on, the manufacturers are not understanding their market. There are several reasons for low sales.

1. If you look at the demographics, the average age of a modeler is probably around 40 years old. Go to a model show and what do you see? Look around the room, what's the average age? How many "kids" do you see? As a model company, what are you doing to target the older modelers?

2. Some of the new car model car kits are expensive. Around $ 26.00 to
$ 45.00 each. (ie. the new Testors Charger and just about any Tamiya kit). The military kits, like a 1:35 scale tank, $ 20.00 to $ 40.00 as well. A 1:32 scale F14, $ 125.00. Aftermarket resin kits? Many are out of the ballpark. Can youngsters afford new tooling / kits?

3. The kit subjects. I can't see a teenager even remotely interested in a P51 Mustang kit. He isn't old enough to know what the plane is, he probably has never even seen such a plane in real life. Who maybe remembers those subjects? 40 year olds. Who are you producing these kits for? 40+ year olds. If this the model market, what kind of kits are you producing to reach this end user? If you think kids are not buying models, why are you spending tooling and budget resources for the younger age group?

4. Licensing. Is it just me, that I seem to notice a lot of new kits being WWII (particularly German) subjects? A model kit company doesn't need rights to produce a Focke Wolf 190 (really, I mean, who's gonna stop them ? The nazi party? ). But if they did a F14 Tomcat (or any relative new aircraft design) , they will be paying rights big time. (yeah, just make that check out to General Dynamics, they need the dough..)

Now, there are exceptions to all these ideas, but where is the modeling hobby going? I do see products aimed at youngsters, such as the new DONK car kits, and the Tuners. Which is a great idea. But model companies have to do more. Better ads, better campaigns, better something.

They need to do more homework and figure out WHO their market is, and get focused.

As an interesting note, the other day I saw a commercial on TV, car related, but at the end, was an ad for Hobbytown USA. I think that is the first time I ever saw a tv ad for a Hobby shop or Hobby company.

P.S. As a note: If you don't think that licensing is a big deal on a model kit, catch up with the latest news on this government issue by clicking here.

Announced new kits that are going to be coming out. These include:

• 1929 Ford Woody Pickup
• 1969 Camaro (updated tooling)
• 1953 Ford Pickup Flip Nose
• 1986 El Camino SS
• 1965 Pontiac GTO
• 1960 Corvette
• 1981 MPC Bronco "Saddle Tramp"
• 1994 S-series Sonoma
• 1975 Chevy Blazer
• 2007 Ford Mustang
• 1970 Plymouth Cuda
• 1971 Cyclone Spoiler
• 2007 Challenger
• 1968 Coronet Hardtop
• 1969 Pontiac GTO "Arnie Beswick" The Judge Funny Car

Just some news coming down the pipeline. Stay tuned !