Stickframe

Hi Pete, I really like the repurposing of the gondola side walls - they have a convincing, structural/framework, appropriately complex look! You lucked out with the proportions - they fit right in - goes to show, a deep junk box, and eyes open for the odd-ball parts pay off! 😁 Cheers Nick

This is a lot to take in - beautiful work - fabrication and finish. I find it a real challenge to make numerous brackets that all remain the exact same - like those flat base plates. On one hand, it looks like a fairly straight forward shape to cut out, but to cut out several, that all look very similar is some nice model building. I really like the finish too - I don't remembering seeing that surface treatment before, but, it's beauty! (in a model building sort of way 😁) And, yes, I get the frustration of building what to the best of your knowledge is correct, only to discover shortly after - well, it's not. Every now and then, I'll tear it out and rebuild it, that said, what you built sure looks good! Looking forward to your next post - Cheers Nick

"Just a fun update" eh? really? You stop posting for a few days and comeback with this! I've got to say, I really like the speed wrench and the impact driver - wow - those look great! And metal none the less - wow! (again!) great work. I am hoping, this marks the beginning of a few related odds and ends - a tool cabinet? small bench?? 😁 Keep on building Ron! Cheers Nick

Well guys, yes - going back and looking at my intro, I can see how this "might" appear to some to be a bit out there....and, yes, it is! Ron to your point about the F1s - they have a clear history, complete with many photos to illustrate how they were/are built for all of us to see - so, the order of the day is to maintain some degree of authenticity. For this though, another story - but, I certainly hope to include some bits from those cars - the braided hoses and anodized fittings, special brackets, linkages and so on - why not?? I'm glad to know you're willing to see where this goes! 😀 If not, it could be a pretty lonely build! And yes, Pete, we received a report about a strange, unauthorized craft skulking around the edges! It was clearly visible from tower 12A! That must have been you! Your Freighter build might have been a key catalyst for me to jump into this. I really enjoy scratch building, and as long as this is in the realm of sci fi, there is a lot of latitude for "why not?" build elements, using all sorts of base materials (like on your Fuchs idea!) - on vehicles, buildings, ground plane and figures. You can keep me honest along the way - if it looks bad, let me know! 😁 An interesting attribute of McQue's work is his color palette - seems the colors are very rich/saturated, but also, distinctly weathered and tarnished. Funny enough, on one of his images the "vehicle" sure appears to be painted in the Gulf Racing color scheme! Maybe the HET receives a tangerine chassis, and zenith blue body...🤨 ??? no, really.....! I think this build will be fun, and I'm looking forward to getting past the relatively pragmatic problem solving on the HET, and into trying my hand at creating respectable interpretations of the concept art. For now though, that truck - getting the bonnet/hood right has me nervous. A few builds ago I made a Peterbilt 348 tractor, which has similarly frightening hood - compound curves and all. It was in 1/24 though, so I could rely a bit on tenacity (to be more clear, bending, forcing, pinning, gluing) over precision to make it work. I'm just not as confident in how to do the same in 1/35? We'll find out soon enough tho, as that is my project for today. Thanks for having a look - enjoy the weekend Cheers Nick

Hello gents, Off on a new project. It has a few build requirements: It will try and stick with the spirit of the concept as it moves along (this will make more sense as you keep reading); It will rely to the greatest extent possible on kits from the stash! No new kits! maybe new materials, glue and paint; and, well guys, it might be a bit odd when it's done. So, on we go. The following few character images show the basic concept of this project - in three graphic chapters: ahhh, "Misty watercolor memories.....Of the way we were" 🤨 (B Streisand) uhhh???? what the heck??? "Because something is happening, But ya' don't know what it is, Do you, Mister Jones?".....(B. Dylan) btw groovy graphic assembled in...PowerPoint! used their Design Ideas tool!) (Note the center image - looks like a tracked lowboy with a shelter atop) And, our story - a guy reminiscing on being sent out to the south station - for some time, and what it was like out there. About this graphic....yeah - I tried... it's made with PowerPoint and Photoscape X - not exactly Photoshop! This will require a leap of faith by all involved - including me! I saw a project in the Sci Fi section where someone is building a pretty cool Ian McQue concept air ship. I really like McQue's work, and you can see some of it above. I'm mostly a ground ship kind of guy though, so I did several searches of his work and found a few ground based vessels that move on tracks, and some peculiar buildings. So, for this project we have an OshKosh Global HET A1 (the high mobility version of the M1070) and trailer, converted to a halftrack, camped out for a while at south station. At this point, well, I can't and won't guarantee the dio will look "just like" this - but, it is planned to "feel" like it when we're done. I just don't know as of right now where this will go, but, I've already jumped right in, starting with the truck: This is the OshKosh M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET), an 8x8 truck (Hobby Boss kit). I have gone ahead and begun converting it into the Global HET A1, a 6x6 version (upper pics). There are similarities and many differences between the two - and above you can see the big difference is in the rear axle configuration. I like the look of the Global HET - If I just had some of those fat, high flotation tires!! This required some head scratching to design and build. So, lots of changes - the chassis is shortened in the rear and will be stretched in the front, all the tabs, bolts, rivets cut off and as you can see above, some carefully cut off and reused, and suspension attached. I made operable, and not just adjustable steering. It also needs an all new hood/bonnet, which will be a difficult task - the Global HET has a less angular design than the M1070, which has a variety of odd shapes and compound curves.....perfect. And: As this project is in the realm of sci fi, a half track is simply required!! Hence the reason for making this the 6x6 version - the two drive axles now serve as power for two final drive sprockets (off-set by planetary gear transfer cases), on independent bogeys! I don't want this to look like a simple toy - it needs to at least demonstrate convincing realism. Therefore, into the realm of mechanized agriculture and some homework! It turns out lots of tractors are both four wheel drive (which this would in effect be as there are two drive axles) and use tracks - very interesting stuff - and good and, well, strange looking! I discovered this can be done in two broad ways. On the upper left, you can see a fixed rail track system, which is essentially bolted to the tractor via a pivoting hardbar and final drives. Nice! except, my fancy HET has air ride suspension, and the hardbar set up would prohibit flex, or result in heavy torque twist. Or, look for a way to keep the "wheels/bogeys" independent. So, I set up a system with two independent bogeys, connected via tensioner at each axle - like on the rail of a tracked dozer! as shown in the sketch, and in concept on the two studies above. As this is being built only using parts from the stash, I have a couple of the Oroshi Bradley M3A3 kits - so, I'm using those idlers/roadwheels, final drives and metal tracks. Among the challenges here is using the parts I have in a way that appears to function as sold. As such, the final drives need to be elevated above the rollers, so both can rotate and allow a track to convincingly be drawn over them. This required several visual tests before I settled on an approach: In brief, the bogeys are symmetrical left/right, but asymmetrical front/rear. The bogey "carrier" is .040" styrene. You can see, the road wheels are spaced equidistantly from the axle centerline (me guessing that's a good way to evenly distribute weight), while the final drives are off-set for clearance. The final drives are set up using the Orochi parts as intended, with some cutting. The idlers and road wheels attached via a remarkably tedious process of cutting and assembling telescoping lengths of alu tubing....good fun. And above, dry fit - not exactly an "instant" half track! If you look carefully, you can see a tensioner and shock absorber mounted between the bogeys, which will allow them to rotate independently of one another and up and down with the axle, while the final drives stay in fixed position, attached to the axle. And - that's where we are. Next will be addressing the front body work. I'm not looking forward to this task! Then, onto the HET trailer (which is very big even in 1/35) and what ever sort of "shelter" for it. I have a remnant 1/32 scale box van that has some nice panels, and an ICM ZIL 131 emergency truck bed/shelter, which I plan to bash together into something appropriately mysterious and dieselpunkesque - we'll see! And of course, ground plane, buildings, debris and figures - a long way to go. Thanks for having a look - Cheers Nick

@bar side, thanks, and glad you like the results. I've got to say, I thought a lot about your hangar(s), and how you photograph it (them) in such convincing ways! The photos look real and not forced, which, considering the time we spend on these projects is important. I found the site while going for my Covid walks! Walking by every other day or so, for several months, when it occurred to me that it is largely flat, and the industrial buildings are just far enough away to not look huge relative to the dio. I think I'll go back there for other projects too. Thanks again - Cheers Nick

@silver911 Ron! thanks very much for leaving a note! Your fingerprints can be found all over this build! In the form of specific objects and finishes, and more importantly, in the form of an overarching attitude, or intent - to keep modeling, repairing, redoing, until it looks right. This must sound weird, but what I have realized is that there are two ways to look at an object. One is what your mind's eye shows, and the other, what it actually looks like!! I kept thinking about your builds - the Renault, or the 312. Not so much as to try to copy either, but to consider your approach and desired end result, and the to address the question - "does this look real?" or at least, convincing! And how do subtle variance in texture. materials, and finishes change the outcome. The concrete floor and transition to asphalt driveway, and stains on both being a prime example - there simply aren't the paints etc that you apply to "get" the finish. There are several layers, airbrush, hand brush, pastels, lacquers....for what? to try to get them to look right! I've started a new project, and might just start it in the dio section, as it will be a dio. There will be civilian vehicles, but pretty heavily modified, so maybe not the best for here? I hope you get a chance to see this too - your thoughts and comments appreciated! 😁 Cheers Nick

Hi guys, I appreciate the comments - @Pete in Lincs, hi Pete, thanks very much, and I'm glad you like the "feel" of the pics. It's funny, I think taking the final pictures is almost as hard to do as any other step in the build, but, more important! once they're done - that's it - they're done and the dio starts its new life as a dust collector! Which this one has. I've started a new project, sort of an alt future thing - not sure if exactly sci fi? or what - and am well into a heavy modification of an M1070. Maybe I'll just start posting here? Not sure where else it would fit? while it's becoming a "civilian" truck, it's clearly not stock, has lots of scratch and kitbashing and maybe not that well received there? So, one forum or another it will pop up. Most likely here as it will become a dio - 😁 @desert falcon, hello, and thank you! As I mentioned above, I now find that the final pictures are almost as important as any other step in a build - it's a real challenge to try and get close to real. Thanks again - Cheers Nick

Hi @Kitkent Chris, Thanks a lot - and thanks for sticking through this the whole way! I did not imagine it would go in this direction, but, that's what makes model building fun! Thanks again! Cheers, Nick

Hello gents, for those of you who'd like to see it, this dio is now done - I attached a couple of pics here, and attach the link to the ready for inspection area in the dio section: Here we go: This turned into a pretty fun project - ok, Thanks for having a look Cheers Nick

Hi model builders, I'm pleased to report this project is done, and now, found it's way to the ready for inspection section - - please take a look if you'd like: Cheers and thanks for making the build better with your participation! Nick

Hello dio builders, As the great Willie Nelson says, "Turn out the lights, the party's over" , followed by "And tomorrow starts the same old thing again", and so goes it for building dios - This morning I went out to a nearby public plaza in the middle of an industrial area, and took some photos of this project. There was another guy there too, and I felt guilty - he was doing some sort of an intense workout, and really going at it, sweating away...meh - he doesn't know what intense is unless he's built a dio or two! 😁 If you're interested, there's a WIP blog in that part of the dio section: So, here we go, this is done, no need to turn on any lights, it was bright and sunny: OK - about halfway through - you can see, it was a great morning for taking pictures - on we go: I like the pic above - you can see the car in the foreground, and Penske PC4 in the shop, the parts in the bed of the truck (through the window) and the parts/etc along the wall - a lucky picture for me! I like the pic above - you can see brick, concrete and asphalt drive, concrete floor, and metal elements, and I like how they look together. I like the pic above too, it worked out well - relative to what's going on in the dio, and happily to it's context. The red brick building seems to fit the scale just fine - like it's supposed to be there, which in a way it is - I kid you not, but, coincidentally, the sign with the forklift is made using a photo of the real sign, which is mounted on that exact building!! haha - I wish I planned that when I took the photo! And there you have it. Although this project wasn't initially intended to be a dio, I have enjoyed building it, so much so that it has been a catalyst to get me staying in the dio world a while longer. Thanks for having a look, and happy dio building, Cheers Nick

I've got to echo @Pete in Lincs, with a change, my take is "interesting build" might be the understatement of the year! this is a remarkable build - in terms of process and content - really great stuff - and very helpful, to see your technique/fabrication/assembly. Cheers Nick

Hello Dio builders, @Toftdale thanks! and thanks for dropping a note! @bar side and @silver911, you guys are on top of my challenges list! Yes - figuring out how to cover and not cover this project - both. On we go. Sorry these pictures are a bit grainy. I ganged them together and took screen shots, but they illustrate the point: Yes! it's too late to back out now! the roof framing is on - and, as predicted, you can still clearly see out of the roof....and, like predicted, not ideal. So, carefully begin adding roofing material: I added cardstock along some key edges - in the pics above, not glued in place. But, it basically does what I want. The pic on the right doesn't really count, as I aimed the camera up to see the roof opening. I felt good enough about this that I decided to take it outside for some "real" light - the sun that is!! At first glance, you might think: This is a complete disaster!! Not to worry tho, it's not. This is with the sun directly in the back of the building, whereas below: Not bad at all, maybe even too bright?? I am now wondering about adding some semi-clear, or fogged plastic to defuse the light a bit? Not sure just yet - I might not worry about it! And, while outside: So, we are getting closer. I'll add my small sign to the outside wall, install the fence, and add various little bits and pieces, but, almost....DONE! Thanks for having a look Cheers Nick

@Michael Morris, while I haven't made ground surfaces at the scale you're asking about, I have at 1/35, and think that some of this info might be useful for you and your project. I'm sorry about the photos, they're old and might not be the best size for this, but here we go! I start the base with rigid insulating foam - After cutting up the general shapes I want, glue it together with wood glue (carpenters). Yes - this process, cutting, carving, sanding etc makes a BIG mess! Pink dust and chunks fly! And then, first trowel on light weight joint compound (it's the white color) to smooth it out a bit, then follow with pumice gel. You can find the latter at art stores, but, it is expensive - worth it tho. You'll find various gradients of the pumice gel - from very fine to coarse - you might experiment with it so see what you prefer for your scale. Also, it dries a bit slowly, so on one hand patience helps, and on the other, you will have time to adjust as you see fit. The various gaps in the pink foam is fine. You can barely see the pumice, its the gray colored texture, over the white colored, lightweight joint compound. Then, I sprayed Vallejo IDF Sand primer over all of it: Sorry it looks like a lunar landing site in this awful pic! 😁 See below: Above is a better pic - the primer color was a good match for the ground I was trying to copy. This image is before adding more fine grained ground texture. This is a dio recreating the Battle of Debecka Pass, in northern Iraq, ca April, 2003. Yes - there is a LOT of grass and it was very tedious and slow going to install - like watching the grass grow!! 😁 And on to adding lots of real sand and pebbles, glued in place with diluted (with water) pva glue, or, you can use a product made by Woodland Scenics, which I believe is pre-diluted PVA. Model railroaders use the for ballast installation. Again, like planting my "grass" adding and gluing the rocks in place is slow going. I tend to install bigger rocks first, with glue, then add layers and layers of finer material - which, would be pretty fine for the scale you're working with. Again, the pumice gel might help you get an overall texture you like as a base. Dirt works too - - just regular dirt, glued in with a wash of diluted PVA. OK, hope this is of some use! Happy dio building - Cheers Nick

Hello dio builders, Well, today is the last time we'll see the floor without a roof - figured might as well show some of this from the top: If you look carefully you'll see I added another layer of odds and ends. Now - it's on to framing the roof! First up will be gluing the front wall on, which of course will include the big ridge beam. Like a dummy, I did not leave a notch on top of it's mounting position, so I could slide the beam in once the wall is in place, so the two will go in at the same time. Not all that hard to do, but would be easier with a third hand! Take care Nick

It stinks to be the last guy to the party!😁 comments like, "wow, great party" seem, well. late! Nonetheless, GREAT party! wow - all sorts of great work going on! - OK, back to the corner, I'll enjoy my beer and be quiet! 😁 Cheers Nick

Hello gents - Here we are, Monday. I made a quick run outside to prime more odds and ends for around the shop - more clutter. @Jo NZ, I thought about a comment you made a while ago about what would be seen in the scrap heap. So, back to the old sprue pile, and making up some more remnant suspension parts! and, thanks! glad you like that pic - more on it in a minute. @Pete in Lincs, yes, we seem to be on the same page, including the important note that you make (with my changing to a collective statement): "at this point in our respective experiences". I only highlight this because I agree with you, and highlight that it's certainly not a prescriptive comment - just a statement about individual levels of interest and focus - that is, anyone, building what and how they wish, is the right way! OK! whew - feel better now, and back to the scrap heap! Quite a coincidence, you mention your experience in the KSA. It turns out I have spent a lot of time there too, never living there, but flying in and out - at sometimes ridiculous frequency, for years and years. I mention this because to some extent this travel and the resultant weird cross between jet lag and perpetual exhaustion for several years, led me to model building!! I was at work all day, or travelling for work, and awake/on the phone all night!! 😁🤨😴 - what a mess I was!! I needed a clear distraction from work, and sort of bumbled into model building! The more tedious the project the better, just a way to not think about work - 😁 and now, something I really like to do. @Badder, Thanks very much for the words! I appreciate them. Yes - the roll-up doors and on and on, are among the many fun surprises and headaches that we dio builders enjoy so much! 😁 . From here on in this reply I'm treading carefully and not trying to be a wise guy, or disrespectful. I have to say, the interior shop office/kitchen reference desk images are from two 1/35 builds, that took forever to build!. I only bring this up because, like you, I've tackled a few 1/35 projects - and know they are not easy! and can take lots and lots of time to finish! So, it's only in that context that I bring this up ✌️😁 How folks take on smaller scale is beyond me! I already keep the optivsor strapped to my head for the whole build, no matter the scale! The only reason this project is 1/20 🤔 is because of the race cars. As far as I have gathered, 1/20 is not a very common dio scale! I'm cooking up the next project, and it will be 1/35! and I will try and stick with items in the stash, not buying any new stuff - use only what I have here!! .....except for glue, paint, maybe some materials - just not new kits or accessories!! 😠 😁 As for next steps, I'll paint up the parts I've primed - @bar side - I'm not sure I can get decals on the windows - I found out my "giant" hand/arm/tweezers are not as versatile or precise as is required to do this task at this point - just too late.... And - once the various new parts are added, I'll get on with roof framing! Cheers Nick

Hi guys - - @bar side you raise a good point - I wonder if I can crane my arm in with a pair of tweezers for some stickers here and there?? If I could squeeze a desk onto the floor I would - at this point. seems I'm out of luck, or, more precisely, room. @Pete in Lincs - another good point and question. To plan or not to (exhaustively) plan a big project? I had to run some errands today and while driving around thought about it. It seems to me that if you are trying your first or at least an "early" go at a big dio, the planning pays off - though, even with your best (my best anyway) efforts to get and keep things under control, lots of unforeseen challenges pop up - which, oddly enough, is what I like about building dios and scratch building! So in that context, having now built a few dioramas and things, and being more familiar with materials and finishes, I find designing and building as you go to be more fun and entertaining than following a strict plan. Following a strict plan can become a bit like a "real" job - simply building what the "contract" specifies! which I am increasingly uninterested in doing! which is too bad, as I have a few kits in the stash! Imagine the outrage if I decided to.......kitbash an MFH kit! To take all that white metal, lovely resin and so on, and do something completely different!!😁 I might just do that! For a variety of really dumb reasons, I now have two of the same MFH kit! in 1/20 scale! I just haven't been able to rationalize making two of the same thing, that will of course look exactly the same when built! (yes, I could probably sell one, but, I hate getting rid of those nice parts!!) Hmmm, maybe I could convert one into a Maschinen Krieger vessel of some kind!? - an oddity in space??? 😁 fitted out with figures and all??!! A bit like the big freighter you are building?? Attach the rear end of a big Phantom or F104 (like those beauties being built by @bar side!) to the nose of an F1 racecar....🤨 and see where it takes us! Alas, how then to make a white metal, internal combustion engine look like it's powered some other way? or the same way, but how exactly would said beast be propelled??? Exhaust sent out through giant turbos into turbines? Maybe axles turning planetary gears, driving turbines for vertical lift-off?? Unhappily, I know more about structures and conventional vehicles than theoretical propulsion - 😁, but, I might not just laugh this idea off, sounds interesting - why not?? Enough of that silliness! 😠 🤨 😁 and back to serious discussion on the process of conceptualizing and realizing, dioramas! As long as the basic project concept is reasonable (ie not a really elaborate or oddly shaped site or structure that depends on numerous fixed/discrete elements to make it work), there seems to be room for adding/modifying as you go. Had I decided earlier that I wanted more space for my shop, I could have fairly easily added a second floor or mezzanine, and found some way to run some stairs up. As the driveway is pretty wide, they could have been placed out there, and I would have still had room for the driveway. Or, added to the back by knocking out those big shop windows and foundation below. I would have essentially been designing and building a structure that is in some ways similar to the Ian McQue floating ships - where you can see some vestige of a traditional structure, along with several layers of add-ons. So, back to the question - at this point in my model building experience, I think it's more fun and interesting to start with a concept and design and build as you go, than to follow a clear set of plans. What is the opinion out there? any preference? Am I the lone design as you go guy for dios? Cheers and happy model building! Nick

Hi model builders, I took your advice, and kept building, making up more odds and ends for the shop - @Pete in Lincs and @silver911 - yes....more styrene and patience! and @bar side, you raise a really good point - what to do with and where to place all of this stuff, so it looks believable. In some ways it's like making rubble for an armor dio - rubble - just debris, yet, it's not east to make random - seems the brain just wants order, which is not at all convincing! @Jo NZ, yes, you raise a good point - and, keep reading! OK - here we go - more odds and ends - this week largely inspired by some of Ron's ideas posted some time ago: The "noble" trash can! and push broom - the "can" styrene, wrapped in alu foil, and handles added - the broom, an old tooth brush! carved and cut up - both pre paint. The next, well, one of the rolling tool lockers - really, the fanciest of them, with an opened lid - but - it was just too tall to see into. So, out came the saw: and out came some drawers! No paint stripping, fussing about. Scribed some lines with a knife, and then went to cutting, It's now shorter! and, another Ron idea, that I went to work on - an oil drum with a pump. I went on line and found a prototype, and here's my version: Above, proof it's not a bad idea to keep old parts and materials handy - a mix match, but I like the look! Below, more stuff for the shop - a combo of remnant PE shapes, and extra kit parts. The kit parts were used to make up a rear end, and, as I didn't want to just dump the parts in the corner, made up a jig! No, I have never seen this in real life, but I am taking the logical path of it "demonstrating convincing realism" which means that while I can't prove that this or something like it exists (or doesn't), it's not so far out the realm of possibility that it may indeed exist!! And that's my story! And I'm sticking with it! ahhh....primer - lots of primer...and after: Oh, and one more nugget: I took a photo of this sign in my nhood - at an old manufacturing place. Resized it, mounted in on a styrene box sign, and yes! It will eventually go on the front of my shop! OK, some of this stuff installed: Above, you can see the shorter tool cabinet, and more items added to the bench. And below: The jig - I figure it adds interest, but is clearly not a focal point, just more red, black and shiny metal for the shop! Now, back to @Jo NZ, yes, there is an office, as you can see below, the second floor in the shed: Or, that's my story and I'm sticking with it! - Except, if you go back to the beginning of this build, I mention that this wasn't a planned build - and when it became a build, I still didn't do much planning! 😁 Which is a rookie mistake - especially, as it turns out, I've built a couple of auto shops, bigger in size, smaller in scale, and I put A LOT of time into planning them, and lots more time into building them. Had I done the same here, I wouldn't need to say "imagine an office in the shed" - per below: Mezzanine with layout space and dual monitors on two computers! And, a kitchen, with donuts! And, shop floor office: ...and shop floor reference desk: Separate note, I like all the natural light in two above.... So, yes, I looked for a way to squeeze something in there, nah, that will need to happen next time - will need to do some planning first! 😁 Thanks for having a look Cheers, Nick

Yes! I'm a fan of McQue's work too - really interesting, and I like his graphics. Your progress is really nice - great repurposing/scratch work. Looking forward to seeing how you pull this together - Cheers Nick

This is a neat project! too bad about the bubbles....can you fill them with some putty? or, leave them open and start adding rust! As for the yellow, I've done some work recently with yellow, and had the same brightness challenge. I was able to knock the color back by applying various washes of diluted acrylics. A go-to of mine is Life-Color Dust 1. I make sure it's really diluted, then add several layers, checking effect every now and then, letting it dry and decide if more is needed. This process might take some patience, as the first wash can either look horrendous, or too thin, but it usually looks different when dry. The faint beige tone over the yellow can make it look less sharp. If the goal if to be a bit more weathered, I've used a very diluted wash of anthracite before the dust with nice results. Cheers Nick

The work on the tapered chassis is really nice - looks great. That is clearly a lot of precision, production model building - It must have taken quite a while to make and assemble - wow - Looking forward to your next update - Cheers Nick

Wow! Ron, even with the unfinished parts, this looks great! It will be fantastic when all wrapped up! Ahh....easier said than done! Still some challenges ahead! Cheers Nick

Walking home from dinner last night, I came across these - I apparently have some fancy neighbors! Nice rides for this foggy evening.... Cheers Nick