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Walking through the shop, and Reminiscing...
2 years ago
Hurry! Don't be late! I can hardly wait! I'll build the darn thing when I get home...
Hello again fellow FA Artists, Writers, Photographers, Fursuiters, Crafters and Model builders!
I already have a backlog of model kits sitting on my shelves, awaiting the time when I can build them, and I also have some of my old, built-up models from the 1990s that need some time and "TLC" to restore them to their former glory. One thing I really need is lengths of piano wire or guitar string to make "Antennas" out of, but I have yet to find such cut in various lengths and no thicker than 1/64th of an inch or just a bit finer. Should I bother a local piano tuner or guitarist for scraps? Yes. I also plan to use stretched plastic sprue to make those tapered "Whiskers" that grace the "Cheeks" of the Arii Macross Regult Tactical Scout.
So, I have been offered a trip to Brookhurst Hobbies in Garden Grove in the near future, and I was contemplating getting another kit, just for old times' sake, mainly because I built it back in the late 1970s, and with my skills and new equipment, I'd like to take another try at it. Problem is, I'm not certain if it's been re-released, or if it's available only as an overly expensive "Collector's" item. Maybe you experienced model builders in FA Land might be able to help me as my mind isn't too clear on the subject.
The kit is of the M-41 "Walker Bulldog" tank, and it was originally released by Renwal in the late 1950s and it included working features such as rubberized treads, 5 figures plus opening engine deck, and turret top hatches. One of the reasons I like this particular tank was because it was the "Tankiest looking tank" in the arsenal of the time, and it was featured in several of my favorite Science Fiction movies that I enjoyed watching while growing up.
One last thing I'm searching for is a 1:24-1:25th scale model of either a Packard or Allison V-16 engine kit which was available as a standalone until it was re-released in the late 1990s as a "Speed Shop" accessory kit. I know there's a couple 1:32nd scale model aircraft with engines that could be substituted, but there is a difference between 1/32nd scale, and 1/24th scale. Yeah. I have a scale model of a land speed record holder I'd like to try my hand at, but if anything, that monster engine would also look great super detailed and sitting on a stand.
Any clues? Any modelers out there who even know what I'm referring to? If anything, thank you for all your help in advance, and also, a BIG, BOLD THANK YOU to all of you who sent me well wishes after my bout with mild food poisoning last month. I'm feeling so much better now.
"Peace."
Hello again fellow FA Artists, Writers, Photographers, Fursuiters, Crafters and Model builders!
I already have a backlog of model kits sitting on my shelves, awaiting the time when I can build them, and I also have some of my old, built-up models from the 1990s that need some time and "TLC" to restore them to their former glory. One thing I really need is lengths of piano wire or guitar string to make "Antennas" out of, but I have yet to find such cut in various lengths and no thicker than 1/64th of an inch or just a bit finer. Should I bother a local piano tuner or guitarist for scraps? Yes. I also plan to use stretched plastic sprue to make those tapered "Whiskers" that grace the "Cheeks" of the Arii Macross Regult Tactical Scout.
So, I have been offered a trip to Brookhurst Hobbies in Garden Grove in the near future, and I was contemplating getting another kit, just for old times' sake, mainly because I built it back in the late 1970s, and with my skills and new equipment, I'd like to take another try at it. Problem is, I'm not certain if it's been re-released, or if it's available only as an overly expensive "Collector's" item. Maybe you experienced model builders in FA Land might be able to help me as my mind isn't too clear on the subject.
The kit is of the M-41 "Walker Bulldog" tank, and it was originally released by Renwal in the late 1950s and it included working features such as rubberized treads, 5 figures plus opening engine deck, and turret top hatches. One of the reasons I like this particular tank was because it was the "Tankiest looking tank" in the arsenal of the time, and it was featured in several of my favorite Science Fiction movies that I enjoyed watching while growing up.
One last thing I'm searching for is a 1:24-1:25th scale model of either a Packard or Allison V-16 engine kit which was available as a standalone until it was re-released in the late 1990s as a "Speed Shop" accessory kit. I know there's a couple 1:32nd scale model aircraft with engines that could be substituted, but there is a difference between 1/32nd scale, and 1/24th scale. Yeah. I have a scale model of a land speed record holder I'd like to try my hand at, but if anything, that monster engine would also look great super detailed and sitting on a stand.
Any clues? Any modelers out there who even know what I'm referring to? If anything, thank you for all your help in advance, and also, a BIG, BOLD THANK YOU to all of you who sent me well wishes after my bout with mild food poisoning last month. I'm feeling so much better now.
"Peace."
Classic design and shape, which you can see being moved towards with the M-41.
Much better to pursue what MadHentaiRabbit said above. That would either be free, or you could just buy a set of cheap guitar strings, which would supply you with a lifetime of stock in a few sizes.
Plastruct and Evergreen over thin styrene rod that is a nice alternative to wire when making antennae and such
I must admit that I'm inclined to use stretched sprue for antennas, because white and tan sprue looks like miniature fiberglass antennae because it's translucent. In fact, as I mentioned, the tricky part will be making stretched sprue tapered on both ends for that Arii Macross Regult Tactical Scout Pod. These "Cat Whiskers" stick out of housings on each "Shoulder" of the pod and have a small, "Knob" on the end of each strand. I have never seen the Regult in action, but it's difficult to know if those knobs are there to receive certain frequencies or are weapons. Macross was originally a Japanese anime, so Who knows?
As a modeller *and* guitarist, I always have bits of thin steel wire everywhere. Just order a cheap set of electric guitar strings from Amazon.
-Anyway, I was thinking of you and your model building plight.
Sad when you think about it. The people that ran those shops were a wealth of knowledge that is now lost to the community.
What really bothers me though is that places like Brookhurst Hobbies have to have the registers behind Plexiglass shields, and the clerks can't come out to help the customers because of the increase in crime in the area. Burbank house of Hobbies for me is one of those last hobby shops I know of where the clerks will gladly talk one's ear off if a customer shows interest in their favorite genre of model building.
My friend and artistic contemporary, Steve Gallacci also feels saddened about the "Near Extinction" of Seattle Hobby shops as well.
People were more interesting in saving a few dollars then supporting the local hobby shops that got them into the hobby to start with.