Slump Buster's

[AC Norton]

Forget it. What makes a diecast model NOT a REAL model?? The only difference is the material. This diecast had no paint, and has plastic parts, just like a plastic kit, only thing is the body is metal. So what?  Sheesh my friend. I would rather not join this little build with this kind of attitude. A model is a model, no matter the stuff the body is made of.

Lee,  to keep the idea of a community build, limiting the same model kit used levels the playing field for everyone....the AMT 75-76 Gremlin kit is a very common one, as you know, so we felt it a good starting point to be built several ways, with several options and nice decals....very few of the members will have the diecast kit you have, and keep in mind, this is not a contest here,,,just a way to enjoy each build as the same kit spun many ways. please do not be offended..that was never my intention to anyone....if you have the AMT plastic kit, please jump in with us............the ace........

[Snake45]

Forget it. What makes a diecast model NOT a REAL model?? The only difference is the material. This diecast had no paint, and has plastic parts, just like a plastic kit, only thing is the body is metal. So what?  Sheesh my friend. I would rather not join this little build with this kind of attitude. A model is a model, no matter the stuff the body is made of.

Thanks for bringing up the idea of diecasts as slump-busters. I've done quite a few of them as such. I start with a CHEAP diecast that at least has a good shape, and then I'll spend 2-4 hours pimping it out a little paint-detailing the wheels, grille, chrome trim, and so forth. I end up with a presentable replica of something with a relatively modest investment of time and effort, and actually completing something always makes me happy. Here are a few such I've done recently.

 

 

 

 

 

[Snake45]

Snappers also make great slump busters, especially if you can get away with polishing the plastic and don't have to paint them.

[disabled modeler]

Richard.... I do the same thing to them use the polish I use to restore the finish on old promos with.

[Tom Geiger]

Ah! Last evening I invoked "Slump Buster Number Two"  from my previous post.   I had posted a few photos of the differences between the last two Dodge van issues, so I had a few bodies sitting on my table here.  As I glanced at them, as always,  different ideas kept coming up in my head.   So I went upstairs, dug through my Dodge van junk box and we have this one in progress!    

Slump busted!  I can't wait to get back upstairs this evening to work on it a bit more!

 

[pharoah]

I have a Fireball 500 kit for such an occasion.

[Snake45]

I have a Fireball 500 kit for such an occasion.

Oh my! That one's going to be a Major Project for me. I don't like the kit front end at all, and am going to have to come up with something completely different. I'm not wild about the split cockpit concept, either. Will have to do something about THAT.

[Lownslow]

it helped a lot.

[Aaronw]

Typically I try to do something simple and more or less as it came in the box. I have this habit of complicating things and then getting stuck and losing motivation. The last two I did were Revells snap Jeep Rubicon and a Diecast Tahoe (and just try finding a current Tahoe in plastic).

 

Quick, fun and best of all I finished them.

 

[dartman]

If I get in a slump I get a different kit out and sometimes that does it and if not, I put it all away and get back to my wood lathe for a change of pace.

After a few weeks of turning pen's I go back with a fresh eye.

[Jantrix]

Or do you keep a few simple kits around for just such an occasion?

 

Yes. This is somwething I've done twice now and had a good time with. I recommend the Monogram 1/24 kits. They aren't perfect, but they are simple with a low parts count, and everything fits pretty well. Just finished this one recently.

 

[b-body fan]

I've found a lot of joy in the past month of making display bases. Take a chunk of wood leftover from some project, about 8 inches long and 4-5 inches wide. Spray with brown, then green, sprinkle sawdust on it and blow off the excess, some embossing powder here and there, more green, then a little light overspray of brown again. Add some small chopped twigs (small pine branches work well) scattered around, then liberally coat with dullcote. Set it somewhere moderately warm to dry, and it should be ready for a vehicle in a couple hours. I've made five this way in the past two days.

The other thing I've started doing just today is going for way-out decisions. Take for example the Chevy Van from Revell I've had 80% done for the past month. I'm going curbside with it, but I wanted some interior detail. I got waylaid on how to paint the interior so I shoved it aside. Just tonight, I looked at it on the shelf. "The interior would be pretty weird in orange on that," I thought to myself. Instead of debating on it any further, I immediately took the interior downstairs and sprayed it orange. Not only is it amusing, but I'm going to have the thing done in the next two days because of a snap decision and the "who-cares" attitude.

I'd like to see a picture of some of your display bases. They sound cool.

[chunkypeanutbutter]

I haven't been able to get a really good picture all this summer, but here's what I could manage.

I'm going to try to find a tripod and experiment with this camera some more, maybe buy a better one.

[b-body fan]

Good stuff. 

[James2]

Beautiful 57! Michael you are right, good stuff!