echolmberg

I used to enjoy it, but over the past couple of years, it's just been fading from the fabric of my life. I'm getting more things done around the house and I'm spending more time with my family. Kind of to my surprise, I find myself not even missing it a single bit. In fact, even living here in the shadow of Lambeau Field, I went about my day last Sunday and completely forgot that there was any football being played that day. Someone asked me if I had watched the game and all I could say was "Huh?" I've really lost the taste for football lately especially since the leauge and pl

When I was out for a little bit and ready to get back into the hobby, I grabbed a 1/48 Monogram P-51B. Low parts count, excellent engineering, minimal (if non-existent) need for filler, and all for about a dozen bucks. This kit really helped me get my mojo back. Simpler does not mean inferior. Eric

Technically, isn't everything a "limited edition"? I think it's more of a marketing ploy to get the consumer to buy. Eric

After having built a couple -29s in my teen years back in the '80s, I wanted to try my hand at building one now. As others mentioned, I would often see them for sale on eBay and other places for close to the $90-$100 range and even a little north of that. Patience can really pay off sometimes, because I waited and waited and finally snagged one for about $45 SHIPPED! I'm still in shock about it to this day. As for the photoetch parts, if that's your thing, then I say go for it. Just know that once you close up the fuselage halves, you can't see anything behind the pilots' bulkhead. I

Is this going to be the original kit but with added photo-etch parts?

I'm in agreement with Steve here. Personally, I tend to lean more towards older kits so I don't really mind if they've been opened before. I can't even tell you the last time I bought a new kit. However, if someone is selling an old kit that is still wrapped in plastic, sure, I'll admit that it makes me perk up even a bit more. I'd stop short of saying that I'd pay a "premium" for them. That kind of makes it sound like I'm willing to pay some exorbitant price over and above the value of the kit, but I am willing to pay a buck or two more for a kit that is sealed over one that has been ope

I've now been in contact with the person in California who bought it through eBay. I explained to him the situation and told him that if the initial deal fell through, then I would immediately contact him and let him know. Thankfully, the guy was completely cool and understanding about it. I both thanked and apoligized to him. As eraucubsfan stated, "sh*t happens". There's no doubt about that! I just hate it when it happens because of my forgetfulness. Habu2, it was/is the 1/32 Revell "Phantom" P-51D/K Mustang with the motorized features. Eric

Oh believe you me! I will be doing a lot of apologizing on this one. The Cali guy paid via PayPal and the funds won't be released until I provide shipping info. That's good! I don't want to take the gentleman's money until things get ironed out. Scott and Dutch, I will definitely take your advice to heart. Thanks! Eric

You're not alone, brother. Several years ago, I was working on a 1/48 Revell F-89C. I love that kit. It's simple and it's my favorite plane. What could go wrong, right? The build went fine, but I started to screw things up the moment I started the painting phase. As God is my witness, I couldn't paint the thing correctly to save my life. I ended up putting the botched kit up on my shelf directly in front of me on my workbench. It sat there for close to two years before I got tired of it sitting there and laughing at me. I stripped off all the paint. What an absolute mess! Used rags,

Believe me. I thought of that. I am going to look into it. I figured there's going to be some sort of ramification(s), but I will accept whatever it might be.

AFM, thank you! This sounds like really good advice. Since all of this went down on Saturday night, I really didn't want to contact anyone about it until I had more information (such as getting the shipping cost today). So I haven't said anything to anyone. Most especially, I wanted to get some advice from the good folks here. Thank you! Eric

Hi guys, I'm in a real pickle here. I want to do the right thing or, at the very least, the absolute least wrong thing. For starters, I kind of botched something and I would like to get everyone's thoughts and opinions since I seem to be incapable at times of making the correct ones. Over the last couple of weeks, I had a model kit I was trying to sell. I had it posted on eBay and on Facebook. A gentleman from Mexico contacted me and told me he would take it. I then told him I would take the rather large box to the Post Office so I could get the shipping cost information to him. A c

I never realized that Boeing was the "Buy-n-Large" of the aircraft industry! Sheesh. "Boeing P-51". That just has the oddest ring to it. When I think "Boeing P-51", I can't help but get this image in my head of a P-51 with four B-17 engines on the wings. Eric

I just placed my order mere minutes ago for the F-94 sheet. Kursad, you're doing the Lord's work and I hope you know we all appreciate it. Eric

Could we please stop with this crap about raised panel lines and being a "serious modeler?"

Hi Dutch! Yep, I'm going with the 1/72 version on this one. Normally I build 1/48 but I want to send the finished product to one of the brothers. I figured 1/72 would be a little bit easier for shipping. As always, thank you for being a fount of information. I will send you a PM in just a few moments. Paul, yep. We know about the "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" movie, but let's be honest. Knowing it was used in "Blazing Saddles" is a heck of a lot more fun reference! 😄 Vamanos! Eric

Well, I done went and did it. I just pulled the trigger and ordered the Hasegawa kit mere seconds ago. It was a very tough choice between the Hasegawa kit and the Fujimi one. I had read so many good things about the two of them, but whenever I read people's articles about each one, I saw more Fujimi builders saying they wished they had gotten the Hasegawa kit than the other way around. So that was the clincher for me. Johathan, a million thanks for posting that profile picture! I am actually going to print that out and use it as a reference. An extremely kind gentleman on Fac

Yup! I'm down for one. Can't wait!

Hi Gene! Thank you for reminding me about the FineMolds offering. I have never built any of their kits. From the chat threads I see on the 'net, it seems like they produce some good kits. I wonder how expensive it will be. You had mentioned that I'd want the F-4EJ and not the Kai. Forgive me, but what is the "Kai" version? I've never heard of that before. My brain is getting so full from all the information I'm learning here! Thanks! Eric

Holy (insert your favorite expletive here)! Thank you for that picture, Kursad! If it's okay with you, I'd like to forward that picture to the guys I'm building the model for. I think they'd like to see pictures like this showing the plane their dad flew. Ben, I could not agree with you more. Eric

I wish you guys could hear how much I'm saying "thank you" to every single person who is writing in response. Your depth of knowledge is jaw-dropping. I thought I knew a lot about airplanes but I'm quickly learning that what I know isn't enough to fill a thimble compared to you guys. It means a lot to me to build a kit of their dad's plane for them, but I think it's going to mean even more for them. Eric

I just think what Jon was saying was said in a light-hearted manner but you responded with "...yet you respond with these silly one-liners." It just seemed like you were coming down on him for the kind of goofy comments that you see on this site all the time. C'mon. "Tom Cruise missile". That was funny!

Jpeg of the Phantom my friends' dad was flying the day he was shot down.

Here is a close-up of the tail markings.

I cannot even begin to thank everyone here for contributing such wonderful information! I love how much detail you guys know. It boggles the mind and I love learning new things. It isn't just for me either. I'll be able to take your information and relay that to the two guys I know whose dad perrished back in July of '72. The guys are twin brothers who were my best friends back when I was a kid. They sent me a picture of the very plane their dad was flying when he and his back-seater was shot down. I hope this sheds a bunch of light on the subject matter. (Edit: If ther