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'68 Firebird - First Car, First Contest, First Disappointment...Oh Well!

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  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: A thousand miles from Roswell
Posted by Chuck Most on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 4:39 PM

Jon- I'm sorry to hear your 'Bird didn't bring home the hardware. But if it means anything at all- I think the model itself is all the trophy I'd need to have!

I'd really like to apologize now for anything I may say or do later that offends you. Thank you.

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Monday, October 19, 2009 5:24 PM

Gil and Bud, thanks for the positive feedback. Though I didn't win, I think I've been bitten hard by the contest bug and I'd like to enter more if I can. Bud, I like your idea there but I was thinking of taking it a little further, maybe to the extreme. I like comics and sci fi stuff so I was pondering getting a hold of an action figure or two, like spiderman vs doc oc or something. Then have them battle it out within this scene, maybe smashing into the car as well. Dunno, just a thought. 

Again guys, thanks for the kind words and I'll definitely keep you posted should I decide to change anything!

Jon

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: North Carolina
Posted by Back to the bench on Sunday, October 18, 2009 10:19 PM
Outstanding work and certainly something you should be proud of!! I never pretended to understand how the judging seems to work at many events and I am glad you are not disheartened by the outcome. I am not sure the automotive subject judges always have an appreciation for just how challenging it is to achieve realistic weathering. Your work is certainly contest worthy in my opinion. Thanks for sharing and you get a trophy in my eyesThumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup] 

Gil

  • Member since
    June 2008
Posted by lewbud on Sunday, October 18, 2009 11:39 AM

Jon,

First off, very nice job.  In answer to your question, I would say that there is a preference for clean and shiny vs rusty/dirty.  This is just based on the fact that the number of clean and shinies way out number the rusty-dirties.  Most car guys prefer a clean and shiny to a rusty-dirty and I think this carries over into the judging on a certain level.  Several posters here have called this a diorama it's not, according to IPMS rules anyways, but it gave me an idea.  According to IPMS, a diorama is supposed to tell a story what you have right now is a very nice car on a very nice base.  Since you're an armor guy, you probably do figures better than a lot of car guys.  Do a figure of a guy on cell with his girl standing on the sidewalk, arms crossed and tapping her foot and a scowl on her face and come up with an appropriate title and enter automotive diorama.  You're halfway to two thirds of the way there already.  Next contest you go to, take it along with your other entries and put it on the table.  You never know what will happen.  I'd like to see you do a clean and shiny sometime.

Buddy- Those who say there are no stupid questions have never worked in customer service.

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Saturday, October 17, 2009 10:25 PM

Well, I saw this model through from work bench to the contest table this past weekend. I brought this to Jersey Con IMPS Region 2 show in Runnemede NJ today and didn't even place. I'm not disheartened! I'll just have to put out a better effort next time I guess. It was my first contest entry after all, so I guess I couldn't expect much. I do have an interesting question for all you auto guys though.

I don't normally build cars, as I've stated already. So I applied a lot of armor and aircraft technique to my build here, as you can see. I'm curious though if the consensus amoung auto modelers and judges is a preference for clean, shiny, glossy cars as it was those that seemed to take home the goodies today. Were any of you at the show? It was pretty good, a lot of diversity. I'm looking forward to entering the 'next' contest, whenever that will be. I just don't think it will be with a car...

Thanks to all of you who offered encouragement and advice through this first-time adventure! 

Jon

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: A thousand miles from Roswell
Posted by Chuck Most on Thursday, September 17, 2009 7:00 PM

The car itself was nice- but with the diorama... man. Great job!

And people always ask me why I like seeing people who don't normally do car models build car models... THIS is one of the reasons!

I'd really like to apologize now for anything I may say or do later that offends you. Thank you.

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Friday, September 11, 2009 11:25 PM

Wow, thanks Hal, I really appreciate the kind words! Though I don't normally build car models, I do admire the real things and I'm envious of your 1/1 scale beauty! Closest thing I ever had to a muscle car was an '89 Dodge Aries K.....so not very close at all really....Sigh [sigh]

But again, thanks, that was really encouraging, perhaps enough to inspire me to do more cars. I don't think that I could change my focus though. This may be the best model I've produced yet, but aircraft and armor still hold the soft spot in my heart...We'll see though, I'm still young.

Well, time to get back to building the 12 cylinder, 1510 horse power Mustang sitting on the work bench.....P-51 Mustang that is.

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Glendale AZ
Posted by diggerboi on Thursday, September 10, 2009 9:57 PM

I am VERY impressed with your first effort, especially since I own a yellow 1:1 '68 Firebird 400! lol Mine, however, is a driver in pretty nice shape that runs 13's on street tires.

Regarding your model and setting, you've done an excellent job, and I think you should consider changing your model building focus to cars. Your aircraft/armor weathering skills really shine through, and I'm especially impressed with the chain link fence. If you don't get a trophy with that puppy, I'm going to be very surprised!

 

Hal Sanguinetti
Cactus Car Modelers, Arizona
Craig Hewitt Chapter IPMS, Arizona
NHRA Track Announcer's Guild
Standard 1320 Member

Hal Sanguinetti TNT Distributing/Torco Oils Standard 1320 - Nitrogeezers - FEDA ATOS - IPMS - Cactus Car Modelers NHRA Track Announcers Guild
  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 10:25 AM

 

Thanks Jester and Camo! You know what Camo, thats not a bad idea for another project! I could get the same kit and give it an over haul! Make it kind of a side by side comparison or something. Hmmm, you've got my wheels turning now......

Jon

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: N. Georgia
Posted by Jester75 on Sunday, September 6, 2009 6:07 PM
WoW!! Reminds me of the neighborhood I grew up in when we lived in Detroit!! Awesome first class work!

Eric

 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Sunday, September 6, 2009 12:28 PM
c'mon, restore that badboy and make her shine again!!! i hate what ya did...but i love what ya did!! make sense! great job! Thumbs Up [tup]
"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Sunday, September 6, 2009 10:44 AM

 

Thanks for all the great comments guys! I really enjoyed making this a lot and I'm glad you all enjoy it! I'm thinking about entering it into the IPMS Region 2 show here is New Jersey in October. It'll be my first contest entry so we'll see how it goes.

Thanks again!

Jon

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: North Carolina
Posted by Back to the bench on Saturday, September 5, 2009 9:07 AM
Wow, very nicely done! The weathering and diorama are integrated so well, that it gets the imagination going about the history behind this ride. I really enjoyed this thread, especially the contrast between this execution and the "car show shiny" execution of the one done by Likkitysplit. Two very different approaches to the same kit and both a pleasure to look at.Thumbs Up [tup]

Gil

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: San Tan Valley,AZ
Posted by smokinguns3 on Saturday, September 5, 2009 12:14 AM
great job. reminds me of my firebird.
Rob I think i can I think i can
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Rhode Island
Posted by jmabx on Friday, September 4, 2009 6:39 PM

Shock [:O] Wow! Absolutely amazing! Your attention to detail is superb. Some of the pics look like real photos and I love the "tagging" on the building.

Very nice! Thumbs Up [tup]

Jeremy    Propeller

    

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Nashville, TN area
Posted by bobbaily on Friday, September 4, 2009 6:31 AM
Jon-Fantastic job.  Wonderful weathering, great dio....it's got it all.  You've done a great job.

Bob

 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Thursday, September 3, 2009 11:50 PM

 

As promised, the rest of the pics! You know, you Auto guys may be on to something here...I enjoyed the build quite a bit! Beating it up as much as I did helped keep me entertained through a subject I'm not normally interested in.

'Nuff said, down to the nitty gritty.

At least that shot is a little more clear.

How did I make the chain link? I used to work at a pet store that received regular shipments of crickets packed in small cardboard boxes. The crickets were meant to feed the lizards but I wasn't concerned about them. I was after these little mesh wire grates that allowed the crickets to breath (long enough before they got eaten). The sign was printed off my computer and scaled down to size.

This was fun though I'm no graffiti artist. I used the airbrush after a failed attempt at using only pastels. The pastels worked but were rather dull. This project is a gift for my sister and her husband, hence their initials on the wall. Of course, writing graffiti, how could I resist 'tagging' my work with Odd Man Rush?

This is a scratch built roof top air conditioning unit. If you're into armor, you'll notice that I used 2 engine fans from a Panther and an engine grate from a T-34.

This is a view from down the sidewalk. I made grass in the cracks with bits of paint brush.

Trash bags are made out of tissue paper and the newspaper was scaled down and printed on computer paper.

Well, I hope you all like it, but if not, thats OK too! Let me know if you have suggestions or other criticism. And thanks for all the advice that helped me through this!!

Jon

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    March 2006
Posted by TD4438 on Thursday, September 3, 2009 6:38 PM
Looks awesome.Please get more pics when you can.

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Two weeks from everywhere
Posted by tiki kat on Thursday, September 3, 2009 3:34 PM
I'm digging the setting, especially the grafitti!  Nice work as usual!
"Always tell the truth, there's less to remember" Indian Larry
  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Thursday, September 3, 2009 3:07 PM

 

Sorry guys, this pic will have to do until I get home from work! I shot it right before I left this morning. Finished it all up last night! Finally. I'll save further explaination until I get better quality photos up.  But for now, enjoy. 

And feel free to comment, criticize, or whatever else you feel like doing...

Thanks, Jon

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Two weeks from everywhere
Posted by tiki kat on Sunday, August 30, 2009 7:38 PM

Hey Jon!

 Been away for a bit, looks great BTW!  Don't sweat the chrome, just wondering out loud.  Congrats on a sweet build!

"Always tell the truth, there's less to remember" Indian Larry
  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Thursday, August 27, 2009 1:36 PM

Thanks Chuck, I'm rather pleased with the finish myself. I've completely finished the car (I'll post pics soon) and have been working on the base for it, which of course I'll post pics of as well. I'm slow with the pics some times, sorry!

I ususally jump around from subject to subject so I'm sure this Auto forum hasn't seen the last of me! Thanks again!

Jon

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: A thousand miles from Roswell
Posted by Chuck Most on Thursday, August 27, 2009 1:10 PM
 tiki kat wrote:
 Chuck Most wrote:

Welcome to the dark side! Nicely done!

 And Tiki Cat? There were V6s in 1968... just not in the Firebird. A pretty nice OHC inliner, though, was. A bit too far ahead of it's time, probably. Check it out in the MPC/AMT '69 F-Bird kit.

Isn't that exactly what I said?  No V-6 in a '68 Firebird, that was the subject.  As I said before, oddmanrush, you'll do this one justice, I've seen your hockey player with THE CUP.

 Do'h! It IS exacly what you said- I went back and re-read what you posted- I must have misread you and thought I read "no V-6 in a '68" and for some reason my brain deleted "Firebird"!!!! Sorry, Tiki Cat, wasn't my intent to offend! 

 Now, with that out of the way, I really love the finish on this Firebird- I don't recall ever seeing this kit weathered, they're all resto-stockers (by that I mean built to resemble those 'over-restored' 1:1 Muscle cars), or street machines. I especially like how it turned out in the engine bay!

May be yer first, but I hope this isn't your last car build!

I'd really like to apologize now for anything I may say or do later that offends you. Thank you.

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Saturday, August 15, 2009 2:36 PM

Thanks for the tip Agentg. I will give it my best shot.

Jon

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Friday, August 14, 2009 10:01 PM

Hello Tiki,

Is there suppose to be chrome around the windshields? Yikes! I had no idea, perhaps I should check the photos of the real thing! Is that what that trim is for around the windows? If thats the case, then to answer your question....I have no idea!! Haha. Thanks, again, for pointing that out!

PS: Just did a little poking around the 'net, and you sir, are correct about the chrome (as if I doubted you or something...) I guess I'll have to paint it a chrome color and give it a dark wash or something. Though if you have a better idea, I'm open to suggestion!

Thanks, Jon

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Two weeks from everywhere
Posted by tiki kat on Friday, August 14, 2009 9:47 PM
You got the ratty, back yard abandoned look down.  What are you going to do about the chrome around the windshield, rear window and wipers?
"Always tell the truth, there's less to remember" Indian Larry
  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Friday, August 14, 2009 9:30 PM

Hello again,

Well, its almost complete! Just wheels, bumpers, fixtures, and a little more painting left. This has been one of the most fun builds I've ever experienced.

I used the salt method of weathering and it produced a result that I am quite happy with. It was the first time I tried it, and I was quite anxious at first, unsure of what to expect. Its painted in a Tamiya yellow, after pre shading, also a technique I used here for the first time. I crafted a pair of seat belts for the front seats but couldn't produce a quality photo (I only thought to snap a pic after I placed the interior in the body ). The thing I'm most unsure about is the rear windshield. Does it look ok? To be honest, I'm not sure how a real windshield would 'behave' under such circumstances. I just beat it up as much as I could.

Well, as always, comments and suggestions are certainly welcome! Oh, and sorry if I've offended any one by taking a perfectly good representation of a '68 Firebird and completely ruining it!!

Thanks for taking the time to look, again!

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Sunday, August 9, 2009 5:38 PM

Sorry, Tiki I might have posed my query incorrectly. I was planning on chopping the top off and leaving the top down under a cover, as you say you've done before. I will not be doing a top up convert! Yikes! Doesn't matter either way though because I've changed my mind in doing this conversion. I decided I like the way it looks and if it aint broke, well, don't break it.....Its my first car, so I'ld like to get this one out of the way with as few snafu's as I can manage! Instead, I've placed a roof liner on the inside of the car which sags in a ragged sort of manner (again, much like Karl Logan did - or I guess I should say The Doog)

I did take your advice on the intake manifold and have since plugged the single hole with putty and will drill out the correct set up later, possibly tonight. The body is primed and waiting for paint. I'll be trying the salt weathering technique for chips. I will have one or two 'off' color doors or panels as well. Of course, pics will follow!

Thanks again, Jon

PS: Bgrigg, that is the exact article I've been using for inspiration. Its sitting on my work bench as I speak! I am fairly new here so I've not matched up the screen names to the article names yet! Thanks for the info!

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Friday, August 7, 2009 6:38 PM
 oddmanrush wrote:
Tiki, thanks again. If you look at the November Issue of Fsm you see an article called
"Build and beat up Revell's 1/25 scale 1956 Chevy Nomad" by Karl Logan

Karl Logan AKA The Doog, check out the thread on these very forums

/forums/1008792/ShowPost.aspx

 

So long folks!

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