CAR TimesOver 25 Years of Model Building

The Official Publication of the Cincinnati Auto Replicas Model Car Club July 2010

From the Editor’s DeskIsn’t it weird how life gets in the way of the hobby. Some of you have already heard, and some of you have not, but I got a new job (again) with a lot more pay. What does that mean to you? Well since I will be working from 1130-to about 8pm, I will not be able to make the meetings on Monday night. Although this will not happen till about September, it means that any submissions to the newsletter (or any gripes for that matter) will have to be done either by e-mail or by phone. This is not permanent, but I do not know how long my schedule will be like this. Some of you may have received an e-mail containing last month’s newsletter. This was a test to see if I could do it, and whether or not it was received by the members. If all goes well, within the next couple of months this will be the way the newsletter is sent to the majority of the members. I have to admit that since I have been shown how to do this about a dozen times now, I still have no idea how to do it. As a result, my good-natured wife Heather will probably be most of the computer side of things. She figured this was easier that trying to explain it to me again and again and again and….

The Prez Sez……………….It’s Monday evening & I didn’t make it to the Road Rockets Rumble again this year. I’d wanted to, but the 100 mile + drive is beyond my reach these days. Had I found a co-pilot, I could have managed, but the Rumble’s weekend schedule starts Thursday morning & means that anyone taking part has to be able to take at least two days off of work, maybe three. I’m not in that situation, as I’ve been retired for a few years, now. But I can appreciate the problem. & of course, I am aware that not a lot of the guys in the club are as interested as I am in making that scene. Perhaps the next time I talk with Tom Culbertson, I’ll ask him why they’ve chosen that particular spread of days………At any rate….. I see the editor has figured out how to e-mail the newsletter, at least to the guys that internet connected. It’s my hope that we can deliver the CAR Times to a majority of recipients that way. It’ll save us a considerable amount of money every year.July is an odd-numbered month, so it’s a contest month. It’s also mid-summer & not everybody is hanging out at his or her workbench. Still, I hope you all have something new for the tables…….That’s all I have – see ya at the library. Robb

Words of Wisdom from RockneGreetings Model Citizens! Here it is, late June, half way through the year and already hot and steamy! I am on vacation from work for two weeks, staycation, you might say since I’m not really going anywhere. The real treat is that I am not going to WORK! Not that I don’t have plenty to do around home. I am hoping to finish a couple of Ford C800 trucks during this time along with many other things from my “TO DO” list. I have all the sub assemblies together fro both trucks but am bogged down with the plumbing and wiring of those assemblies. I am doing the P&W before priming and painting because I am using different gauges of solder for that plumbing and wiring and want to prime and paint all of it along with the rest of the parts. I had to research air brake systems to create believable and accurate details on both of these models, even though, in the end it will be largely hidden since both trucks, when finished, will be almost impossible for judges to pick up and see. This part of these models is strictly for ME, I will know that those systems are completely detailed, just for my own satisfaction. See you all at the July meeting! Rockne

Contest Corner

Hey guys it’s July and I hope everybody had a good holiday and all of there fingers. July’s theme is SHOW RODS so lets see all of those show rods. I can't be the only one that builds them. See Y'all Monday.

BENCH RACING-by Bill Bench SUMMERTIME BLUES. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of summer already! It's been in the 90's, where I work is not air-conditioned, and this old boy is sweating in places he didn't know I could sweat. This humidity is not good for spray-painting also. What's the upside? It's making me focus on finishing up projects that I started years ago in my cool, cool model room downstairs!I've almost got a '69 Torino finished, I'm still plugging away at my '75 Dart, there's a Ranger that's looking good, two Bullitt mustangs, a silver/gray '67 mustang, the Mongoose dragster, a '79 mustang, and the list goes on and on.I've got a 4-day weekend coming up, and if I can get two finished, I'll be a happy man!I'm cutting this short...maybe I can finish up a third project! LOL!See you at the meeting.Bill

Tech TipsThis tip comes to us courtesy of Bill Bench.This is the best chrome looking paint that I have ever used. I've used it on wheels and valve covers with good results. I've found it at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. You will find it in their regular paint aisle. It is in a tall skinny can and made by Krylon. It is called Original Chrome. They also make it in Gold & Copper. After some experimentation, this is the best technique I've found for best results. !. Use a primer.2. Wait one DAY.3. Apply paint.4. Wait one WEEK.5. Apply clear. I'd like to thank Travis Jeffrey for sharing this tip with me. Bill

***Warning***Warning***Warning***Warning***Warning****This may be your last issue of CAR Times. Starting August 2010 we will be starting to E-mail this newsletter to club members. I have only heard from a handful of members telling me whether they prefer the hardcopy or the emailed version the newsletter. During the July meeting myself and my wife Heather will be asking those present which they prefer. In addition we will also be updating the mailing list, phone list, and e-mail list for an upcoming issue. If you do not plan to attend, or you do not want to face Heather, call or email me.

***Warning***Warning***Warning***Warning***Warning****

Three Deuce Projects: part 3Based on the MPC ‘American Graffiti’ Coupe & the AMT 1932 Ford kits5W Chopped & ChanneledThis was another project that I started without any real idea of just where I was going. I did want to try to mount the chopped MPC body on the more accurate AMT chassis, to see how it would work……….. it seems to be working out just fine. & that’s where our story begins.I pulled the frame & stock rear suspension out of an AMT 32 Phaeton. I didn’t bother with the gas tank, battery, exhaust or front axle. I assembled painted & installed the rear end & removed the tie rod & cross-member mount from the front wishbone. I trimmed & flattened the ends of the individual radius rods & added some n-b-w castings. As I’ve seen done on full-scale cars, I trimmed the rail to the shape of the inside of the front cross-member, giving added clearance to the front axle. & for a front axle, I’ve chosen the “I” beam offered in the ‘American Graffiti’ kit. I’ve removed the spring bundle from the axle & combined with the stock height rear end, the car sits on a very pronounced rake. Whitewall ‘Stones on chromed, reversed wheels add a touch of elegance. The determining factor in just how the body rides on the frame is found with the interior pod – the pod’s floor, actually, as the body is supported by the pod, which sits on top of the frame. In this instance, I’ve removed the floor of the pod, along with a little bit of wall, & built a new floor of sheet stock. This allows the body to sit lower over the frame, giving the car a much lower stance. Also, I’ve done a bit of carving on what’s left of the interior pod’s walls, creating some inner structure for the body. At this point, I can’t really proceed until I’ve decided on an engine. I have a bunch of options – every hot rod engine in the original ‘Trophy Series’ line is a drop-in, along with the stock flatheads. I thinking seriously about the 392” Hemi offered in the 32-roadster kit. Plenty of time to decide........& that’s where this project stands today. Submitted by Robb

DON’S HOBBY & BIKE/DEWAR EQUIPMENT COMPANY

Don’s Hobby shop, located at 4915 Glenway Avenue in the Price Hill section on the West side of Cincinnati, is an interesting collision of many retail objects. You can buy lawn mowers, bicycles, snow blowers, weed whackers and a huge variety of hobby and model supplies. Don Dewar, the founder of the store, was born in 1918 and is a WWII Army veteran who attained the rank of Major. Don opened a sweets shop in 1948, and to pass time he set up his HO model train set in the store. Don’s attempt to sell sweets quickly gave way to selling trains and train accessories. The store changed locations a number of time before settling in it’s present home in 1963. The shop was one of Cincinnati’s major slot car racing centers in the early 60’s and since then has grown into a hot sales location for bikes,, go-carts and mowers.

The modeling sections of the shop hold a vast inventory of, train, remote control, military and automotive items, plus: parts, tools, paint, glue and accessories for all of those interests. The prices are moderate, with car kits running in the $15 dollar range, which, in these time is not bad for retail. I recommend Don’s to all that would like to experience a true “old time shop” feel and atmosphere that is almost gone in American life.

Kit ReviewThe Homer

Presenting the ultimate in Show Rods. The “Homer.” Technically a concept car, the “Homer” was a collaboration of Homer Simpson and his long lost half brother Herb Powell (Danny Devito). The Homer was designed to be the car that every American would want and features the best and worst of the American automotive industry. Some of the highlights include: a double bubble canopy to keep the kids from bothering you, Lincoln grille with bowling trophy hood ornament, tailfins and spoiler, bullet taillights, fender skirts oversized external cup holders, continental kit, hood scoop, and much more. This Polar Lights Kit is predecorated with sticker decals. One of the best features is the Homer Simpson figure. Bottom line, this kit is simple. So simple in fact that it is more toy than model. However if you are a “Simpsons” fan, this kit is a must.

***Stop the Presses***Revell/Monogram announces the Fall 2010 lineup. Some of these are reissues of older kits. However, some are a great surprise.1980 Ford Bronco 1959 Cadillac Eldorado convertible1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible 1958 Ford Thunderbird convertibleBeatnik Bandit T’rantulaIce T 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme convt.2002 Chevrolet Camaro 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle1985 Ford Mustang SVO 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS1948 Ford Custom Coupe 1959 Ford Galaxie SkylinerBlack Widow Model T Kurtiss Midget Racer w/Edelbrock V8Kurtiss Midget Racer w/Offenhauser 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Forced Perspective Photography

Forced perspective is a technique that employs optical illusion to make an object appear farther away, closer, larger or smaller than it actually is. It is used primarily in photography, filmmaking and architecture. It manipulates human visual perception through the use of scaled objects and the correlation between them and the vantage point of the spectator or camera. I have been playing with the ideas of forced perspective photography for many years. The idea is simple, take a model car and put it in a real background and make it appear real. Since there is not a lot of material on the subject, I have been forced to experiment with cameras, distance, lighting, and different backgrounds. Sometimes this has been very successful. Other times the pictures are so bad that I was forced to go back and reshoot different cars.

Every time I go to a different location that is not around the Tri-state area, I like to take a model to take pictures. As a result I have a bunch of pictures with very unique backgrounds. Phoenix, Louisville, Tunkhannock. Unfortunately, even though I use a digital camera, some cars do not look well after I enlarge it to the size I need and some “exotic” locations are lost to me. I originally used a 35mm camera. This allowed me to play with F-stops, and other photography terms that I truly know nothing about. I currently use a digital camera. The advantage here is that you can snap many pictures without the expense of getting them developed. You just print the ones that you like and if you are fortunate enough to have the ability to download pictures onto you computer, you can print them from there.

The Last Detail

2010 ThemesJuly……………………………………….Show Rods*August…………………………………..GassersSeptember………………………………Pony Cars*October………………………………….Same Kit Night (’32 Ford) November………………………………End of the year ContestDecember………………………………Kit Exchange/pizza party/ awards Ceremony

Upcoming EventsJuly 31 Derby City Shootout 3939 Poplar Level Rd, Louisville KYSeptember 11 Country Boys Modelers 7915 US 42 Florence KYSeptember 18 Rebel Run & Custom Nationals 2750 Harding Hgwy Lima OHOctober 9 NNL#31 7060 Sylvania Ave Sylvania OHOctober 9 KMCC 2817 Hikes Ln Louisville KYOctober 30 SCIMA @Bartholomew Co Fairgrounds Columbus INNovember 13 Southern Nationals Smyrna GAMarch 27, 2011 Buckeye Model Car Contest Columbus OH

As always articles to the CAR Times need to be submitted no later than the last Saturday of the month to ensure publication. Write to CAR Times c/o Jeffrey T. Myers 4712 Orchard Ln. Cincinnati, OH 45236 or Email to hellojtm @hotmail.com . CAR Times is a free publication to Cincinnati Auto Replicas members, guests and associated clubs. Articles may be reprinted only when the original author gets credit for the article. Happy Modeling. 2010 CAR Publications