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Some pictures of my completed Polar Lights (Aurora) James Bond figure model -1/8 scale styrene plastic. The sheen is a bit enhanced in the photos, and comes form the clear matt varnish I applied. I should have used matt medium instead, and I will rectify that error at a later date. In any event, it was a fun build and I learned some new techniques along the way! Enjoy!!

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This short video documents the build of my Polar Lights (Aurora) James Bond figure model - 1/8 scale styrene plastic

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My 1/6 scale Monster of the Movies Frankenstein Monster added to the box art background.

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Just in time for Halloween, here are some pictures of my just completed Monster of the Movies - Frankenstein Monster!!  This is a Revell re-issued kit (1999) of an Aurora original. Kit Number 85-3633   

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My introduction and review of the Polar Lights (Aurora) Batplane.

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A paint removal tutorial featuring Testors’ Easy Lift Off (ELO) paint and decal remover.  PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and never miss a new video!

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On the Bench

Brand: Polar Lights (Playing Mantis, not Round 2) Product name: The 1960’s DC Comic Book Batmobile Product number:  6901 Scale: 1:25 Type: Styrene Plastic Includes: Plastic parts (110 pieces), Waterslide decals, Chrome and Clear parts, Batman and Robin figures Released:  2002 | Initial release - new tool

January 12, 2016 – On the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Batman television series, I thought it would be appropriate to write about my current model project, the 1960’s DC Comic Book Batmobile from Polar Lights.  This kit was originally issued in 2002 and I actually started on it around the same time frame.  It has been relegated to the stash and in storage for some time, and it is pass due time to get back to her!  With that in mind, let’s take a look at where I left off and what still needs to be done…

Okay, the engine has been fully assembled and painted according to the suggestions in the instructions.  The paint colors were all Testors Model Master brand and include Ford engine blue for the block, steel for the transmission, orange oil filter, rust for the exhaust manifolds, gloss black for the air cleaner and fan, semi-gloss black for the fan belt, aluminum oil pan, and silver for the accessories (pulleys).

I also previously painted the Batman and Robin figures with mostly traditional colors. 

Batman’s shirt and tights are a gray/blue mix.  A dark blue (I don’t recall the exact color) was used for the trunks, cowl, cape, gloves, and boots.  His utility belt is yellow as is the background of the chest emblem.  The exposed lower face is flesh colored and the front of the cowl is satin black with white eyes.

Robin’s exposed arms, legs, and face are all flesh colored.  Robin has dark brown hair with light brown highlights.  His mask and belt are satin black.  Trunks, gloves, and shoes are gloss green and his vest is flat red.  The Robin emblem has a black background with a yellow R.  His cape is also yellow.

I originally painted the body of this car Model Masters True Blue Pearl.  It was the color I was fond of at the time. 

Since then, I have decided to go in a different direction and will paint the body “grabber blue” instead! 

I am going for more of a comic book/ Super-friends representation of the Batmobile. 

So I will be stripping the True Blue Pearl paint (a tutorial on the process will be provided) and repainting the body.  Thus what remains is the painting and assembly of the chassis, interior, and finally the body.  

The kit provided decals leave much to be desired and are essentially nothing more than a black and white line drawing representing the hood emblem, and instrument panel gauges. 

I opted to make my own decals which were an improvement, but still not the best quality.  I decided to hand the custom decal project over to a pro, and my good friend Jerry at HDA Modelworx did an incredible job!  Not only did he re-render my original art work, he also created new and highly improved markings including the door emblems I wanted!

Jerry does amazing work and provides outstanding customer service.  I strongly recommend you check out his Web site for a variety of modeling related products and kits at http://hdamodelworx.com/.

That’s about where I stand on this project for now.  Please stay tuned for future updates here, and I will also start a video series on my You Tube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw9TZo1u7Y1wa3s2e79RwfA

Take care!!

Marc

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January 12, 2016 - “On January 12, 1966, television became more colorful, and not because of any advancement in cathode ray tube technology.” “That date marked the debut of televisions Batman, a deliciously campy and candy-coated adventure series based on the DC Comics crime fighter!”  Happy 50th Anniversary!!

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Out of the Box Review

AMT/ERTL Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise Model Kit #6676

January 2, 2016 - The AMT/ERTL U.S.S. Enterprise model kit is 18” long when fully assembled and includes a display stand and decals.  The scale of this starship is approximately 1/650 scale and is a re-release of the classic 1967 kit from AMT.  The classic AMT Enterprise kit has a rich history of its’ own and there have been several modifications to the original tooling over the years.  A modeling friend of mine, Jay Chladek, has written a very detailed article on the history of the AMT “Enterprise” and I highly recommend you read it if you are interested in this kits history!  Here is a direct link to Jay’s article which is published on the CultTVman modeling Web site:  http://culttvman.com/main/?p=3665

Additionally, Jay has published a series of videos on You Tube that illustrates the history of the AMT “Enterprise” and presents the variants of each kit issued over the years.  There are three videos in the series and I will provide links for them below:

Star Trek AMT 18" Enterprise Spotters guide part 1 - https://youtu.be/yEMp5Vr8idU

Star Trek AMT 18" Enterprise Spotters guide part 2 - https://youtu.be/kR4DktABK1o

Star Trek AMT 18" Enterprise Spotters guide part 3 - https://youtu.be/gpBlbsCoDVY

Again, if you find the history of this particular kit interesting, then I highly recommend you grab a bowl of popcorn (or your favorite snack) and watch these very informative videos!!

Now that we have become intimately familiar with the history of the AMT “Enterprise,” let’s get back to the kit I have in my possession.  I purchased this model kit in 1998 for $11.25!  My, how times (and prices) have changed!!!  The most current version of this kit now retails for around $35.00.  Shop around however, because deals can be found!  The newest version of the kit also offers greatly improved decals as well as a smooth primary hull (no more raised grid lines).  Anyhow, I digress and need to get back to my review, so let’s open the box and see what is inside!

Our 10 X 8.5 box contains a moderate amount of plastic with large parts making the kit suitable for most skill levels (including beginners).  I believe Round 2 rates their current version of the kit as a skill level 2.  I agree with that rating as fundamental modeling skills should suffice to build this model kit.  It is not a snap kit and therefore will require model glue for assembly and may be painted to resemble the “Enterprise” we all remember and love from TV!  My issue of the AMT/ERTL “Enterprise” is pretty nice considering the age of the molds (even as of 1998)!  I did see some flash on a few of the parts, but it is fairly minor.  The sprue gates are quite large on this kit, so care should be taken to remove the parts from their respective parts tree.  In fact. There is a gouge on the bottom saucer of my kit where it broke from the aging sprue and will need to be puttied!

As far as accuracy goes, it has been well documented (just do a Google search) that the AMT “Enterprise” has many issues.  There are several after-market parts available to address some of these inadequacies.  That being said, there are a number of things you can do on your own to greatly improve the appearance of your Enterprise.  For example, sanding off the raised grid lines on this kit and filling in the three cup like depressions on the bottom saucer is a step in the right direction!  The kit supplied decals use an inaccurate font, but there are aftermarket decals readily available.  In my opinion, built straight out of the box, this is a decent replica of the TV series Enterprise and for many years it was all we modelers had!

I will probably use a more current version of this model kit to build my 50th anniversary version, as Round 2 has cleaned up the molds and offers improved decals.  Additionally I will not have to sand off that raised grid line as it is no longer on the model kit!  The kit I currently have here will be built however, but it may not be the “Enterprise” (more to come on that future project)!  In any event, I hope you enjoyed a peak at what is in the box of this AMT/ERTL version of the U.S.S. Enterprise.  If you checked out Jay’s articles and videos, you learned a lot more about the history of this bygone model kit!

Marc

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January 1, 2016 - A 1/25 Scale Batmobile Build Series coming soon - 2016

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January 1, 2016 - Teaser video for upcoming AMT Classic Star Trek Enterprise Build!

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January 1, 2016 - Happy New Year!  I know I said that 2016 would be “the year of the Batmobile,” but I would be remiss if I failed to build a model from one of the all time greatest science fiction series - Star Trek!  I share something in common with Star Trek as we both turn 50 years old this year.  I have several Star Trek model kits to choose from for builds, so I will definitely be doing a couple this year!  I may revisit the one that started it all, the classic 18″ U.S.S. Enterprise kit from AMT.  There is some great aftermarket stuff (resin and photo-etch) for this kit now, and I have been wanting to try some of it out!  What say you all?  What Star Trek kits would you like to see built in 2016?  Chances are, I already have the kit in my stash!

Marc

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December 29, 2015 - Just ordered this today with some “Christmas money” and I am expecting it to arrive from Amazon tomorrow!  I have read good things about this airbrush (Paasche TS-SET Double Action Siphon Feed Airbrush ) and I will do a review on it after I get to play it with it some.  If anyone out there has experience with this particular airbrush, I would love to hear about it!!  :-)

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December 29, 2015 - 2016 will be the year of the Bat (rather Batmobiles) for me!  I finally have all of these kits in 1/25 scale and will be building them throughout the year.  I have already started on the 1960′s comic book version, but I want to make some changes to it, so more to come on that one!  I will post updates here and maybe do some videos for my You Tube channel as well!  Stay tuned!!  Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!!!

Marc