Progress

Five years is quite a while, especially when you're only 23 years old. A lot changes in 5 years, and modelling skills is not an exception. When I first started college, I built a '64 Galaxie model from AMT, as I had written a short story featuring one and my girl at the time (who, incidentally, my girl again) wanted me to make one. At the time, I knew nothing about paint, I had no idea about modifying models, even adding different rims was beyond my scope of abilities. So I painted the car with a flat military blue, and brushed future over it to make it... glossy. I did use BMF for the side trim - I was sophisticated! But alas, the color was not glossy, the interior was poor, it was curbside, and the parts fit poorly (notably the front grill to the fenders).

Five years later, my final editing of the story complete and back with that same girlfriend, I decide it's high time to try my hand at this car again, this time armed with skills I had picked up along the way. I'm sure ya'll remember my threads on this thing, so I won't go into much. I just used automotive lacquer, cleared and polished, and modified the kit. The most dramatic modification being pretty much transplanting the '64 Galaxie shell on a '60 Starliner chassis, allowing me to have an engine in this promo reshoot. I used BMF again, more extensively, on the trim around the roof and around all the window trim, not just the side trim. I also followed research, something that came after my first build, and corrected the mistakes I made with the trim the first time. In all, there is a huge difference between the two models - one shiny, one not; one curbside, the other with a motor and a full detail underside, one with the stock rims and kit rake, the other riding on mags and leaning agressively forward.....

Five years make a big difference. Not to toot my own horn, but I can't wait to see what I can do in another five. Toot toot!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/willimo/64Galaxies.jpg

[/introspective rambling]

Isn't it cool to see your own progress? I'm very jealous that you still have your first to compare with. I have just about nothing left from the early days, it's been some 34 years since I built my first model. The first car maybe was in the mid 70's, can't really remember...it's the age they say. But if I go say, 15 years back I can compare the stuff I made then with todays production and it's as dramatic as your progress. First there was the airbrush revolution and then I discovered internet and all the knowledge out there. Like you, I'm also getting better by the day. Nice touch of you to share this with us here on AF.

Happy trails in your modeling!
Niclas

Very awsome willimo.I hope to see your skills in 5 years! :)

I like reading threads like this. Such a pleasure to hear people have learnt things as they build and want to share and help others

:worshippy I just hope this smilie will still be usable here in 5 years!...

:worshippy I just hope this smilie will still be usable here in 5 years!...

I'm just hopping to have my hair left in 5 years :cwm27:

I'm just hopping to have my hair left in 5 years :cwm27:
You're gonna end up looking like your avatar. :cwm27:

Please can you explain a little about BMF for me?
Is it the same as baking metal foil?
What is the best adhesive for it?
And how do you get it nicely onto the model?

I've just looked through the turorials and didn't see anything on the subject.

You're gonna end up looking like your avatar. :cwm27:

Pman is our Yoda :lol:

Btw willimo, same thing happened to me.. I (re)strated 3 year ago. while the model was fine looking, there is so much details I learned here to get my model looking better. I'm sure I will learn even more in the next 3 years with guys like you

BMF is Bare Metal Foil, it's a brand name for a very thin adhesive backed metal foil. You can cut it into strips or whatever shape and apply it to the model, and remove excess. It has instructions on the packaging that are pretty explanatory.

Thats awesome willimo. Im soo anxious to see what the future brings for me. :evillol:

Any pictures of that PUMA Evolution7!

Excellent job on them both! 5 years makes a big difference, I, like you have improved over the years thanks alot to my recent discovery of these modeling forums!! and how people share tips and tricks!, this is a great forum and this post goes to show how helpful it can be!!

I'm glad to see this post also. I have a bad habit of "re-doing" my past projects when I feel they need a make over. I like your idea, and it's great to see how much you've improved over the years. Keep up the good work!

-Russ

You have every right to be tooting! I hope I can have half your skills in 5 years.

JeFF

Excellent job on them both! 5 years makes a big difference, I, like you have improved over the years thanks alot to my recent discovery of these modeling forums!! and how people share tips and tricks!, this is a great forum and this post goes to show how helpful it can be!!

Indeed!

It's very cool to see your evolution of skills. You've definately progressed.

I wish I had more of my earlier builds from when I was younger to rebuild now.
I only have 1 car left from my early building years, a Benetton Ford B188 F1 car. The others did not survive the wrath of my children when they were younger.

I did find a kit of that Benetton car at a model show here in Atlanta. I bought it just to see how my skills have grown. Someday I'll re-build the kit with all the cool aftermarket stuff available now.

Progress c:sunglasse:sunglasselness