First completed post on AF - Shelby Cobra 427

[klutz_100]

I'm shocked and happy with you comments guys - thanks a lot!!!!!!

I think the bottom line here is that I'm better with a digicam than an airbrush cos it's for sure my second one.

I really enjoyed making this model and it's sure nice to hear compliments from you guys - some of the best modelers around. Now I gotta try even harder on my next ones

Again, thanks to all of you for sharing your experience and I hope that I can contribute smthg useful once in a while, too.

stevenski

[chaos]

Fantastic for a second - a whole lot better than my second!!

[dualexhst]

Looks like I could hop in and start it up. Really clean work, now get on the new one

[RMGILBE]

I think it's pretty cool it's inspiring me to....

[CADguy]

Very nice work!
Everything looks great!

[BlownSS454]

That's your 2nd model?????? Man, that is SWEET! That's a very good looking Cobra! 10/10!!!! Very, very, very, very detailed! And if this is your 2nd model, I can't wait to see what else you'll bring to the table!!!!

[eph2]

Wooww. Nice Build. Very Realistic!

[g00eY]

very very nice for your second model!

[bhop73]

This model looks great. The paintjob, the details, the overall realistic look of it.

I'm having a hard time believing it's your second model.. don't get me wrong.. I believe you, it's just that I have to force myself to.

So when you say second model.. is this your second "car" model? Are you an armor, or airplane guy that decided to build some cars? Did you have a model mentor, or did you learn techniques from the web, or magazines?

Don't take this post the wrong way, i'm not trying to sound skeptical, it's just that most people's 2nd model doesn't end up this detailed, so i'm just a little curious about your background and where you found your technical know-how.

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by bhop73

I'm having a hard time believing it's your second model.. don't get me wrong.. I believe you, it's just that I have to force myself to.

So when you say second model.. is this your second "car" model? Are you an armor, or airplane guy that decided to build some cars? Did you have a model mentor, or did you learn techniques from the web, or magazines?

Don't take this post the wrong way, i'm not trying to sound skeptical, it's just that most people's 2nd model doesn't end up this detailed, so i'm just a little curious about your background and where you found your technical know-how.

Hi Bhop73! – I thought long and hard about if/what/how to answer your questions

First, I definitely do not take offence in the fact that you think that my 2nd model is that good. I feel extremely complimented albeit I’m not sure if it’s THAT deserving. I do think that it was a pretty damn respectable attempt and I really enjoyed it and am very proud of it despite all the flaws I know are there.

None the less, I don’t want to leave anyone with the impression that I’m trying to hide or underplay my modeling experience for whatever reason nor that I am a better modeler than in fact I really am. I joined this forum 6 or so months ago and have developed serious respect for my peers here and at the end of the day I want to earn your genuine respect too – even if it’s only for “effort” rather than “achievement” . BTW bhop73, I visited your web site and am really impressed by all your work from different areas and your awards are well deserved.

The Cobra is my 2nd car kit in my life and I think my (here’s the first - Nov/Dec last year - and here’re my 3rd and 4th). As a kid, I made a couple of the usual kits (probably 6-7 unpainted glue bombs ) and then did nothing until about 10 years ago when, buying a birthday gift for my daughter’s classmate, I picked up a couple of kits for myself to play with - 2 airplanes (finished with hand painted Humbrol) and the Cord above. Last year, I found the Cord in the cellar, and said to myself “I want to do model cars!” End of story. Total life builds to date: 6 glue bombs, 2 airplanes and 3 completed cars. My future life story available here and here

I’ve spend a LOT of time searching, browsing looking for tips, hints, ideas etc etc. Mentors (no BS intended) are here on AF and on the www. I realized from looking at their work, that a plastic car in 1/24 can sooooooo much more. Your Eclipse Tuner work is exactly the kind of thing I mean. Also I’m kind of lucky in that being a mature person, age wise anyway, I was able to throw some “start up” money at the hobby so I bought myself an AB, Alclad2, BMF, and other tools that really help improve the end results and, of course, a bunch of kits.

Anecdote: the first kit I bought last year while browsing my LHS was a Tamiya Enzo. While researching the car on the web, I discovered this forum and the SMS detail kit which I proceeded to order. Speaking to Matthew Wells on the phone, I mentioned that I was a beginner and he (very honorably) pointed out to me that, as a newbie, I was in danger of blowing my $125!! I stubbornly bought the kit anyway but decided that, since achievable excellence is important to me, it might be more “mature” to start with my sights set a little lower. The Cord, Cobra, Cooper, Boxster - these are my “classroom”.

Over the past 9 or so months I’ve developed a passion for this hobby. I’ve found in it values that appeal to me – technical precision, artistry, self improvement, something a bit off the beaten track, originality, problem solving. FYI my other interests include mechanical wrist watches (collecing not making!!!) which, for me share many of the same values. The difference is that I can more or less afford to buy the models that appeal to me but not all the rist watches

Enough blah blah from me and Modelers Anonymous and sorry for bumping the thread again although you „bumped” it first

Also thanks to you all again for the kind comments – it’s very motivating to get positive feedback

[bhop73]

That's a nice way to put things. I agree that starting with the Enzo could've been a frustrating experience, but I also think there's no reason anyone shouldn't just jump right in to anything that they really want to do.

Anyways, hope to see more from you. And thanks for the compliments to my stuff.

[MPWR]

Very well put, Stevinski- and now that we've seen your stash, I'll be looking forward to alot more from you. (Nice collection of Ferrari's!)

[freakmech]

great build, enough detail to smile about! i have been collecting model cars for a long time but never really built them. they always appealed to me as a kid and i built alot back then but not so great. i went stray from building for some 15 years but every once in awhile i would find a nice kit at some oddball location and buy it. well about 4 years ago i started building them again, needed something to fill extra time and burn extra money . they were built like crap! well i found this forum researching for reference about 3 years ago and shit myself. i was amazed at what could be done with all these plastic kits in my closet. i read everything on this forum then became a member and now im building pretty decent kits and couldnt be much happier. so we have very similiar stories but im just a few years ahead . but this forum is amazing to me and inspires me every day. and i cant thank the mods and members more for every thing, except that now im broke cus all my money goes to modelling I hope your still here in three years like i am, your doing great and it only gets better, with a few kits gone wrong in between cant wait to see more from you! maybe the Enzo i mutilated mine

cheers,
Chad