The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1997
Diecast Collector Forums
Eight forums, every scale, and thirty years of shop talk — new arrivals, restorations, reviews, and the finds you won’t see posted anywhere else, with the full archive back to 2002 restored and searchable. Free to Register.
8Forums
195,000+Topics
1,276,000+Posts
10,000+Members
1997Research From
Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
20/08/2026 10:06 am
A few weeks back I promised a glimpse at a steampunk project, which arrived a week ago and was just completed. The sales bit suggests 1/24 scale, but it might be better suited to 1/30 scale, figures for which I do not have, and the ones I would want do not come in 1/30 or 1/35 scale. For now, I am posing the scene in 1/24 scale and at a later date I will show it with two figures I do have, in 1/43 scale.
This is another Book-Nook kit, with over 290 pieces and instructions that are not only difficult to read due to size of images, but are also not very detailed. It is also supposed to have a movement-sensitive switch to turn on the lights, but this one only works by reaching underneath and manipulating the switch. This is not a big deal to me and if they offer a replacement unit I wouldn't want to have to take the entire build apart to reroute the lighting. Much of the kit is not glued together, just in case there are issues, but I would not be happy if I have to line up 14 tabs, again, to put it back together. Been there, done that, I even have the t-shirt. Comments always welcome.
(You will see where I put the pipe clamps on backwards on four pipes and only noticed this when it was completed. Fortunately, I have a nice bronze paint and long brushes to correct this over the weekend.)
Miss Daisy needed an occupation, right Tony?
Footnote: The 'smoke' exiting the chimney and the steam vent were only painted on wood and I wanted a more realistic feel, so I added cotton.
This topic was modified 1 month ago 3 times by GDH
20/08/2026 10:11 am
You sir are a genius and extremely creative. Bravo for a job well done.
Topic starter
20/08/2026 10:20 am
Thank you for your generous compliment and perhaps creative, but I don't think the gods would place me at the same table as Einstein and Tesla.
Steve Jacobs and Geno reacted
20/08/2026 1:22 pm
I love that whole Steampunk arts and crafts. My first introduction to it was how Disney imagined Captain Nemo's Nautilus in the 1954 movie. A true Victorian Era style retro-futuristic craft.
Topic starter
20/08/2026 1:26 pm
@geno Thank you, Geno. I will eventually put together a small vignette with this item as soon as I can acquire suitable figures and, with lead times of nearly ninety-days for figures, now, it may be a while. I still have figures outstanding that have been 'in process' for sixty days or more. Global warming?
Topic starter
20/08/2026 1:28 pm
@rich-sufficool Now, that is cool. I'm looking for SP vehicles, but most of them are a bit 'savage' looking and I am hoping to find one or two that are more elegant, than brutal.
This post was modified 1 month ago 2 times by GDH
Tony Perrone and Rich Sufficool reacted
20/08/2026 1:45 pm
@gdh I don't have anything else as Victorian as the Nautilus save for one 1/2 scale ray gun. All my retro vehicles are 1930's Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers and Commander Cody space ships and figures.
Tony Perrone and GDH reacted
Topic starter
20/08/2026 2:58 pm
@rich-sufficool There are kits available, though most are as expensive as a nice Kyosho model, and here is one example, Dieselkits' Bulldog (not assembled and unpainted 200USD+), and yes, the girl does come with the first example:
Rich Sufficool and Tony Perrone reacted
20/08/2026 6:31 pm
brilliant effort, love to see experimentation and variety beyond the theme. This Chinese ebay seller offers their figures in a variety of scales, painted and unpainted. I've bought a couple off them with no issues.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/177508718068?var=477156085342
GDH and Tony Perrone reacted
21/08/2026 11:49 am
The Bulldog looks like Steampunk meets Ratrods. Cool stuff.
GDH and Tony Perrone reacted
Topic starter
21/08/2026 4:36 pm
@geoff-jowett I am currently buying from four sellers and I ordered a few 1/18 figures from this seller at the beginning of July, though it is unlikely I will see them for a few more weeks, unfortunately. He is a new one in the herd, for me, and I hope to see good things.
Tony Perrone reacted
Page 1 / 2
Next