A good kit for the inexperienced builder

   As I have grown older, I seem to find that there's less excitement in opening the "new stuff" than in building something.  Quickly let me add that I'm not talking about the "from scratch" or "total rebuilders" of whom I stand in awe.  I'm talking about buying (often on the "previously owned" market) and then having fun on my own schedule.  So here's one I just finished a couple of hours ago that seems to be a good one for neophyte builders, which I still consider myself.

   Testors has been around since the late 1920's, first as a manufacturer of glue and then paints, and in the late 1930's of models.  During the materials shortages of World War II, Testors turned to wood and their wooden models became some of the most popular toys for young people and adults during the war years.  And then, in the late 1940's, plastics turned the toy world in a whole new direction.   Testors resisted.  For the 1950's and 60's the company continued to grow and emphasize wooden airplane kits, paints, glues, and other kits of a similar nature.  Only in the 1970's did Testors enter the world of plastics, and then they quickly became a leader.  In 1984–1987, Testors sponsored a video series "Adventures in Scale Modeling". The program featured half-hour segments on detailed model building with an on-location shoot featuring

the item being modeled. The shows were produced by WSWP-TV.  I wonder if they still exist;  they were highly regarded at the time.

    This model dates to 2002, and was one of several 1/43 models offered by Testors.  It has a diecast metal body (with factory-applied paint and decals) and plastic inner and under parts.  The plastic parts are left on their trees for the builder to remove.  The next photo helps explain this.  Please notice the dime to size comparison.

   Don't get in a hurry!  They do fit together, and the results can be fun.  Yes, this highway patrol car (California I think) has whitewalls.  I left them because they match the box cover.  They can be reversed or painted if the builder so wishes.  This one is also so recently completed that it needs to rest for a few days and then have a general clean-up.

A few notes:

    The kit has no red parts; I had fun painting the lights.  The addition of "chrome" around the windshield and rear window were not as much fun.  The wheels roll easily;  that can be changed with a spot of glue or two.  I used a black-wash of water-based paint on the grill bar for better contrast.  And the cop is one of the little folks who hang around here just to see what's coming next.  

     Have fun!

               David H