My In Progress Project(s)

1931 Model 'A' Ford
2-Door Sedan, 1:16 Scale
Minicraft Model Kits No. 11238
Last Updated: April 30, 2025

This kit on Scalemates

A Brief History of
the Model 'A'

Taken from the side
of the model box

The Ford Model "A" was among the most successful cars ever producted. The Model A was the first ford to use the standard set of driver controls with conventional clutch and brake pedals; throttle and gearshift.

Previous Ford models used controls that had become out of date and uncommon to drivers of other makes. The Model A's fuel tank was located in the cowl, between the engine compartment's fire wall and the dash panel. The fuel was distributed to the carburetor by gravity. In cooler climates, owners could purchase an aftermarket cast iron unit to place over the engine's exhaust manifold to bring heated air into the cab. A small door could be opened or closed to adjust the amount of hot air entering the cab. Model A was the first car to have safety glass in the windshield.

The Soviet company, Gorkovsky avtomobilny zavod (GAZ), (Gorky Automotive Plant), which started as a cooperation between Ford and dthe Soviet Union, made a licensed version of the Model A from 1932-36. The car later formed the basis for the Ford-A Izhorsky (Armoured Car) (FAI) and Russian Broneavtomobil 20 (BA-20) armored car, which saw significant use as scout vehicles in the early stages of World War II.

As of this writing I'm not sure of the color scheme I'll be using for this build. I'm leaning toward black fenders with a two-tone blue body; however, I'm wondering how dark purple fenders with the two-tone blue body would look?

I'll pretty much be doing this kit box stock except that I will most likely add the copper strips used for spark plug connections to the distributor. We'll see.

Lost in Space
B9 Robot
Moebius #939 1:6 Scale
Last Updated: Feb. 22, 2024

This kit on Scalemates

I am planning to animate this project. It will be my first attempt at adding electronics to a build.

I have worked in electronics and industrial controls my entire 50-year career, so I know I have the know how; however, I don't know what is available in the way of small components that will fit within the model. I'm initially planning to use an Arduino or two or three to perform the control functions; however, that can change as I proceed through the build. I definitely want to attempt making it RC controlled which will also be a first for me. Some of the things I plan to animate are:

• The internal head rotating
• The head lights randomly blinking
• If possible, the head moving up/down
• The torso rotating
• All lights on the torso working
• Adding the robots voice. I already have many voice clips
• The mouth blinking to the voice
• The grippers opening and closing
• The feet tread moving so he can walk

So...we'll see how all this plays out.

I know there are a lot of others who have animated this kit and I've watched some of there YouTube video's. I also see that there are electronic packs available, but at a high price. That said...I want to do it on my own using my own ingenuity.

1968 Dodge Dart Hemi
USACC 2025 Group Build
Revell 85-4217 1:25 Scale
Last Updated: September 21, 2024

This kit on Scalemates

This build is finished except for decals. I designed custom decals to show sponsors from local businesses in Nazareth, PA. As of April 09, 20205, the decals are being produced by STS Scale Model Decals

To view my opening entry video for USACC build click on the USACC Logo above to visit my photo journal for this build.

The Unified Scale Automotive Content Creators (USACC) group was founded by Matt at The Luka Cee Channel and Mark Batson at the HobbyDude007 Channel This is the 4th annual build and this year the group has had significant growth in the number of participants. It's one of, if not the only group build I get involved in.

This years build was chosen by Kim Sondergaad at Kims Kustom Garage and will be the Revell 1968 Dodge Dart Hemi. There are a few versions of the kit that can be used such as Mr. Norm's 68 Dodge Dart or a 69 Dodge Dart, as long as the tooling of the kit is the same. I selected the the 1968 Dodge Dart Hemi 2-n-1 Special Edition, Revell #85-4217, 1:25 Scale

My plan for this build, as of September 22, 2024, is to make a vintage late model dirt track stock car that used to race and the 1/2 mile dirt oval in Nazareth, PA.

I'll be stretching my skills for this build because as I'm thinking now, the front and rear fender wells will need to be opened, the left to right side stager needs to be determined, the trunk lid will most likely be cut open to accommodate a fuel cell and depending on the wheel base, side rub rails may need to be added. In dirt track racing straight away speeds are not as important as getting through the turns as quickly as possible and therefore the cars were as light as allowed by the rules. Most of them ran small block 8-cylinders that had to be available in that year's model. Engines could be substituted only if the engine was available as an option in that year of the car. That said, I'm leaning on using a 225 slant six because that would reduce the weight of the real car and still provide a lot of horse power...we'll see.

I'm looking for the late model rules from the late 1970's and as of now have only found rules for 2023/2024. I want to try to make the car as accurate as possible to the late 1970's dirt late model specifications.