As I get more back into the hobby, and more adjusted to retirement, I tend to be working on more than one project at-a-time, and not just building models, but also electronics, Arduino, programming and web design. My technology projects can be found on YouTube @jtodora (Technology & Stuff) and/or on @skipsmessyworkbench (Skips Messy Workbench) and/or on my Technology & Stuff website at jtodora.com (Technology & Stuff) and/or on this website.
However, my main focus is on model building. As I have stated many times before, my favorite part of model building is the research and then the assembly. I absolutely hate the painting part of the hobby. I guess because I'm so bad at it. As I state on the homepage of this site, Skips Messy Workbench modifying a statement thought to be coined by author Dorothy Parker (I hate writing, but love having written):
B-24D Liberator
Last project in the:
America Goes to War Series
Last Updated: Aug. 10, 2023
This project has been temporarily put on hold until other projects are finished.
This B-24D is part of a theme build that I call: America Prepares for War. I started this series in 2022 and is a small focus on vehicles produced before American industries transformed their factories to making military vehicles, planes and parts to support the WWII war effort. The Ford Motor Company actually built a new factory in Willow Run, Michigan to produce the B-24D Liberator.
I came up with the idea for this series of builds while researching the build of a 1941 Chevy Pickup and a 1941 Plymouth Coupe. Both of these models are complete and can be viewed in the completed projects area of this website.
When I started doing the research on the '41 Chevy Pickup I was mesmerized by it's history and it's part in moving the automotive industry toward wartime production.
If you would like to view a summary of my research for this series click the History image.
Completed Builds in Series:
1941 Chevy Pickup
Lost in Space
B9 Robot
Moebius #939 1:6 Scale
Last Updated: Feb. 22, 2024
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:
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.
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.
I hope you enjoy your visit!!!