I began collecting 1/18 scale diecast models in the early 90’s, as a distraction for my mechanical interests related to racing.
I immediately needed an outlet from over 20 years of building and road racing Camaros and Corvettes, and diecast seemed to be a good spot to land.
My 1/18 scale diecast collection, on display, is close to 600 models (with another 400 or so in storage). My collection focus is racing, with a lot of Nascar, along with road racing from the mid 60’s to contemporary.
My customizing is either creating a model that was never offered by a diecast manufacturer or creating a fantasy model out of my own imagination.
I am including links to a couple of my more recent custom creations, to give you an idea of what my work looks like.
I’m hoping that I can find an audience which appreciates the difficulty of working in 1/18 scale diecast, and can give me the encouragement to continue.
G’day Oldtimeracer and welcome to the forums. I’m not into cars, diecast or otherwise, but I can always appreciate a good model. I’m sure however that you will find plenty of support and interest in your work in these forums.
Welcome to F.S.M and the Auto bunch here. You can use much of the stuff real car guys use. I have used Bondo( Mixed semi-Hot) and regular primer and paints. That’s an advantage. You can also use the fibreglas repair kits available at Auto parts stores as well.
I went to your links. Nice work and great color choices. Personally I just do restos of broken ones I find in the trash, believe it or not! Like a real Auto I like making a Silk Purse out of a Sow’s Ear! But it has another advantage for me. It keeps my regular Body repair skills sharp!
Welcome to the forum, Oldtimeracer! Those are some nice custom jobs there!
Absolutely! There’s no rule that modeling starts with unassembled styrene or resin kits. And you use the same skills that any traditional modeler uses, and probably some more besides.
It’s interesting that you join now and introduce this topic-there was a recent thread about die-cast airplane models (though maybe at Hyperscale).
I started following a YouTube channel run by a guy in Australia, Marty’s Matchbox Makeovers, and he’s working in a similar style. He restores, or probably more accurately, renovates old Matchbox cars, disassembling them, stripping the paint, reparing damage, and then repainting them. I have to say, it’s giving me some interest in trying my hand at some old diecast airplanes.
Anyway, I look forward to seeing more of your builds!
Die -Cast Airplanes. Now there’s an interesting category. A lot are Oil Company related. But there some that are intended for commemorating something. Many can be had for a song for Resto and look mighty nice when re-built , painted and re-rigged.
Yes! We can go back even further and look at older die-cast toy airplanes, like those made by Hubley. In fact, I think someone here did a couple of builds, in which he cleaned up and repainted a couple of Hubleys, in USN yellow wings markings.
It can be a lot of fun, not just from the project itself, but to stretch your skills a little on something that’s relatively unique.
Welcome Oldtimeracer, you know me already from the other forums. You will like it here as there is plenty of room for any and all kind of modeling, regardless of the material. The people are great as well.
I have not done any 1:18 die-cast for a while but my interests are still there.
I like what you’ve been up to lately as that shaker intake through the hood of that roadrunner looks great! … nice hauler too!
Looking forward in followng you once again in your builds.
Did some drag racing back in the late '50’s & early '60’s. Got the chance to take a few rides in a Formula “V” but I was OK in the straights but lousy in the turns.