Ismael (TatoCorvette) 2023: My modeling year in review

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

   Merry Christmas, Happy holidays and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!   Life continues to be beautifully chaotic.  Very busy with work, family, community and other hobbies.
This 2023 was a very interesting year. Hobby-wise, while 2022 was dominated by cameras and stereophotography viewers restorations, in one of those curve ball life throws at you, I spent a lot of time in 2023 with a modeling tool that became a new hobby in itself: Airbrushes! I now collect, restore and research airbrushes, particularly vintage units.  I have worked in more airbrushes this year than scale models.  Very few cameras were worked this year: serviced 3 but they were not mine. I also worked one or two stereophotography viewers.
I also did an epic trip with my wife to Italy, one of the most beautiful places in the universe.
But talking about scale models, this was a very productive year. For the first time in over a decade I was able to finish 9 models within a calendar year. Granted, most were curbsides so sometimes I feel like cheating...
They were diverse:
4 Corvettes in 1/25 scale
2 Star Wars spaceships
2 cars in 1/32
1 race car in 1/43 
No aircraft models this year, nor any modified Hot Wheels or smaller diecasts

Here is my class of 2023 in chronological order:

1.  Darth Vader's TIE Advanced X1. 1/36 scale   While mostly built in 2022, it was finished in early January so it counts for this year.  AMT kit: Contender for the worst fitting kit ever made.



Link to the build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/2962/finished-darth-vaders-ride-advanced 


2. 2012 Corvette Grand Sport Coupe. Carlisle blue: one year only color. 1/25 scale. Modified Z06. Very long term project started almost a decade ago.
 


Link to build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/1857/finished-2012-corvette-grand-sport



3.  Red Squadron Leader (Red 1) X-Wing Fighter  1/63 scale  Reissue of the old MPC kit. Modified



Link to the build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3072/finished-star-wars-wing-fighter


4. 1978 Pontiac Trans Am  1/32 scale.  Monogram kit.  Fun little project.



Link to the build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3103/finished-judge-monogram-pontiac-trans


5. 1915 Ford Model T 1/32 scale. Excellent old Pyro kit from the 1960's     Tons of details added. Complex project. Very happy with the results.



Link to the build thread:race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3111/finished-1915-ford-model-pyro



6. Early C4 Corvette Racer.  1/25 scale. Contender for favorite of the year. Part of a local Corvette buildoff. Heavily modified 1984 promo.



Link to build thread:race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3242/finished-quick-builds-local-buildoff




7. 1990 Corvette Convertible.  1/25 scale. Part of the local Corvette buildoff. AMT kit. One of the worst fitting Corvette kits ever made. Tons of work required.



Link to build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3242/finished-quick-builds-local-buildoff




8. 1963 Corvette convertible Restomod.  1/25 scale. Part of the local Corvette buildoff.  Quick custom using the Revell snap kit. 



Link to build thread: race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3242/finished-quick-builds-local-buildoff


9. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM (Mille Miglia)  1/43 scale  white metal kit.  A most challenging build



Link to build thread:race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/3147/finished-43-1956-ferrari-290


What is your favorite?  As usual, your comments are appreciated.
Looking forward to 2024!

Thanks,
Ismael

[jeaton01]

Superb modeling Ismael, all very nice. Are you restoring film cameras?

[tatocorvette]

Dec 26, 2023 19:07:45 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Superb modeling Ismael, all very nice. Are you restoring film cameras?

Thanks!
Yes. I restore vintage film cameras but 2023 was pretty much empty. 
Here is a look at 2022, which was on the contrary: Cameras beat models by a long shot:  www.pentaxforums.com/forums/211-vintage-cameras-equipment/450564-my-2022-review-36-cameras-13-rolls-film-lot-more.html

Thanks,
Ismael

[jeaton01]

Well, we have the K100D in common, although mine died when the USB connection broke from the motherboard and I couldn't find any economical way to repair it. I replaced it with a K-5, and a few years ago added a K3-II, The first camera I had was a Praktica, then I had a Cannon AE-1, then I bought a Pentax SF-1. You could say I am happy with my Pentax cameras and lenses.

[dukemaddog]

Ismael, that is one amazing and masterful lineup of models! Way to go! I am overwhelmed; not only quantity but outstanding quality!

I wish you lived close. I have an old Minolta I got from my high school yearbook director that was a graduation gift to me. I had taken such amazing photos for him for the yearbook; he gave me the camera I used the most as a graduation present. It is very special to me and I wish I could get it running again; he had told me that because of me they had released the best yearbook in 20+ years.

[kyledehart5]

Stunning Ismael, as I said before, but it is a pleasure to see these wonderful builds again.

[Medicman71]

Wow! Those are really cool!

[406 Silverado]

Thank you for sharing all of these great builds of yours with us Ismael. I like your photography of your work just as much as I like the builds themselves. I know you tend to favor Corvettes but I really like that T/A that you finished up as I have always had a liking to these cars (you can blame my mom & dad for taking me to see Smokey & The Bandit all those years ago). Beautiful work on all pal.

[keavdog]

Nice production for the year. Love that light blue corvette.

[handiabled]

Wonderful work! I really like the hanging pictures of your other Vette builds on the back drop for your Corvette shots

[Steve Zuleski]

Awesome work, Ismael!