I built and painted these 1:8 scale models for my son Alec, how did I do? (4 Viewers)

[Louis Badolato]

When I was a kid, I coveted but could not afford metal toy soldiers like those many of us collect today, so I built and painted models to create my miniature army. However, I have not attempted to build or paint a model or figure in more than thirty years.

My son, Alec, however, now 6-1/2, has taken an interest in models (dinosaur and cartoon related, mostly), and asked me (I had originally planned to pay someone who knows what they're doing) to build and paint some Jonny Quest 1:8 scale cold cast models I was able to find him on the internet (he is a huge fan of the classic Jonny Quest cartoons from the mid-1960's - he saw them on Cartoon Network of Boomerang and he's hooked).

So, after a trip to Willis Hobbies (the hobby shop Andy and Gordon Neilson fell in love with at a NY Symposium a few years ago) I sat down with him and we got to work. I followed the instructions religiously, washing the parts, then sanding them before assembling them. I let my son prime the models, and then once he got bored and wandered off the watch the cartoon on DVD, I set to work painting them. Two full days (14 hours hunched over the table) of work later, I was pretty darn satisfied with the outcome. Remember, these are 1:8 scale, much much bigger than anything I had worked with as a kid, so my weaker eyes and less steady hands did not cause as much trouble as I feared.

I asked Brad to post some photos I took of the figures, Dr. Benton Quest, Hadji and Race Bannon. Once he does, let me know what you think.:smile2:

 

[lancer]

When I was a kid, I coveted but could not afford metal toy soldiers like those many of us collect today, so I built and painted models to create my miniature army. However, I have not attempted to build or paint a model or figure in more than thirty years.

My son, Alec, however, now 6-1/2, has taken an interest in models (dinosaur and cartoon related, mostly), and asked me (I had originally planned to pay someone who knows what they're doing) to build and paint some Jonny Quest 1:8 scale cold cast models I was able to find him on the internet (he is a huge fan of the classic Jonny Quest cartoons from the mid-1960's - he saw them on Cartoon Network of Boomerang and he's hooked).

So, after a trip to Willis Hobbies (the hobby shop Andy and Gordon Neilson fell in love with at a NY Symposium a few years ago) I sat down with him and we got to work. I followed the instructions religiously, washing the parts, then sanding them before assembling them. I let my son prime the models, and then once he got bored and wandered off the watch the cartoon on DVD, I set to work painting them. Two full days (14 hours hunched over the table) of work later, I was pretty darn satisfied with the outcome. Remember, these are 1:8 scale, much much bigger than anything I had worked with as a kid, so my weaker eyes and less steady hands did not cause as much trouble as I feared.

I asked Brad to post some photos I took of the figures, Dr. Benton Quest, Hadji and Race Bannon. Once he does, let me know what you think.:smile2:

Sounds like a lot of fun, Louis, and your son has good taste. The Quest cartoons are great and were some of my favorites, especially the episode where Race is forced into a dogfight flying a Spad against a bad guy flying a Fokker D-7. What a shock, right?:rolleyes2: Haven't seen them in decades, so might try to catch them now that I know where to look. Thanks. -- Al

 

[Louis Badolato]

Sounds like a lot of fun, Louis, and your son has good taste. The Quest cartoons are great and were some of my favorites, especially the episode where Race is forced into a dogfight flying a Spad against a bad guy flying a Fokker D-7. What a shock, right?:rolleyes2: Haven't seen them in decades, so might try to catch them now that I know where to look. Thanks. -- Al

That's one of my favorite episodes too. I also loved the one where they fly a DeHaviland Tiger Moth up onto a mountain in Africa, and find a Nazi war criminal commanding a bunch of left over Neanderthals.

 

[lancer]

That's one of my favorite episodes too. I also loved the one where they fly a DeHaviland Tiger Moth up onto a mountain in Africa, and find a Nazi war criminal commanding a bunch of left over Neanderthals.

Jony had some great story lines. I also remember some episode that had an invisible energy monster that I think was 'borrowed' from Forbidden Planet, down to the same footprints in the sand and electrified fence. Can hardly blame the cartoon writers for borrowing from the classics.^&grin -- Al

 

[Louis Badolato]

Jony had some great story lines. I also remember some episode that had an invisible energy monster that I think was 'borrowed' from Forbidden Planet, down to the same footprints in the sand and electrified fence. Can hardly blame the cartoon writers for borrowing from the classics.^&grin -- Al

The models I built are from the episode you just mentioned - The Invisible Monster. Unfortunately, when I took the photos I was focusing on the figures, not eh diorama base, so I cut off the part of the base with the monster's footprint in the sand. That's why Doctor Quest is squatting down, he is in the act of examining the monster when Jonny (the one model I haven't obtained yet, although I hope to have it by tomorrow) "sees" the invisible monster approaching (its knocking down trees and stuff) and points to it. The other characters are reacting to the monster's approach (for example, Hadji is reaching for the botton to ignite his rocket belt or jet pack or whatever and take to the skies).

 

[Go for Broke]

A lot of the shows I loved as a kid, I no longer find entertaining such as the 3-Stooges. Jonny Quest is still a great show, even at the age of 53! I used to see the DVD sets at Costco and alway hestitated to buy them. Now I'll have to buy it, if I see it. BTW, I really liked "Top Cat" too. Thanks for the memory Louis.

 

[Louis Badolato]

A lot of the shows I loved as a kid, I no longer find entertaining such as the 3-Stooges. Jonny Quest is still a great show, even at the age of 53! I used to see the DVD sets at Costco and alway hestitated to buy them. Now I'll have to buy it, if I see it. BTW, I really liked "Top Cat" too. Thanks for the memory Louis.

Top Cat is also on Boomerang. Of all the shows I loved as a kid, Jonny Quest has stood the test of time best. I watch a couple of episodes every night with my son Alec and daughter Ashley (4-1/2). The only draw back is, unlike when I was a kid, and watched one episode a week, I watch all 26 episodes in a couple of weeks. What a shame that the show only ran for one season.

 

[Go for Broke]

What!!? Only one season? I didn't realize that.

 

[jazzeum]

Here are the photos. I'm no expert but looks pretty good to me, better than I can do, I'll tell you that.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Thanks Brad!:smile2: For both posting the photos and the compliment.:wink2:

 

[lancer]

Thanks Brad!:smile2: For both posting the photos and the compliment.:wink2:

Outstanding job, Louis. You really nailed them. I never realized the show only had one season. It repeated for so long, it seemed as it ran forever. Now, how about a real obscure show, Clutch Cargo, they of the amazing moving lips.:tongue: -- Al

 

[Louis Badolato]

Outstanding job, Louis. You really nailed them. I never realized the show only had one season. It repeated for so long, it seemed as it ran forever. Now, how about a real obscure show, Clutch Cargo, they of the amazing moving lips.:tongue: -- Al

Thanks Al!:smile2: I really tried to be faithful to the show. If I get the Jonny Quest model, once I've built it I will ask Brad to post a couple of shots of it as well.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Really well done - especially the folds and shadow in the clothes which give it depth. Certainly better than I can do.

Terry

 

[Louis Badolato]

Really well done - especially the folds and shadow in the clothes which give it depth. Certainly better than I can do.

Terry

Thanks Terry! The folds and shadow are actually pretty easy. First you wash (brush a watered down version of) a darker version of the color (for example dark blue on a medium blue shirt) over the deeper portions where you want shadow, then you "dry brush" a lighter version (light blue over the medium blue shirt) on the raised portions to get the effect.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Excellent job on the painting ! Looks like you have retained your skills from days ago :wink2:

 

[Mitch]

Never saw the show but they look fine. Now some WWII next??
Mitch

 

[OzDigger]

Louis, great work on the figures. I had a lot of fun doing similar stuff with my kids, something you and they will remember for the rest of your lives.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Excellent job on the painting ! Looks like you have retained your skills from days ago :wink2:

Thanks!:smile2:

 

[Louis Badolato]

Never saw the show but they look fine. Now some WWII next??
Mitch

Mitch,

Thanks, I have an entire closet full of Bandai 1:48 scale WWII armored vehicle models, and am waiting until he is a year or two older to build them with my son Alec.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis, great work on the figures. I had a lot of fun doing similar stuff with my kids, something you and they will remember for the rest of your lives.

Thanks, Oz!:smile2: I love doing things with my son, and will add model building to fishing and ice skating (he is starting to play hockey) as something I treasure doing with Alec and my daughter Ashley.