Detailing a 1/18 Porsche GT from Autoart.

The really nice thing about 1/18 models is that they lend nicely to getting detailed and then then taking lovely photos. Here is an excellent model to begin with that never fails to inspire detailing. The Autoart 2006 Porsche 911 GT3 was one model I missed so much. When I had it, the model went through 2 phases of detailing.  Here are few of the details, mostly interior wiring, I did to the model. The first phase was the Reconstruction of the a detailed wiper arm

The detailed single wiper arm, a real pleasure to behold after I completed it. 

The wiring details in the interior

1930 Duesenberg Model "J" from Matchbox

One of the more recent additions to my Matchbox collection was this 1930 Duesenberg.  Recent meant 1977 or 78.  I did some alterations to the model, and the pics below should speak for those changes, though there are still more just put on hold.

Original matchbox Y-04-4 1930 Deusenberg Model 'J' 

Modified 1930 Deusenberg Model 'J' from Matchbox

Wrong Scale 

Similar to the 1938 Lagonda from Matchbox, this model is indicated in the box to be in the 1/43 scale. But comparing with other 1/43 scales, it is clearly smaller, more likely in the 1/46 -148 scale. Just compare the seat well to that of the Lagonda, it could not be so constricted if they were of the same scale. While the real Lagonda was a relatively large drophead couple, the limousine Duesenberg could not be smaller as shown in the comparative below.

Advantages of 1/43 collection hobby

I once had a passion for 1/18 models and have collected many that filled up a closet for storage.  I had wanted to have lighted cabinets to display them but the house is just not big enough to have one. That's the disadvantage of collecting 1/18s,  If you want to get them out of their boxes and individual display cases, you can't have more than 4 or 5 on a table. And you can't handle them with sweat on your hands as the acid in them will ruin the paint finish of these models in time. That is why  many hobbyists use gloves when handling 1/18 die-cast models

I have disposed of almost all my 1/18s and resumed my collection of 1/43w, known that modern metal casting technology have improved the detailing in most brands.  I am talking about Ixo, Kyosho, AutoArt, Minichamps, Leo, and Signature.  Some cheaper brands like De Agostino and other upstart China brands have followed suite. Matchbox, now made entirely in China, however, retained the costings of theur British and Macau predecessors and have not really followed international 1/43 scle standards. Detailing remained minimal.

With 1/43s, I can have as many 20 models on my table and feast my eyes handling each one and taking photos.
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I remember my first Matchbox toy, a red Ford Model T gifted to me by my mother when I was just 5 years old in 1964 . They were all made by Lesney in England. I don't know how it came to hit me but my road to a die-cast collection hobby took root with that model. Over the next decade I must have collected over a hundred various Matchbox die-casts, ranging from 1/100 to 1/54 to their large 1/43 to 1/38 models that I stored in 5-6 shoe boxes by the end of that period. Many were lost, ruined or given away to friends who also started their own collection hobbies. Toward the end of 70s, I shifted to Japan-made Tomica which were cheaper and more available. By the early 2000, nearly all of these model have been disposed off, retaining only a few the Models of Yesteryear series. to this day, here are the only ones the remained

Russian Vintage Limousine, 1939 Zis 102 Limo

Once in a while I get a cheap (pricewise) and plasticky 1/43 diecast that captured my fancy and gave me room to do some detailing on its body and interiors.  This De Agostino model of a Russian limousine, the Zis 102, said to have been the car used by Lenin and Stalin is one of them. The model has a excellent casting mold with deep lines that allowed for removing some paints to expose the metal to give an illusion of a chromed edge including door handles and hinges.

  The original with an all black interior and poorly packaged,.  Had to use a different displace case.

2016 - 2020 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Convertible from Kyosho

This is just so gorgeous to pass when I first saw along with its hard top version posted earlier. I love convertibles but only if the visible interiors are well-detailed to look realistic. This is one of them from the band that never fails to impress - Kyosho. At this scale, what impressed me most is the presence of separate seat belts with detailed buckles. This must be the largest convertible, exceeded only by presidential parade limousines and the Cadillac Eldorado (length but not as tall).