Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2008 21:20:24 GMT -5
“Once upon a time, there was a modeler living in Southern California, who built mostly 1/72 aircraft, along with some other subjects (Airliners, 1/700 Ships, occasional 1/35 Armor, etc). One day, he was in his local Hobby Shop, when he met another modeler by the name of Russ Bundy. Over the next few months, he found that he and Russ got along well together. The modeler found that Russ built 1/48 aircraft, but was also a huge fan of the Indianapolis 500, and had several models of Indy Winners. After a series of events at the Hobby Shop, Russ got rid of almost all his model kits, except for the Indy Car models. After a short time, the modeler and Russ got an apartment together, and things were good. But then, one day, Russ went and got himself married (which is a “WHOLE ‘NOTHER” story!!!!!!!!!!!!) But, I digress!
One day in late November 1993, Russ called the modeler and said, “Don’t you have a model of the 1987 Winner?” (For by then, Russ’s enthusiasm had rubbed off, and the modeler had started getting interested in 1/25 Indy models). The modeler said he did have that model, where upon Russ said, “I need you to build that for the display of Indy Winners that is being put together at the Indy 500 Museum. Oh, and it needs to be built by next April!” The modeler gulped and said, “But Russ, you know how slow I build – I don’t know if I can do that” Russ replied, “Oh, you can do it. I have confidence in you.”
So, the modeler began building the kit, and with MUCH help from Russ, the modeler did complete the model in time. In April 1994, he and Russ flew from Los Angeles to Indianapolis, froze their butts off, and met a group of other Indy Car modelers. Together, the group put together a great-looking display of the Indy Winners in 1/25 scale. They had an absolutely fantastic time, and a whole lot of fun with a terrific group of really talented modelers. The display was originally to be in the Museum for two years. As of June 2008, the display is still there.
And that is how the Southern California modeler came to have a model on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.”
-- Okay, so it wasn’t such a short story! The modeler, obviously, is me! And I am proud to have Russ Bundy as my best friend. He’s a great guy, a terrific modeler, and a storehouse of knowledge and stories on the Indy 500. I look forward to the Second Indy Display, and I seem to have volunteered to build the 1923 Winner of Tommy Milton (yeah, I know, here we go again!!)
So, anybody interested in a collection of 1/200 Airliners? Or some Waterline Ships or Armor Kits??
Tom Hampton
One day in late November 1993, Russ called the modeler and said, “Don’t you have a model of the 1987 Winner?” (For by then, Russ’s enthusiasm had rubbed off, and the modeler had started getting interested in 1/25 Indy models). The modeler said he did have that model, where upon Russ said, “I need you to build that for the display of Indy Winners that is being put together at the Indy 500 Museum. Oh, and it needs to be built by next April!” The modeler gulped and said, “But Russ, you know how slow I build – I don’t know if I can do that” Russ replied, “Oh, you can do it. I have confidence in you.”
So, the modeler began building the kit, and with MUCH help from Russ, the modeler did complete the model in time. In April 1994, he and Russ flew from Los Angeles to Indianapolis, froze their butts off, and met a group of other Indy Car modelers. Together, the group put together a great-looking display of the Indy Winners in 1/25 scale. They had an absolutely fantastic time, and a whole lot of fun with a terrific group of really talented modelers. The display was originally to be in the Museum for two years. As of June 2008, the display is still there.
And that is how the Southern California modeler came to have a model on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.”
-- Okay, so it wasn’t such a short story! The modeler, obviously, is me! And I am proud to have Russ Bundy as my best friend. He’s a great guy, a terrific modeler, and a storehouse of knowledge and stories on the Indy 500. I look forward to the Second Indy Display, and I seem to have volunteered to build the 1923 Winner of Tommy Milton (yeah, I know, here we go again!!)
So, anybody interested in a collection of 1/200 Airliners? Or some Waterline Ships or Armor Kits??
Tom Hampton
Now, because of Mr. Russ Bundy (!!!), I am building more Watson and Kurtis Roadsters than my own classification of NASCAR models it seems! At least I retired last Wednesday, so I have much more building time.
