Replica for an Old Friend

[Ken Hamilton]

The Arcade, and a couple other projects, where put on hold for a while
'cause I got involved (obsessed?) with a project for an old friend.

Thanks to Facebook, I recently reconnected with an old High School (Al Rose)
friend I hadn't seen since we graduated in 1966.  This is a two-year-old Al standing
on the seat of his father's Midget in 1950.



Al, I learned, went on to an illustrious military career as an Army Ranger and recently
retired as a Lt. Col. with all kinds of medals and other hardware  Al's son, SSgt Scott Rose,
followed in his father's footsteps.  Scott was killed in Iraq in 2003.

That picture, along with Al's history, prompted me to build a quasi-replica (not "nut-for-nut",
but something with the "feel" of the real car) of #39, using the 1/25th scale Revell Kurtis kit as a basis.
The model is more of a token of appreciation for a friend's lifetime of service and sacrifice than
a dead-on replica.
Here's how it turned out.....





Here's the car on a different base:



Our 45th Class Reunion is coming up shortly, so I'll get to give Al the model in person.

PS:  Here's the link to the Fotki album that documents the build and the kit modifications:

http://public.fotki.com/khamilton/models/the-rose-offy/

Thanks for looking.

[BKLN]

What a nice surprise, Ken! I love when models have a real story.

[marc_reusser]

A cool build with a nice sentiment. Thanks for sharing this. I like the display base with the B&W photo incorporated....makes a nice presentation that tells the story.

Marc

[NORCALLOGGER]

Ken,
What an utterly selfless thing to have done for an old friend. 
I'm sure he will prize the gift highly.
I salute you young man.
Rick

[eTraxx]

<snip> ... I recently reconnected with an old High School (Al Rose)
friend I hadn't seen since we graduated in 1966 ... <snip>

Man. I felt old from graduating in 1968 until I saw that. Ha  ........... wait ..... six more years and it will be my 50th reunion ..

* meh * 

[Ray Dunakin]

VERY cool. Nice model, terrific display, and a meaningful gift.

[Malachi Constant]

That's fantastic!  Ditto what Marc said -- outstanding presentation using the photo as a backdrop for the dio.  -- Dallas

[TRAINS1941]

Ken

What an excellent model.  I'm sure he will be totally surprised with the gift. 
Thank you for taking the time and sharing with us.

Jerry

[Chuck Doan]

One of the best kinds of projects. He should be thrilled.