Once a year Formula 1 absolutely lives up to its billing as the most glamorous sport in the world and that time comes at the Monaco Grand Prix.
On Friday morning, I had to gingerly step aboard a tender and then climb a rope ladder dangling from the side of a yacht to interview Renault's Nick Heidfeld on deck. Yes, this really could only happen in Monaco.
Without a doubt, the glamour and prestige of the tiny principality, where residents are required to have a significant sum in the bank, inflates F1's wow factor.
"I love it here, it is fantastic," crooned Lewis Hamilton, a Monaco race-winner in 2008 for McLaren. "Wow, this is such a beautiful place to be."

Monaco's street circuit provides a unique thrill for spectators (Getty)
After a muted showing in recent years, the harbour is once again crammed with multi-million pound yachts. Force India owner Vijay Mallya held a Bollywood-themed party on the Indian Empress while the imposing Force Blue made its return with flamboyant owner and former Renault boss Flavio Briatore on board.
Red Bull and Toro Rosso have also taken to water in their floating motorhome - complete with its own swimming pool - while Ferrari have gone one better by putting up their personnel on a yacht.
With such exotic playthings at hand it's hardly surprising the guest list includes Hollywood A-listers Scarlett Johansson and Leonardo di Caprio.
But for all the privilege and status on show, the Monaco Grand Prix also provides unrivalled access for fans.
The more affluent spectator can fork out up to £3,800 for Sunday's race but the cheapest seat is £65 and offers amazing trackside views and a party atmosphere from the Rochers hill along the side of the royal palace.
It's also the only paddock where fans can walk along the waterfront and peer into the teams' inner sanctums before posing for photos with their heroes as they emerge from the motorhomes.
And when the racing is over and dusk falls, the party begins on the track as fans sip a biere or two at the Rascasse bar.

Glitzy promotional events are par for the course in Monaco (Getty)
When Stirling Moss raced here during the Sixties he developed a habit of waving at female fans sunning themselves along the harbour.
Moss said he even used it as a ploy in the 1961 grand prix when he was under pressure from Richie Ginther's chasing Ferrari. Moss took his hand off the wheel to salute a girl and prove he wasn't feeling under pressure.
But can McLaren driver Jenson Button, a Monaco playboy turned triathlete, still have a sneaky glimpse at an average speed of 100mph? "No," he answered sternly.
Whatever you think of Monaco's champagne and celebrity, the yachts and those who pose upon them, Button is spot on - none of it detracts from the racing through the streets.
The miniature land, stacked on a rocky lip of land between France's Mont Angel mountain and the Mediterranean, is just made for the fastest cars in the world to hurtle around.
First comes the noise, the hum hidden among the biscuit-coloured buildings that gathers to a roar as the cars flash past.
Watching the cars fly by the grand Casino, weave nose-to-tail round the hairpin, thunder through the tunnel and then out again in a blink of light past the water and back round to Rascasse is mesmerising, and often nail-biting.
The late Ayrton Senna, who won in Monaco a record six times, spoke of an out of body experience as he glided between the barriers and round the twisting curves.
Driving precision is everything here and there is virtually no let-up, no straights to clear the head over 78 laps.
Two-time Monaco winner turned BBC pundit David Coulthard commented: "For me there's no better challenge for the driver than Monte Carlo and no more glamorous grand prix. For me it's still a thrill."
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/05/once_a_year_formula_1.html
Vern Schuppan Adolfo Schwelm Cruz Bob Scott Archie Scott Brown Piero Scotti
Here's one that I got that was a total basket case, I thought It wasn't fixable, Its ready for a candy fog job!!!!












Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/957108.aspx
Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer
Gene Hartley Masahiro Hasemi Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins Mike Hawthorn
I'm writing this blog in the BBC's scorching production office in Monaco. It has huge windows and has been warming up all day long. Thankfully, EJ has just given me a very soggy cuddle and that is starting to cool me down.
The other positive is that after no lunch, the food Pete has bought for the production office is very welcome, and the cheese is awesomely tasty in the warm sun.
Anyway, I'll carry on munching and typing. My jeans are stuck to my legs with sweat, my feet ache and my forearms feel a little sunburned after being out in the heat since midday. It's now 6.50pm.
Incredible, isn't it, that for a race that lasts around two hours, we have been outside for the past seven. That's due to heading to the pit lane half hour before going on air to ensure our technical equipment is working. We then do our pre-race show, the Grand Prix itself, followed by the BBC1 post-show and the F1 Forum.
The whole idea of the F1 Forum is to give you guys the kind of insight that we simply don't have the time to give you on BBC One. Also, it's nice that it retains a little cult status by remaining behind the Red Button and online, only being accessed by those that really want to see it.
And this week I think regardless of your love for F1 it's worth a little watch: DC pleading, EJ diving (hence the soggy cuddle), the three of us walking, and Lewis complaining. Hopefully, as well as generating some headlines, it also made you laugh along the way. Take a look and do share your thoughts on here.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
One of the most controversial moments of this week's Forum was Lee McKenzie's interview with a clearly frustrated and angry Lewis Hamilton.
I'm not condoning what Lewis said specifically, in the heat of the moment, but I will say I'm always pleased to see drivers speaking their mind and being honest. We moan and groan when they are as bland as possible to avoid any potential controversy, so we mustn't be outraged when they share their honesty.
I'm sure you've had bad days at the office. Imagine leaving your desk and having a microphone being shoved under your nose. Not easy to deal with.
Anyway, back to the track. Only last week I was commenting how clean and respectful the racing has been this season: no safety cars, very few incidents and accidents. And then we see two ambulances on the track in two days.
I was very relieved to hear that Sergio Perez and Vitaly Petrov were OK. The timing screens we have at our disposal give us the drivers' timings for each sector of the lap, and for a very long time on Saturday, Sergio's simply stated "STOP" where there should have been a sector time.
It was quite a powerful image to see on the screens and a little eerie if I'm honest.
Cars are so safe these days that young drivers in the sport are sometimes accused of not being as aware about the potential dangers as they should be, and sometimes taking a more blasé attitude to the danger element compared to the era of Moss, Stewart, or even Coulthard.
However, it is quite clear that the sport itself, along with the FIA, have made huge strides in making sure the cars are strong, and the infrastructure and marshaling around the circuits is of the very highest calibre.
I must admit to being concerned that, whenever a corner generates a few incidents, some immediately question its place in a modern Grand Prix circuit. My opinion is that the sport should do all it can to make it as safe as possible without sanitizing the racing or taking away a huge part of the sport - risk. Take away the risk element and what would we have left?
---
The previous few paragraphs were written in the office, I've now walked to our bus, trundled to the airport, eaten some fast food (whoops!), and now I'm 493 miles and 90 minutes from home.
The plane is packed with British F1 fans whom have all had a good weekend, judging by the smiles and sun-blushed red faces all around us. We are such TV geeks on our team that I'm sitting with Robin - one of the editors - and we're listening to potential songs on our iPods to use at the end of our coverage over the next few races.
Talking of music, it was already pumping, and the dancing was in full swing as we left the Principality. One of the coolest things in Monaco is that the track by day, becomes a two-mile-long nightclub once the sun sets. Chicanes become soft-seating areas, Tabac corner turns into a cocktail bar, and Le Rascasse becomes VERY loud as party animals keep the action going 24/7.
In fact, just before we took off, EJ told me he was heading there to play on the track with his band tonight. I think I'm better off heading home for an early night tucked up in bed rather than partying with EJ.
Eddie and David were great sports on the Red Bull barge, I thought, once it was clear they were going to get wet. I particularly enjoyed David squeals as his former colleagues lobbed him in the pool, and EJ's attempted duck-dive for his glasses will live with me and the F1 Forum viewers for a long time.
I saw a few comments questioning why we were at Red Bull after the race. My answer to that is that we're there to report the stories, and that was where the story was. I promise you, standing outside a different motorhome with nothing to see but the crews packing up after a frustrating day wouldn't make such great TV. Remember when Lewis won in China? We were right with him on that day too.
Anyway, with Adele's new album (brilliant!) helping to remove the considerable adrenaline from my bloodsteam, and an airline G&T starting to take effect, I'm beginning to feel a little weary. It's time for a power nap.
I'll first sign off by saying, on behalf of the whole team, how proud and delighted we were to win a Bafta last Sunday.
I know the job looks glamorous, and it certainly can be at times. However, there are plenty of airport queues, late nights in the edit and hairy moments behind the scenes as we try to push the envelope of live TV to the limit.
Plenty of the BBC crew travel to each race and never even see a car on track. For that reason, the Bafta is very much dedicated to them, their professionalism, companionship and talent.
Have a great week, thanks for the Tweets and see you all in Canada.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2011/05/glamour_and_controversy_in_mon.html
Eppie Wietzes Mike Wilds Jonathan Williams Roger Williamson Dempsey Wilson
I'm writing this blog in the BBC's scorching production office in Monaco. It has huge windows and has been warming up all day long. Thankfully, EJ has just given me a very soggy cuddle and that is starting to cool me down.
The other positive is that after no lunch, the food Pete has bought for the production office is very welcome, and the cheese is awesomely tasty in the warm sun.
Anyway, I'll carry on munching and typing. My jeans are stuck to my legs with sweat, my feet ache and my forearms feel a little sunburned after being out in the heat since midday. It's now 6.50pm.
Incredible, isn't it, that for a race that lasts around two hours, we have been outside for the past seven. That's due to heading to the pit lane half hour before going on air to ensure our technical equipment is working. We then do our pre-race show, the Grand Prix itself, followed by the BBC1 post-show and the F1 Forum.
The whole idea of the F1 Forum is to give you guys the kind of insight that we simply don't have the time to give you on BBC One. Also, it's nice that it retains a little cult status by remaining behind the Red Button and online, only being accessed by those that really want to see it.
And this week I think regardless of your love for F1 it's worth a little watch: DC pleading, EJ diving (hence the soggy cuddle), the three of us walking, and Lewis complaining. Hopefully, as well as generating some headlines, it also made you laugh along the way. Take a look and do share your thoughts on here.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
One of the most controversial moments of this week's Forum was Lee McKenzie's interview with a clearly frustrated and angry Lewis Hamilton.
I'm not condoning what Lewis said specifically, in the heat of the moment, but I will say I'm always pleased to see drivers speaking their mind and being honest. We moan and groan when they are as bland as possible to avoid any potential controversy, so we mustn't be outraged when they share their honesty.
I'm sure you've had bad days at the office. Imagine leaving your desk and having a microphone being shoved under your nose. Not easy to deal with.
Anyway, back to the track. Only last week I was commenting how clean and respectful the racing has been this season: no safety cars, very few incidents and accidents. And then we see two ambulances on the track in two days.
I was very relieved to hear that Sergio Perez and Vitaly Petrov were OK. The timing screens we have at our disposal give us the drivers' timings for each sector of the lap, and for a very long time on Saturday, Sergio's simply stated "STOP" where there should have been a sector time.
It was quite a powerful image to see on the screens and a little eerie if I'm honest.
Cars are so safe these days that young drivers in the sport are sometimes accused of not being as aware about the potential dangers as they should be, and sometimes taking a more blasé attitude to the danger element compared to the era of Moss, Stewart, or even Coulthard.
However, it is quite clear that the sport itself, along with the FIA, have made huge strides in making sure the cars are strong, and the infrastructure and marshaling around the circuits is of the very highest calibre.
I must admit to being concerned that, whenever a corner generates a few incidents, some immediately question its place in a modern Grand Prix circuit. My opinion is that the sport should do all it can to make it as safe as possible without sanitizing the racing or taking away a huge part of the sport - risk. Take away the risk element and what would we have left?
---
The previous few paragraphs were written in the office, I've now walked to our bus, trundled to the airport, eaten some fast food (whoops!), and now I'm 493 miles and 90 minutes from home.
The plane is packed with British F1 fans whom have all had a good weekend, judging by the smiles and sun-blushed red faces all around us. We are such TV geeks on our team that I'm sitting with Robin - one of the editors - and we're listening to potential songs on our iPods to use at the end of our coverage over the next few races.
Talking of music, it was already pumping, and the dancing was in full swing as we left the Principality. One of the coolest things in Monaco is that the track by day, becomes a two-mile-long nightclub once the sun sets. Chicanes become soft-seating areas, Tabac corner turns into a cocktail bar, and Le Rascasse becomes VERY loud as party animals keep the action going 24/7.
In fact, just before we took off, EJ told me he was heading there to play on the track with his band tonight. I think I'm better off heading home for an early night tucked up in bed rather than partying with EJ.
Eddie and David were great sports on the Red Bull barge, I thought, once it was clear they were going to get wet. I particularly enjoyed David squeals as his former colleagues lobbed him in the pool, and EJ's attempted duck-dive for his glasses will live with me and the F1 Forum viewers for a long time.
I saw a few comments questioning why we were at Red Bull after the race. My answer to that is that we're there to report the stories, and that was where the story was. I promise you, standing outside a different motorhome with nothing to see but the crews packing up after a frustrating day wouldn't make such great TV. Remember when Lewis won in China? We were right with him on that day too.
Anyway, with Adele's new album (brilliant!) helping to remove the considerable adrenaline from my bloodsteam, and an airline G&T starting to take effect, I'm beginning to feel a little weary. It's time for a power nap.
I'll first sign off by saying, on behalf of the whole team, how proud and delighted we were to win a Bafta last Sunday.
I know the job looks glamorous, and it certainly can be at times. However, there are plenty of airport queues, late nights in the edit and hairy moments behind the scenes as we try to push the envelope of live TV to the limit.
Plenty of the BBC crew travel to each race and never even see a car on track. For that reason, the Bafta is very much dedicated to them, their professionalism, companionship and talent.
Have a great week, thanks for the Tweets and see you all in Canada.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2011/05/glamour_and_controversy_in_mon.html
Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis
I needed something for my mother to display the '57 stepside I built her. I had this sign laying around for years and found a scrap of old barn wood at my wifes aunts house and BAM! a display was born. I'm gonna put a wire on the back so it can be hung on the wall. Hope y'all dig it.

Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/961966.aspx
Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral
Here is my attempt at Petty's 1967 GTX I used the Revell GTX and added the roll cage from a 64 Plymouth, the tub is actually from a 57 Chevy (almost a drop in fit) and decals from Slixx. Thanks for looking


Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/960478.aspx
Toshio Suzuki Jacques Swaters Bob Sweikert Toranosuke Takagi Noritake Takahara
I'm going to the big city ( Ft. Wayne ) this Saturday to the only hobby shop left & need chrome foil. Bare metal foil is all I've ever used, but this hobby shop only has Model Master. Is this foil as good as Bare Metal or would I be better off ordering Bare Metal off the internet instead?
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/961551.aspx
Ernie Pieterse Paul Pietsch Andre Pilette Teddy Pilette Luigi Piotti