A massive fire at Universal Studios Sunday destroyed much of the New York City streetscape and other movie sets, causing tens of millions of dollars worth of damage, but no injuries were immediately reported. The fire, which broke out around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, destroyed the courthouse square seen in "Back to the Future" and the "Psyco's house". The cause of the blaze had not yet been determined. Damage estimates were not available, but costs are expected to rise into the millions. A thick column of smoke rose thousands of feet into the air and could be seen for miles. Thousands of videos from Universal's movie and TV shows were destroyed.
   But Universal officials said that they were thankful no visitors were seriously injured and that the damaged footage can be replaced. The videos included every film that Universal has produced and footage from television series including "Miami Vice" and "I Love Lucy." "We have duplicates of everything," said NBC Universal President and Chief Operating Officer Ron Meyer. "Nothing is lost forever."
   Two mock New York and New England streets used both for movies such as "Bruce Almighty," "Spider-Man 2" and "Transformers" and as tourist displays were a total loss, Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Darryl Jacobs said.Along with the courthouse square, the famous clock tower that enabled Michael J. Fox's character in "Back to the Future" to travel through time was damaged, fire officials said.

Posted by: Fabiano on Mon 6/2/2008 17:44

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   Today, I received some new pictures about the General Lee created by Luca77. This model was created using a '69 Dodge Charger produced by Hot Wheels and the scale is 1:64. Considering the dimensions, the model is detailed (look the CB antenna!!) and very similar to the real TV car. Very compliments Luca, now we are curious to see other models created by you!!

Posted by: Fabiano on Tue 6/3/2008 14:35

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   In this period, I started to work hard on my models (I'm working on the Lee1 and on the 2 Travellers but this time I will show you only the progress on the first one). In particular, I created the front radio antenna located on the hood side. To do this, I used a bristle catch from a broom, then I painted it with a silver paint. The result is good and finally I can say that my Lee1 is complete on the exterior... Now I need only to complete it, finishing the engine bay.

Posted by: Fabiano on Thu 6/5/2008 12:08

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   In the last weekend I worked a lot on my models (especially on the Travellers) but today I will show you only my last update on the Lee1: watching some pictures of the real car, I noticed I forgot to add some chromed profiles (normally used with the vinyl roof). So, using plasticard I realized 4 thin stripes and then I painted them with silver paint. I hope you like the final result!!

Posted by: Fabiano on Mon 6/9/2008 11:46

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   Today, I want to propose you an easy tutorial to modify the suspensions used in the first series of "Dodge Charger" models produced by ERTL. The defect of these suspensions is they are too high, so this tutorial will help you to take-down your Chargers!! I hope you appreciate it

Posted by: Fabiano on Tue 6/10/2008 11:36

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   As promised, today I will show you the last progresses on the 1st Traveller I created. As you can see watching the pictures, I modified this model in the following parts: 1) rims appearance, 2) suspensions height, 3) new air filter and 4) vinyl chrome profiles. Now, the model looks better!! In the near future I will show you the progresses on the other Traveller.

Posted by: Fabiano on Wed 6/11/2008 12:27

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   The last week I bought on eBay a new model, an awesome red Shelby Mustang GT500 produced by AUTOart: this car has been used in the movie "I'm Legend" with Will Smith. I think I will receive it within the next 2 days and then I will show it on these pages.
   Moreover, with the help of Roberto, I will prepare a comparison with the same model produced by Shelby Collectibles. So, stay tuned!!

Posted by: Fabiano on Tue 6/17/2008 11:59

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   Waiting the Shelby, today I shot just for fun some pictures of my Lee1 using the old Boars Nest I created the last year. The result can be improved, but it helps to create the right "Hazzard" atmosphere. I hope you enjoy with them!!

Posted by: Fabiano on Thu 6/19/2008 22:55

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   Finally, today I will show you the awesome Shelby Mustang GT500 produced by AUTOart. The details on this diecast model are grand: you can watch it in the following pictures, but you will realize this model has no defects. Moreover, this model is a limited edition of 6000 pieces (mine is the #2044) and in the package there is a Certficate of Authenticity. Every time I bought a model produced by AUTOart, I think this producer is one of the best on the world!!

Posted by: Fabiano on Fri 6/20/2008 12:20

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   Saturday, I visited the "Movieland" park with my girlfriend: it's the first time I visit this park and, at the beginning, I must admit I wished to visit it only to see the TV/movie cars distribuited on its surface. However, I visited all the other attractions and I must say I had great fun in this park (especially into the "Horror House", into the "U-571" submarine and on the "Virus Letale" tour). Also we have seen the Indiana Jones show, where a group of stuntmen have recreated (in real time) a scene of the original movie using speedboats, waterbikes, explosive, etc... Very impressive!!!
   Anyway, I've taken some pictures of the cars: my preferred subject has been the General Lee because around to it there is a beautiful reconstruction of the Cooter's garage (it's a bar/pizzeria): certainly, it will not be never like the Dukesfest, but at least I had a fantastic time with my girlfriend! And now, watch my pictures

Posted by: Fabiano on Mon 6/23/2008 16:55

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   In the previous days, I found on eBay this wonderful vintage diecast model of the "General Lee". It was produced in the 1981 by ERTL and it's slighly larger than a classic 1/18th scale model but I bought it because I already own the "Coyote X", produced by the same manufacturer in the same period. Unfortunately, now this model is not in my hand but in this moment it's travelling from the UK to the Italy, so I show you only the pictures received from the seller. When I will receive the car, I will update the pictures with a new photo session.

Posted by: Fabiano on Wed 6/25/2008 14:26

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   Waiting the first pictures from the Dukesfest 2008, I finished to work on the wheels mounted on the grey Traveller, the replica of the car owned by Erik Dimitriou. As you can see from the pictures, I modified the model as the other Traveller, reducing the suspensions height and the rims colouring. Now, this model is ready for a "virtual" Dukesfest... Stay tuned for a funny surprise!!

Posted by: Fabiano on Thu 6/26/2008 15:56

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   As announced yesterday, in conjunction with the original Dukesfest 2008, I organized a little meeting with all my "Dukes of Hazzard/Collier & Co." diecast models. Unfortunately, this year it's not possibile for me visit this great event, but the next year I will make my best to visit it, to know all the funny members of the CGLFC forum and the cast crews.
   So, for this year, I satisfy myself with this meeting in 1/18th.

Posted by: Fabiano on Fri 6/27/2008 09:42

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