Monday, March 20, 2017

No more Jordan's

 









 It would be impossible for me to show all of the Jordan Highway Miniatures that I have built in one posting. You can look back in the archives to find many of them. These models were unique to 1/87 scale vehicle modeling in that they offered a highly detailed kit of injected molded plastic much like what larger scale modelers have available and what most of us are familiar with when we first all started building model kits. They came on a sprue and were assembled with a solvent type glue that welded the parts together to create a sturdy model when completed. The craftsmanship exhibited in the Jordan kits was second to none and the detail can't really be found in any other medium with the exception of after market photo etched parts.





   I would like to comment on the fact that the Jordan molds are to be destroyed. Rumor has it that it was in Jordan Jacksons' will that this happen. I find this to be a terribly sad commentary on the legacy of someone whom offered the modeling community some of the highest quality and diverse products that we so highly value.  Were it me, I would have wanted the talented efforts to continue and be remembered.  That said, I wish to express my sympathy and prayers to Jordan Jacksons' family and friends and wish that his memory survive beyond his models.
   I show here just a few of my most recently finished kits and bemoan the fact that I have only but a very few left. One of my favorites was the Bucyrus Erie B2 steam crawler that came in two configurations. One being a shovel and the other shown here a crane. I leave the side boarding off of these when I build them to show the magnificently detailed workings of the steam engine.









Another Jordan kit I have built many of is the Ford Model TT. This kit is a favorite of model railroaders  and represents a popular era many represent on their layouts. The original kit is configured in a stake bed that I have often changed to offer a wider variety.  Here, in my most recent TT build, I merely placed a wooden flatbed and "wrecked" it by placing a front wheel on a cinder block and weathered it appropriately.










In a fit of whimsy, I built a rat rod of the TT truck with the help of another Jordan kit, involving the use of the flathead V8 from the '40 Ford sedan. Not my best effort but a pretty wild little piece.




I was given this next kit to build in return for some accessory parts and thoroughly enjoyed the trade here. The Model A pickup may be the most popular of all the Jordan kits and this one was built box stock and without my (what has become) signature weathering.






And so an era in 1/87 scale vehicle modeling comes to an end. I envy those of you hoarding Jordan kits and wish you happy modeling as you go about completing them. I suspect the kits will be fetching amazing prices on ebay as time goes on and rightly so I suppose. I will sorely miss the 1922 Packard, the Ford Model AA and the deuce coupe mostly but there are so many great kits out there that I would love to be able to include in my modeling future.

In closing, I would encourage all to show their appreciation to those they love. Spread the hugs!