HUBLEY GABRIEL SCALE MODEL Car Kits

I have in the past, but no examples around to photograph.  Also have a couple on the shelf in the queue.  They build up into okay models, but need a somewhat different skill set than plastic kits.

Requires a somewhat different skill set to plastic models. You are dead right there Don! When I started the Duesie I was somewhat disappointed with the kit when I finally got one! I first saw this kit way back in the 60's and it was frighteningly expensive here in the UK at that time and way out of my budget. Having got used to making plastic, resin and white metal kits that had improved so much in quality over the years, I quickly realised when I opened the box to this kit that I had a bit of a chellenge on my hands! Everthing looked so heavy compared to modern kits. Anyway it was quite fun to build, plus the fact that there is little in the way of Duesenberg car kits out there in a larger scale. This one is 1/18th scale. I believe that there was a 1/16th scale plastic kit from Bandai of a boat tailed roadster, but I have never seen this kit. That must be it apart from the smaller Monogram 1/24th scale kits and the 1/32nd scale Pyros. I must admit that when Pocher was in business a Duesenberg SJ Phaeton in 1/8th scale from them would have been magnificent and done well in the American Market.

Hi I am very interested in your article,but do not know how find it could you assist me.

                                                                   Thank you

                                                                            Michael

                                                         mdtltd@rcn.com

Hi Michael

Thanks for the interest. I submitted an article to FSM about building the old Hubley Dusie probably about 3 years ago now, and as far as I know it has not been used yet.. I guess that it has been put 'on the back burner' by the editorial staff as I would imagine that the magazine normally has to give preference to articles about more currently available kits etc. The only thing I can suggest is 'watch this space' in future issues of FSM. Naturally I am a little disappointed that they have not used it yet as I thought that a 'Golden Oldie' article would be of interest to FSM readers. Hopefully it will get used sometime soon in the future. I don't know what the availability is of the old Hubley...ne..Gabriel....ne. Scale Models car kits in the USA these days. If they are currently out of production and not readily available, this may have a bearing as to why my article has not been used yet. Sorry I cannot help you any more than this at present, and I value your enquiry.

Hi Michael    once again!

I tried to contact Matthew Usher by e mail a couple of times recently about my article to find out what is happening, but unfortunately he has not replied to either of them.

The Hubley Metal Models and Kits are still alive, well, and kicking. Hubley Model Kits (Dot) Org was founded 5 years ago. Visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HubleyModelKits. e-Mail: info@HubleyModelKits.Org.

The original Hubley Scale Model Club ("...send 50-cents"), was recently Revitalized. e-Mail: Hubley_SMClub@yahoo.com. Visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hubley_SMClub. The SMClub also has a branch in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK.

I remember building a Hubley Model A when I was a kid. I'm not sure if it was 1/16 scale, but it was pretty large. It was kind of difficult to build because I had my right hand in a cast at the time, but I could use my fingers a bit. I recall it was a nice model; fairly good engine & drivetrain, but the metal parts needed a lot of cleanup. My cast wound up being sort of metal body colored instead of white. As I recall it came out OK but was a bit sparse on detail. As a kid I didn't care, but if I was going to build one today I'd try to detail it better.

I recently found some late 1970s Monogram 1/24 scale metal body kits that are pretty nice. They have very nice metal bodies & lots of nicely detailed plastic parts, typical of Monogram classic cars. One in particular, the Jaguar XK-120, is a real beauty. There are six different models in this series; they're great kits & will fit in well with all my other 1/24 cars.

I mentioned them because I think I heard at one time that Hubley contributed the metal body castings for these kits. Can anyone verify this?

I just finished this Hubley Packard(see the build thread$ 2 Flea Market find below)      

Pete: Of the total 17 model which Hubley produced the Scales are: 2 Duesenbergs-1:18, 3 Packards-1:22, 3 Chevys- 1:20, and 7 Model A Fords-1:20. The Indianapolis 500 Racer, and the 1932 Ford Custom Hot-Rod were both 1:20. These two models were discontinued after only 1-1/2 years of production and are now highly prized. Cleaning off the casting "flash" and prepping for paint was all a part of the "Hobby-ist"   factors.. simply a part of building the model. JFB, HMK.Org

Philo: Obviously, your Hubley Packard Roadster is well  "Master-Crafted". If i may be pwermitted to posture my critique, the color-scheme is excellent and the photo is well composited. Your model is a credit to yourself and to Hubley. Especially notable is your treatment to the side-vent windows. With your permission, i would like to post your photos on our Hubley Scale Model website... it would serve as an inspiration to our novice and intermediate skilled hobbyists. Best regards, JFB, HMK.Org

Sure!Go right ahead!It came out quite well!

Hi again Michael NYC   Ref my Duesenberg article.    FSM Editor Matthew Usher has still not given me the courtesy of a reply to my earlier emails, so I'm afraid that I cannot give you any more information at present. Sorry.

I could use some advice regarding Hubley models. I built the Packard touring car and the Model A victoria in the 1970s using automotive paint and had no problems making them two-toned. I've recently built the two Duesenbergs and the 32 Chevy roadster. In two-toning the Duesenbergs, I used Tamiya paint, primer and masking tape. Several times the tape pulled the paint right off the metal. I had to redo one Duesenberg hood four times before it came out right. I tried using auto paint on the one model but it pulled off also. I washed the models in laquer thinner before painting. Any reason why the paint pulls off? I am going to be building the Model a woody soon and would appreciate any help out there.

I'm pretty new to putting models together. (I put together a motorcycle a few years ago for a friend that came out pretty well.) my father passed away a few weeks ago and, being the creative kid that likes making things, I got to bring home his collection of unassembled model kits. I've put one together (it's rather therapeutic when I'm missing him) and it came together quite nicely. This one I am starting next is the Hubley SJ Duesenberg Dual Cowl Phaeton he was working on last. This will be the first metal model I've ever done...(and while this may sound daft) the instructions have no information on colors that the "underneath" parts need to be..? I've fully read the instructions on priming the pieces and using steel wool between coats, the meticulous filing and all that. I want to be sure the engine and base pieces are colored correctly though...in searching for guidance I have read how "fiddely" this project is apt to be...some of the comments have scared me a little (haha!) but still hope to succeed. Can you offer any advice or direct me to a more detailed source for directions or suggestions? I'm a relative newbie but I figure if I worked out the spark plug wires and gas lines on the last one, this might be doable. Any pearls of wisdom you can offer would be much appreciated.

As far as the paint pulling off, what kind of primer are you using? I'd use Duplicolor or Plastikote. Also, id get low tack tape like they used to sell at art supply stores.

In response to Vern, the engine is apple green, and has a lot of polished aluminum on it. Cars were custom built, so body colors are owners choice. Like anything that can be mixed. They did a Maharaja's car, orange & black as an example.

I'm just joinin. There are 5 more Model T scale 1:20

Hi. I'm painting with lacquer.  The primer I use is a epoxy one. Two components plus acrylic disolvent. That helps a lot. I paint everything wit aerograph

I just started the LaGrande SJ.  Given that it's 50 years old, the tires have hardened quite.  Any suggestions on softening old rubber?

Hello:

I've used this technique with excellent results on old model car tires, both rubber & vinyl. Warning: before trying this idea, please, please examine each tire very, very closely to make sure there are no little cracks or splits anywhere on the "bead" (inside diameter).

I would suggest that you simply soak the tires (just one at a time) in very hot tap water (not so hot that it'll burn your fingers) for a half-hour or so & see if they've softened enough to press onto the rims (the tires, not your fingers...ha). If they still seem to be inflexible, increase the water temperature & time proportionately until the tire softens without distortion. I'd stay on the safe side & increase soaking time while using hotter water as a last resort. Don't be tempted to use boiling water or put the tires in a microwave.

Best of luck! Please let me know if you have success.

Hey , B.F. ;

 I just recently found the Model " A " roadster in an antique shop .Original , in the box .$ 175.00 A little rich for my budget ! T.B.

Thanks.  I'll try hot water and let you know.

Wow! I'm sorry for being so wordy about this topic!

But something came back to me as I was thinking further about your tire question & my own Hubley kit build from 40-plus years ago.

If your kit's tires are still fairly stiff or seem too tight of a fit on the model's wheels even after warming them up, then applying a small amount of soapy water around the tire's inside diameter and around the wheel rim should help them press into place at least a bit more easily.

When you think about it, it's essentially a scaled-down version of how actual car & truck tires are installed on rims. Instead of tire soap, though, I'd say one drop of Dawn or similar dishwashing soap mixed in a cup of water would be about right. 

Going further, if things still seem so tight that you're worried about breaking something when you press the tires on, then try rolling up a small piece of fine wet/dry sandpaper & lightly sanding the tire's inside diameter. This should be the ultimate fix. Roll the paper up lightly so it's got a slightly larger OD than the tire's ID. Push the paper through the tire, then turn the tire around while holding the sandpaper still, like winding a clock. This should remove just a touch of tire material evenly all around its ID without making the tire out-of-round. Two or three tries at the most should do it. 

I realize this an awful lot of fuss for softening hard old tires & getting them to fit, but you sure don't want to crush any of those virtually irreplaceable wheels.

Of course, you can always make your own spoked wheels. Seriously. Google Gerald Wingrove, MBE & look at some of his car modeling work. It's truly mindblowing to see how gifted this man is. He makes virtually every part of his models from scratch & even scratchbuilds many of the tools he uses to make the parts with! He's made countless amazing car replicas for various museums & private collections around the world. He is also a master ship modeler, has written several outstanding modeling books & is an inspiration to modelers of any skill level. He is British & has been awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his contributions to the arts and sciences.

Best of luck & I hope this will help you. But if all you truly wanted to know was how to make hard old tires softer, I apologize for all the unwanted verbiage & unsolicited advice. I'm sure this isn't your first kit building experience, but I don't get very many chances to talk about building models now that I'm retired. If I say words like "kit" or "model" to my wife she hides under the bed. But it's never the same bed twice which seems quite unfair. Just kidding, doll!. 

I still recommend checking out Mr. Wingrove's work, though. He's far more interesting than I am! But I wonder if his wife hides under beds, too?

Excellent and simple fixes, which make sense to me.  I'll let you know how it all works out.   I appreciate the information on Mr. Wingrove.   I'll definitely search him.

There is a collector near where I live in Maine:  Bob Bahre.   He has around 100 cars--the real deals--in his collection.  He opens it to the public once a year.  It includes a complete set of 1934 Derham-bodied Packard 12's.   He also has several Duesenbergs including the last one, which was undergoing restoration when I saw the collection. 

I bring up Bob, because a modeler came in and did a model of the Derham coupe.   He had access to the car, measured it, and photographed it.  The model is nearly as stunning as the car itself.

Thanks again for all the input.