'Calling All Cars...' - Chicago Police '34 FORD --FINISHED--

Outstanding.

This sort of echos a comment above, but I can't say I've ever wanted somebody elses model on display, but this one, yes, I would.

Bakster

Say, I have question. Did you use Molotow on all the chrome pieces and trim? And if so, what is your process? Do you strip the factory supplied chrome? Or, do you just paint over it? Also, are you decanting to airbrush?

Not sure why I didn't strip any chrome parts on this one--since it's normally the first thing I do--but the attachment points and even the mold seams on the kit's parts were both intelligently-located...and minimal...so I went with just 'touching up,' for the most part.

I'm a new and very enthusiastic convert to the Molotow marker, having gotten a single 1mm version to 'play with' after having seen it lauded in assorted forums. I was dazzled the first time I used it...couldn't believe how convincing it was compared to everything including Bare Metal foil!

As far as technique goes, once the stuff gets flowing, it just goes on smoothly and seems remarkably self-leveling, which surprised me a bit. Even later 'touch ups' seem to blend in remarkably well.

I used the marker tip 'as is' for touching up repaired mold seams. For larger pieces...like my converted sirens, and the base of the gumball on the roof...I 'popped' the spring-loaded marker tip to release a little drop of the stuff onto a sprue 'tab,' then applied it with a small brush. It went on glass-smooth and cleaned up with lacquer thinner.

Haven't tried airbrushing it yet, but that's the next logical step.

Great looking model. Very well done.

Greg

Outstanding.

This sort of echos a comment above, but I can't say I've ever wanted somebody elses model on display, but this one, yes, I would.

Thanks, Greg.

That was sort of my reaction when I saw the die-cast version; I just had to have those beautiful markings. I was quite happy to shamelessly copy Franklin Mint's work, whether it was accurate or not! (That wasn't a dig--I'm just not sure; couldn't track down what they based theirs on.)

Only changes I made were the year and two slight markings tweaks. The die-cast was a '33...but since the readily-available '34 was almost identical in appearance, it worked out just fine (and put it in the 'Dillinger' year, which also worked out great).

For the markings, I changed the door stars to what I think might be a more accurate style. I also added a vehicle number, which seemed a 'reasonable' hack, given that the CPD already had more than one hundred vehicles at that time. Even if it was just a matter of the maintenance shop keeping track of the units, numbers would have been a given; once radio communication came in, it would have been an absolute necessity.

Thanks again for the interest.

JohnnyK

Great looking model. Very well done.

Thanks, Johnny!

Hey Greg, thanks for the info about the Molotow. Much appreciated. I am putting it on my list of things to get.

gregbale

Thanks again for the interest.

You're welcome.

BTW, meant to mention and forgot, I think your scratch-built 'bubble gum machine' from the cheap ballpoint pen is pretty-much brilliant.