BEFORE::::
It's possible to write a long-winded account of this "model", but the real short version is that this Monster Jam's vehicle body was "cast" from a 1/24 scale Jada 2006 Dodge Charger R/T (91953) using only tissue paper, white and yellow carpenter's glue, water-based wood filler and water putty, plus gobs of patience, experimenting and learning.
Having learned from some but not all of the mistakes encountered in my first similar "casting of a 1/25 scale plastic AMT/Ertl Classic 1951 Chevy Fleetline kit (38274) , I followed up with this second "casting" from a defunct radio-controlled 1/24 scale Jada 2006 Dodge Charger R/T (91953) . The Dodge body shape was less complicated and proved to be somewhat "easier" to fabricate, even though it had its own peculiar problems that needed to be solved, in particular the window cut-outs.
The finished Dodge "Handyman" has antique decals over fifty years old and a few mylar stickers. The front windshield was removed, but all others had to remain solid for structural reasons, so paper was treated with sealer, color and paint to simulate cut-out window openings. The gloss red is called Banner Red.
My rationale for the unorthodox "building" of four Monster Jam models:
My main thought in doing this project was twofold. First, to experiment with the idea of possibly using an existing model, either plastic or diecast, as a suitable mold for making an inexpensive but fairly accurate copy utilizing paper or other cheap and disposable media that would conform to the shapes of said model. I wanted to be able to use household products on-hand without going into an involved and expensive affair requiring unfamiliar materials, products and procedures. These two projects presented challenges which I welcomed as something fun to do, too, and if it were to be successful and perfected, could become a relatively "easy" source of my favorite body styles of cars and trucks to be duplicated and customized down the road.
Second, I have four bodiless Monster Jam chassis that were bought for a dollar a piece and I have grown tired of looking at, as they were incomplete. I decided on doing these projects without damaging, ruining or utilizing a perfectly fine 2006 Dodge Charger R/T model or a pristine, un-built, still in the box 1951 Chevy Fleetline (which will be made as a stock or mild custom street car). My reasoning was to create a "win-win" situation regarding the mold models themselves. As a result, the outcomes of the two projects "saved" the two good mold models; if the projects had failed, I would not have lost the two good mold models either, and the material costs of construction would have been insignificant just being mere paper and glue, etc.!
N.B. A third edition Monster Jam vehicle is being considered although I've not determined a body style yet. One thing for sure, the processes involved in making the third edition will incorporate valuable experiences and ideas that were garnered from the making of these first two.
Thanks for looking....
From this::::
To this::::
To this::::
To finally this, the Dodge "Handyman Monster Jam::::
