Automotive Group Build Nov 11, 2010 - June 10, 2011

Actually contest season starts around May out here so its a good motivator for me to 'git R done buddy!'

I haven't built a model car sense I was a kid and am looking forward to becoming 'crazy about my Mercury'

Have a quick errand to run and will get the started pictures up sometime today. (need sugar for my coffee)

So yes sign me up!

Jason

I'll join in also. I have Lindberg's 1/16 scale 1910 Model T Runabout that I'm planning to build for a coworker. More appropriate than I first thought, considering the GB badge.

Here are the pictures of what has been started, have another project to complete before getting into this one.

Turned the pullies on a variable speed drill, cut apart the motors from transmissions, detailed the bell housing of the transmission visible in the motor compartment. (wind up watches have the best 'gears' for scratch building) Chopped the top!

That is it until I officially get started on this one!

Jason

^^^

"S,F,"

Oh, I can tell this will be cool! You're off to a great start and I hope to see more soon.

Ok, i picked up the Tamiya 1/24 Tom's Toyota 84C

Looking forward to it, already got the engine almost built. Going out to buy more paint today.

Jason - that is some impressive work, I'll be waiting for you to pick it up again.

Mike - That is a good choice. Those Tamiya Group C cars are outstanding kits. I hope it's the first of many.

Cheers

Tony

I've got the front page updated, if I've missed anyone let me know and I'll fix it.

I'm doing Lindberg's Dodge L-700, which was originally an IMC kit released in 1970. It comes as a semi tractor but I'll be building it as a stake bed using parts from a Ford C-600 kit. I've got 3 of these trucks now because Lindberg packages them with their trailer kits, and I bought one when they first brought it out all by itself. Anyway I figured I should build one, so I could get some ideas for the other kits. So far I'm finding it a bit fidly but not too bad if I take my time with it.

I've got the cab parts primered and have almost finished the engine.

^^^

Ooooh! I love that truck! Eyed it when I was growing up but never bought it and only a while ago I picked up the 'new' one! I'll be watching your build!

Hi Everyone,

I'll look forward to seeing that truck Aaron.

I thought I'd post some progress photos of the 1/43 Heller Williams Honda FW-11B that I'm racing through over at the Weekend Madness III GB.

Hope you like 'em.

The starting point:

First progress photo:

Using a photocopy of the decals to work out where to mask :

2nd progress photo:

All paints used are Tamiya aerosol. There is some risk that the masking will pull the paint up with it when it comes off. On the plus side, the decals are excellent in this otherwise rather poor kit. I think it was aimed at a very young demographic.

Cheers

Tony

Hey all.  Although this isn't may 'official' build for this GB, just thought I'd post it as a 'warm up' for me.  The kit is the AMT 1949 Mercury.  Good kit. lots of options but fit is a bit challenging.....especially for a Weekend GB.

Here's the pics of where I'm at.  I'm calling it finished although I didn't do the 'dot filtering' yet.  Maybe another day.  My intent is to use this kit as a test bed for weathering.  The kit itself (AMT) wasn't bad....plenty of detail....great  426 wedge engine and a flat head with Offy heads & dual  carb intake.  However, fit was an issue in more than a couple of places.  Given more time.....and skill...it could be turned into a great build. 

Here's the interior & engine after an artist oil wash

Here's the finished build.  I'll try to take the Merc' outside tomorrow and get some better pics:

Not sure what my official entry is going to be....right now it's between Tom McEwen's funny car or the '32 Ford sedan that I started for the Weekend Madness III GB.  I'll decide soon and hopefully get started after the Thanksgiving holidays.....travel and all.....

Cheers

edit-Jason-I just noticed that you're building the same kit.  I like the fact that you have chopped the top.  Are you going the Rat Rod route?  And the engine detail is outstanding.  Looking forward to seeing more progress pics.

Nice builds guys, this being my first car kit, i must say im enjoying the ease in which i can get to all the fiddly bits to paint. However im really not used to working in such size. Theres alot of surface area to cover.

Question, whats the best way to get rid of the mold seam on the tired? I tried hooking them up to the dremmel and holding them against some sandpaper and it kinda worked, but made a hell of a mess.

Heres a couple shots of the engine so far.

Ive got a little bit of tidying up to do, but its almost done.

Good work on the Toyota Mike.

I've very taken with that Merc, it's come out better than I thought possible in a weekend. I really like the 'Mexican blanket' seats too.

Cheers

Tony

Here is another couple of progress picks of the Heller 1/43 Williams Honda FW-11B from 1987 that I've been on this weekend.

I love the Tamiya aerosol paints, and the highlight of the kit is the decals, which are really good even after 20 dusty years in my garage.

The low point is the quality of the molding, it really is very, very basic. However it's good for a quick build.

It would be dead easy to convert one of these into the FW-11, which was raced throughout 1986. If I come across another one at the right price, I might be tempted.

Cheers

Tony

...and now for some finished shots. This model is far from perfect, but it's been fun.

Cheers

Tony

I'm back onto the Porsche 962C...and tonight's meagre update consists of me cleaning up my modelling cupboard after visiting a friend who has a super set-up. Then I've completed the thankless task of painting the inside of the body shell with black. It's a necessity, but I haven' bothered with pics.

This thing is actually not too far off being finished, believe it or not. Completion this week is a distinct possibility as most of the remaining work is the seat assembly, windscreen and windows, then final assembly.

Cheers

Tony

Good stuff so far!  I, too am a fan of the Mexican blanket.  Those are some nice weekend builds too.  All I've been doing is lurking so far.  I should get some done on the Mustang this week.  I have such a back-log of projects just waiting on some paint booth time, including this one, that desperately needs primer (I hate red plastic!).

Cheers,

Greg

I have the Whistler Mustang in my stash, so I'll be very interested to see how you progress and what you find.

One of the things I keep going back to is building Triumph road cars, for the models that are available in plastic at least. Now, the Triumph TR-8 cam with Tartan seat covers. I haven't even tried tartan when I'm painting figures. If you could please give some more details of your technique, I might be able to utilise the same.

As far as my Porsche 962C goes, I had a model club meeting last night so all I've done is attach the Studio etched seat belt to the seat, after priming and painting it flat red, and adding some brand decals from the the spare decals folder.

Tonight I hope to finish the headlight assembly, mask and spray the edges of the windscreen and windows, and if I'm going really well mask and spray the cockpit back and floor assembly.

Once all of this is done, it's final assembly time.

Cheers

Tony

Tony-I'm not sure if your question about the seat cover was directed to me, but if it was......

I saw agentg take a piece of paper, use some ink markers and make a blanket for his rat rod build.  I cheated-Google'd 'Indian blanket' and found a picture of six different ones.  Printed, trimmed and dipped in white glue/water mixture.  Next time I'll use more glue-started coming up as it dries.  Or try some other type of adhesive....maybe rubber cement?

If it wasn't directed to me,....never mind.....

Hi Bob,

That was rude of me, my apologies. Yes I was asking for your help, and thank you for providing it. The only problem I see is that I couldn't find the right pattern of tartan last time I googled it, however I'll give it anothr go when I get this one out of the stash.

I thought that was a really nice model, BTW.

Cheers

Tony

Tony,

No need for apologize.  And thank you for the kind words regarding the Merc.  With a bit more time and attention (and skill) that kit could be made into a really nice model.

Good luck on finding the right pattern.

Quick update on the 962C (from work)

I've completed the headlight assembly, attached the dashboard to the body, done the same with the fuel filler caps and front tow hook.

I need to get myself into the mood for masking the clear bits, hopefully tonight.

If I can sneak in a good night with masking and spraying, then completion by this weekend is a big possibility.

Cheers

Tony

I had to take a little break following the Weekend madness build, but I'm back to work on the Dodge. I foiled the logos then painted the cab. Once the paint has cured I will lightly sand the paint away from the logos leaving the chrome. I've decided to build it as a National Park Service stake side. In the 1960s through the mid 70s the Park Service used an odd light green color on most of its vehicles. The green is similar but a lighter shade of green than that used by the US Forest Service. I've found Krylon Celery is a good match this green. 

Just a catch-up from my last update:

What are the tiny bits you have arranged like a smiley face? I assume they go into the wheel and brake assembly which follows but can't make them out in there.

Nice progress so far, I'm typically a "if I can't see it I'm not doing it" builder but I do enjoy watching people go hog wild on the details.  

Aaron,

 The "smiley bits" are components to the shocks on the front end. I can agree with ,"Out of sight, out of mind". But on this lil roadster pickup those things are all exposed.

That is some cool detail that you are adding!

Aaron, I like the forrest truck idea.  That ought to be pretty interesting.

I am half way through a 96 hour stretch at work, and I forgot my darn car!  The model one, that is, otherwise I'd still be walking!  I'm still following, even if I'm not building at the moment though.

Cheers,

Greg

I like both of those updates, the truck will be good Aaron. That is some serious detailing, done the hard way without aftermarket, Mr Squid.

I've found that there is more work than I thought to complete my Porsche. I'd forgotten that the banner across the top of the windscreen is different for this car, so I've used a number of decals from other sources to achieve it.

It's getting close now, but probably a couple more days are required. I'm resisting posting a photo until it is finished.

Regards

Tony

Nice updates everyone, sorry for the lack of updates on my part.

Progress so far, the chassis is pretty much done. Il now working on the body shell which is being a PITA cos of the red. (red and white dont mix well together) Ill get there tho, and ill post photos this weekend.

Tony?

 Do I hear those boots sneaking up to prod you to post pics?

Thanks gents for the kind words. I do appreciate them and should have pics later tonite.

BTW: Aaron, I wanted to mention that growing up in the Bay Area IIRC PacBell although I forget what it was called then, used lil utility vans painted kinda close to that green of yours? Too Cool!

Mr Squid,

I am acutely conscious of the the boots and have been continuing work.

To be honest, I could put up a photo now and call it finished. However there are three small items still requiring some effort.

1. Add an antenna from piano wire.

2. Black wash or marker pen in the panel lines

3. I noticed the other night that this car carried some little finlets at front corners, as did many other 962Cs. The Studio 27 photo etched set actually has them. They need to be white. One side is primed and sprayed, the other side should get done tonight. Then I have to fix them to the body, which may be a little delicate, so I'll do it as the very last thing.

Cheers

Tony