I have been so excited to get this kit!! It arrived today, but the friend who transported it down from up-country for me gave me quite a start! He left a message to say that his wife had accidentally driven over the box! TWICE!
As I said.... that gave me quite a start!
But it has arrived and I will immediately start. (The oils on my Sopwith need time to dry anyway, so the timing is perfect!)
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Started 17 September 2023
As is my custom, I stripped the parts from the sprues, packaged them in numbered ziplock packets, and in so doing, studied the plans. This was followed by stripping the chrome (which really is too bright to look authentic) by dropping them in bleach and rinsing in water.
As I have not done a non-shiny model in a while, I had to do some research to get my creative juices flowing and to brush up on some long-since- used techniques.
Here are some photos of my progress.
Date of last update: 9 February 2025
Weathering was mostly done using oils and pigments.
I have completed the base terrain. The main wooden bottom part will take a while. I'll post a photo of that at the very end of the build.
My progress on this build will slow down a bit now because I have found and acquired the required thread for my Sopwith Camel's interplane rigging and that needs all my focus (also I don't have the working space!!)
...... and now I'm busy with the Flatbed Recovery Truck commission....
BUT...... I WILL BE BACK!
It's been six weeks since my last post. I have tinkered a bit here and there on this build whilst waiting for the client to supply the sound system for the rollback truck.
To get a more realistic texture on the seats, I covered the kit-supplied seats with tinfoil - using superglue and needing lots of patience to do so, after which, I painted them and, using a surgical scalpel, cut the desired "cracks" and tears. I then stuffed the deeper cuts and gashes with cotton wool that I darkened with a bit of oil paint thinned with turps.
I have started on the body. Firstly I painted a based coat of camo brown RustOleum. (The lighting makesit look grey). Then I masked off areas where I want rust using Marmite and Prestik. Must say... the Marmite tastes a lot better when sticking the toothpick inmy mouth than other materials do! After that, I sprayed racing white and cleaned off over the areas that I had covered.
I 3D printed a squirrel, as well as a rabbit for the base, but have yet to decide which one I'll use
Other than that, I completed the cockpit (barring a few touchups to be done). I decided to re-design the knob section of the dash and to add more detail, as well as an ashtray. I also designed a Becker radio such as would have been in this model vehicle.
Next I applied pigments in various shades of brown, followed by some dry fit tests to see if my ideas for stickers would look good. The story behind this car is that it raced at La Carrera Panamericana and was then left in the forest to rot. I might still build on that storyline... I'm yet to decide.
Just to show that I have been busy........ am busy with detailing engine bay.
(By the way ..... this is a 1965 kit so contained NO details. I mostly designed and 3D printed the extras)
Ok. Engine detailing complete.
I feel quite happy about the work I have done. As can be seen earlier in this build, the engine parts supplied in the kit were very basic.
Because I like details, I scratch-built/3D designed and printed quite a number of extra parts to get a more realistic-looking engine.
I have not updated this build in a while because I have been somewhat busy doing commission builds.
Having said that however, I did manage to have some decals printed for the window stickers.
I have also started on the doors, as well as having fitted all the windows.
(As for the window stickers, remember that this car used to take part in endurance races).
Months after my previous post: All decals have been added.
Finally, I am calling it done! This has been a challenging, but really enjoyable build.
I would not recommend this kit for the casual builder. Or for the perfectionist. Though the part count is dismal and the detail lacking, this is a dream build for those who like a challenge.
I am happy with the results!