Bernard Kron Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 (edited) There are certain subjects I keep returning to repeatedly as my skills and techniques evolve. One is the ’32 Ford, in particular the various Revell Deuce kits, and the other is the classic early to mid-sixties front engine dragster, in particular the super-light, super quick Junior Fuelers. In the second case my preferred base kit tends to be the MPC Ramchachargers Dragster kit. I like the ultra-low legs-under rear axle stance and the just-right proportions of its 160” wheelbase chassis. I’m always thinking about my next dragster but these days I only seem to build one every 12 months or so. Now is that time, and this one won’t quite be a Junior Fueler, although I’m using the Ramchargers kit. This time I’m running a Big Block Chevy instead of the small block motor that was de rigeur if you were running a Junior Fueler back in the day (310 c.i. limit). This is because of a really pretty Enderle fuel injector setup I bought from Speed City Resin a while back. It only fits the Chevy Big Block so, BBC it is! With this project I decided to experiment with large area decals to create a fogged panel style paint job. The underlying color is DupliColor Metalcast metallic Ground Coat which is a near perfect 1/25th scale silver metalflake. If you print homemade decals on an inkjet printer you will quickly realize that the colors are very transparent and the base color shows through strongly. So inkjet color decal + silver metallic base coat = kandy color. Using Photoshop I made decals to create the fogged panel paint job I was thinking of. It took some experimenting but the technique works quite well. This one is very simple but now that I’ve figured it out I think I’ll be using it some more. Below are a couple of composite pictures. The first one shows the Western Manufacturing Special body shell from Altered States Models I used, and the Enderle injectors from Speed City Resins. The second shows the decal layout I made and the decals applied to the silver body. All that remains in the bodywork area is applying trade decals and clear coating everything. The chassis is about half done and I’ve begun work on plumbing and detailing the motor. Thanx for lookin’, B. Edited June 15, 2015 by Bernard Kron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddyfink Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Looking very nice! Great job so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrozilla Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Sweet looking decals Bernard. The rest of the build looks great too. I will be experimenting with printing decals soon too. Shudder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10thumbs Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Hi Bernard, I like the front engined dragsters too and you're off to a good start! Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooneyzs Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Bernard... cool dragster... its looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoatGuy Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Looking really good Bernard. I will definitely follow this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Looking Great... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 Looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 Thanks everyone! All the major assemblies are now done. As I write this I’m in the middle of final assembly. Below are some pictures showing the Replicas & Miniatures Co. of Maryland photo-etch wire wheels I used with a breakdown of the various parts in the system and final result. Beautifully detailed with some incredibly finely detailed parts (check out the hubs…), they are a tremendous improvement over the kit wheels. The motor is finished and fitted to the chassis. Not shown in the pictures are the injector stacks and the zoomy headers. Much of the rest of the build is straight out of the kit. The one change I have made is to run the steering tie rod outside the body, again not shown because it’s a one-shot deal during final assembly and doesn’t lend itself to a mockup. I’m shooting for completion this weekend… Hopefully the Gloo Gawdz will cooperate. Thanx for lookin’, B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Man this is nice. I need to get back my FED. I can only hope it comes out lookin this good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10thumbs Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) Hi Bernard, Very good find, and choice for the front wheels. The dragster is taking shape good to see this coming along. Thanks too for posting the package info, I think I need some of these wire wheels. Bernard, do you know of a link to check out other products too from R & M? I checked the Directory here and only an email appears to be available. Michael Edited June 14, 2015 by 10thumbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 ...Bernard, do you know of a link to check out other products too from R & M? I checked the Directory here and only an email appears to be available. Michael I'll PM you with a bunch of Photobucket and Fotki links with pictures of some of Norm's offerings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 (edited) All Done. Below are the final Beauty Shots. Thanx to all who followed along. Edited July 19, 2017 by Bernard Kron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne swayze Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Boy Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Great build, Bernard! You are the Jedi Master when it comes to Jr. Fuelers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High octane Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 That is just beautiful Bernard, awesome build on that dragster! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete L. Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Awesome build...looks like it should appear on the cover of HOT ROD Magazine !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagedragcrazy Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Awsome build Bernard you sure do a nice job on those vintage drag cars? Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Beautiful work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Awesome build Bernard ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10thumbs Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Hi Bernard, I really like this car, the stance and look is just awesome in my book. I'll admit though I'm a big fan of injected race cars. I like FE dragsters. Very cool, and an excellent choice for building and well carried out. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramfins59 Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 That is an excellent looking dragster Bernard. I have those same PE wheels that I'm planning to use on a future build of a T-Bucket rod. Is it necessary to cut apart the spokes or did you do that on your own? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddyfink Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Awesome job! It came out killer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davewilly Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 turned out great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooneyzs Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Nice Job Bernard!! Does replicas and minatures make those wheels in 1/16th scale?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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