wardsmodelbuilder

Something a little different from me, I was asked to build this B9 robot from Lost in Space by Moebius Models, so I thought why not. Here it is, quite a simple build, nice kit everything goes together well. Only real issue was the join lines that are in the centre of the bottom section which needed filling and sanding. The model would look very good with a lighting option and would not be hard to install during the build, this was not a requirement for my customer on this model though. Thanks Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here is the final update on the 1/8 Porsche RSR that I have finally got finished. Once the front end detailing was done the model came together pretty quickly, with just the windows and external details that remained. Its been quite a challenging build, I think fitment wise was the worst problem either due to the quality of the kit or the age of it. There was definitely a fair bit of warping of the body and especially the doors, The rear boot lid also gave me some issues. All in all I think its turned out pretty well for a stock build other than a bit of wiring detailing that I added, its definitely a kit that you could really enhance if a full replica was required, but I think built straight out of the box it still is a good quality model. I also made the changes to the seat belts to proper scale after the client agreed this was the way to go, thanks to Wim at bestbalsakits for offering the options to me that he had available in stock. Hope everyone has enjoyed the build, now it's time to move onto the next one, Thanks Chris wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com http://www.wardsmodelbuilder.com

I've included a few more photos as the chassis section is now almost complete. I've added a little detailing around the front under the hood section, and the roll cage is now complete. This did not fit correctly out of the box and need a little manipulating to line up with the holes in the body section. I've also been able to get the engine installed, which I was expecting to be tricky, but was surprising quite easy as everything lined up correctly. Just waiting now for the body sections to fully cure before I can sand and polish them, the body needed a lot of adjustments made to the fitting brackets as the were very far off. Its not a kit that just goes together, needs a lot of tweaking both on the inside of the body shell and the top side of the chassis. But with a little trial and error and a lot of patience Ive got it to where i'm happy with it. Same goes for the rear spoiler, at the moment it doesn't fit the body opening and will need quite a lot of adjustment to make it fit correctly. Hopefully in the next update I will have the body finished, windows installed and finally positioned on the chassis. Thanks Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here is the first update on the Falcon build, started work on the photo etched cockpit, fitted the parts of the kit of the main cockpit section. I have painted those areas of the model, along with the dish. I'm happy with the method of painting I have chosen as a base, and later when the build is fully complete I will add the weathering. Moved on to building up the upper part of the main hull with the many pieces of this kit that need to be added. and the centre cannon section which fits into the upper hull centre section. I have also built up one of the landing gear, using the photo etched pieces. The photo etched kit is going to add a lot of good extra detail to this model, and will be a very nice touch. Thanks Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here are a couple more photos on the build, not a major update as I have had a busy week. I have been able to get the dashboard in place and the steering mechanism is complete. Currently working on the details for under the hood, two tanks, battery and fire extinguisher which will all have some additional wiring and piping. Thanks Chris http://www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Something a little different, i've been lucky enough to have been asked by a client to build a 1/72 Revell Master Series Millennium Falcon. Not my usual build but being a big Star Wars fan I'm very much looking forward to it. Going to be using the Fast Tramp freighter lighting kit by Madman Lighting inc, with a remote power supply and a photo etched set by Para Grafix. Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Its been quite a good week regarding progress on the porsche build, after masking off the body shell I went ahead and painted the red sections. Probably by more luck than judgement I got the masking just about right for the curves of the blue decals that separate the red and silver. We decided to give the original decals a try before committing to purchase a new set, and I'm very happy we did as even though they were in pretty poor condition with many cracks I was able to apply them without them deteriorating any further. I did suffer a few further little cracks on the rear bumper sections, those that needed bending around the curve but after a lot of trial and error I managed to get them to bend and stick, and hold together!!!! Still a little bit of tidying up needed but very happy with the results so far considering these decals are so old. In the next few days will be clear coating the body. Also been working on some details for the back shelf, and although not historically accurate I believe its adds a nice touch to the model, and more importantly the client does too. Due to this models scale I made my own electrical wire, using some braided tubing, fine modeling wire and shrink tubing. I'm finding working in this larger scale makes this kind of work quite a lot easier. Next up is to finish the front end of the chassis with the parts included in the kit, battery, oil tank, fire extinguisher etc, along with added a few more bits of extra wiring, while at the same time finishing the body ready for final sanding and polishing. Getting there!!! Thanks Chris http://www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Few more photos of the work carried out this week, Started work on the interior, firewall, fuel tank, seat and dashboard. There are not any decals for the dials on the dashboard, not sure is they have been lost over the years or if in fact the kit didn't include any, but I have been able to make some which should do the job. I have now prepared the hood and the doors in base coat, and masked the body up for the red paint to replace the red decals that we are not using. Next on the list is to finished the dashboard, seat belts and some wiring that I plan to add to the back shelf which will be viewable through the rear window. Thanks Chris http://www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

yes they are articulated

A couple more photo of the progress of the Porsche, the rear suspension is now on the chassis but there is further work to be done on the swing arms to remove the join lines after they were installed. The silver base coat is now finished, took a lot of work painting, sanding, and re sanding to get a smooth finish and work out the small imperfections in the body. Especially with it being in such a large scale. Still need to finish the doors, they will then be positioned so I can paint the red areas, as the original red decals are too damaged to be used. Chris http://www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here is an update on the progress on the Grip 1/8th scale Porsche RSR. The engine is now complete, I put a lot of effort into the detailing around the engine and getting the colouring of the turbo and tailpipes looking the way I wanted as well as the weld lines on the pipe joins.I have also got the chassis painted and the front suspension mounted.I haven't got around to the body paint yet as I discovered a major flaw in the fitment of the right hand side door. There was a quarter inch gap between the door frame and the edge of the main body so i have had to fill that with a piece of plastic, putty over it and sand down. Its had another coat of primer since that photo so the next step is paint. I have also made a start on assembling the rear suspension which will be on the chassis in the next update.Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.comwardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here is another update on the Porsche, The bodywork prep is now complete and it is primed and ready for top coat of silver. Engine work is moving along nicely with all the major components together and I've now been able to make a start on the plug wiring. I have the rear cooler (although i'm not happy with a visible mould line so will be redone) and turbo painted so they should now go together quite quickly. I can then complete the wiring and plumbing detailing around the engine so this phase will be complete. Once I get the engine/turbo complete I plan to work on the chassis/suspension at the same time as the body paint is curing between coats. So hopefully they will come together around a similar time frame and then it's just a matter of putting everything together. So fair there hasn't been any major issues with the engine pieces of the kit, everything is fitting the way it is meant to. I do foresee a potential problem getting the manifold pipes to line up with the pipes that then lead to the turbo but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Think that covers everything for now Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Not a lot to report so far on this Porsche build, it's been mentioned that there are several issues with this kit and I would agree with all of those comments, even at this early stage. I have the body now almost prepared for priming. There are a lot of fitment issues, not to mention to mould lines and many rough edges. Not sure if some pieces have been bent over the years that my client has had this kit in storage or its just badly made!! The front bumpered needed a lot of adjustment, and the rear spoiler even more. Both doors were about half an inch out in lining up with the door frame and needed to be gently bend back, or into the correct position. I have got the engine and gearbox together and they have been much easier to fit. But it is only the main block so we'll see how the rest of that goes. Hopefully I will have more to show in my next update. Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodebuilder@outlook.com

Hello everyone, this is my new thread for my next build. Its a 1/8 scale Porsche Carrera RSR, very old kit. Clients wants a little extra detailing around the engine and under the hood but nothing too over the top. There is definitely a lot of prep work going to be needed as at first look the bumpers, doors and rear spoiler do not fit very well, and most of the body pieces have very heavy mould lines that will need a fair bit of work. Will post some more photos when I have the bodywork ready for paint. Thanks Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here are a few photos of my latest client build, its a Ebbro Lotus 49b in 1/20 scale from 1969 driven by Graham Hill. It is a pretty standard out of the box build, other than the tail pipes and rear suspension supports which are made from tubing. I used zero paints for all the body colours rather than the decals that were supplied with the kit, and replaced the original decals on the side to a set of aftermarket Gold Leaf decals. Nice kit but I found several issues with fitment which made things a little tricky at times. Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here are a few photos of the finished Ford GT40, was a little bit of a challenge bringing the main body and the lower half together, due to my build plan with it being a curbside but after a few tweeks it came together well. Very happy with how the paint has polished up, especially with it being black which tends to show any imperfection. Other than a few additional parts its all built out of the box, and all in all i'm very pleased with the final outcome. It's not the greatest kit, especially when it comes to the engine detailing, but I would very much like to build it again (non-curbside) and make the many necessary modifications to correct the many authenticity flaws. Would require a lot of scratch building. Thanks Chris http://www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here are a few photos of the finished Ford GT40, was a little bit of a challenge bringing the main body and the lower half together, due to my build plan with it being a curbside but after a few tweeks it came together well. Very happy with how the paint has polished up, especially with it being black which tends to show any imperfection. Other than a few additional parts its all built out of the box, and all in all i'm very pleased with the final outcome. It's not the greatest kit, especially when it comes to the engine detailing, but I would very much like to build it again (non-curbside) and make the many necessary modifications to correct the many authenticity flaws. Would require a lot of scratch building. Thanks Chris http://www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Happy New Year to you all, Here is the latest update in the 1:12 Trumpeter Ford GT40. I have now finished the the main body section, placed decals, cleared, sanded and polished. This is almost ready to be placed on the lower section of the chassis. Just a few things to added first to the inside of the body. Being a curbside build its a little tricky making sure things are attached in the right order as I wont have any access once the body is on the chassis. Next stage is to complete the front clip and work on the exterior details. Thanks Chris http://www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Next progress report on the curbside GT40. Engine detail now finished, just used to kit hoses and hose connectors with it being a curbside build nothing internal will be seen. Placed the engine in the chassis and fitted rear suspension. A lot of small changes were needed as I found the kits parts in this area of the model did not fit together very well. Front suspension went together much better but is a lot simpler. Cockpit parts go together much better and are of nice detail. Just need to add the PH washes to the second seat now. In the next few days I hope to get the body final coat done and sanded so I can add the decals and clear ready for assembly onto the lower half of the chassis. Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Hi David, thanks for that. You should probably have suggested a higher fee and you could have maybe negotiated it down if he hadn't gone for it but I know at the spur of the moment its not easy, as long as your supplies were covered.

Finally got it finished. Very happy with the finished model. Front and rear wing went together without any problems, wheels and body detailing added. I used a 6 point fabric harness to replace the photo etched parts that came with the kit, other than that everything is out of the box. Thanks Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here is the next update on the studio 27 williams. Getting close to having it finished now. All the main body decals have been placed and a clear lacquer added over them. The front and rear suspension is installed and all done in carbon fibre decal, along with the floor and the inner cockpit. All that remains now is the front are rear wing, wheels and a little detailing around the car. Hopefully I'll have it finished in a few days. Chris http://www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here is the next update on the Ford GT40. Lower chassis painted section has now been sanded and polished and started to fix the front suspension pieces and engine mounts ready for the engine to be installed, which just needs a few more hoses to be done. Also started on the cockpit, seats added photo etched washes for the seat vents and the dashboard which i've added some scale toggle switches for a little extra detail. More to follow, Thanks Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Here is an update on the Ford GT40, I've done a little more work on the engine block using 7mm tubing for the exhaust tail pipes. The lower part of the chassis is now painted, decaled and clear coated ready for the front suspension, cockpit to be added. The main body is almost ready for paint, the body parts and doors fitting together reasonably well but there was a little tweaking needed to ensure the panel lines remained equal and there wasn't any ridges between the two. Chris www.wardsmodelbuilder.com wardsmodelbuilder@outlook.com

Hello vamach1, to give you idea on cost of the build is it in the ball park of $600 with the kit included. I build models at a cost I believe is acceptable to both myself and the client. I don't necessarily price it on hours spent building it. By this I mean I don't do this as my sole income, its just a side venture/hobby which I would be doing anyway so it pleases me that i am able to make a little income off doing something I enjoy. I much prefer building models than collecting them so its works out very well for me. If I were to price accordingly per hour spent then yes the cost would be much higher but then I wouldn't be building very many and loosing a lot of my passion for build models that I wouldn't be building myself. Saying that I would raise my fee for a model that included more detailing, this GT40 is a curbside build, if it was to be built with the KA detail set for example the price would be higher. Hope that all makes sense, it does to me!!!!!