Agent G Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 I'm starting this kit: This is what I have in mind. The above is obviously a 1971 Dodge Tradesman, but bear in mind by the mid '70's we had mostly Chevrolet products. Curiously the Dodge has fancy hub caps and a whitewall tire. The Ford vans were assigned to the Laboratory Division as "Command Post" type vehicles which responded to major case scenes. I'm looking to replicate the ladder racks (see above), flood lights and markings as they appeared back then. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGrowly Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 G that's an awesome subject. Love a good van project.Jonathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Cool project! You now have my attention ! Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent G Posted June 6, 2016 Author Share Posted June 6, 2016 Thank you gentlemen! Some small progress today. I got this assembled and base painted. With the body in primer it was a good time to build the ladder rack. The work lights I have in mind will mount to the side rails of the ladder rack. That's what I remember from all those years ago. I'll scratchbuild the ladders as well. Stay tuned. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Looking pretty good, so far....Should be a nice project, for sure..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Nice start G... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 I like your roof rack. You are doing a nice job on it. Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent G Posted June 8, 2016 Author Share Posted June 8, 2016 Thank you all. I was able to sit and work on this quite a bit on my days off. I didn't like the kit shocks so I made some. Same with the driveshaft. and the steering column. Steering wheel was modified to fit the new column. Seats were modified to better represent what came from the the factory on a standard van. A lot has been painted and will be left to dry as I start my work week. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Looking good. Keep er' goin' . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent G Posted June 15, 2016 Author Share Posted June 15, 2016 Alrighty then, lots of work to report. I foiled the emblems prior to the color coat. Interior is painted and test fitted on the chassis. Not exactly Ford, but a good representation of poverty caps from my parts box. A scratchbuilt step ladder. Ladder rack is painted. The body and hood are painted white and curing as we speak. I scratchbuilt the cabinet for the interior of the van. These were usually left parked with a minimum of gear on board. When requested to respond they were loaded with scene specific tools and equipment. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted June 15, 2016 Share Posted June 15, 2016 Real nice progress G. Step ladder looks great.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent G Posted June 15, 2016 Author Share Posted June 15, 2016 Thank you sir!G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badluck 13 Posted June 15, 2016 Share Posted June 15, 2016 Wayne,this is looking great so far,nice work on the steering column and seats,wheel covers sure look dang close...enjoying watching this one come along,always enjoy seeing "fleet" model work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent G Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 Work keeps me busy, but I have been working on this. Here's a mock up of the interior. Nothing is glued down yet but the radio/siren combo. Here's the scratch built cabinet for the cargo area. I wanted to represent what I remembered about these vans. The everyday Evidence Technician Unit had a lot more gear inside. Paint polished off the scripts. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 That is looking super ! I like how you did the chrime emblems. Tha is the best job I think I have ever seen on emblems. Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 Did you scratch build the radio and siren combo G? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent G Posted June 21, 2016 Author Share Posted June 21, 2016 Thank you gentlemen!Carl the radio and siren box are resin copies of the parts found in the '70 Ford police car kit. They are exactly what I used back in the day. The microphone and switch box are scratchbuilt though.I carved the mic from some sprue and used 90 degree styrene angle and bits of wire for the switches.G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthsideous Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Wayne, the way you pre foiled the emblems and then painted is fantastic. I have not seen that technique before. The interior, though not complete, looks amazing so far. The cabinet, radio, etc. Fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 Nice work. The idea for doing the emblems is great. Way to difficult to do otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent G Posted June 26, 2016 Author Share Posted June 26, 2016 Thank you gentlemen. Despite work I have made additional progress on this. I used some clear plastic, previously used to package a long forgotten item, to replace all the kit windows. As I was polishing distortion from the windshield, it developed hairline cracks which I felt were unacceptable. Today I plan to complete the interior assembly and perhaps get the body on the frame. Photos to come! G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 Thank you gentlemen! Carl the radio and siren box are resin copies of the parts found in the '70 Ford police car kit. They are exactly what I used back in the day. The microphone and switch box are scratchbuilt though.I carved the mic from some sprue and used 90 degree styrene angle and bits of wire for the switches. G G i saved a picture of your radio and switches. I have a coupe 70's models to make police cars out of. Can't beat info from a policeman on police vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent G Posted June 27, 2016 Author Share Posted June 27, 2016 No source like an old source! Progress. I had the door shield decal custom made something like 9 years ago now. I cannot, for the life of me, remember who did it. The remaining numbers and letters I printed with my inkjet printer on decal paper. I'm searching for a good shot of a vintage license plate to print as we speak. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 This is looking fantastic! Replication of a real vehicle is the most fun kind of build ... great story behind the recolations and creative building! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 Looking excellent G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davewilly Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Nice looking crime lab van! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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