Darryl Starbird's Ultra Truck (AKA Orange Hauler)

[Doctordarryl]

Kit: Monogram Orange Hauler, 1/24^th scale, kit # 2931

Builder: Darryl W. Peters

Incentive to Build: Communication from Darryl Starbird detailing paints used on the 1:1 truck.

Body: The multi-piece body was assembled using IPS Weld-On #4 liquid cement. Gaps in the rear rolled pan were filled with strips of 0.010 inch thick Evergreen Styrene sheet. After drying for a day, the seams were wet sanded with 1000-grit wet/dry sandpaper. The air cleaner scoop was opened up. A final wet sanding of the parts was done with a 4000-grit polishing cloth and foam sanding block. The body, air cleaner, and bubble top frame were sprayed with two wet coats of Tamiya Fine White Surface primer. After drying for two days in a dehydrator, the parts were wet sanded with a 4000-grit polishing cloth. The parts were airbrushed with two wet coats of Model Master (28108) Chevy Hugger Orange cut 1:1 with Dupli-Color lacquer thinner using an Aztek A470 airbrush and 1mm nozzle. They were dried in a dehydrator for 48 hours. The parts were then airbrushed with two wet coats of Tamiya TS-65 Pearl Clear followed by 48 hours drying. Painting of the parts was finished with two wet coats of Dupli-Color Clear. After drying in a dehydrator for 72 hours, the parts were rubbed out with Novus Plastic Polish # 2 followed by a cleaning with Novus Plastic Polish #1. The bubble top frame was masked and the inside of the rear part was sprayed with Tamiya TS-27 Matt White. The bubble windshield was attached to the frame using Future and Elmer’s White Glue. The tail light recesses were covered with chrome Bare Metal Foil. The inner surfaces of the clear tail lights lenses were painted with Tamiya X-27 Clear Red and attached with Future. The clear head light covers were frosted by spraying the inner surfaces with Tamiya TS-27 Matt White and then attached with Future. The grill, side trim plates, and rear nerf bars were stripped of kit chrome using Purple Power Cleaner and redone by airbrushing Alclad II Chrome over Testor’s Gloss Black. The chrome trim pieces were attached to the body using Future. The rear vanity plate was printed on a computer, glued to a piece of Printer’s Aluminum sheet, and attached to the model with Elmer’s White Glue. The chrome trim strips in the body recesses were represented by strips of 1/64^th of an inch wide chrome Mylar tape. The bed cover was airbrushed with Tamiya TS-26 Pure White. The bed cover was then sprayed with a wet coat of Tamiya TS-79 Semi-Gloss Clear and attached with Future. A chrome bar in the mouth of the air cleaner scoop was simulated with fine jeweler’s wire. Foam was added behind the scoop to represent the air filter.

Engine: The kit’s engine was replaced with parts from a Revell Buick Nailhead Parts Pack which included the block, oil pan, heads, and valley cover. The engine parts were stripped of chrome using Purple Power cleaner. The block and heads were assembled with IPS Weld-On #4 and sprayed with Tamiya TS-14 Gloss Black. A hydromatic transmission from an AMT parts pack was assembled and sprayed with Model Master Stainless Steel Metallizer and attached to the block with Super Glue. Corrected stock style Buick resin valve covers from Scale Auto Details were chromed along with the oil pan, generator, and valley cover using Alclad II Chrome over Model Master Gloss Black. Valve cover breathers were turned aluminum items from Model Master. Machined aluminum engine pulleys from MAS were used. Fan belts were made from 1/64^th of an inch wide live rubber from Scale Auto Details. A front cover with water pump, intake manifold, and 4-barrel carburetor from the parts box were sprayed with Tamiya TS-17 Gloss Aluminum followed by Testor’s Dull-Cote to simulated unpolished cast aluminum. An oil dip stick tube was made from 0.04 inch OD stainless steel tubing with a dip stick made from fine uninsulated wire. A turned aluminum distributor base from MAS was used with a cap from RMCM. It was wired using orange Wire Wrapping Wire from Radio Shack. The exhaust manifolds were sprayed with Tamiya TS-30 Sliver Leaf. A parts box oil filter and starter were added. Radiator hoses were made from solder and painted with Tamiya TS-29 Semi-Gloss Black with hose clamps simulated with strips of chrome Bare Metal Foil.

Frame: The kit frame was sprayed with Tamiya TS-29 Semi-Gloss Black. The front suspension was sprayed with Tamiya TS-14 Gloss Black. Front springs were made by winding fine craft wire around a #8 wood screw. Front shocks were simulated with telescoping sections of K&S aluminum tubing. The rear end, shocks, and suspension parts were stripped of kit chrome using Purple Power cleaner and redone with Alclad II Chrome over Testor’s Gloss Black. The exhaust pipes and mufflers were sprayed with Tamiya TS-30 Silver Leaf. The drive shaft was made with K&S aluminum tubing and cast metal universal joints from S.A.E Limited. The kit’s working steering was retained. The kit wheels were stripped of chrome and redone with Alclad II Chrome over Testor’s Gloss Black. Holes were drilled for valve stems made from fine black insulated wire. The kit’s wheel knock-offs were attached with Elmer’s White Glue. The front tires were narrow white wall Firestones from an AMT parts pack. The rear slicks were Resin items from Ma’s Resin with the side wall inserts sprayed with Tamiya TS-29 Semi-Gloss Back. The slick’s contact surface was sanded with a coarse sanding stick. Inner front fender panels and a firewall were made from 0.01 inch thick Evergreen Styrene sheet and sprayed with Tamiya TS-29 Semi-Gloss Black. The radiator was sprayed with Model Master Aluminum Metallizer. The radiator expansion tank was painted with Model Master Brass Metallizer.

Interior: The interior parts were sprayed with Tamiya Fine White Surface Primer. After drying for 24 hours in a dehydrator, the parts were airbrushed with Tamiya TS-26 Pure White and dried for another day. The white parts of the seats and center console were masked off with Tamiya Tape and sprayed with Model Master 28108 Chevy Hugger Orange. The parts were dried and then sprayed with Tamiya TS-79 Semi-Gloss Clear. Instruments were added to the gauge panel and covered with Future to represent glass covers. The chrome strips in the center console were represented with strips of 1/64^th of an inch wide Chrome Mylar tape. The shift knob was painted with Model Master 28108 Chevy Hugger Orange. The floor was flocked with Model Master Orange flocking.

Figure: The figure was a resin figure from Modeler’s. It was soaked in Bleche-White for 24 hours and then scrubbed with a stiff brush and dish soap and rinsed with warm water. It was air dried and then sprayed with two wet coats of Tamiya Fine White Surface primer. It was dried in a dehydrator for 24 hours. It was then brush painted with various Testor’s and Model Master paints before spraying it with two wet coats of Testor’s Dull-Cote and dried for 48 hours in a dehydrator.

[the goon]

Darryl,

Great job . Very clean build.

Mark

[TooOld]

Beautiful Build ! I've always liked the Orange hauler and your paint and detail work is first class ! Definitely the nicest one I've seen .

Just a thought . . . if you post the photos here instead of the thumbnails more people might check out your work .

[peekay]

For me too, the best build-up of that kit I've seen - and very nostalgic.

[cobraman]

Great job !

[Ace-Garageguy]

I remember when the 1:1 was intro'd. I was blown away by Starbird's imagination, being able to get THAT from a '62 Chevy pickup cab on a '55 Chevy car frame. Beautiful model of a very influential and important custom.

[PappyD340]

Very NICE build!!

[Belugawrx]

nice job on the tires and rims.., like the gloss chrome dulled.. perfect

[Doctordarryl]

Beautiful Build ! I've always liked the Orange hauler and your paint and detail work is first class ! Definitely the nicest one I've seen .

Just a thought . . . if you post the photos here instead of the thumbnails more people might check out your work .

I did post pictures and when you click on them they blow up to full screen size so you can see detail.

[crazyjim]

Very nice and very SHINY :)

[surfjunke]

Beautiful build, Darryl! Very cool show car & you really made it look great!

[Doctordarryl]

I do not agree with moving a custom car to the truck forum. Many who would appreciate this model and provide feedback will not look in the Truck forum. While it is technically a "truck" it is a show car. Is there a show truck forum? If not then it should be moved back to show cars.

[JunkPile]

Really??? It looks like a car to me.

[RatRod]

Bravo, that's a fantastic build of this "Show Rod" Darryl!!! What really makes it for me, is the fact that you did it correct.