mustang1989

I like the start up here. Got the makings of one good looking wrecker.

Goin' with the B-1 here! Bustin' out with the big dawgs are ya? I got this kit when I was just a kid for Christmas and I couldn't believe how big this thing was. I can remember it being the biggest kit under the tree and my reaction when I tore the wrapping paper off of it. Aside from a little body work to take care of those seams, it looks like you're heading in a good direction with it there Andre.

If you ask anybody closely associated with me in the modeling realm about my thoughts on landing gear, they'll tell you that I cannot stand this part of an aircraft build. To me it's the one thing that can absolutely make or break an aircraft build outside of a really obvious flaw or wing dihedral especially when it comes to shows. I judged aircraft at the last show I went to back in February and it was the one area of the build that was the deciding factor in a lot of the aircraft that were candidates for an award. Outside of the show and award realm, it's really irritating to spend a lot of time and put all kinds of work into a build only to see it either lean because the gear wasn't set up right or to see two landing gear legs that are waaay off in angles. I've got an Fw190 A8 build that I had such an experience with. It still sits in my display cabinet but has the flaw of incorrectly angled gear. I put all that time into the build and neglected to get the angles right and it really shows when it sits right next to my Fw190 D-9. So I get really nervous during this part of construction. This build is no exception to that rule and is IMO a lot harder to get the angles right because the gear has to be assembled in separate pods and then inserted into the fuselage as the halves are joined which is one aspect of this kit that REALLY sucks. I think I've got it though after a lot of time aligning and making sure everything was just "so-so". I didn't care for the RLM 02 that turned to more of a 66 after my shadowing attempts though, I can tell ya that!! Here's this (and last) weeks progress so far:

Sorry for the late reply....Thanks Kevin. Thought I'd catch up in here. Been all over the place with life and now building. I'm building an aircraft and VW bus at the same time and I've about got the system down to organization. Here's about 47 pieces of resin, plastic and PE and about 1-1/2 months of building..... I managed to finish the cockpit tub and am now working on the side panels. After that I'll be working on the glass enclosure, which is a real PIA on this kit. Any ways, here's the completed tub:

That Gee Bee looks good so far Bill! Thought I'd catch up in here. Been all over the place with life and now building. I'm building an aircraft and VW bus at the same time and I've about got the system down to organization. Here's about 47 pieces of resin, plastic and PE and about 1-1/2 months of building..... I managed to finish the cockpit tub and am now working on the side panels. After that I'll be working on the glass enclosure, which is a real PIA on this kit. Any ways, here's the completed tub:

Thanks Jeremy , Ray and Anthony. More sanding on the body this morning after yesterdays priming stage. Just didn't like how the R/H side turned out and I had to dump the front fender flares (thanks for the suggestion Dave) as they didn't coincide with the flareless rear wheel openings so I got rid of them. No pics today but made what I feel like was alot of progress in the way of body work. I'm feeling pretty good about it so far. Next weekends push will be on the roof to smooth that all out. Till then.............it's back to the Arado............

Man I hate that when that happens in transit. I have an Fw190 D-9 that I detailed all out and took to a show in Austin last year and the starboard wing separated at the wing root!!!! I managed to place 3rd with it even like that but it was a painstaking and tedious repair when I returned home. It paid off 6 months later when I took "Best Luftwaffe Aircraft of Show" with it. It was up for "Best Aircraft of Show" but a guy in a 32nd scale F-4 Phantom beat me out. I'm pretty well certain this bad boy is gonna rock the house in the next show you put it in Dave.

Say.......................that's not a bad idea......

Thank you and that's a point taken Dave. I thought something looked out of place but I just couldn't put my finger on it.

Well .......I got the primer coat applied and so far it looks pretty good. I've still got some work to do as there are a couple of things that didn't show up under the wipe down prior to priming but it looks like it's all manageable, but hey, a guy can't do all this cutting and hacking and NOT have any body work left over to do you know. There are a few bubbles in the primer and I couldn't for the life of me figure that out until.............I let my dog outside and found out that it was raining lightly. There aint that many thankfully and a little sanding outta get rid of the few that are there. Whew!! Got by with that one!

Wow!! Sorry about not having it done for the show. Every step is one closer to the finish line brother. BTW.....my bus was supposed to be OOB. What a laugh that turned out to be. lol

I cut the roof to follow suit with the body and chassis mods. Here's the two bodies side by side to show the length added and the difference: Test fitted into place on the body: and a couple of overall mock up shots. I've got lots of clean up to do from this point but it's all a doable thang.

Nifty build Ray!! There's a lot going on with these kits now with all the different variations being built. Cool color scheme as well!

Ok I got a little more benchtime during the day and I think I've got the rear suspension about figured out to where I can put the wheel in just the right place. I turned to AMT's 67 Chevelle SS396 for that. I sectioned out the framework for the axle well and graphed it into place. I had to shave some off of the axle mounts themselves so I could position the tire /wheel up into the wheel well a little but I think I've got it about where I want it right now. Still gotta figure out the chassis frame work and fabricate rear springs but those shouldn't be too big of an issue. Getting the rear suspension/ differential combo was the hardest part I thought.

Thanks Gator and John. I've been all over this thing like a rat on a cheeto filling and sanding and more filling and sanding on the body, roof and the wheel tub area of the chassis. Posting pictures would be a complete waste of time as it all looks about the same but this is the point at which I have to spend most of my time ensuring that this is all going to come together without looking like "Frankenstien". There'll be a payoff in the end I know but I sure wished this part went quicker because I can't stand body work.

Man Dave............do I ever know that feeling. It seems that no matter how much planning I do or how hard I try I always tend to forget something. Looking forward to seeing you work your magic here and as always......she's still looking killer!

Nice progress James. Can't wait to see all of this imagination and creativity come together.

I'm not much into the low rider cars but THIS...........is outstanding detail and modeling right here!!!! Thumbs up on this one Shawn!

Meant to comment on this yesterday and my forum session was interrupted. You really captured a realistic look with this one Charles. Great attention to detail and masterful paint work.

Wow! I really like your color choice for this ride Jeremy. Are those decals on the tires and if they are where'd you get 'em at?

Thanks guys. Dave: Well..............this is the point where the build starts telling me what to do next. I've got a few days to think about it while I work on one of my aircraft builds.

Ok folks I managed to get the rear wheel tub mod completed. I've still got to relocate the spring perches and use a different rear axle and suspension but I'll get to that a little later. Here's some progress pics of the wheel tub and center section mods........... Before: During..... I also managed to clean up the header exit cut out holes on the sides of the engine/ transmission cutout area. Still have some sanding and filling to go on the tubs but it's minimal. I'm also still working on the clean up around the rear wheel opening on the body. It'll be a bit before I post any substantial progress due to still being in the idea and development part of the build.

I like all the surgery that's going into this truck!! Nice work so far.

Thanks guys ! Today I graphed in the L/H fender skirt and got it glued in. I also cut out the rear wheel tub section so I can widen the wheel tubs and narrow the center section. I've got some work to do if I want to pull all this off is all I've gotta say. The paint I want to use is being mixed up at the dealership that I used to work at so that should be ready in the coming week or so. Of interest to me was the fact that it's acrylic paint that's used in the body shops now. Here's where I'm at as of now:

Will be watching for continued progress....................