Armornv

Yep, that's the route I'm going. It doesn't seem feasible to accurately represent an actual C channel in this scale, with my skills anyways, but using that frame will give me what I need. I've made a couple of adjustments, modified a cross member or two, made a new front crossmember, and will be adjusting/remaking some others. After that, I will start working on the front suspension which I should be able to scavenge most of from the same Revell 65 kit. No pics yet but I hope to have an update in the next day or two. Thanks for looking in!

No problem Dave. The measurements will definitely suffice. As well as the picture of that massive hunk of a tire in your hand lol! Fantastic work!

It never even occured to me to try that. I just pulled the frame out of the Revell 65 kit I got the rear end from and it is very close. If my attempt to scratchbuild it doesn't turn out very well, then I very well may use that. It's not an actual C-channel but I may have to give up on that part of the whole idea..... Thanks for the tip!

Ok here goes. I've been really inspired recently just looking through these forums. I'm normally an armor builder but I have done a few cars/trucks/civilian vehicles over the years. This will be the first one that I will actually put all my effort and skill (I'd like to think my skills have improved from all this time) into, but it's likely to still be not so perfect so please forgive me in advance! My plan for this is to attempt to correct at least some of the flaws in this kit and generally try and make it bit more realistic. Whether that will actually happen or not.......I do plan on doing several of these trucks in different versions eventually. The 67-72 Chevys are hands down the best looking trucks ever made! In my opinion of course. It looks as though I may have to perfect my skills at molding/casting unless they decide to reissue one of these because I don't plajn on shelling out 40 or more dollars every time I want to build to one lol. I'm not sure of everything I want to change just yet. I'll just have to decide when I get to it. The one thing I am sure about changing is the one piece chassis... BLECH! Well, that's a big enough wall of text for now. On to the actual work. The first are I going to work on is the frame/suspension. I have the frame measurements and while I'm not really looking to be EXACT, I do want it to be close. I've gone through several attemps so far with the frame rails. From C-channel, to rectangular strips. I couldn't find a C-channel close enough to the right dimensions and even if I did, I don't think bending it on two different axis would work very well. Skipping to where I am now, I made one frame rail from rectangular strip and matched it with my(close to) scale drawing I have. Made a mold, casted a couple more, and then bent them to shape. It was not easy to get the bends to match but I think I got them "close enough for government work" lol Here is one after the bending( sideways bending, the up down bends were carved from the original strip) At that point, I had to try and figure out a way to get the top and bottom of the rails as I really just want that extra bit of realism that a solid chunk of plastic just doesn't give. That, and most of the crossmembers actually are bolted/riveted sort of inside the C part of the channel. This is going to be basically just a ground up resto/slight custom so it would have retained the stock frame. The best idea I could come up with was to just start laying short strips of .030 sheet down the length. And this is the result. It's definitely not pretty at this point, but I think with a little patience, a lot of filler, and a lot of sanding it will turn out ok. It loos too wide I know but only because the pieces of .030 are hanging over both sides. So that's all I've got for it at this point. Still need to get some measurements for a few things, get another one of the kits(hopefully) and try and find a few more parts. I have the 12 bolt out of the Revell 56 stepside 2 n 1 but I'm honestly not that thrilled with it. Detail is really really soft. I'm considering trying to make my own but with my scratchbuilding skills....the rear end and this whole build should be a huge hill to climb lol. I also need to find something that I can use to remake the inner fenders... The kits ones are simply laughable. Not EVEN close to the real ones... Ok, so sorry for the wall of text. I hope you will enjoy my build and maybe even pop in once in a while to check on my progress, offer suggestions, as questions or just say hi! I am a very slow builder and it will take me quite some time to do this, but I want to make sure I do my best on it. Thanks gang! Clint

This is so amazing. I can't even think of any words to describe it. Fantastic work. (as if you haven't heard it a million times already) lol. Out of curiosity, and forgive me if you already have, but I'd really like to see an overall pic of say the body next to something well known like a dollar bill, just to get an idea of how big this monster actually is. Don't want to trouble you for it or get you sidetracked, but I just can't picture the size of these larger scale cars. Anyway, stellar build so far. I'll be watching for sure!

Oh man.... the last pic with the edge of the gaskets sticking out..... I think I need to start wearing a bib to catch all the drool!!! Absolutely killer Chris... Nuff said.

Very cool. Extremely well done! Where did the blanket come from? Looks like it's actually woven!

I am not surprised about the packaging at all. Their armor and aircraft kits are so impressively packed you almost don't want to take stuff out of the box! While I can't speak for their car kits, their armor and aircraft kits are typically "over-engineered". Meaning the assemblies are far mor complicated than needed. However the detail truly makes up for it. Some fantastic kits in my opinion. I'll be watching this closely as I really want to build a falcon sometime or another and I think Trump is the only game in town that I know of. Yours looks great so far. Keep the updates coming!

Yep Chris, now that I've seen the other pic with a better view of the manifold, You definitely got the right color for it. I also think I was wrong about the block color. The second pci it appears lighter. So, I think you nailed that color too(not that I doubted you would get it wrong) . I can't wait to see this one finished, but I'll hate to see it end! There is just so much awesomeness here. As a side question, Are any of these 1/16 funny cars/pro mods etc. available in kit form or is it (what I'm guessing) buy or make a body, get a bunch of aftermarket parts, and scratchbuild the rest? the more I look at these big scale drag cars, the more I wanna build one but, I don't think I have near the skill to pull it all off.

Somehow missed this one. Great work so far! Really nice work on the suspension so far! Love the color too. Where did the wheels and tires come from? Can't say I've seen them before.

This(as well as your Ferrari) are just plain mind blowing. I have never seen either one of those cars before but as soon as I did, I wanted one! I want one of the scale version also lol! As a side note, if you like Aves, you should try Magic-Sculpt. Works the same way(two part putty). Mostly used for figure/miniature sculpting but also makes a great filler. Every one has their own opinion of what works better/best for them but I really like the stuff. Anyways, can't wait to see how this one turns out!

Looks really good so far Chris. I can't really see the manifold in the engine pic, but the Magnesium looks spot on for the doohickies right at the top of the blower. As for the block, based on the pictures of the airplane, it looks to be somewhere between the steel and the semi matte aluminum. Just my two cents of course. Any which way you go, it's going to be absolutely stellar!

Been watching this one on the edge of my seat. So re-freaking-diculously awesome I can hardly contain myself. It truly makes me want to to do a large scale pro mod. I love the pro mod look to begin with but this really gets me going. Very nice work sir! Anyways, if you are concerned about that gap, which I doubt I would, I say it depends on much "stuff" will be hanging off the front of the motor. Can you separate the two plates? Maybe sand or fill the back side of the front one a little? Just my opinion. I'm certainly no expert lol. Again, I doubt it will be too noticeable once complete. Then again, the rest of this car is going to be so amazing it just might get noticed!

Are you using a vaccum/ pressure pot type set up for your casting? Maybe even a vibration table of some sort? Those casts look fantastic! (not to mention the ENTIRE rest of this project) Well done!

Agreed. Awfully pricey. I think what I MIGHT do.... is try to cast at least some of the parts. No idea if it would save me any time or work. that's probably when they will re-issue it... as soon as I get half the kit molded....

I see Art, I thought that may be the case. I check round 2's website every now and again hoping for a certain sci fi kit and it seems like I remember hearing something about them and AMT. I would much prefer to have the grill and bumper be two different pieces.... as for the tailgate and tail lights.... After everything else I "plan" to do to the kit, I might get to that and say FORGET IT! lol

Since you mentioned the Foose series, I think you were right. Revell is what my Walmart carries because a I have seen a couple of those. There were a couple of drag cars but mostly as you said. Camaros and mustangs lol. Like I said, I don't ever pay attention to the kit maker unless I see a subject I may be interested in. I haven't checked that section regularly in a number of years so it will be interesting to see what it looks like as it gets closer to Christmas.

I sure hope your right Chris, and thanks for that link. very interesting read. Art, good info there. I only mentioned Walmart because them and Hobby Lobby are the only two places that I know of around here that I can walk into a store and buy a kit. Walmart just happens to be closer. What few kits Walmart has are AMT and Revell (I believe) I really only pay attention to subject matter at first look. Did Roiund 2 buy out AMT or maybe some of their molds?

Same for me Andy. That's why I'm hesitant to buy any that find on Ebay. As soon as I do, It'll show up on the shelves at Wally World for a third of the price. I didn't realize there were that many iterations of that model. I really like several of them, especially that racer's wedge hauler one. Very cool!

Not sure if this would be the correct place but..... Those of you that might be in the know for how, why, what and when on re-issues.... They are getting very hard to find(for me anyways) and when I do find them, they are a bit pricey. I've only ever seen 3 or so different issues of what I'm guessing is mostly the same kit. Not even sure how many different versions there were. I have a few different ones that I had started trying to piece together a short bed with an actual interior and separate frame, opened doors etc etc. That is far and away my favorite truck on the planet. No doubt about it. What are the odds/chances that AMT will re-issue one of their 72 fleetsides??... There are so many different ideas I'd like to realize with that truck, I think I would buy at least 10 more if they re-issue it. So... any thoughts on the possibility of that happening? (the re-issue, not me buying more) As a side topic, would anyone happen to have 1:1 measurements on the frame rail? Max Width and Height? Upper , lower control arm measurements? Just a shot in the dark. I've spent hours and hours looking for those little bit of info... short of actually finding one and measuring it myself lol.

Randy, You've heard this a thousand times already, but this is truly incredicle... mind-blowingly incredible work. Hearing it a few more times won't hurt ya I don't think! I'm pretty sure your name sounds familiar to me because I may have seen some of your 1/35 scale work before. Maybe on Missing-lynx, armorama.... one of those. I want to say it was maybe an M2 heavily brassed up and detailed out... Could be wrong about the vehicle, but pretty sure it was you. If so, I'm not at all surprised that you can do this on a car model. Your 1/35 work was just as awe inspiring. Anyways, hope to see this one all the way through to the end!

Thanks for that Don. Never really messed around pearls(or candies for that matter) but I will definitely want to try them at some point.

Even more great info! Thanks guys and keep it coming! Charlie, to answer your question, most of what I will probably be doing is custom stuff. I might occasionally do a factory fresh job but for me, it's the custom work that I like. Seeing what can be done with a car(model) to make it your own. And it looks like I may be out of luck on using acrylics, but we'll see. I may try one just to see how it turns out. Thanks guys, Clint

Thanks for the info so far guys! Love that shade of blue by the way Niko. Looks great on that car. It sounds like there nothing terribly complicated about the process overall. Prime---check/fix imperfections---smooth out----color---decals--clear---shine! It also sounds like there you can use just about any type of model paint to do it with. The trick is simply finding the color you want. I'll keep looking and reading but I'd still like to hear from others just to get an idea of what/how they do things. Any preference for brands of clear? What about polishing? Any particular brands work better than the other? I know detail master has a polishing kit and I'm sure there are other companies that make them. Sorry to ask sooo many questions... I just like to be prepared. I think the end results are far better when you go into something well informed...

First off, I apologize profusely if this has been beat like a dead horse. I did do some searches and really couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. So... I am by most accounts an armor builder. 1/35 scale tanks and military vehicles. Matte finished, rust streaked, bent sheet metal and camo. With that said, I have built models from pretty much all genres. It's been longer for a car model build than anything else and I've really got an urge to dive back into some. Only this time, I want to actually put forth the effort to do it right. I am 99.9999% acrylics only. I can't think of anything lately that I've had to use anything else. With tanks.... you spray your color__ future it__decal it____matte coat it___done. That's a basic run down, there are other steps involved for weathering and finishing. With car models... I don't really have a clue lol. I know there is no "right way" just like every other type of modeling but what are the general rules of thumb in this world? Do most of you primer the body before laying down your color(s)? Do you need to smooth/sand the color coat before clearing? Do you sand/wet sand in between clear coats? Anything else I need to watch out for? As for paint, like I said, I'm comfortable shooting acrylics through my airbrush, but the majority of my paint is Vallejo and the colors are, for the most part, not "ideal" colors for cars. Is it common to use acrylic for car models? From reading it looks as though some people are using Tamiya(which I've never been a big fan of) Are there any other acrylic brands that have a nice wide range of colors for cars? Opaques, pearls, metallics? I don't want to end painting everything solid red, or black, or green.... You get the idea. If acrylics are ok to use, what is the best option for clear coats? For that matter, what's the best option for clear over enamel or laquer? Perhaps I'm over-thinking all of this..... I've looked at Createx and they seem to have a decent range but it kinda looks as though they are designed for custom automotive painting on 1:1 cars... and they appear to have different types of paint. wicked colors, auto-air, auto Sorry for rambling so much on my first post. It will probably seem completely incoherent to everyone but me. If there is anything anyone cane do to straighten me out, I will be forever in your debt. I just really want to do it right this time.... Thanks folks! Clint