Straightliner59

Suddenly, it's the Batmobile!

I tried out the straight knurls and made the caps for the hand pressure pump. I bought a set of 100 TPI straight knurls, to make blower drive pulleys. This is the first time I used them. I like the way the pump looks! I made the brake handle from a piece of stainless wire, and the head of a pin. Wire insulation serves as the back nut. As always, questions, comments and critiques are welcome! Thanks for looking!

I would guess they're Humbrol, based on the tins. Excellent paint, in my experience!

That looks very nice, Richard! I am sure I've used DM's detailing wire for piping, at least once, before, and maybe twice. It's much closer, in scale, than even smaller diameter plug wire material. I suppose it's not out of the realm of possibility that the insulation on the red is a different material, than the black.

David, thanks for your input! That's what I would use, if I was starting with bare plastic, for sure. I'm not sure of the viability of painting it either before or after installing it. That could prove tricky, either way.

Excellent, Tom! I have some old MSC plug wire that just might do the trick. It's a bit larger in diameter, but, shouldn't be grossly out-of-proportion. It stays stuck in the distributors and plug boots, so, it should work, here! Thank you, kind sir!

I am looking to use red Detail Master Detailing Wire for piping around the cockpit padding for my Indy car project. The wire's coating seems to be Teflon, as it doesn't seem to stick with super glue. I'm thinking something more flexible might be a better option. Has anyone else used DM's detailing wire for piping, and, if so, what did you adhere it with? I'm open to suggestions! Thanks!

That's very cool! It's shaped like one of their Dope bottles, only smaller.

I got an Incra Tiny T rule. I'd been considering one, for a while. I think it will be super-useful.

Thanks, Alan! Glad you like it! That hood should help, too, I agree! I have four more Monogram projects hanging around the bench, too. I derive a great deal of enjoyment, from them!

Thanks, Mike. It's been a fun project!

I got that from Don Fahrni. But, there was and is something in me that drives that, too. I just have more fun when I am trying new stuff!

Alan, here it is, back on the wheels. I got them done, and wanted to see how they look. Better? ?

Thank you for your comments, and your kind words, Alan! I appreciate them. Ah! Well, we're in luck, as the photos from August 30 were taken while it was actually sitting on the wheels. The latest was just a "perspective" shot, in which the wheels were just placed at the ends of the axles, while the car was sitting on the deck! ? However, it's not as long and lean, as it should be, and the cowl's too short, thus the "(Sort Of)", in the heading. There was a time I couldn't have imagined saying this, but, these old, classic Monogram kits provide me with a different perspective on my building. To me, they have a sense of "folk art" about them, and I have come to accept their shortcomings, dress 'em up a little bit with items of visual interest, and throw 'em out on the dance floor! I don't expect to build replicas from them, although, I think my Cook and Bedwell dragster (Slingshot) comes fairly close. Thanks for looking! Thank you, Steve. I used a paint I found at Michael's for the base color (it's called Modern Metals Metallic Taupe--I know you're in the UK, so I wouldn't have a clue as to a substitute!), then shot them with matte clear (Testors' Dullcote). I followed that with a wash of India ink and water, and, finally, gave them a very light "coat" of Rub N Buff silver. The effect on the tires is very subtle, but it does create a visual difference! Thanks for your comments!

It's the molded on lettering that I dabbed with a small piece of rubber eraser, lightly coated with a mixture of oil paints. Any paint should work, of course!

It's getting there. I've had issues with the wheels/tires, but, they are getting close. Still need to letter the rears, and add a small amount of wash to the knockoffs. I did tape off and spray the padding/coaming around the cockpit...

This showed up on my doorstep, today! I am pretty happy, to see it!

Very true! In spite of delays, I have finished at least three (I think), that may have continued to languish, had I not put them here. It's certainly given me extra motivation to get them done. So, it's all good. I think this thread has been inspirational for many of us! Thank you, for it!

Yessir! I hear that, loud and clear!

I don't have any of the spray cans left, but I have a lot of bottles of it. They're still good!

I can attest to this fact!

I just got up, for my day, but, I got a ton of stuff done, yesterday! Got both sets of tires painted for the Indy car (two shades of black, on each). Got the finish on both sets of wheels. Broke the rim on a front wheel, so, made a new casting, for that. Made a mold for the front wheel inner rims and covered the seat back with tracing paper and white glue. I don't need to install a master cylinder, since its under a metal "pan". Work, tonight, then I will see what the weekends brings!

Now, with the aforementioned treatments applied to the wheels, and the knockoffs installed. At this point, the wheels are simply sitting in the tires, as it's a tight squeeze, and I want the oil paint to set up, before I attempt to insert them into the wheels...

I repainted the front wheels. They are painted with Modern Metals Metallic Taupe. I think it's still available at Michael's. There are several colors in that line that can be useful to modelers. I still need to install valve stems, and apply a wash, along with a little bit of Rub N Buff. I tried something a bit different with the tires. First, I shot them with Tamiya Tire Black. I then taped off the treads, and shot the sidewalls with Krylon Ultra Flat Black. I like the subtle difference in color, between the two surfaces. Next, I mixed some titanium white artist oils with a dab of Permasol black, and a tiny amount of yellow ochre, and applied it to the lettering with a small piece of rubber eraser. I have to be careful with it, for a couple of days, since the oils take some time to dry. I still need to add wheel inners, as well. As always, questions, comments and critiques are welcome! Thanks for looking!

I repainted the front wheels (going to add a wash, and some Rub n Buff and a valve stem), and painted the front tires. More details about that, on the build thread.