Straightliner59

It's looking great, Jim! Looking forward to the paint! That, right there is what caused me to start scratchbuilding so much stuff--I figured that, even if it wasn't always easier, or faster, it was always a lot more interesting!?

Well, here you go, David! And, thank you! I've been working on it a couple of days, now. Not 100% with the face, but, I guess I'll live with it, since it won't be highly visible, anyway. I used a thin strip of orange sign vinyl, to make the redline needle. The adjustment knob goes through the lens and metal face and into the body of the tach. I made the stars and stripes, and the face on my cheap Canon printer. I wanted to do the face in black, but that wasn't printing, so I opted for dark blue. Next, I'll make the stand, and drill the dash top for that and the wiring. I may try to use a punch, or a bit of tubing to see if I can get the aluminum cap on the rear to conform a bit better. Otherwise, I'm pretty dang happy with it. Sorry the photos are blurry--this ain't very big! Comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Very nice work, Niko! That tach drive is definitely unique!

I use, and would recommend a like-colored paint, to apply the embossing powder. It's easier to handle than any kind of adhesive, and it goes on thin! It's looking really nice, Ron!

Tachometer parts. I'm still working on the graphics (face, etc.). I plan/hope ? to file the upper part of the aluminum faceplate to be thinner, still. That plate will also get the adjusting screw. Still a bunch more work that nobody will ever notice, but it's fun! Thanks for looking!

Thanks, DW. It's in progress, currently! I have to design some decals, for it.

Thanks, David! I was just happy when I figured out how to split it in a straight line! ?

I think it's a Wayne cross-flow head(?). Although the twelve plugs would have me wondering. It looks like part #85 is supposed to be a chunk of plastic! ? Sorry, sometimes I can't help myself.

I decided that I needed to do something with that sharp leading edge of the dash top. I thought about different colors (red, grey, black), and decided on red, to go with the other little accents. I found a suitably-diametered, insulated wire, and clamped it into my bench vise. I then laid a flexible steel straightedge down the middle of the gap between the jaws, and slit the insulation with a scalpel. That allowed me to cut a reasonably straight line. I then slid it into place, and superglued it. I then decided that the top of the dash shouldn't be shiny aluminum, because that could cause glare that would interfere with visibility of the christmas tree. I cut a small section of black sign vinyl to cover that. Finally, I gently re-formed the dash top to better fit the top of the dash panel. I'm pretty happy with it! I need to build a tachometer, as well. I'm leaning toward a Moon tach, because it'll be somewhat unique. More on that, later! Also, I cut plug wires. I used some old MSC orange plug wire, and some grey insulation, to make the boots. I dipped the wire in Vallejo Dark Grey Wash, to tone it down, some. I'll get those installed, before too long. Thanks to everyone for your comments. They're always appreciated. Thanks for looking!

Shepard Payne was always known as a great dioramist. I seriously don't think his work was anywhere near what yours is. Always a joy to see your work!

What a nice vignette! It looks great!

To echo the sentiments of others, your dioramas are always greatly interesting and well-done. The scenarios are realistic, and brought completely to life, by your skills. Always very happy to see your work!

It was!

This is super-cool! Is there a thread for it? Nice work!

"I strip away the old debris It hides a shining car A brilliant red Barchetta From a better, vanished time"...Neil Ellwood Peart, 'The Red Barchetta' This is beautiful work. As it nears its completion, looking at it makes me feel warm, inside. Very, very well done, sir!

It's cool looking, but, man, what a lot of work!

The wing roots look much better! You're right. The tail alignment should be a simple fix. Good call, fixing them. It's always frustrating, when something you thought was worked out, shows up again, late in assembly. It'll usually cause me to lay off for a couple of days, because I'm afraid of what might happen, during disassembly.? Agreed too, that there are some things we just can't live with! Nice display cabinet!

Well, I appreciate that, David. I'm happy with the way it turned out! I'm looking forward to having the paint and decals on it, too--I tried something new, with my decals. It's a technique I first experimented with on the Nostalgia Fueler. I refined it a little, and used some gold leaf, as well. I think it'll look pretty cool! Thanks for your ongoing support, my friend!

Looking great, Niko! I really like your use of color, on the differential assembly. Well done!

Thank you, Topher! It's been a lot of fun...so far!? Thanks so kindly, my friend! I'm sure it will show up a few more times, before it gets covered up.? The side panels are now cemented in place! I slit a length of heat-shrink, for the padding on the door bar. I slid the wheel into position, although it's a fair amount ahead of where it will be, finally. I also set the dash top in place. I guess it's about time to find some plug wire! Thanks for your comments. Thanks for looking!

Here's the completed interior, with the body--it drops right on, with only a slight alignment, to get it home! I like using wine bottle foil for the harness straps, because it can be posed, which, I think, creates a more realistic look. After I shot these, I remembered to set the top of the dash in place. It had no effect on the fit, either. I guess up next will be installing the plug wires, so that I can install the steering column. Then, on to the fuel system... I know there's a lot more to do, before I get to the body, but, I do feel like I'm getting there! Comments and questions are always appreciated. Thanks for looking!

That is much appreciated, David! I ran out of time to get photos, but the interior's now finished. I just want to make another test-fit with the interior panels/body interface. It seems to have been fine, then, but, you know how these things go! Thanks for your kind words, sir.

Thanks, Brian! It's getting closer, now. Once the power was restored, I was able to get all the belts installed. I'll do a little highlighting and shading on them, yet. The shoulder harnesses aren't attached to the cage, yet, because the cage, nor the door panels are glued in, yet. The cage will be soon, then the side panels, last. Before those can be cemented, I want to be sure the body will drop into place, with no obstruction from the panels and overall width of the assembly. Shouldn't be too long! Once the interior's done, odd as it may sound, I'm thinking that the plug wires will be next. Questions, comments and critiques are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Well, I got the belts assembled, and the seat installed, and took a few photos. Then, the power went out! Transformer in back gave up the ghost. So, the photos I had hoped to post are on my camera, awaiting the restoration of power. I had hoped to get the belts/harness installed today, but a lack of light has delayed things. They're supposed to have us up and running again, in a couple of hours. That should leave enough time...

Yes! That thing is an absolute gold mine of parts!