Andrew D the Jolly Roger

Thank you! Yes, the problem of the 4-bolts was pointed out to me, and I did fix it (mostly) by creating one, then casting it in resin and trying to get decent copies. Had to take rims that fit the tires, and adapt the basic correct shape from rims that didn't fit the tires. Didn't go as well as hoped, but it was done:

Okay, while making the horns, I still had to keep readjusting, as I realized they were a bit too long out to the sides. Finally got the bodywork on it sorted, and painted. I deliberately used brush painting for the central mount, as from the photos it appears to have that "wrapped" look. Had a license plate made by a decal company that does custom work. Turns out they were not waterslide decals, but photo decals in which you use the paper backing. So, I used bare metal foil for the reverse side of the plate, in case anyone was able to glance behind it from one of the corners.

I appreciate that, thank you! Will be even more complete when I finish Hughie Hogg's VW (see WIP); after 3 yrs I'm almost desperate for that one to come to an end....

Tim Sherry Decals, best authority for Dukes model decals. Impossible to find, was lucky to find a set of "Lee 1" decals back 20 yrs ago or so....same with the regular GL.

Beautiful! Ours was tan with brown top. I was referring to model form, apologies if I didn't make that clear.....

Really sincerest thanks for the kind comments! Ok, a little more. Finished the modified/corrected bumpers, plus the re-chromed parts, corrected the taillights from the Cabriolet kit, and started the steer horns.

Wondering, probably little chance, but did anyone ever produce anything to build a 1970 Cutlass 4-door? Grew up with one of those....

For some, yes, for the General and for others in the fleet. For Rosco and Daisy I have finished threads. General WIP: Rosco's patrol car (with Flash) (finished): https://hazzardnet.com/forums/topic/6107-hazzard-county-sheriffs-car/ Jeep CJ (finished):

The rest of the glass is from the Aoshima kit; just gotta cut the forward sections off and discard the rest. Once black is applied for the rubber lining, I use BareMetal Foil for the metal bits. Then, all the glass is tinted with a special blend of Clear Floor Polish, food coloring and acrylic thinner. Now, here's how I make headlights. I take the appropriate size acrylic rhinestone/gemstone. Make sure it's acrylic and not glass. Use sandpaper to remove the facets, then "paint" with clear floor polish. Voila.

Gettin' there, folks! First, windscreen had to be made from scratch, since the windscreen frame was significantly widened from the Revell Classic VW kit. Thankfully, it's flat, so, not impossible. Started with the original windscreen, traced it, then added the appropriate fill plug, on paper. Then, cut the new shape from packaging from something-or-other that my lovely wife bought (no idea what, it was in the recycling). Next, the bumpers. Closest option of the 3 kits is the Aoshima, except these represent the slightly later style with embedded lights. Removed the chrome with bleach, grind off the rubber strip (too wide), fill the light slots, add a new rubber strip. Prime, spray black, mask the rubber strip and spray Alclad chrome.

Ever notice how often the kit vinyl tires come nice and glossy, when the real ones are usually quite the opposite? A good treatment of sandpaper all over helps, then later a scraping of the tread through sand-dirt outside the front door. The wheel hubs are painted, then detailed including a light wash of watercolor sludge with soap to make it stick.

Thank you! Here's the next problem: The Aoshima Super Beetle has the super-modern dashboard and steering wheel, while both the Revell kits had the older, classic style dash and larger wheel. Which to use? I sorted through all the footage I could from all six episodes it appears in, and almost no clues....except a couple views like the one below. Definitely the classic dashboard. Looks to be the large wheel, I'm mostly certain. Had to widen the classic dashboard to fit the wider Super Beetle, though.

What an unbelievable battle with the body of this little beastie! I thought it would be so simple; get a beetle and chop the top off as per the TV show. Ha!! Finally just about have it straightened out with the myriad of alterations. Then to add the (presumably) canvas cover over the area behind the back seat. Used 0.015" strip for the edging, then 0.005" sheet for the rest. Then, following photos of the actual thing, mark where the bolts/snaps/whatever they used are located, drill holes with a #74 drill bit, insert .020" rod, trim and sand to shape. More primer, and now I'm finally starting to feel relieved!

On to the wheels. I had a choice of 4 different sets of Beetle tires, all of varying widths. I thought the closest to what I see on the TV show was the ones from the Revell Cabriolet Beetle. The outer wheel hubs came from a most generous overseas donor (thanks Les!). However, they needed some work to fit the selected tires. As for the inner wheel hubs, they needed their center holes enlarged to fit the suspension I used.

Thanks for the kind words! Noticed that more of the back end had to be totally redone. Fenders are totally curved, as the tail lights are not embedded in the structure. So, they have to be totally altered. Also the panel below the engine door, has to be totally flat and not contoured.