Plowboy

This will be wicked cool! I'll definitely be watching this one!

Thanx! I wasn't sure it would work. But, it definitely did. I'm going to lower the engine a little. I'll have to cut the oil pan again. But, I think it will be the best solution to the problem. If you buy just the chassis, make sure you get every piece. Personally, I would buy the whole kit to be sure. It's worth it for the extra parts and you could trade away anything you don't use. There's not gonna be much left of mine when I'm done. I think this setup would work great on a '51 Chevy. My primer and paint arrived! So, I'll soon be able to get a better visual of how this thing is gonna look! I can't wait!

Yes. Both of the MPC 4x4 vans came with the small Desert Dog tires.

Beautiful model! It could easily pass for the full scale! You must have done a ton of research to get all of the details right. Excellent work everywhere you look!

Revell.

Well done Kit! The chop proves what careful planning of the cuts can accomplish! A little time spent on planning can save a lot of time on repairing. Can't wait to see the next steps!

It was a lot of work! It didn't help that I had to paint it three times either. This was the first model I polished with the polishing cloths. For whatever reason, this color isn't the same all the way through. It's this color on top. But, it's greenish underneath. It's the reason I clear every paint now whether it's metallic or solid.

You had a great year! I really like the Mazda, Mustang and GTX! Did Revell update the GTX to make it a '72?

Tamiya Bright Red looks very close to me.

I got the wheel wells filled and roughed in. The difference is dramatic! Now, it looks low!

That's because it isn't glued in. The front wants to drop down because of the shape of it.

That's so common on a Mercury. I want mine to be different.

Thanx David! I already filled them back in and it made a huge difference in the looks of it! When I get it kinda smoothed back out, I'll post a photo.

Thanx guys! Before I got too carried away, I figured that I better check all of the clearances on the engine. So, I installed everything with Elmer's glue and set it back in the frame. That thing really fills up the engine bay! Everything was good except for the alternator. I twisted it over and got the clearance. But, I don't like how it looks and it will be a PIA to make brackets for it. I'm either going to have to rework this setup or find a different belt and pulley setup. I may just lower the engine a little. I have plenty of clearance at the front. One thing that is bugging me about this model more and more is the relation of the wheels to the wheel openings. When I did the section on the body, the wheel openings got raised the same amount. I think that was a mistake. The wheels aren't tucked up like I would like them to be. Even though it sets fairly low, it doesn’t look low. I think I'll lower the wheel openings a couple of mms and see if that helps. If I don't like it, I can simply cut them back out. But, I think it will visually lower it without actually lowering it. We'll see.

Looks really nice Chris! I've heard the horror stories about this kit also. So, I never have bought one. Looks like you overcame all of this kit's issues and turned it into a nice model. Well done!

Really like that Maverick! Looks like it was well worth the time spent on it!

Thanx for the feedback guys! Right now, I'm leaning more towards leaving the bumper guards. I lowered the front bumper down by simply drilling new locating holes in the splash pan. Now, the guards aren't as intrusive as before and the bumper hides the splash pan at the bottom. I want to see it in paint before I decide to omit the guards. The grille is all wonky in this photo. Here's a better photo with the grille placed better. As you can see, the grille is now opened. This took a good while to accomplish! Around five minutes per slot and there's 46 or 48 of them! The radiator and support are from the Caddy. I had to add the radiator detail to the front using the one from the Mercury. The floor pan and frame are completely fitted. I'm real happy with how they now fit. It just falls together! Dash is fitted and inner fenderwells added. I still need to add some strengthening ribs to them. I added the firewall detail from the Caddy. I'm going to whittle down that huge flange. Engine is finally fitted. Still have to check for headers clearance. I figured there would be an issue with the breather. But, no problem! I may still lower it down a bit as it looks too high IMO. The package tray is now added to the interior. The interior is now completely fitted and ready for primer. I still have to make the hinges for the trunk and get a final fitment on it. I got enough of the rearend put together so that I can see exactly how the stance is going to be. I like it! It has just a touch of rake. Almost unnoticeable. The frame barely peeks below the rockers. I wish it didn’t show at all. But, I can live with it. I should have the hard stuff done. I'm ready for the fun stuff!

Those small Desert Dogs came in just about every MPC 4x4 kit every made at one time or another. But, they're not as plentiful as one would think. Somehow I managed to hang on to a set from the Hombre issue of this kit.

That never worked for me. If styrene is welded together with gobs of glue, it has to be cut apart. I don't think it would work even if water did happen to get in the joint. I've never bought one that I couldn't get apart. Sometimes you have get creative with a Dremel and photo etch saw blades. But, you can get them apart. Like Steve, the worst I've dealt with is having to grind a window away and replace it.

Really nice models Chang! I especially like the red Porche and yellow Nissan!

Very nice models Tim! I really like the 'Vette and the GT!

The recent "Post Your Falcons" thread reminded me that I didn't have any current photos of this old build. It started as a poor resin body and interior that I got on ebay. The body and interior were full of pinholes and voids. Tons of filling and sanding! I bashed it with a Monogram '66 Mustang. It donated the chassis, engine/transmission, core support and bucket seats. The rearend is from a T-Bolt. Wheels from an AMT '57 Corvette. Paint is Testors Boyd's Pacific Blue. Thanx for checking it out!

Thanx Tom! That's off pretty bad! I measured a spare body I have and there's a 4 mm difference front to rear.

No, I don't even have the PC any longer.

Not since Nov. 12. Ordered on the 12th. Arrived on the 18th. I could understand shipping delays in transit. But, it still hasn't even left the warehouse!