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Ian McLaren

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Everything posted by Ian McLaren

  1. Ian McLaren
    Thank you so much Tim, it means a lot as you are one of the builders on this site I look to for inspiration.
  2. Ian McLaren
    Thanks Mike for following along on the marithon build, I appreciate your intrest!
  3. Ian McLaren
    Thankyou Jim i'm glad you liked it.
  4. Ian McLaren
    A masterfull model my friend, the amount of detail involved is staggering, the fit and finish is spot on. Quite a journey for what started out as a glorified curbside model. To quote Independance Day " Not bad, - Not to bad at all!
  5. Ian McLaren
    Now that I am at loose ends (modeling at least) I got a chance to go back and review your progress made to this point. I was struck by the notion that if the photos had the rulers,coins and fingers removed there would be no way to determine the scale of the subjet. 1:1, 1/12, 1/16th or 1/25. I wager most people would pick one of the three larger scales if asked, and 1:1 would likely be the goto guess on a lot of the photos. I was also struck by the diversity of your talents (again) it maters not, be it sheet metal,mechanical components, or trim pieces being replicated, the final result is always exceptional. Then the materials used in the construction aluminum, brass, plastic and others are all crafted into the proper form with the same precision. Your attention to scale fidelity is among the best I have seen. I guess what I am saying is that on a day to day basis your individual parts are impressive, but when taken as a whole the project rises to another level entirely. It is a priviledge to watch and learn from you.
  6. Ian McLaren
    Very cool, and as an aside the transmission is looking spot on, fantastic job!
  7. Ian McLaren
    Francis you leave me lost for words. I have never and most likely will never again receive a reaction to one my projects that has touchsd me in this way. Thank you my friend!
  8. Ian McLaren
    Thank you very much Daniel, yes there were some interesting moments, but as you know they are part of the landscape when you model off the beatin path and scratch build. However at the end of the process there is a certain sense of accomplishment when combined with comments like yours tends to make the journey worthwhile.
  9. Ian McLaren
    I finally reached the light a the end of the tunnel on the first day of spring and can call the Bubble Up Trans Am funnycar complete. Another one in the series of Alberta based cars that I have modeled. I've been wanting to build this car since way back in the 80s, but other than gathering information and some parts it wasn't untill early 2024 that construction actually started. The break through came when Nick Bradshaw from Flashpoint resins contacted me and said he had a 77-78 TransAm body in 1/16th. It was a newer style body but the basic shape was there and a deal was struck. The body arrived and I was please with the quality and the modifcations began.The big challenge was the Al Swindahl chassis as it was a very limited run series as Al was primarily a Top Fuel chassis builder. The chassis to my knowledge has ever been modeled and certainly was never released as part of a kit. It would have never been built if not for the help of numerous people most notably Bryan Hodges (RIP) and everyone that answered my requests for help with information and or photos. The other break through came with the decals, To help create the graphics on the particular car I enlisted the help of Chuck Boerner at Chucks Decals and again this project could not have been done other wise. The hood bird had to created from scratch and that was handled by David Farrin from design to coloration, a huge thanks to both of you for your efforts Shown are the results as well as some of process that was followed. The photos do have anotations where required. Thanks for looking and comments and questions are encouraged
  10. Ian McLaren
    Closing up the shop for the night, about an hours work tomorrow morning to get ready for the photo shoot. Ready to rock and roll. Its been a long time coming!
  11. Ian McLaren
    First coat of primer and still a lot of body work to do, but the attitude is starting to show through
  12. Ian McLaren
    With the Pony Express pinto completed and the BubbleUp Trans Am waiting for just the clear to cure and be polished, I drug the R-M Pro Stock Camaro out and did some work on it. Primarily I cut the front clip of and cleaned up the resulting gaps. Right now it looks pretty grim with all of the repairs to the body contours that were necessary showing but it will be back in white primer shortly. I'll be starting on the rear floor pan and frame members next
  13. Ian McLaren
    Simply amazing Tim, almost indistinguishable from the real unit.
  14. Ian McLaren
    Thank you very much Francis it means a lot. Plus there was a personal factor with this car, having worked with it for over two years and then Norm passing this last spring I wanted to get it right.
  15. Ian McLaren
    Thank you Francis, and yes still clear and polishing to go but it hasalready exceeded my expectations
  16. Ian McLaren
    Long cold winters with nothing to do but shovel snow and model, plus we are on the metric system so more time available
  17. Ian McLaren
    Thank you and yes it is, I just can't believe it took me five decades to do it. LOL
  18. Ian McLaren
    Sneek peak at the progress since the Pinto is completed and the decals were here. just needs clear coat, polish, Windshield and parachute added.
  19. Ian McLaren
    Well here it is completed, The Pony Express BB/FC. Competion Resins body, Custom Machined Wheels by Jeff Faris, headers courtesy of LPH1320. Engine and drivetrain (bellhousing, Lenco, 9 inch) 3D printed by me. Chassis, seat, wheelie bar scratch built brass. Fuel tank, Oberg filter, aluminum body panels, seat belts ( Futureattractions) and chassis supports scratch built. Decals designed and printed at home. The chassis is built as per the chassis Terry Graham at Airport Welding fabricated that was basicly a copy of the Titanium chassis the car came with. Which by that time was stress cracking so badly as to be unusable. During the period depicted the car was owned by Norm Rousseau (RIP) and driven by both Neil Erasmus and Geoff Carr and me ( listed on the rear panel as Crew) This model has brought back a lot of memories and I find myself smiling each time I walk past it.
  20. Ian McLaren
    While waiting for the clear to fully cure on the Pony Express, I spent some time on the BubbleUp body and paint, recontoured the green to fit with Chucks decals, as well as fixing some body issues and re doing the white areas. I have also applied the first clear coat to give the decals a proper surface to attach to.
  21. Ian McLaren
    Busy day in the shop today, BubbleUp car just back from paint, ready for graphics and clear
  22. Ian McLaren
    Chassis is done, just waiting for the last coat of clear on the body to cure so this one can be wrapped up. I'll probably return to the BubbleUp cars body for a couple of days as its chassis is also pretty much completed
  23. Ian McLaren
    Just add the injector, steering gear and a bit of plumbing. Standing on it's own for the first time
  24. Ian McLaren
    Still progressing, still sitting on the jig but once the radius rods are trimmed to size and instaled it will be free standing. Still lots to do but it's getting closer
  25. Ian McLaren
    At long last the decals have arrived after an epic battle with USPS and Canada post and the battle is not over completely yet. That however is besides the point as the decals have exceeded my every expectation and the project can now be brought to a conclusion. That conclusion will have to wait a bit longer as I wrap up the Pony Express BB/FC which is in the final assembly stage at the moment. The Bubble Up car should be back in progress within the next ten days or so.
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