AmericanMuscleFan

This is far from bad Mike! I don't know anyone who can do this by hand...! I should have said I didn't know anyone... now I do!!! There is no machine that can replace talent... ?

Good job separating the hood from the cabin Pat. It must have been pretty tough just looking at the thickness of the walls. What did you use, a panel scriber or the back of an X-Acto blade? Sad that you have to give up the engine, I knew you on this forum as Mr. Engine! ?

The finish on the grille is very nice and shiny Charlie, it looks like your homemade nickel plating solution recipe is a success... ?

You can't see it of course but there is a big smile on my face... The workmanship and soldering of the small brass parts is very high quality, it's very inspiring for detail lovers! ? Tell me, did you make the grooves on the crankshaft pulley by hand...? ?

Nice work Jim! The '70 GTX & Road Runner is one of my favorite Mopar body and you paid it a beautiful tribute. The color (and the paint job) is superb and brings out the beautiful lines of the body.

Thanks Charlie, I'm a little embarrassed of what I can present compared to your amazing updates! Colder days are coming soon in our part of the world, so more time for the hobby to come... ?

Thanks Joe! I'm not very productive lately but I'm trying not to lose my touch I would say. I haven't forgotten you by the way, I just have very little free time these days... ?

Thanks Trevor! Not my biggest piece, but it was fun to make... ?

Thanks for the comments Edgar! I am not an expert in this field as I have never had a drag car that requires a parachute installed for competition. I made the parachute by referring to pictures on the internet and I planned to attach the release cable (that goes from the cab) to the pin. It will be a manual deployment system, does it make a difference on how to attach the pin? Don't hesitate to get back to me on this if I am in "left field" as we say in my part of the country. ?

Fantastic precision work (as usual) Tim, the brake calipers will be nothing less than jewels! I have a couple of these 0.010" end mill and it's always very intimidating to work with them, as you say so well, they can last a very long time or break on the first cut. Yours did quite a job...! ?

Thanks Ian, If the parachute deploys for no reason, I will have the difficult task of putting it back in place with my small pliers...LOL ?

Thanks for your kind words Jerry! Delrin is just another kind of polymer (acetal homopolymer) but it is harder than styrene and machinate beautifully. Another reasons I used it is because it is already black and didn't need to be painted. If you make so research on internet you can find this: Delrin works as an excellent replacement for metal because of its high-tensile strength, low-friction and high-wear resistance, creep and warp resistance, and overall durability and toughness. Hope this helps, Francis

I hope to see a second life to this great project Tom. These old Dodge trucks are probably not unanimous in their design but I have a soft spot for these good old workhorses... and yours makes me salivate! There is still room on my shelf by the way... ?

Great work as usual Daniel, there are always something to lean from your great techniques, I feel like I am in school but in a fun way... ?

Thanks Marcos, I would have preferred to make a fixed version but I would have lost the access to the tailgate which is functional. I think the removable version makes more sense in this context. I don't know if there are any special rules (except the 150mph on the quarter mile) but I imagine this type of parachute would be legal for my truck. Anyway, as a good friend of mine once told me, there are no rules in the wonderful world of model building... ?

I really love all those brass added details on the engine Mike, you always make me want to add more of this beautiful metal to my own projects... your fabrication techniques are very inspiring! Another masterpiece in the making! ?

This is great work Jim! You've made us used to beautiful constructions and paintings of exceptional quality and this is no exception. By the way, I like the good advice of patience printed on the packaging, however, I don't think you have many problems on this side...! All the details you add are first class and will make the difference at the finish line! ?

Hey, thanks Claude! I didn't know about the restrictions on Delrin but I hope it won't "hold me back" in my future progress... I will try to limit myself to Styrene in the future so that I don't get hit by the wrath of the modeling gods... ? Francis Thanks Jim, I'm glad you still like it my friend but I'm pretty sure you must find my pace of progress less impressive... ? Thank you Tim, for the inspirational side I must admit I have a lot of that essential food with your current and past topics sir! ? Thank you Brian, I am always happy to read your kind comments and hope to fulfill your expectations in the coming weeks or months... ?

Pure beauty, Tim! Gosh, I love this stuff and you are hard to beat in this area sir, I am always ready for more and you consistently deliver! Addictive!!! ?

Hello everyone, After several small sessions at the workbench during the last few weeks, I was finally able to make the basic parts of the parachute system. As I had already mentioned, the parachute is removable style to keep access to the tail gate where the fuel tank and battery will be located (to be made later). I will probably have to make some minor adjustments and then I will work on the deployment system (manual lever) which will be located near the driver seat. Sorry again for the long delay in posting new updates and the lack of activity lately but the tasks around the house were the priority and I hope to have more time for this project in the coming weeks. Questions and comments are welcome. Francis Brass main frame, I don't know yet if I'll chrome plate it or leave it bare? Parachute support plate in progress (0.010'' brass sheet). Handmade contour with a small file, the hole on the left will be used to pass the trigger wire. Dismantling pin in process. Final part. Main components, the parachute was shaped from Delrin. Quick test. Another test on the truck. I added more details on the parachute, the warning flag was in my parts bin and is probably from a die cast.

Great work Ian, it looks like the real thing and the illusion is even better with your background. Your neighbors won't like you too much if you start this monster... ??

Pure talent and ingenuity, I've probably said it many times but it's to be confused with the real deal and you're making a lot of detail freaks dream my friend. ? You must have a large inventory of materials to make all these beautiful pieces, I am envious... ?

Eye candy, I could spend my days contemplating these extraordinary creations but that would only slow down my own project even more... I don't mind coming to recharge my batteries and my wonder on a daily basis though... No pressure Randy, I know this kind of jewelry takes time and I am patient! ?

Superb car Claude, what else can we expect from you my friend... ? As usual, all the modifications are done with taste and restraint I would say, the color gives a lot of class to a car that already has a lot, it's a Cadillac after all... The perfect vehicle for "haut de gamme" deliveries as we say in the language of Molière! Have you thought that you might have to reserve a table just for you at the next exhibition... ?

Thanks Ian! I spent a lot of time on the drive train to make this truck fast but now I'm working on making it decelerate with the parachute system... I hope to post some picture soon with what I have done so far. Fall is approaching and the time for the hobby should increase in the next weeks, I hope to finish this project next winter... I have many ideas in mind... Maybe too many... ? There is no harm in asking Al, I must admit that this hobby occupies most of my free time especially during the long winter months. Apart from my full time job, all the interior and exterior maintenance of the house takes the lion's share of the cake in the summer. It may surprise you to know that I am a great lover of the outdoors and I never miss an opportunity to go for a long walk or a bike ride, I live in the country after all. It's all about balance and I must admit that I often find a solution to the fabrication of a complex part during a long walk, I call it coming back strong! ?