AmericanMuscleFan

Thanks Claude! I don't know, but maybe because of its scale, I'm not losing money so far, but I'm starting to lose patience... It seems insignificant but it's one of the most difficult steps of the build. This is no longer the time to put the brakes on this project... ? Francis

I know and am sure that the media blasted finish would be very representative of the real thing but I would be nervous to modify such a beautiful finish! The part is beautiful as is but I know how much of a perfectionist you are... There's nothing wrong with a little shine under a race car, no one would blame you! ?

Hello everyone, I made some progress on the assembly and i machined an electric fuel pump to mount on the frame at the back of the truck. I decided to position it there because I have to build and install the fuel tank and battery in the box and I didn't want it to be too crowded, it will take most of the space left between the tailgate and the suspension hump. I have started the plumbing and wiring as you will see and I used photoetch retainers to secure the whole things in place. I hope to install all the rear suspension next and show you the results soon. Comments and suggestions are welcome. ? Francis Gas pump in the milling chuck at early stage of fabrication. Brass motor armature shell in the vise, the electric wire will be added at final assembly. All main components including aluminum bracket. Mounted on the chassis with the fuel line going to the front of the truck. Brake lines in the proportioning valve. Brake line running to the back of the truck. Brake line in the rear T-valve. Front right side brake line on the main suspension member. Different view.

Thanks Charlie, it's no secret, but I just want to think about it a little bit more even though I've pretty much made my choice. To be continued in the next few weeks... Francis

Another great job Charlie, all your updates are awesome my friend, I love the look of the pedals under the dash, very convincing! You have a great weekend of drag racing ahead of you... I'm envious! ?

Welcome from the East Coast of Canada, Declan! ?? If I'm not mistaken, driving is on the right side of the road in Australia... It must be a bit of an adjustment at the beginning but fortunately, there are no rules to follow with scale models other than to follow the instructions... ?

Nice build Aymer, beautiful details bumper to bumper! It looks like a car from the TV series Street Outlaws! Murder Nova got a HEMI... ?

Good idea Ray! There is nothing wrong with that especially when you are a Cobra fan like you... It's easier to transplant mechanics than body parts anyway! It fits him like a glove by the way!!!

I don't think the age of the kit is a deal breaker for this wonderful truck! You've seen it all and your great modeling talent makes all the difference! I'm still in awe of your frame paint job, I have a lot to learn about it... ?

Thanks Ian! I probably won't be able to catch up with you, but I'm happy to move on to another kind of update for you, at least for a while... It makes me think that there is light at the end of the tunnel...! Francis

Thank you for your kind words Daniel, In my case, "The Friendly Giant" is American and his name is Sherline, he has an iron fist! It is rather ironic that on our side of the border it is the opposite, it is the American programs that have marked my youth... There is no doubt that we have much more than just an economic partnership between our two countries...! ? Francis

Thank you Marcos, I am very proud if I can have this kind of effect on your great work my friend! Francis

Thanks for your support and kind comments Tim! I have learned over time that there is no point in trying to compare yourself, but you have to find pleasure and satisfaction in improving yourself no matter what your level of progress. Anyway, there is always someone who can do better, you just have to find the balance between pleasure and frustration... By dint of trying you will eventually find the winning recipe, it just requires more precision when you want the details to become functional at this scale! ? Francis

Thanks Claude, I put it back in the oven... there's a nice smell of barbecue chicken in the house right now.. ? Francis

Thanks for your kind comment on my Roadrunner Andy! I think the body style and the Plum Crazy color have a lot to do with it, I always had a soft spot for these 70's muscle cars... ? Francis

Thanks for your kind comment Jeff, I do appreciate! Francis

Thanks Trevor, I'm always happy to get your visit and comments my friend! You know, I was aware from the beginning that this was going to be a very difficult build and I decided to go even further than I had ever done in terms of detail. Sure I would like things to go faster but I am using my free time for a hobby I love and I also see it as a good exercise for my brain, it's what I call a win-win situation! I only hope I don't come to discourage my loyal partners who take the time to comment and follow my progress... ? Francis

Hello again everyone, This is my second update this week, but despite the fact that little progress has been made, I'm happy to show you the painted frame with another small component for the brake system. I made the t-valve and a small bracket to mount it on the frame above the differential, I'll run the flexible brake lines from there and connect them to the rear brake calipers. I'm going to start assembly next week (my parts box is full...) and I need to see some different progress on this thing (probably you do too...). I'll continue to build the remaining parts as I need them and hope to paint the many body parts in the next few weeks. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Francis T-valve at early stage in the milling chuck. Drilling in progress using a 0.016" drill bit. Final t-valve before the mounting bracket added. Mounting bracket welded. Test fit on the frame, I made a small plastic support to mount it above the differential. Back in black... freshly painted in semi-gloss black (Tamiya). Other side view. It will dry until next week for the beginning of some assembly. ?

Thanks for the compliment Jerry! This model is about ten years old and I think I have improved my machining methods a lot since then but I have to admit that this bird still looks good on my shelf. I'm glad you like it! ? Francis

Thanks Mark, I started in my childhood like all the young people with a tube of Testor glue and brushes. It is by dint of contemplating the high quality work of master model makers that I decided to try new techniques. Everyone goes at their own pace, the goal is to have a good time, I hope you get lots of them!!!

Fantastic build Michal! The kit itself, despite its small flaws is of great quality, but your final product is certainly first class. The paint and assembly are absolutely flawless. You can be proud of your work sir! By the way, this beauty would command a very high price at a Barrett Jackson auction. ?

Thanks Charles! Your excellent work forces me to innovate and your comments are a great source of motivation my friend, I hope to keep your interest on my project until the end of the build... Francis

Great work Charlie! You are a very talented machinist and your components are made in a very clever way, I take note! I can't wait to see the painted body, I really like your choice of color. ?

Hello everyone, Before I dive into the tedious plumbing work, I realize that I forgot to share with you the last fabrication/modifications of the front panel. I did the turn signals and separated the sign since it is in two separate parts on the real truck. Before I start painting the frame I noticed that I forgot to make some important parts of the brake system. Using brass I machined the proportioning valve as its the starting point for the brake lines. I will also have to make a Tee Valve for the rear brakes so I prefer to make this part before painting the frame as the part will be mounted on it and not on the differential cover. Its not a very complex part to make so I might be able to finish this one before I go back to work. Thanks for your patience, I hope to offer you some pictures of the beginning of the assembly soon even if I still have some parts to make, it will be updates of both in the future. Comments are welcome! Francis Front panel is now a 2 separate parts with turn signals made from aluminum and tinted acrylic. Test fit. Beginning of the machining of the proportioning valve. Drilling holes using a 0.016'' drill bit. Drilled side by side, brake lines will be 0.014" steel wire. I welded a small mounting bracket, the part is all brass. Different view. Test fit on the "unpainted..." frame. Note the added small aluminum stud ti simulate the sensor (I don't intend to connect a wire to it, it's just to fill the unused hole.)

Welcome from the East Coast of Canada, Mark! ?? Model making is the perfect hobby these days... ?