ea0863

The turbine engine went together no muss, no fuss. A little research showed it was a TS325-1 gas turbine that had been built for Continental Aviation (and leased to Howmet), thus I looked for photos of this engine in the Howmet cars and elsewhere for details.

The temples on the safety glasses were asymmetrical, but then again - so was the exhaust opening for the turbine, so I decided to run with the asymmetrical theme.

Hello All, anybody who sees my stuff knows I like weird engines and I like to make oddball cars. So when I first heard of the Howmet turbine engine race cars, I was intrigued. Recently, AMT/Ertl rereleased the MPC Howmet II and I grabbed one up. So this WIP is about my build, with a little editorialization about the kit itself shown here: Inspecting the kit, I noticed the body was finely detailed, with good shut lines and rows of rivets. What wasn't so great (and seems to be common with this body based on photos on the web) is that the rear clamshell does not align well with the front section of the body - mostly owing to warping, and a bit to dimensional inaccuracy. Being that the engine was to be the centerpiece of my build, I looked to the Howmet I kit for inspiration. On the Howmet I, the engine cover has a clear window section giving at least a partial view of the turbine. With this in mind, I made the decision to modify my clamshell with a clear window, and glue the two halves of the body together in alignment. And, I thought, wouldn't it be great if this window was louvered to vent heat (kind of like the Ferrari F40)? But where to find such a "window"? After a bit of looking, I happened on a pair of cheap safety glasses at Hobby Lobby...

Did you know Michelle that the FBI used the Grand National back then? So you're right; it was always a car for the dark side of the force!

I too get the same error message sometimes, but not other times. It's kind of odd. I figured it's because the jpg files are rather large.

Jeremy, I've been exactly where you're at - and I think you've got the perfect remedy! Some of the most fun builds I've had were where I was winging it as I did the build, and didn't particularly care how it came out. And yet, those builds are the ones that give me the greatest grins and are front-and-center in my display case now!

Very tasty build! I like all the detail in the engine compartment, but particularly envy your paint and finishing skills

Can't wait to see this one come together Bill! Then I'll be waiting with anticipation on the Allison build!

Coming out sweet Curtis. Great detail on the dash!

Great job so far, and cool project car!

Brian, I'm just building my Howmet Mk II and taking lots of inspiration from yours! I particularly love the color combo and may have to "borrow" it BTW; how did you do the fantastic job detailing the rivets so crisply?

Totally diggin the creativity and SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

Ryan, that is coming out one tasty Camaro! I am envious of your bodywork abilities. I can never seem to get my modifications to look so seamless and smooth.

Loving your build James, and the story that goes with it! When I met my wife in 1984, she was driving a '65 Impala SS in Tahitian Turquoise with white vinyl interior. I love telling people I married her for that car! (That's only partially true )

Looking great. Can't wait to see the colors you go with!

Bill, I love this build! Your "weathering" is superb...it looks like a car after ten winters in Rochester!

The design is awesome, the fabrication awesome. But that paintwork! It's like a root beer and maple syrup float just dripping off the panels. So gorgeous!

I am in awe of you! The skill level is amazing, the workmanship is wonderful, but the PATIENCE to lay down forty yards of tiny tape is beyond my comprehension!

YOUR build should have been the one on the box! Super sweet colors and style. Thanks for posting!

I'm glad you took the outdoor shots, the paint really pops in the sun! Gorgeous 70's styling! Thanks for posting

Absolutely beautiful Dan! Thanks for sharing

I've taken to using Mr. Super Clear Matt Finishing Spray whenever I want to knock the sheen off of a paint job. It works perfect for interiors.

Super nice baby Corvette Michelle! BTW, one of my more favorite glues is the bsi Super-Gold because it doesn't fume like most cyanoacrylates, and thus is better around paint and clear plastic parts where it comes to the fumes damaging them.

Sweet! Is that the stock stance, or did you change it? It looks great

What a sexy beast! Doggone it, now I gotta get me one of those kits too