mikevillena

Thanks Jeremy!

Side window structure using .010 styrene sheet: Rough trimming: Finshed trimming and re-installed the kit's "B" pillar. Popped the door in to check for any misalingment or warpage: Brushed on some filler/primer to help blend things:

Attaching the base part of the passenger side rain gutter: After the base part cured and got trimmed, it was time to glue on the .010 x .020 strip to complete the rain gutter: Did a much cleaner job this time: Also took the time to grind off the manufacturer's raised markings on the underside of the roof and filled in the rear view mirror mounting cavity: I forgot how dimunitive the full sized car actually is.... For fun, I broke out the body for my 155 V6 TI (same manufacturer, same scale): For bigger laughs, here's the project car sitting atop an unpainted 1/10th scale Giulia GTA r/c bodyshell:

Nice kit. Looks like it's got photo-etched parts too. Umm....you might not want to publicly post "Jap".

John, absolutely brilliant and inspiring work!

A little more progress today in between household chores: Used a large ball cutter with my flex shaft tool (el cheapo knock off of Foredom) set to almost stalling to thin out the door area: Lots of soapy water to keep the area clean as I started to cut out the passenger door: Door almost free save for three corners: Got the job done with minimal waste and no errant cuts: Also scribed some panel lines that were missing on the Tamiya model: After some cleanup, I can start on the passenger side rain gutter and then it's onto the extensive understructures of the roof and sides.

Mike you are embarrassing me.....

I also use the Bondo Glazing and Spot Putty as it cures quickly and sands very easily. However, it is somewhat fragile and readily chips if used for fender flares. For extensive bodywork that is sculpted (like fender flares) I used to use DAP Plastic Wood from the hardware store. It's essentially cellulose fibers in an acetone base. It dries slowly and shrinks a little but it's very versatile. I have yet to try Tamiya's Epoxy Putty so I'll let you know. Haha..he's a real character I will soon be changing my avatar to another hero of mine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Uhlenhaut http://www.motorsportretro.com/2012/04/rudolf-uhlenhaut-supreme-engineer/

When replicating a rough cast texture I use a technique that I learned 30 years ago from an AVF (armoured fighting vehicle) modeller who uses this technique a lot on 1/35th scale cast tank turrets.... I apply a liberal wash of slow evaporating liquid cement (Testor's Liquid) over the surface and then I use a small brass bristle brush and rapidly tap the softened plastic. Takes a bit of practice to get the feel for this so grab some scrap plastic and practice. If there is too much texture, I carefully brush on another thin coat of the liquid cement to knock down the peaks a little. Hope this helps.

While the repairs and modifications on the bodyshell are curing, I returned to the chassis. Replaced the incorrect front rails with some channel: I also took a break and went down to Sears because they had a four drawer tool storage cabinet with casters for 85 bucks. I have patiently waited for a cheap and used one to show up at the local Salvation Army but none ever did. Anyway, I can now organize my hobby tools and materials: BTW, it's lightly built and wouldn't be able to hold heavy things in the drawers but is perfect for hobby use. Also, the fasteners (for attaching the casters) that come with it are garbage. Throw them away and use real ones.

Joe, it's just plain old automotive scratch filler and primer: (Item no. 5 in the photo) You can get it at any auto parts store. It's essentially grey primer (lacquer) with a little more filler in it. It's useful for filling small gaps too. I like the 2 in 1 applicator because it has a brush built into the cap. It's expensive but I simply decant more scratch filler/primer from the large rattlecan by spraying directly into the bottle. As to the avatar, it's Duncan Hamilton. Think of a swashbuckling 15th century pirate taking up motor racing and that pretty much describes the guy. http://vennmotorsport.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/the-drunken-tale-of-duncan-hamilton/ Give that man a cigar!

Hi and thank you Mike. I don't have a website but you are more than welcome to snag the photos. But I think you would be better off to check out Alfaholics' website: Thanks Ron! I really didn't intend on getting this deep. At first I thought about just modifying the interior to get rid of the bench seats but the bare chassis looked like cr*p. The problem with superdetailing is that you can't just work on one or two features because the rest of model won't look right. Like they say " In for a penny, in for a pound!" I just hope I can improve my skills enough to justify all of the kind compliments

Popped down to the local hobby shop. Turns out Evergreen doesn't make .005 x .005 strips. Had to settle for .010 x .020 Should be a challenge getting the .020 side to take a bend camber. Also picked up a Squadron Precision Putty Applicator to make life a little easier. I really love Tamiya's Extra Thin Cement as the tiny applicator brush makes precision application a breeze: I cemented the strip in short segements while allowing for the joint to cure before moving onto the next as things are very fragile. Brushed on some spot primer to see how things are shaping. Proof of concept: Vast improvement over the shapeless and incorrect blob of a rain gutter in the stock version. Should really stand out with BMF at the finish. Also plugged the two license plate mounting holes with some stretched sprue:

Interesting marketing choice by Studebaker to name it "Dictator" considering the era. Anyway, another good one Harry!

Turns out I got a little too enthusiastic with my grinding so I had to use the applied gutter as a "repair". After trimming and applying another stip over the repair: Turned my attention to the engine bay. Modified the battery shelf and finished the firewall:

Grazi Fabrizio! Thank you Dave. I'm sure you or anyone can easily surpass my rather amateurish attempt. Do have a go at it. I only have one more unbuilt kit on hand and I will keep it in reserve until Tamiya (in their wisdom ) decides to re-issue.

Now at the point of no return as I ground and scrapped off the rain gutters. Also had to cut out the "B" pillar and set it aside to be re-installed after the gutter is finished. Used a short strip of .010 x .060 styrene to build the horizontal portion of the rain gutter: I'll have to wait until the hobby shop opens tomorrow to get some .005 x .005 strip for the vertical elements.

Hello Pat! How are things in jolly old England? You're all probably thrilled with Lewis's latest win. Wow, you must have a wealth of racing stories to tell having spent so many years in the sport. It must have been really exciting to have seen these cars turning their wheels in anger firsthand. Silverstone is so steeped in motor racing history. The Alfas were brilliant and were the ETC champions for 4 consecutive years (1966-1969 I think). I'm sorry that I never got the chance to visit it when I lived in England in 1990 and equally sorry that I'm on the other side of the pond now and can't sit down and have a pint with you. I've only had a short season under my belt (Formula Ford) and two seasons corner working with my then local sports car club in the Midwest but I clearly remember watching Peter Egan ( Road & Track editor) embarassing SCCA GT1 Corvettes and Camaros with his dimunitve Super 7 at every lap of Blackhawk Farms. It was thrilling to be standing a few feet away and watching while he out braked and out accelerated these monsters. He won overall that day. Brilliant driver and writer. Anwyay, thank you for the very kind compliment and I hope to be able to build this little gem properly. Cheers!

Well, took the plunge. I decided to work on one side at a time since there will be extensive cutting and grinding involved in fabricating the extensive door jamb and internal roof structures.

Thank you very much guys! That Abarth is in 1/10th scale which is a little easier on my poor eyesight and clumsy fingers. Hope to eventually pick it up again to re-build and finish it.

Slow progress on the trunk opening: I'm at the point of planning the driver and passenger door openings. I might have to wait until much later to cut the doors open because slipping the chassis in and out forces me to flex the bodyshell slightly. I am also on the fence as to whether to shave off the incorrect rain gutters and scratchbuild the proper ones. This will take some planning to pull it off. As an aside, I found a nicely built Tamiya kit: http://i-am-modelist.com/2012/09/28/alfa-romeo-giulia-sprint-gta-1965/ Some of the paper models on that site blew me away. I remember seeing some incredible English cardstock and paper models from the 50's and 60's (old Airfix book). Goes to prove what craftsmanship can do even with simple materials.

Thank you very much Dave. Thank you Joe. I use automotive scratch filler/primer in the small touch up applicator. It helps blend the styrene pieces and simulates the fillets typical of swaged or stamped sheetmetal. I also use it to simulate welds: This is on my 1/10th scale RC Tamiya Abarth. Thanks for all of the kind comments and for following this build

Started framing out the trunk opening:

Time to start cutting the bodyshell. Began with the trunk which is the trickiest since there isn't a molded line for the bottom lip of the trunk lid: Applied some dishwashing fluid to the initial scribe line and to the blade to lubricate the cut. Managed to pull off a very clean cut with minimal waste:

Hi Curtis! Yeah, it has been ages since I scratchbuilt anything in 1/24th scale (20+ years). I did some scratchbuilding in the larger 1/10th scale for my rc car projects so it is a real challenge working in this dimunitive scale. I've had to use my magnifying visor throughout although it's probably becasue my eyes are just bad to begin with You Alfa turned out beautiful! BTW, are those PE wipers?