Nice start. Know what you mean about how sometimes a simple project can be more work than you expect. I have one of those going right now. Keep up the good work.
If you look at the description for the trading post and wanted they are for model parts only. You would have to do something like craigslist for what you want to do.
The other argument for the photoetch is if you look at the blower is M is inside a circle and there is additional lettering. This would be hard to replicate any other way.
Just thought of the perfect example of a T on 32 frame. The tweedy pie has a shortened and narrowed 32 ford frame. If you compared that with tge revell 32 ford frame that would give you an idea on how to do it in 8th scale.