Codi

Brad, I'm sure those wheels only added to your anxiousness to get to the next step of this build. Jim did right by your build with the front rims. Bet you can see your vision of the car in totality now. Can't wait for you to share it. Cheers, Tim

Joe, I liked your Dart....but I REALLY love this build. Will look for your next pics after the dreaded wash, rinse repeat of bodywork schtick. You described the process all too well. Cheers, Tim

Thanks Ray. spent the better part of the day not getting much built but working on how to consistently drilll out tiny 1.2mm rod. Carbon fiber is a bugger as it splinters due to its makeup and you have to be perfectly on center since the rod is so tiny. Finally, after 4 hours of trial and error (I'm nothing if not persistent, my wife would say stubborn) and came upon a method that works v. well. It was worth it in my estimation as I like the look of the parts I've fabbed so far and how they look together. In between my experimentation I also came across a better looking brace design for them that I like and I'm changing that aspect of the design as well. The CF rod won't require decals as it's the perfect finish and look (should be right?) as it is. Tomorrow I hope to make some serious headway to get these rascals done sooner than later. Someday I'll look back on this build as the one that I learned the most from....I think. Cheers, Tim

VERY SLICK Chris. I'll be sure to check out the 2nd video as well. Thanks for posting it and showing us how it works. Cheers

Let the fun begin.

Fascinating subject Kevin. Your eye for detail on this build is just amazing. Looking forward to your next update. Cheers, Tim

Ray, I really appreciate the way your sharing and documenting this process, as well as your panel beating. I look forward to your updates and will be sure to link this thread once I see your results for future reference to attempt this as well. Again, big thanks, a pic and comment from you is priceless. Best of luck with your "experiments", I've no doubt they'll garner great results. Tim

Thanks fellas, and as usual Joe...very funny.....disturbing........but funny. Ray - I mock this rascal up a bunch which took me half an hour just to locate the axle and x-brace again so I could fab the wheelie bars. I'm anxious as well to assemble all the components once I complete the rear of the chassis and I'll be sure to share. I DO enjoy having the time to think ahead on certain things as I'm going to use a different design of bracket I've been mulling over to attach the wing to the chassis. That's one advantage to being such a s-l-o-w builder. The CF rod showed up yesterday so now I can get on with finishing the wheelie bars. It's tedious drilling out 1.2mm rod with a #74 bit but I don't expect any issues. I'm expecting an order from dirtmodeler as well for some brackets that I want to use but I can at least get these made and add the brackets at the end. Cheers

THAT is so cool looking Joe. It's very obvious you're a "glass half full" kinda guy. Will most certainly follow along as you tear into this one. Cheers, Tim

Wayne, you absolutely NAILED the stance and overall look on this build. I love the early funny cars and can't wait to get to a 71' Mustang some time next year. Your car looks just like they did back in the day......which IMO was the very best era of drag racing. Certainly will be following along. Cheers, Tim

Started the wheelie bars. The piece you see respresents a chromoly piece that attaches to the bottom of the axle 4 link brackets. The design is one I saw of a recent pic of the JEGS promod vette. It's triangular and combines carbon fiber and chromoly. I have CF rod on the way (the RC car and plane industry has it) and I'm going to make mine the same. I do have some 3D CF decals that I might apply to the tubes as well but I have to see how thin I can cut them. The tubes will be 1.2mm to replicate the real thing. The housing for the wheelie wheel itself is a modified dirt modeler piece. I'm going to nickel plate that bracket as well as the one in brass that I fabbed in these two pics. I polished the rear end as well in preparation for attaching some nickel brackets from futurattraction. Cheers

Joe, you've taught us all a valuable lesson. TEST first, then move on when it comes to paint and chemicals of ANY sort. Plastics / resin etc. just don't seem to play well with each other sometimes. I'm not trying to diminish the pain you're feeling over this one. I learned on my first build back to the hobby (my 66' Mustang) when I stripped it the first time it ate all my body filler and caused me hours of extra work....learned my lesson then and there. Anyways, I commend you for your attitude above all else as this just sucks. Won't even attempt to make a "funny" at this time. Chin up, head down. I know you'll make your next build that much better. Cheers my friend. Tim

Thanks Guys. Dave, the decals were from Scale Motorsport. Part # 1020. They were 1/20th scale, the 1/25 (24th) scale patterns were so small that I don't believe you would have seen much if anything of the pattern. I don't think anyone will notice. Cheers

A personal thanks to each of you that took the time to comment and your encouraging input. Wheelie bars and the final back brass portion of the chassis are next. I also want to answer Randys question about the wing brackets (the drilled out small pieces underneath the wing that attach to the strut itself) yes, they're detail master hood hinges that were slightly modified and polished. I always check my parts stash (don't we all) and found these. I had taken a lot of time to make 4 individual units but I just wasn't thrilled with them as they were a tad too large in my estimation. I thought these with the drilled holes in them complimented the struts themselves in a much better fashion. Cheers

Thanks Steve. Seems all the advice I've gotten is to go with 2 part urethane. So what did I do you ask. Well, Testors Wet look clear. Decanted it and thinned it 40%. Took 2 1/2 hours to apply 2 mist, 1 med. and 1 wet coat. Shot it at 20psi and the weather was perfect. Turned out very well even though the pics don't do it justice. And thankfully I won't even have to polish and there's only 1 tiny dust bunny on the very underside of the wing. Made a simple stand for it to assist in assembling it which will help for future mock-ups when I finish the back of the chassis. Cheers, Tim

Looks sharp Scott. It's obvious that you're as fussy as anybody can/could be. It truly shows. Now you've got to go hit the lottery so that you can quit your job and get this build finished!! Cheers, Tim

Hey Chris, just want to acknowledge those little details you keep finding and massaging to get it 100%. Nice catch. It can be maddening trying to discover the culprit to an ill fitting body or whatever...and then when you find it, it's like "sheesh". Better to have discovered it now my friend, I'm sure you would agree. Like everyone else, getting anxious to see it in paint in the coming few months. Cheers and good luck! Tim

Joe, I'm so sorry that the end came at the "pond". We've all been there and we all share your pain on that decision. UGH! On the other side of the coin however, that foil pic you've shared is very very cool. I know you'll keep us posted on the results of the stripping and where you take it next. Again, sorry to hear of your headaches with this. Cheers(?) Tim

Thanks Chris and Dave for the info/insights. I'll do a little more research and test some out. This weekend I'll spray the testor clears on some test panels. The CF is on the wing and looks pretty sharp. The reason I want to clear primarily is to bring out the weave pattern.....just make sit "pop". In the meantime I'm working on the wheelie bars and then I finish the very end of the brass of the brass chassis where the batteries go, chutes and wing are attached etc. This part of the build is getting much closer to being done. Happy Memorial Day ! Tim

Thanks Tyrone....always appreciated! Mark - the price of "education" is steep for me when it comes to time on the build. But I'm learning a new skill (machining) and the time invested is well spent as I'm enjoying the process AND the results so far. Thanks for posting. OKAY - QUICK QUESTION for everyone following along. I've done my bing/google other search ( the forum) homework and I'm looking for recommended clear coats to put over the CF decals I'm laying down on the wing now. I'm going to do a quick experiment with Testors wet look clear (lacquer) and their "High Gloss" 2780 enamel. I'll cut em' 50/50 with thinner and shoot them at 30 psi with several mist coats as a starter. I know Future is a safe one to use but it puddles up too frequently on me and I'm looking for other alternatives. The data I've found is dated to around 2012 and now that CF is more prevelant, I thought I'd seek out other ideas from you guys. Appreciate any insights you'd like to share. Cheers, Tim

Thanks to each of you that posted a comment and for following along. Joe - You don't miss a trick do ya'? Yeah, that "jig" was one of my better efforts. Took me all of 3 minutes to make. I just had to throw it up there to get a "visual" of how the wing was coming along as compared to vision / goal of what I want it to be. So far, so good. And thanks too. Randy - Thank you. After seeing your pedal box for your GT40 in the WIP section, I'm suitably humbled. Truly gives one inspiration and insights as to what CAN be achieved. Go check it out fellas. It's scratchbuilding at the extreme. Cheers everyone!

N-I-C-E Randy! That is just about the wildest thing I've seen on the forum to date. I HAD some ideas for the pedals on the Henry but they seem downright juvenile compared to what you've achieved here. Just superb. Cheers, Tim

Clayton, Scott , Tom AND of Chris...thank you for checking it out. I've been working on making a proper wing for the car and I'm almost done I think. I want to nickel plate the wing brackets (on the bottom of the wing that connect the strut to the wing itself) and CF the wing itself including the wing plates. The pics are missing the link that ties the strut to the backhalf of the wing that allows for height / angle adjustment of the wing. I also polished the alum. strut brackets and added some additional "lightening" holes that were machined earlier. Cheers Sorry for the lousy pics.

Hi Ray.....great pics of that build that the "kids" were doing on that Ferrari. But remeber, THEY had to start somewhere too. We all do. I respect what you're attempting AND accomplishing. Keep going dude! Cheers, Tim

Ron, you're to be commended for taking on this project. Wild movie, wild plane. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Cheers, Tim