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DEL

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Everything posted by DEL

  1. DEL
    I have about four open projects constantly in rotation Greg. Like the little gumballs in the machine you never know which one will come out of the chute once you turn the lever!
  2. DEL
    Yeah, I'm a little bummed out today myself because the Gator/Bandit is gone.. But you did a beautiful job with that one Steve. I just so happened saw a clip this morning of that epic chase in White Lightning where he ditches the ASP unit and I have to say yours looks just like. Right down to the white letter tires! Smokey & the Bandit came out in 1977 when I was just 17, but I already knew I wanted to be a cop. The movie was pure fiction of course but it looked like even the cops were having fun in that one. Sooo... I tried a Bandit (or cop move) on a nice sandy country road that winter. (a half a "U"!!) I did nutstuff like this back then from time to time. Even had a cheapo 110 camera to document it. A wonder I didn't turn the car, my second one a 75 LTD, over. After I busted a few tires and the cost began to ding my wallet I knocked it off not long after.. Anyway, results of the Gator/Bandit MovIe Onscreen Driving School, circa 1977 (PS notice the 'on-purpose' missing hubcaps a-la Gator):
  3. DEL
    Beautiful work guys! I liked the tires you sent me that last time, couldn't find anything to complain about. Those look gorgeous! As nice as any tire in any standard styrene kit I ever built. Those tires are something else, they really are.. PS: for those reading this Greg & Mike sent me a couple of the mostly done kits to examine and I have to say I believe those of you interested in this one are going to be knocked out. This is no slush cast irregular slapdash junk here. Greg & Mike believe as I do that if you aren't going to produce a solid reputable product you would be happy to display on your shelf right along with the big kit maker's stuff, then it should not even be done at all. They've put a LOT of sweat equity into this one. I believe those who choose to get one will be very pleasantly surprised. I keep meaning to post pics but this week has been unusually busy for me. Perhaps over the weekend. Thanks to all interested.
  4. DEL
    Thanks, Andy, and I will keep that in mind. Having the 1:1 car in the driveway is best for an actual reference. Barring that, knowing someone who has one and can get you pics and measurements is the next best thing. In truth, I may take you up on that shortly. Thank you!
  5. DEL
    Thank you, Kevin, Tom & John! I have added Tom & John to my list. I cannot say exactly when it will come out but I am sending it out this week to Greg for casting, and I THINK it will be the next one after the 1991 CVPI is up and running. Greg & Mike are working hard to get this up and running! Thank you again.
  6. DEL
    Thanks to Kevin H (Khils) and his donation of the proper SS steering wheel, I was prompted to go the extra mile and create the proper 77-79 Dash that seems to be lacking in any of the MPC or AMT annuals. At least as far as I can tell. It seems to me that when they did the dash for the 75 version when they updated the grille or whatever each year they let the dashboard slide. Took a bit of wrangling to make a bit of a proper representation. Even called for casting some new AC ducts to fit in the dash bezel openings. See what you think..
  7. DEL
    Here are some pics of latest work...
  8. DEL
    Thank you! And no, I do not have bumpers yet. I will have to scratchbuild them. On the trunk sail panel area. Doing some detail work. Pics below! ALL my conversions can too..
  9. DEL
    I have a 92 about half done that I started some years ago. I DID not figure there was much interest so I shelved it to go on with these others. But I have been planning to re-visit it and do the 92-94 versions to fill in the 'hole' so to speak. As to the 98-2012 version, I made my own conversion of one back around 2000 or so. Right about the time I finished it the die-cast came out. (my timing is impeccable) I figured most folks would probably prefer the cheaper di-cast so I just put my (then) 98-02 version away. There's a few (rough early digital) pics of it. Here now. I even built it that funny full-size hubcap that were on them the first two years AND a scratchbuilt Whelen 9000 with the "V" shaped over the top siren.. The modification was done using the (then) recently released Lindbergh 97 CVPI. I made the backup lights and tail lamps out of extra clear & red sprue. I put some ground up bits of the sprue in these very small glass bottles I found and added some liquid glue to break it down to a thickish liquid. I already had the parts built out of white styrene, so I made molds of them and when the melted sprue was ready, I poured them into the proper molds and gave them a couple days to gas out. Voila! colored/clear parts. The headlights were carved out of block styrene, detailed then covered with BMF and then clear styrene sheet glued on over them to make the lenses. I left the front door moldings off just like the real cars were shipped from Ford. On the real cars they are loose in the trunk and the end agency can decide to use them or not depending on badging & agency markings. You can't see it in these pics but I had heck with the grille. That funny chicken wire shape to the air flow part. Terry Jessee gave me a general tip ages ago to look for what you may need like that on another kit of the same general era or vehicle builder. Bingo. I found the same kind of grille texture on a 99 or 2000 F-150 kit I think. Molded it and cast a piece, then formed it and added it into the grille surround I built for the header. All that and then the di-cast comes out. Like 20 minutes before I finished this one. O well.
  10. DEL
    I'm with you Chris on the old models. Thanks for the stripper tip. Up till now, it's been just DOT3 brake fluid for me, but lately, I've had a few projects that did not work as well on as it had for me in the past so I may give the other you mentioned a try. Thanks!
  11. DEL
    Well, till I can find a way to make Custom 500 scripts Gator's car will be a Galaxy. Consider it the alternate universe version where Gator has a wicked beard and goatee and has no compunctions about wasting superiors for advancement. And I WILL use your pics for reference material. I always get as many shots from different angles as possible to compare while building. Nice car you have there! BigTallDad said: Looking good so far. As a minor suggestion, when posting pics of the WIP, use a less-cluttered background. Thank you. Apologies for the messy work situation. My professional photo studio is being painted while my staff photographer is on vaca. Nailed it with a single stroke. Thank you Mr. Z, Mr Wrench! and yes, it will be done in resin and offered as I hope all my other 4dr builds will be. OldCarFan Said: How did you make those spears! I've had this same conversion in mind for quite a while, but I couldn't figure out how to easily make those spears. I planned on using the 69 Galaxie hood for the beak and I bought some photoetched roofwalk from a train shop to use for the grille. Also thought about using 73 Cougar headlights and grill collar for the front. Haven't figured out the rear bumper and details yet, so I will be watching to see how you do it. I can't wait to see how this all comes out. After seeing your Nova build, I know this will be good! Thank you, sir, I should have taken a couple of pics of my process for the spears but if you look at the bodyside molding of the donor kit it more or less travels about right where the spears are supposed to be. I used that as a level and scribed in a line to make a 'hold line' for two pieces of .10x.10 Evergreen strip to be glued in there. Take time to make sure the strip stands out from the side of the car as close as possible to a laying down "L". After it dries take your preferred putty and start building up the above and below the swell of the spears. Sand/shape the spears till they taper at each end as much as possible as you can see from reference pics/materials. A good work-light from above will help you with this as it shines down by casting the spear shadow shape downward. Make it like the pics! I apologize for the lack of detail pics. I try to remind myself to do that but I am about 60/40 on it. Sometimes I get a good halfway and realize I forgot to do any pics at all. A lot of detail building lost..
  12. DEL
    Thank you very much, Tommy! Later we may add an engine to the kit but for now, as you said, the hood is separate and most modelers can plumb in one if they like. It wouldn't be too hard. Thank you for the kind comments!
  13. DEL
    Let me display my ignorance: What exactly makes up the 'purple pond'? And was removal of the chrome a purpose or an unexpected side effect? I have more than a few of the same kind of builtup back in the day models on hand. For the most part, I leave them alone. I can recall where I was and what frame of mind and point of life I was in for each individual one at the time when I built it. Crude as they can be. I have taken a couple apart and used them as donors for other projects though. To each his own. I'll follow this one with interest. Good luck sir! (PS: I didn't think it looked too bad as it was at the start)
  14. DEL
    A little more progress. Those 'spears'.. Going slow with it..
  15. DEL
    My latest project start, my take on the 1971 Ford Galaxy 500. It uses a old AMT Boss 429 Police Car as the base donor. See if I can make a Gator McKlusky ride!
  16. DEL
    Bob I spoke to Mike S. last night who has been giving Greg a hand with the setup of the assembly line & organizing the workspace on these things and he feels that they are quite close to announcing. It's a multi-part kit that requires many different molds for the individual parts. As mentioned earlier in the thread it was built so that it would go together with screws like a promo and so would need very little in the way of superglues or other binding agents to complete it. Subbing in an alternate chassis, I don't know if the Torino would fit without modification in some way. This kit uses a modified Lindbergh chassis from their 97 Crown Vic kit as it is the virtually exactly the same on wheelbase and detail. Just some small changes to exhaust layout and radiator fan area and it's perfect. On the other hand, I don't know if Greg gas any plans to offer a partial kit with the main body & other parts and the buyer supply his own finish parts. Personally, I don't like having to buy a separate kit to rob parts from it to complete a resin kit. Look at all the other unused stuff you have left over that is more or less 'wasted" (?) in that fashion. But I don't know, everyone is different. Once it's up and running it would be Greg's decision as to if he would do such a partial kit. I don't know. Still, I feel this one is almost ready to make itself known at long last. Thanks for the question!
  17. DEL
    Allright now Mike, that is just gorgeous work. The clear lenses turned out better than I had hoped. And a darn fine job on the molding of that replacement hood. A coat of primer and no difference will be seen at all. I've been looking for one of those 67-68 Galaxie 500's to do a 4dr of it. Always go for silly money on eRap, er, EBay. Heh, heh. I'll keep watchin.. Thanks for all the work blood sweat n tears guys.. A Nova is coming this week!
  18. DEL
    Bill, Dirk, THANK YOU for the comments on the 67! I really do appreciate the feedback. "After your modifications, what are the widths of the front and rear doors." Thank You. Larry I'd have to get back to you on that Larry, I don't have them with me but if I recall, both the 2dr and the 4dr share the same frame wheelbase so it's a matter of fitting them into that space properly. From the front door leading edge to the new rear door edge scribed in after the roof was built. Paul: No, I have not found that perfect donor. Someone commented the 75 Torino hubcaps were pretty close but I have yet to look them over and see. I wish I could get Mr. Chief Joseph to do such things as this for me because as far as I can see his work is absolutely top shelf. And that is what I want! It's nice when something is close and can be modified, far better if someone has the skill to make it exactly right from the get go. Unfortunately, he seems to be quite busy, and chooses his projects based on his own criteria. Not grinding or complaining mind you. I am happy we have him and I am placing an order today for some wheel sets and already can't wait to get them. Thanks for asking... EDIT: just had a closeup look at the Torino caps and the basic shape is very similar to what the 77 LeMans is. I can fill the slots, the graduating circles of smaller holes would be the trick. If not done just right it would throw the whole thing off in appearance. Still it's the closest suggestion I've had and much appreciated.
  19. DEL
    Oh YES it IS!! Looking better and better all the time my friend! Glad to see you got ahold of that tire problem and made it your b, ... er, .. ahem.. subservient other. Looking better and better about to reach ultimate bestness! I love this stuff. Thanks again to you Greg, and to Mike or anyone else for any help he or they may be rendering at this point
  20. DEL
    I bet I would like it there Greg, except I am a sorta a UnaBomber woods-loving kinda guy. Whenever I travel west and I get past central Texas and the trees give way to wide open flat panhandle I get nervous. No natural defensive cover. I guess it's all in what you're used to or grew up with or can adapt to. I don't do well with change. But I would like being around other model building like-minded friends. The biggest hobby around here is killing Bambi or gutting Nemo. I have better things to do on a nut-frostin' winter Saturday mornin' at 4:30. The progress is fantastic by the way!
  21. DEL
    Chief Joseph @ FB Modelworks is head and shoulders above the others in all respects in every area he deems to tackle and produce for our hobbies. The attention to detail and accuracy is exquisite, overall design/build plus cost per piece cannot be beaten. While I have not personally purchased every item he produces what I have done I can say nothing but superlatives. I wish we had a hundred more like him.
  22. DEL
    I have done so Joe! To Greg & Mike: WOW!!! Greg, first, thank you for the kind words on the detail of my work but let me return the same to you on what you are doing in the arena of the casting work. Perhaps with a LOT of practice and the expenditure of a great number of resources on my part, (in the immortal words of the great Eric "Otter" Stratton; "..It could take years, cost millions of lives...") then, I might be able to approach the level you occupy at this moment. That is what I feel makes this a great partnership. I do this part you do that part and what you do is every bit an art in and of itself as it is a science. Fantastic work Greg! And thank you too, Mike! Waiting to see what comes out of the molds next!
  23. DEL
    Organization!! That's what it takes. And WORK!! Fascinates me! I can sit and watch it for HOURS!!! (as the old joke goes) Happy to see it all coming together. The build of the facility is a major undertaking all in itself. I am MPRSD!! Thanks for the help to Greg too, Mike...
  24. DEL
    Thank you, Mr. Jackson!
  25. DEL
    Thanks, AM.. As I've said before in other threads, I subscribe to the MAD Magazine philposophy of modeling:. Take a lump of plastic or whatever and a knife. Using the knife, skillfully cut away everything on the lump of plastic that DOES NOT look like you're subject goal. Voilà! A intricately detailed model of your favorite subject. Feel free to use it as you wish with no restrictions.
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