Sledsel Posted August 12, 2015 Posted August 12, 2015 I have been avoiding this kit just because I did not like the way it looked. After reading and looking at pics, I decided to get one and attempt to correct the body flaws. I compared the bodies on the Custom and Fairlane 500 and they are very close to each other in scale accuracy. Even though I do not have pics of it, I thinned down the header where the grill meets it. The Revell kits header is about 3/32 to thick on the bottom making the front look too bulky. Then I decided to tackle the front fenders. As I have noted in other posts, the Revell kit has a bulge in the rear of the wheel well and the body lines are far from crisp. To fix this I decided to section in a section of the AMT fender. So far I have about 1/2 hour in this side. My opinion, it looks better already.
charlie8575 Posted August 12, 2015 Posted August 12, 2015 That's one way to fix the problems!Nice job with the patching.Charlie Larkin
Sledsel Posted August 12, 2015 Author Posted August 12, 2015 Thank Charlie.... I know you followed the Del Rio review pretty closely. Another half hour into it and I have the quarter patched. Now to let it all dry before the other side is done.
Lovefordgalaxie Posted August 12, 2015 Posted August 12, 2015 The Revell kit can't hold a candle to the old AMT. I know I know, the AMT is old, and doesn't have the same level of detail, like a separate frame, and molded in exhaust. Even tough, the resulting model looks a lot more accurate than the Revell kit's resulting model. I guess there is something to be said to people that do things without using a computer to do the job for them. Back in the day they had to actually think.
Sledsel Posted August 12, 2015 Author Posted August 12, 2015 I could not agree more Túlio, I am hoping the changes I make to this Custom are worth the trouble. My plan is to use the AMT front valance and bumper because they just look more accurate. Not that the AMT is not without flaws. the most obvious is shown in the pic, but careful sanding will take care of it. After thinning the lower part of the header between the headlights the Revell grill lines up perfectly with the front fenders. Still thinking on how to deal with the speaker grill.... When I do these same mods to the Del Rio, I believe I will cast the AMT panels so I do not need to chop up another AMT
72 Charger Posted August 12, 2015 Posted August 12, 2015 Really nice work there Andy I will be watching
Sledsel Posted August 12, 2015 Author Posted August 12, 2015 Well, this is moving along quicker than expected. Little stumbling block I did not expect was that the front of the doors are a bit on the flat side, so it needed built up a little. Some more sanding and I'll be ready for some primer.
charlie8575 Posted August 13, 2015 Posted August 13, 2015 The Revell kit can't hold a candle to the old AMT. I know I know, the AMT is old, and doesn't have the same level of detail, like a separate frame, and molded in exhaust. Even tough, the resulting model looks a lot more accurate than the Revell kit's resulting model. I guess there is something to be said to people that do things without using a computer to do the job for them. Back in the day they had to actually think. When I used to teach high school, I discouraged using the computer when possible and practical."But why, Mr. Larkin?" was a common question, as was a lot of whining and upset comments making me out to be a monster who would kick puppies and push baby carriages down hills with babies. And a lot of other very nasty things. I even got it from other teachers.My answer was very simple. "If we let the computer do everything, we can do nothing. So, tell me, what happens when the power goes out, the battery goes dead, or some other mishap occurs and the only thing you have to rely on is you?"Sadly, my statements usually fell (and still fall) on deaf ears.Charlie Larkin
Sledsel Posted August 13, 2015 Author Posted August 13, 2015 Makes total sense to me. I make my kids do things without a computer or calculator whenever possible. Hey, someone needs to be smart enough to MAKE the computer for the ones that only USE the computer......
Sledsel Posted August 13, 2015 Author Posted August 13, 2015 (edited) Primer looked good but can be deceiving..... a little spritz of paint and I believe it was worth the effort. Very happy about the lower front fender. To the other side soon Edited August 13, 2015 by Sledsel
72 Charger Posted August 13, 2015 Posted August 13, 2015 Good body work . It makes all the difference
AC Norton Posted August 13, 2015 Posted August 13, 2015 ...its truly a shame, Andy, that one such as yourself has to go thru all this work and bla bla bla like this with these new, supposedly hi tech computer developed Revell stuff....you are a trooper,,,, and this type of thing is why nothing Revell will ever grace my stack of kits....best,....the ace.....
bismarck Posted August 13, 2015 Posted August 13, 2015 (edited) Nice body work. It definitely improved the lines of the car a lot!! I could see the improvement with the initial mock-up picture. Edited August 13, 2015 by bismarck
John Goschke Posted August 13, 2015 Posted August 13, 2015 Yeah, man, that's way better! Nice work, Andy.
Sledsel Posted August 13, 2015 Author Posted August 13, 2015 Thanks guys. I'd have never done this kit, but 57 Fords are among my favorite cars. Sad part is, my other favorite is a 49 Merc, and the Revell kit is a good parts kit, thats all. Maybe I should finish this and send it to Revell and say "this is how it should look" LOL Nahhhhh..... just kidding. Truthfully, these corrections have not been too bad. Thinking of trying to cast the body when it is done. The Del Rio will be a bit more difficult. I may have to work with the kit front fenders because of the trim. ...its truly a shame, Andy, that one such as yourself has to go thru all this work and bla bla bla like this with these new, supposedly hi tech computer developed Revell stuff....you are a trooper,,,, and this type of thing is why nothing Revell will ever grace my stack of kits....best,....the ace..... I know what you are saying there Kevin. Some would refer to it as rivet counting, but the issues on this kit stood out like a sore thumb to me. Revell has been pretty lax with accuracy on the bodies, and that is the most important part. Give me a screw bottom craftsman AMT over a full detail Revell as of late
Sledsel Posted August 14, 2015 Author Posted August 14, 2015 (edited) I took a little more time on the passengers side and got the gaps a bit tighter. Very little filler needed Edited August 14, 2015 by Sledsel
Rotorbolt73 Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 Great work there. I have never built the Revell kit and wasn't aware of flaws like these in it. interesting. I always thought something looked different about it from the ones I've seen built first hand by others. Now I see why that AMT body you showed me over on my skyliner thread was so cut up.
charlie8575 Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 That is a dramatic change.Amazing. I suppose grouchy old Mr. Larkin should've been listened to a little more re: computers. Plenty of other factors, to be sure, but we'll start with this.Charlie Larkin
Ron Hamilton Posted August 16, 2015 Posted August 16, 2015 Excellent work. It proves you know your way around a '57 Ford.
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