Revell '29 kitbash - an RPU - final update 10/30

[Jantrix]

This will be my first build based on the new '29 roadster kit. I'll use the channeled chassis, engine and drivetrain with the body parts from the pickup kit. I'll use the track nose and try to use the four piece hood notched for the exhaust. Paint will be keep-it-simple-stupid red oxide primer. Wheels and tires from the AMT '62 Vette. Afterwards I'll kick around building the roadster with the Model A chassis from the pick-up kit.

Edited October 31, 2015 by Jantrix

[TimKustom]

Cool start. Like where the body and bed are sitting. I've set that nose on one myself. Hard to make it look right.

[wayne swayze]

I'm interested to see where this goes. Lots of possibilities since the new '29 has been released!

[Snake45]

GET OUT OF MY HEAD JANTRIX! I had this EXACT plan in mind--except for the track nose on the truck. (And little details like the paint.)

I started cleaning up the truck frame last night. Thinking of a simple old-school SBC for power for the roadster. Still mulling over color options.

Oh, just realized you're using the RPU truck body. I'm doing the closed cab.

Edited September 25, 2015 by Snake45

[Jantrix]

A little more work.  Built the rails for the bed.  The bed will be cut down to the end of the frame.  I'm using the"extra" non-used floorboard from the roadster to create the rpu floor which is channeled now the width of the frame. 

[bobthehobbyguy]

Looking good. Will be following.

[Snake45]

I'll be following, too. Wanna see what you have to do to mate the truck body with the new frame.

I too am planning to shorten the pickup bed. I'd like to go to somewhere near the proportions of the "fad Ts," if that's practicable.

Model on!

[slusher]

Very cool build plan Rob, i will be watching..

[tim boyd]

No surprise to anyone, I'm sure, but yes, I am building one too.  Roadster cab is fully modified and wearing final primer.  Still need to reengineer the bed to fit on top of the chassis.  TB 

[Dennis Lacy]

Sweet! The positioning of the cab and bed look really good. Will look even better with the bed cut down. 

The track nose from the truck kit looks really heavy. I bet it would help a ton to cut a strip off of the back edge to thin it down. I'd say a quarter of an inch. That'll get rid of the bulky look it has and will also cut down on the height getting it better lined up with the top of the cowl.

[Jantrix]

Sweet! The positioning of the cab and bed look really good. Will look even better with the bed cut down. 

The track nose from the truck kit looks really heavy. I bet it would help a ton to cut a strip off of the back edge to thin it down. I'd say a quarter of an inch. That'll get rid of the bulky look it has and will also cut down on the height getting it better lined up with the top of the cowl.

Hmm. You hit the nail  on the head right there. I'll be removing some from the back edge. I'll just lower it a bit to make the top of it line up with the edge of the cab.

I'll be following, too. Wanna see what you have to do to mate the truck body with the new frame.

Nothing special. I'll add a couple of cross beams and the rest will be as you see it. My big hurdle right now is the floor pan. The kit hood does NOT fit, by a WIDE margin. No surprise there. I'll do without if I can't figure out an alternative.

Tim, looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Edited September 26, 2015 by Jantrix

[Jantrix]

 Floor - check.

Bed cut down - check. 

Grill lowered - check. 

Edited September 27, 2015 by Jantrix

[tim boyd]

Rob....really, really like how you framed out that pickup bed frame....well done!  TIM

[Jantrix]

Rob....really, really like how you framed out that pickup bed frame....well done!  TIM

The KISS principle at work.  I think I'm going to route my exhaust through that gap in the frame. 

[squirrel886]

Ok, that's it.  Now I know how had the wireless spy camera in my build room!

[Jantrix]

Some updated shots. Got the bed cut out which I'll replace with basswood and the grill which I'll fill with a mess. Getting stuff ready for paint.

[wayne swayze]

This is coming along quite nicely!  Great work Rob!

[blunc]

I'm guessing you are going to fill the grille with a "mesh" but I could be mistaken. 

[crazyrichard]

cool build !!

[Jantrix]

I'm guessing you are going to fill the grille with a "mesh" but I could be mistaken. 

Well knowing me it could end up as a mess but I'll try the mesh first.  

Thanks for the ataboys guys. So far I'm very impressed with the '29 roadster kit. It really is very modern. They have added these little tabs all over the parts that are very easy to remove cleanly, that were added to the mold to give the ejector pins something to push against besides the parts themselves. I've yet to find a bad part or something that doesn't fit. The mold lines are as minimal as possible (the benefits of a new mold). The roadster itself isn't a priority as I finished a 32 roadster not too long ago, but I will certainly get to it. Maybe someone will master a Duval windshield for it and I'll do that.

More soon. 

[slusher]

Very nice work so far Rob.

[Jantrix]

Thanks Carl, I'm just waiting on some time to work the drum brakes from the roadster kit into the wheels from the Corvette and then I'll start painting. I just got the paint paint booth set up in the apartment so I'll finally get some decent paint. More soon.

[Jantrix]

Some work. Lots of silver and black.  Detail painting to follow. Also started the wood bed.  Balsa and 3.2mm i-beam which I'll cut down into bed rails. 

[Jantrix]

Got plenty done today. She's up on all four paws. I merged the radiators from both kits to get one that will work for this build. Engine wired and near complete. Mesh grill insert made. 

[wayne swayze]

Really like this build. But if I may suggest one change, would be going with smaller front tires. Just IMO.