Agent G Posted June 5, 2016 Posted June 5, 2016 I'm starting this kit: This is what I have in mind. The above is obviously a 1971 Dodge Tradesman, but bear in mind by the mid '70's we had mostly Chevrolet products. Curiously the Dodge has fancy hub caps and a whitewall tire. The Ford vans were assigned to the Laboratory Division as "Command Post" type vehicles which responded to major case scenes. I'm looking to replicate the ladder racks (see above), flood lights and markings as they appeared back then. G
GrumpyGrowly Posted June 5, 2016 Posted June 5, 2016 G that's an awesome subject. Love a good van project.Jonathan
gatorincebu Posted June 5, 2016 Posted June 5, 2016 Cool project! You now have my attention ! Be Well Gator
Agent G Posted June 6, 2016 Author Posted June 6, 2016 Thank you gentlemen! Some small progress today. I got this assembled and base painted. With the body in primer it was a good time to build the ladder rack. The work lights I have in mind will mount to the side rails of the ladder rack. That's what I remember from all those years ago. I'll scratchbuild the ladders as well. Stay tuned. G
kilrathy10 Posted June 6, 2016 Posted June 6, 2016 Looking pretty good, so far....Should be a nice project, for sure.....
gatorincebu Posted June 8, 2016 Posted June 8, 2016 I like your roof rack. You are doing a nice job on it. Be Well Gator
Agent G Posted June 8, 2016 Author Posted June 8, 2016 Thank you all. I was able to sit and work on this quite a bit on my days off. I didn't like the kit shocks so I made some. Same with the driveshaft. and the steering column. Steering wheel was modified to fit the new column. Seats were modified to better represent what came from the the factory on a standard van. A lot has been painted and will be left to dry as I start my work week. G
Agent G Posted June 15, 2016 Author Posted June 15, 2016 Alrighty then, lots of work to report. I foiled the emblems prior to the color coat. Interior is painted and test fitted on the chassis. Not exactly Ford, but a good representation of poverty caps from my parts box. A scratchbuilt step ladder. Ladder rack is painted. The body and hood are painted white and curing as we speak. I scratchbuilt the cabinet for the interior of the van. These were usually left parked with a minimum of gear on board. When requested to respond they were loaded with scene specific tools and equipment. G
Badluck 13 Posted June 15, 2016 Posted June 15, 2016 Wayne,this is looking great so far,nice work on the steering column and seats,wheel covers sure look dang close...enjoying watching this one come along,always enjoy seeing "fleet" model work...
Agent G Posted June 20, 2016 Author Posted June 20, 2016 Work keeps me busy, but I have been working on this. Here's a mock up of the interior. Nothing is glued down yet but the radio/siren combo. Here's the scratch built cabinet for the cargo area. I wanted to represent what I remembered about these vans. The everyday Evidence Technician Unit had a lot more gear inside. Paint polished off the scripts. G
gatorincebu Posted June 21, 2016 Posted June 21, 2016 That is looking super ! I like how you did the chrime emblems. Tha is the best job I think I have ever seen on emblems. Be Well Gator
Agent G Posted June 21, 2016 Author Posted June 21, 2016 Thank you gentlemen!Carl the radio and siren box are resin copies of the parts found in the '70 Ford police car kit. They are exactly what I used back in the day. The microphone and switch box are scratchbuilt though.I carved the mic from some sprue and used 90 degree styrene angle and bits of wire for the switches.G
darthsideous Posted June 22, 2016 Posted June 22, 2016 Wayne, the way you pre foiled the emblems and then painted is fantastic. I have not seen that technique before. The interior, though not complete, looks amazing so far. The cabinet, radio, etc. Fantastic.
bobthehobbyguy Posted June 26, 2016 Posted June 26, 2016 Nice work. The idea for doing the emblems is great. Way to difficult to do otherwise.
Agent G Posted June 26, 2016 Author Posted June 26, 2016 Thank you gentlemen. Despite work I have made additional progress on this. I used some clear plastic, previously used to package a long forgotten item, to replace all the kit windows. As I was polishing distortion from the windshield, it developed hairline cracks which I felt were unacceptable. Today I plan to complete the interior assembly and perhaps get the body on the frame. Photos to come! G
slusher Posted June 27, 2016 Posted June 27, 2016 Thank you gentlemen! Carl the radio and siren box are resin copies of the parts found in the '70 Ford police car kit. They are exactly what I used back in the day. The microphone and switch box are scratchbuilt though.I carved the mic from some sprue and used 90 degree styrene angle and bits of wire for the switches. G G i saved a picture of your radio and switches. I have a coupe 70's models to make police cars out of. Can't beat info from a policeman on police vehicles.
Agent G Posted June 27, 2016 Author Posted June 27, 2016 No source like an old source! Progress. I had the door shield decal custom made something like 9 years ago now. I cannot, for the life of me, remember who did it. The remaining numbers and letters I printed with my inkjet printer on decal paper. I'm searching for a good shot of a vintage license plate to print as we speak. G
Foxer Posted June 27, 2016 Posted June 27, 2016 This is looking fantastic! Replication of a real vehicle is the most fun kind of build ... great story behind the recolations and creative building!
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