Monogram 1956 Thunderbird

[Richard Bartrop]

One of a box of models I brought back from a visit home in Christmas of 2018,  I finally got around to repairing it.  It was originally built in the early '80s, and the only piece that didn't survive the years was a vent window.  I don't know if it even came from the factory like this, but the paint job was based on one that belonged to someone my Dad knew.  It's Testors pink with the spare done in Humbrol Ivory.  I think it was the first model I ever attempted to paint with an airbrush, and it took two or three tries to get it right.  The kit Windshield was replaced with clear acetate for a more scale appearance.

 

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Richard!

That is sweet! Very clean build. I think the Ford brochures refered to that colour as "coral", if my memory is correct. Fits the car perfectly. 

Suddently... It's 1956! 

Bravo.

CT

[espo]

Beautiful looking T-Bird. When I was in High School we had a neighbor who had a '56 this same color, and his had those Wind Wings along with both tops. This has to be one of the cleanest Little Birds I can remember seeing. 

[robertw]

Still looks good.

Old builds,  if treated well can still look good years and even decades later, until we compare them to our more recent builds then we realize how much we have learned about building models in the intervening time.

[Richard Bartrop]

I put Humbrol Clear Gloss on all the chrome when I first built it, which really helps to keep it nice and shiny.

[doorsovdoon]

It's survived nicely, still looks good. I built one of these in the early 90's, it had the porthole windows in the hardtop.

[Modlbldr]

This has really stood the test of time. It looks beautiful even today. I really like this kit as a simple build that yields fantastic looking results. I have built one of these and have a couple more in the stash. They are cheap to pick up and, again, look good when finished.

Later-

[Deuces ll]

Man, I can almost hear Buddy Holly on the radio.... ??

Edited September 9, 2020 by Deuces ll

[slusher]

Looks great!,

[Bills72sj]

Nice resto/save.

[Classicgas]

Well done. 

[Watertown]

On 9/8/2020 at 10:45 AM, Richard Bartrop said:

I put Humbrol Clear Gloss on all the chrome when I first built it, which really helps to keep it nice and shiny.

Indeed it does! Not sure if it's just the lighting, but it also appears that the clear coat has yellowed just a bit over the years which has made the chrome components look even for realistic. Love the color as well.

 

[Richard Bartrop]

27 minutes ago, Watertown said:

Indeed it does! Not sure if it's just the lighting, but it also appears that the clear coat has yellowed just a bit over the years which has made the chrome components look even for realistic. Love the color as well.

 

Humbrol Clear Gloss does have a bit of a yellow tinge to it.  Their Gloss White is really bad for yellowing with age.

[PappyD340]

Sweet!

[Dave Darby]

Beautiful build, Richard. Love the color.