1/32 scale Belly Tank Lakester

[styromaniac]

I've always wanted to build a belly tank racer, but there are no aircraft drop tanks in the automotive 1/24 - 1/25 scale. But I did find a decent P-38 Lightening drop tank ( just like the full scale hot rodders used ). It was from a 1/32 Trumpeter kit. But cramming an engine, suspension, chassis, seat etc is tough enough in 1/25 scale....is it even possible in 1/32?

[styromaniac]

1-piece Wheel & Tires and suspension /  hair pin radius rods  from an ancient Revell Highway Pioneers Jalopy ( circa 1954 ). Engine from a Lindberg re issue of a 1/32 scale Street T of some kind.

Edited October 29, 2020 by styromaniac

[styromaniac]

First mock up....after initial cutting.

[styromaniac]

Body shell seems to clear the valve covers and carbs o.k....for now. The water tank ahead of the motor was cobbled together from a Revell 31 Woody wire wheel and some evergreen sheet cut to suit.

[Paul Payne]

That's a great little model- are you planning a frame? I want updates of this!

[styromaniac]

Yes...it really should have a chassis of some kind...but how much fits and then shows is questionable. Talk about your 10 lbs of stuff crammed in a 5 lb bag!

Edited October 29, 2020 by styromaniac

[styromaniac]

Scratch built a pseudo Halibrand Quick Change onto the Highway Pioneers rear axle using the blower scoop from a Revell Attempt One 4 cylinder Pontiac. Need to place the frame around it.

[styromaniac]

Let's get Small !

[styromaniac]

Front suspension from the Highway Pioneers kit got a work over. Seat is scratch built from miscellaneous plastic bits and pieces.

[styromaniac]

[absmiami]

Hmmm.   Belly tanker ...

[TarheelRick]

That is some excellent work, especially in such a small scale. Looking forward to updates.

[styromaniac]

A little more work with the Dremel on the underside of the top half of the body shell around the fairing to get it to close up more tightly.

Edited October 29, 2020 by styromaniac

[styromaniac]

[styromaniac]

Edited October 29, 2020 by styromaniac

[styromaniac]

A penny for your thoughts....

[styromaniac]

Working in 1/32 scale is getting to be a thing with me.....

[Straightliner59]

That's a very cool project. Both of them, actually! I have several 1/32 scale kits, just because I think they're cool. If it was mine, the only thing I would change, would be to find some full-wheel discs. Nice work, Steve!

[styromaniac]

Thanks Dan. The "Hemi Fiat" I put together last Jan Feb...its an extremely rare 1/32 Monogram "Gasser"series kit ( there was also a "Wild Willys" and a "34 Ford Screamer" in the series ). Since then Ive been searching / collecting other suitable 1/32 scale kits that might have suitable parts for this little project which I started working on last March. Salt Flat discs would be desirable if I can locate some in this scale. The one piece wheel / tires are a bit of a challenge to make look right.

Edited October 29, 2020 by styromaniac

[cobraman]

What a great little model !

[Paul Payne]

Here's a tip for the salt flats discs: grind down the discs found in the AMT Avanti until the centers pop free of the rims. That's how I made the discs for my little streamliner.

[styromaniac]

Thats a cool idea....and I believe I own 2 or 3 of those AMT Avantis. Your streamliner....that's the one that came with the old AMT Ford Pick Up kit? Or Norm Vebers resin version?

[Straightliner59]

6 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

5 hours ago, styromaniac said:

Thanks Dan. The "Hemi Fiat" I put together last Jan Feb...its an extremely rare 1/32 Monogram "Gasser"series kit ( there was also a "Wild Willys" and a "34 Ford Screamer" in the series ). Since then Ive been searching / collecting other suitable 1/32 scale kits that might have suitable parts for this little project which I started working on last March. Salt Flat discs would be desirable if I can locate some in this scale. The one piece wheel / tires are a bit of a challenge to make look right.

 

I would love  get my hands on any of the Monogram gassers! You might try punching some discs from thin aluminum sheet. This tank lakester is sheathed in Maid-O-Metal tooling aluminum. The discs are the same material. I used a punch made from tubing, to punch these...

[styromaniac]

Now thats a wild looking manned missile there! Thanks for the tip.

[alan barton]

Just found this and as a long time lover of 1/32nd scale ( when I was a kid it was all I could afford) I am blown away by your belly tanker.  I too have been collecting them from model plane kits that some of my fellow clubmembers had.  I also vacformed a 1/25th scale tanker, almost identical proportions to this one.  To be honest, I really like the hubcap look - not everyone ran discs and some of the earliest tankers ran the 35 Ford style wires. The amount of effort you have put into detailing the cockpit and the steering mechanism is to be applauded.  I love it!

A lot of Aurora 1/32nd scale kits came with full moon discs, more like an insert than a separate disc to put on top of a wheel. I have also found some very cool flat discs in the scrapbooking section of a craft store - always worth a look.

I too have the Fiat on my shelf but have yet to find the Willys or the 34.  One day......

Cheers

Alan