ROYAL CANADIAN 1/16 SCALE TOP FUEL DRAGSTER

[Ian McLaren]

Assembly is under way

 

[Nitrobarry]

Keep going Ian! Love to see this in person when it`s done! True craftsmanship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ian McLaren]

Completed front axle and wing now the proper color steering rod also in place

[Straightliner59]

9 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Completed front axle and wing now the proper color steering rod also in place

There's just something about a long-wheelbased FED! Beautiful replica of a beautiful car!

[Ian McLaren]

Thank you Daniel and I agree. At 215 inches I think this was one of the longest front engine cars Don Long  built.  The real car has great presence when you get close.

Edited March 26, 2022 by Ian McLaren

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Great work Ian, the FED's are in a class of their own and you are paying a beautiful tribute to this one, no surprise everything comes together with great precision my friend!

I can't wait to see the rest! ?

[Ian McLaren]

So I've been looking at the windscreen I built for about a week or so and it just wasn't sitting right with me.  I decided to make a change, but how to get it off as it was really well attached with cyanoacrylate.  I couldn't pry it off without damaging the cowl, and that was a non starter.  I had read that acetone would soften the glue after a while, so off to Lowes to buy some.   Filled up a glass and dropped in the complete cowl, went back after an hour and no change, but decided to let it go a while longer.  Two hours later the windscreen was laying on the bottom of the jar and no trace of the glue remained on either piece, amazing.   It really works!   This afternoon I built a new windscreen. I am much happier with the look, I also finished assembling the wheels and adding wheel nuts.  I had also been putting off drilling holes in Jeff's beautiful wheels for the valve stems.  After a couple practice tries on the inside  of the wheels I got up the nerve to drill the real holes.  The holes are exactly where I wanted them and the drill bit didn't slip so the are no scratches.   I'm calling today a win!

Edited March 31, 2022 by Ian McLaren

[Dyno Dave]

Beautiful work! That new and improved wind screen looks great, fabulous work Ian!

Edited March 28, 2022 by Dyno Dave
More content

[GoatGuy]

BEAUTIFUL !! Looks like it could start up.

[Codi]

Ian, super nice job on the new cowling......subtle BUT it does make a difference and the wheels look fantastic.  Oh so close!  tim

[Ian McLaren]

On 3/27/2022 at 8:42 PM, Dyno Dave said:

Beautiful work! That new and improved wind screen looks great, fabulous work Ian!

Thank you Dave, yes it is an improvement, one step closer.

[Ian McLaren]

On 3/29/2022 at 7:58 PM, GoatGuy said:

BEAUTIFUL !! Looks like it could start up.

Thank you for the kind words, I do strive to give my models a feeling of realism.

[Ian McLaren]

On 3/30/2022 at 7:56 AM, Codi said:

Ian, super nice job on the new cowling......subtle BUT it does make a difference and the wheels look fantastic.  Oh so close!  tim

Thanks Tim: Sorry for the late reply we have just sold the house and were finishing up the details on the new residence.   Yes the original windscreen just was not cutting it, much happier.  Pushing a bit to finish it before the move. 5 weeks

[Ian McLaren]

All Body panels now have the self etch primer applied over the 320 grit recommended surface finish for maximum adhesion.  Testing has shown 5 to seven days curing time gives me the best final result.   The next step is the final white base color next weekend.  The the red panels will then be applied.

[Butter 1]

On 4/11/2022 at 5:18 PM, Ian McLaren said:

All Body panels now have the self etch primer applied over the 320 grit recommended surface finish for maximum adhesion.  Testing has shown 5 to seven days curing time gives me the best final result.   The next step is the final white base color next weekend.  The the red panels will then be applied.

Your metal work is so perfect that it's almost a shame to paint it! 

[Ian McLaren]

Just refining the decals for the cowl and side panels.  Getting the black pinstripe around the edges was a major challenge.  Just 2 pixels wide, no way to mask that and my pinstriping is way short of that precision.   These are just on plain bond paper so there is no gloss and the color is duller as well.  Just a couple of minor tweaks and I'm good to go.  Sanding the panels tonight, on last light coat of primer and the White goes on.

 

[Ian McLaren]

Sorry for no updates lately, we are in the process of moving to a new house.  I did get all of the body panels painted white and the red panel decals are ready to print (final fitting tests are done).  Basically just assembly to be completed once we finish the move.

[Ian McLaren]

We are finally moved, it has taken way longer than I anticipated due to the downsizing factor and some annoying medical issues.  I'm finally past the picture hanging phase and the rest of the home looks relatively finished. I'm starting to get to the workshop area and should be back to at least limited building within the week. I can't wait to be back on the bench.

[David G.]

I lost track of this one for a while but I've found it again and I'm all caught up.

Your work continues to impress me Ian. You have excellent design and fabrication skills.

David G.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

It's good to know that you are finally settled in your new home Ian.  One thing at a time, the time available for the hobby will come back, sometimes choices have to be made, health and home come first.

[Codi]

Congrats as well on the move Ian.  Must say though you left us hanging when you said the paint was on.............can't wait to see it! 

cheers, tim

[Randy D]

Great work on this one Ian !!!!!

 

Randy

[Hobbyguy]

Beautiful build Ian your making all of us step up our skill set. Looking forward to seeing this one up close.

[Ian McLaren]

On 6/3/2022 at 5:50 AM, David G. said:

I lost track of this one for a while but I've found it again and I'm all caught up.

Your work continues to impress me Ian. You have excellent design and fabrication skills.

David G.

Thank you David, I really like your model of the Ecto-1 and the detailing that you added. A job well done.

[Ian McLaren]

21 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

It's good to know that you are finally settled in your new home Ian.  One thing at a time, the time available for the hobby will come back, sometimes choices have to be made, health and home come first.

Thank you Francis. Yes priorities have to be set and modeling has to take it's place behind more important issues as life dictates. That being said I am excited to get back to the bench even in a reduced capacity. As you said one thing at a time.