1970 Winnebago D27 Chieftain

[Repstock]

I got my .030 square rod for the grille area, and I got iced in by a winter storm, so I worked on the front end a bit.

 

[hct728(Bob)]

Wow, such neat workmanship, especially with those diagonal elements! Your eyes deserve a rest, LOL!

[Repstock]

Still iced in so I finished the front end. Now I need to detail out the back.

 

[misterNNL]

Very interesting project. I scratch build antique travel trailers and really appreciate the work you are doing here. There are endless measurements necessary plus the issues of keeping panels straight and square. Congratulations on what you're doing. I'll be following along.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Your work never ceases to amaze me! 

[Repstock]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support. I've picked up some sort of sickness and it's really knocked me out. Hope to get back on this and provide updates soon.

[Oldcarfan27]

This is awesome! And not an ounce of putty.

Amazing craftsmanship. 

[Mr. Metallic]

Your work is stellar. Just that grill alone would give me fits. You've kept everything amazingly parallel, and all your joints are tight. Such finesse.

[Gary Chastain]

Really great fabrication work Tom

[Bainford]

Now that’s cool! Just found this thread. Love what you’ve done so far. Nice clean work, and man, you’re nailing the look. Looking forward to watching this come together. 

[Davewilly]

very cool project!

[Repstock]

Still not feeling 100%, but well enough to start pressing on. I got some more detail on the front and back ends, made a (removable) roof. I've got the frame started. I need to build the engine so I know how to make the front crossmembers for it.

 

[cobraman]

Just keeps getting better and better !

[Gary Chastain]

Impressive work

[Nazz]

Sorry your not feeling well Tom. I hope you feel better soon.  This build is coming along very well. That frame work looks great!

 

Jerry

[Scott8950]

Wow! Some awesome fabrication skills. 

[Bainford]

Man, you've captured the shape very well. That's looking great.

[Bills72sj]

What you have done is pretty cool.

[Oldcarfan27]

What engine do these beasts use? Is it from a readily available kit, or will you be scratching that too?

[iamsuperdan]

Some of the cleanest scratchbuilding I've seen. Excellent work!

3 hours ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

What engine do these beasts use? Is it from a readily available kit, or will you be scratching that too?

I think these old Winnies used either a Dodge or Ford V8, so there should be plenty of options to pick from. I think.

 

[Rodent]

1 hour ago, iamsuperdan said:

I think these old Winnies used either a Dodge or Ford V8, so there should be plenty of options to pick from. I think.

 

Deep in some formerly dormant brain cells, was a recollection that most large motorhomes of this vintage were on Dodge chassis and had 413 "truck" engines that excited a lot of wrecking yard shoppers that they had found a 440. I found a 1970 Winnebago brochure online today, and it said that they were indeed on Dodge chassis, but they came with a 318. Even the 27-footer.  

And I would SO buy this if it was made available in resin, even if I had to scratch the interior, and supply the engine, trans, and wheels.

https://www.rvroundtable.com/wp-content/uploads/winnebago/1970/1970.DSeries.pdf

 

Edited February 16, 2022 by Rodent

[Spex84]

That grille is a thing of absolute beauty!  I'm loving this build so far. My parents had a "Winnie" briefly that looked a lot like this. Mechanically it was a lemon, and smelled funny. I distinctly remember feeling very carsick sitting at the dining room table while were underway. I think it had a 318 or a 360 in it?

 

[vincen47]

I predict this will be one of the finest, if not the best Winnie built in scale.

[Oldcarfan27]

6 hours ago, vincen47 said:

I predict this will be one of the finest, if not the best Winnie built in scale.

AFAIK it'll be the ONLY Winnie built in this scale!

[Repstock]

Progress has slowed due to other projects, but The wheels and engine have been added. Wheels are 1/24 monogram, tires are 1/32 tractor/trailer tires, and engine is from IMC Dodge with modified automotive transmission.