AMT Surf Shark (my version): WIP

[Randy D]

This is a cool project David!!!   I like the way you beat that gurney into submission my friend.  Dash and grill are looking sharp!

Randy

[stavanzer]

David.

All the discussion, and photos (to say nothing of all your work) with the gurney, explain why the newly tooled gurney, in the 59 ambulance kit is so narrow. I'd thought it looked too narrow when I watched HPI Guy's video, but now I see why it looks the way it does.

Round2 wisely made it fit the kit.

The work you have done on the Surf Shark is just stunning!

[David G.]

17 hours ago, Randy D said:

This is a cool project David!!!   I like the way you beat that gurney into submission my friend.  Dash and grill are looking sharp!

Randy

Thank you Randy. Yeah, the gurney was a bit of a challenge but I'm glad it's in there.

17 hours ago, stavanzer said:

David.

All the discussion, and photos (to say nothing of all your work) with the gurney, explain why the newly tooled gurney, in the 59 ambulance kit is so narrow. I'd thought it looked too narrow when I watched HPI Guy's video, but now I see why it looks the way it does.

Round2 wisely made it fit the kit.

The work you have done on the Surf Shark is just stunning!

Thank you for your kind comment Alan. 

In addition to making a newly tooled gurney, it looks like they retooled the interior to make room for it too. Add to that some new emergency light options and additional interior apparatus and I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on one or two when they hit the shelves.

I do plan to watch that video but it runs about an hour and that's kind of a stiff time commitment for me right now.

Thanks again for your kind words.

David G.

[stavanzer]

5 hours ago, David G. said:

Thank you for your kind comment Alan. 

In addition to making a newly tooled gurney, it looks like they retooled the interior to make room for it too. Add to that some new emergency light options and additional interior apparatus and I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on one or two when they hit the shelves.

I do plan to watch that video but it runs about an hour and that's kind of a stiff time commitment for me right now.

Thanks again for your kind words.

David G.

You can get a real sense of the kit contents in the first 15 minutes or so. After that it is all building and painting, which you can leave on as background while you work on your kit.

 

[David G.]

19 hours ago, stavanzer said:

You can get a real sense of the kit contents in the first 15 minutes or so. After that it is all building and painting, which you can leave on as background while you work on your kit.

 

Thanks Alan, based on your advice I took a few minutes and watched the unboxing segment.

AMT has made some excellent changes and additions to the kit. I can certainly see one or two of these in my future.

David G.

[stavanzer]

2 hours ago, David G. said:

Thanks Alan, based on your advice I took a few minutes and watched the unboxing segment.

AMT has made some excellent changes and additions to the kit. I can certainly see one or two of these in my future.

David G.

Glad I could help.

[1st 700 Quad]

On 1/20/2024 at 7:23 AM, GLMFAA1 said:

Looking good. You might want to scratch build a switch module that would go on top of the dash. A two way radio would be optional or a CB radio as around 59 2way radio was just getting around to being used.

 

greg

Cole Hersee battery switches are available on Shapeways.

[dwc43]

Check out this guy's eBay store 3 inches under. He has radios, mikes, speakers, lights sirens, fire and medic equipment. He has the Bio Phone used on the tv Show Emergency and other stuff from that show. And they did use a couple of these old Caddy's on the beginning of that show too. 

He also has parts so you can make a hearse out of that Caddy too. he has the caskets, the rollers that go on the floor, the window curtains and the metal S that goes on the outside of the upper window area.

He might be a big help for you if need parts like this.

 

1:25 scale model Motorola Micor police fire ambulance radio 1/25 | eBay

 

Edited January 24, 2024 by dwc43

[David G.]

15 hours ago, dwc43 said:

Check out this guy's eBay store 3 inches under. He has radios, mikes, speakers, lights sirens, fire and medic equipment. He has the Bio Phone used on the tv Show Emergency and other stuff from that show. And they did use a couple of these old Caddy's on the beginning of that show too. 

He also has parts so you can make a hearse out of that Caddy too. he has the caskets, the rollers that go on the floor, the window curtains and the metal S that goes on the outside of the upper window area.

He might be a big help for you if need parts like this.

 

1:25 scale model Motorola Micor police fire ambulance radio 1/25 | eBay

 

 

Thanks for the tip D.W.

I got the gurney I used in this build from Three Inches Under and I was a bit disappointed with it. For the time I spent repairing, cleaning up and adjusting that one, I could have built my own. As I did for my Ecto-1 build.

 

I thought it would be quicker and easier to buy one and assemble it but now I'm not so sure.

I also ordered a casket and a prep table from Three Inches Under as well and those look to be in better shape. I'll know more once I start to work with them.

Based on that, I hesitate to order from them again.

Do you have any direct experience working with Three Inches Under that you'd like to share? 

Thanks again,

David G.

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

The work on the AMT Surf Shark ambulance conversion continues and here is the proof!  

I had to do a little work on the rear bumper. The chrome coating on it was rather rough in a number of places. In fact, most all of it was in pretty bad shape. The underlying lacquer coating didn't go on well and needed to be filed and sanded smooth. 

 

 

I brush-painted the resulting bare spots (there were many) with Molotow chrome paint. The results aren't perfect but I think I can live with it.

 

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and feel free to comment if you wish.

David G.

[dwc43]

2 hours ago, David G. said:

 

Thanks for the tip D.W.

I got the gurney I used in this build from Three Inches Under and I was a bit disappointed with it. For the time I spent repairing, cleaning up and adjusting that one, I could have built my own. As I did for my Ecto-1 build.

 

I thought it would be quicker and easier to buy one and assemble it but now I'm not so sure.

I also ordered a casket and a prep table from Three Inches Under as well and those look to be in better shape. I'll know more once I start to work with them.

Based on that, I hesitate to order from them again.

Do you have any direct experience working with Three Inches Under that you'd like to share? 

Thanks again,

David G.

I have bought some stuff from them before, but I did not have an issue with most of it. I have every thing I need to build Squad 51, Engine 51 (open top Crown) and Ladder 127. The station that they used for Emergency in real life was Carson City Station 127. 

Anyways, I got the helmets, some pike poles, some radio gear, the bio phone and med box from 3inches under.

I also go the chop saw, but I think that's a little out of scale. Seems to be a little on the big side to me.

I got the utility box for Squad 51 and that was not impressive. The doors were just not defined enough. And it's one very very heavy hunk of resin too. Has the rear section of the truck frame cast under it. So, you would have to cut the frame, mate it to the box and put the suspension on it. I still have it, but I don't think I'll use it. I found another one on eBay that's light weight and allows me to use my complete truck frame under it. Matter of fact, I think I bought the first one and it was too big for the truck. I worked with the guy to get it scaled back down so it looks right. 

I've bought some SCBA masks and tanks from him and o2 tanks as well. I have the 6 yellow o2 tanks that go in the back of Squad 51 from them as well.

I'll just say that the majority of his stuff is good from my experience. Only two or three pieces that I was not happy with, but I think that goes with anyone that resin casts. I know Gibsons resin engines was supposed to the hot thing for a while. I got two of them and they are junk. I might be able to fix one of them, but the proportions are so far off on the other one, it's not savable. Just for parts. Those have been in storage somewhere. I don't think I can lay my hands on them right now and I really don't want to. I can tell you had your hands full with that gurney. That did look quite rough. 

Oh, that Ecto interior looks awesome. I hope I can make mine look that good when I get around to doing it.

 

 

Edited January 25, 2024 by dwc43

[David G.]

21 hours ago, dwc43 said:

I have bought some stuff from them before, but I did not have an issue with most of it. I have every thing I need to build Squad 51, Engine 51 (open top Crown) and Ladder 127. The station that they used for Emergency in real life was Carson City Station 127. 

Anyways, I got the helmets, some pike poles, some radio gear, the bio phone and med box from 3inches under.

I also go the chop saw, but I think that's a little out of scale. Seems to be a little on the big side to me.

I got the utility box for Squad 51 and that was not impressive. The doors were just not defined enough. And it's one very very heavy hunk of resin too. Has the rear section of the truck frame cast under it. So, you would have to cut the frame, mate it to the box and put the suspension on it. I still have it, but I don't think I'll use it. I found another one on eBay that's light weight and allows me to use my complete truck frame under it. Matter of fact, I think I bought the first one and it was too big for the truck. I worked with the guy to get it scaled back down so it looks right. 

I've bought some SCBA masks and tanks from him and o2 tanks as well. I have the 6 yellow o2 tanks that go in the back of Squad 51 from them as well.

I'll just say that the majority of his stuff is good from my experience. Only two or three pieces that I was not happy with, but I think that goes with anyone that resin casts. I know Gibsons resin engines was supposed to the hot thing for a while. I got two of them and they are junk. I might be able to fix one of them, but the proportions are so far off on the other one, it's not savable. Just for parts. Those have been in storage somewhere. I don't think I can lay my hands on them right now and I really don't want to. I can tell you had your hands full with that gurney. That did look quite rough. 

Oh, that Ecto interior looks awesome. I hope I can make mine look that good when I get around to doing it.

 

 

 

Hi D.W.

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. It sounds like things are kind of hit and miss with them. Which I guess is rather common with many resin vendors, I don't have a lot of experience with that segment of the hobby.

Thanks,

David G.

[dwc43]

2 hours ago, David G. said:

 

Hi D.W.

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. It sounds like things are kind of hit and miss with them. Which I guess is rather common with many resin vendors, I don't have a lot of experience with that segment of the hobby.

Thanks,

David G.

Hey, you are more than welcome. Resin is hard to work with. Your product is only going to be as good as you mold is. And I think they need replacing quite often too. Plus, that dust when sanding is not good for you. Wear a mask. I think I inhaled some of it one day and coughed for a couple days.

With 3d printing, it might make resin obsolete. Once you buy the machine and a scanner your only cost is the medium you want to use to print with. You never need to make a new mold. You can always buy a program if you don't want to buy a scanner and create your own. In the long run I think it's cheaper and will make better parts.

I'm working on fitting a chassis to a 3d printed 50 Studebaker truck right now. I'll do a WIP when it's close to finished. I'm taking pics and building it now. I was happy to find it on eBay since they don't make a kit for it. 

Can't wait to see your finished build.

[David G.]

22 hours ago, dwc43 said:

Hey, you are more than welcome. Resin is hard to work with. Your product is only going to be as good as you mold is. And I think they need replacing quite often too. Plus, that dust when sanding is not good for you. Wear a mask. I think I inhaled some of it one day and coughed for a couple days.

With 3d printing, it might make resin obsolete. Once you buy the machine and a scanner your only cost is the medium you want to use to print with. You never need to make a new mold. You can always buy a program if you don't want to buy a scanner and create your own. In the long run I think it's cheaper and will make better parts.

I'm working on fitting a chassis to a 3d printed 50 Studebaker truck right now. I'll do a WIP when it's close to finished. I'm taking pics and building it now. I was happy to find it on eBay since they don't make a kit for it. 

Can't wait to see your finished build.

Yes, I'm intrigued with 3D printing and I agree with you that it will likely replace resin in the aftermarket parts and accessories market. I have been thinking about getting a 3D printer but I don't yet know enough about them or the associated tech to be competent in making a good, informed decision. There are several models that I'd like to buy the files for, print out and build. 

I'd really like to get the Batmobile from the 2022 movie The Batman. Gambody has an awesome looking file set for it, here's a link. It costs about as much as a full-on boxed kit just for the files so you can print your own kit.

I'm really looking forward to seeing your WIP on that Studebaker truck, I'll keep an eye out for it.

Thanks again,

David G.

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

Here's the next update on the AMT Surf Shark ambulance conversion.

I got a break in the weather as it finally warmed up enough to do some painting in my outdoor studio. I was able to color sand the ambulance body and put another coat of paint on it.

Unfortunately, the second coat was kind of pebbly when it went on, I think it may have still been a little too cold to paint outside. The paint did even out as it dried but it's not much better looking than before I color sanded it.

 

 

It's time to do a mockup before I yank the tape to see if I can live with the paint the way it is.

 

 

I think that once the foil is done and the decals are added, it will look good enough. I will do a bit of a polish on it though.

 

That all for now.

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to comment.

David G.

[dwc43]

Looking good. Love the wheel covers too. 

[David G.]

11 hours ago, dwc43 said:

Looking good. Love the wheel covers too. 

Thank you D.W.

David G.

[Moparman18064]

Wow, great seeing this come to life. Watching

[David G.]

22 hours ago, Moparman18064 said:

Wow, great seeing this come to life. Watching

Thank you Rich, I'm glad to have you along.

David G.

[slusher]

Looking really nice, David coming together !

[Steve H]

Looks great in red David. Let the foiling begin! Anxiously waiting for the big reveal… 

[mustang1989]

Paint work looks great Dave. I'm looking forward to seeing the next steps on bringing this beauty to life. 

[David G.]

20 hours ago, slusher said:

Looking really nice, David coming together !

Thanks Carl.

20 hours ago, Steve H said:

Looks great in red David. Let the foiling begin! Anxiously waiting for the big reveal… 

Thanks Steve, that makes two of us.  

18 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

Paint work looks great Dave. I'm looking forward to seeing the next steps on bringing this beauty to life. 

Thank you Joe. I have a small update ready to post right now.

David G.

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

My work on the AMT Surf Shark ambulance has been slow and steady as the saying goes. So here's the next update, brief though it be.

Now that I have a satisfactory paint job on the body, it's time to move on to the tail fins. I've painted the fins and since the chrome on the side points was in similar condition to that of the rest of the kit, I've stripped it and use some Molotow to replace it.

 

 

I brush-painted the side points with Molotow and foiled the fins with BMF. Now they're ready to install on the body when the time comes.

 

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to comment.

David G.

[David G.]

Duplicate post, please delete.

Edited February 2, 2024 by David G.
Duplicate Post, Please Delete