International Harvester Metro Mite

[crowe-t]

I'm attempting to scratch build an International Harvester Metro Mite in 1/25 scale.  A Metro Mite was used in the 1985 NBC TV series, Misfits Of Science as an Ice Cream truck.  This is the version I want to build.  The show is a favorite of mine.

I picked up a Metro Mite Brochure on E-bay that had the specs and dimensional drawings.  I started cutting out the sides using .060"(1.5mm) sheet styrene.  The lower sides angle out so I'm experimenting with ways to replicate it.  I would like to make the rear door roll up and I'm considering making the side doors slide open.  However the doors curve out below the windows and I'd have to make the lower sides of the body curve out not only on the outside but the inside as well.  The ice cream truck was only seen with the side doors closed in 2 shots in the pilot episode and the rest of the time they were open so I'm considering just making them in a fixed open position.  This would solve some problems and make it easier.  In the pilot the freezer unit on the roof was taller than the rest of the series so I might make it removable so I can use both.

Does anyone have ideas on how to make the angled out lower body/sliding doors?

I posted pictures of one test I did for the lower body.  It will require cutting out the lower part of the side wall and gluing in the angled section.  Another option would be to add an angled section on top of the side wall using thinner sheet styrene than I have in the picture.

I appreciate any ideas and/or comments anyone can share.

Thanks,

Michael.

Edited March 14, 2024 by crowe-t

[NOBLNG]

Hi Michael. Interesting project.? Maybe you could make the panels from 3 or more pieces laminated something like this? Good luck with it!?

[crowe-t]

6 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Hi Michael. Interesting project.? Maybe you could make the panels from 3 or more pieces laminated something like this? Good luck with it!?

Greg,  Thanks for the drawing.  I'm still brainstorming on this one.  So far I'm liking what I came up with.  I just have to test a few more ideas out.

[crowe-t]

I got some more work done on this.  I used the angled side pieces I put together.  Today I started on the floor.  

[crowe-t]

Some more work on the floor.

[crowe-t]

Work continues on the floor.  I made the doghouse using measurements a member of a group on Facebook sent me.  To get the angle of the floor under the doghouse I placed the doghouse upside down under the floor after I glued it in place.  It worked well.  I then held the doghouse in place to support the firewall while the glue dried.  I'll add the extended floor under the doghouse which is for the in line 6 cylinder engine I'm using.  The 8 cylinder option had a shorter doghouse and didn't have the floor extension.

 

[OldNYJim]

You’re doing an amazing job of scratchbuilding this - nice work!!  Keep going!

[crowe-t]

56 minutes ago, CabDriver said:

You’re doing an amazing job of scratchbuilding this - nice work!!  Keep going!

Thanks Jim.

[Jonathan]

Really enjoying seeing this.  Nice work so far!

[TarheelRick]

Always enjoy someone using their imagination to build something out of the ordinary. Your work is right on target. You mentioned an in-line 6, what chassis and other drivetrain are you using?

[crowe-t]

3 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Really enjoying seeing this.  Nice work so far!

Thanks Jonathan.

[crowe-t]

13 minutes ago, TarheelRick said:

Always enjoy someone using their imagination to build something out of the ordinary. Your work is right on target. You mentioned an in-line 6, what chassis and other drivetrain are you using?

I saw a 1971 Metro Mite on YouTube that has an AMC in line 6.  I ordered an AMT AMC Pacer Wagon kit for the in line 6.  I had also bought an AMT International Scout II kit but the chassis is not the same.  

A member of a group on Facebook took measurements and sent me pictures of part of the chassis rails he took out of his Metro Mite.  It's unibody but does have chassis rails welded to the floor.  The chassis rails are channeled on the inside so I ordered some Evergreen channels that I'll use for the rails.  Unless I can find a front axle I'll just scratch build one.  These had a straight front axle with leaf springs.  

For the rear end I might use one from an AMT Ford Econoline van.  It seems to be the right width and looks close to the one in the AMT Scout II kit which is a bit shorter.

I have some small pictures showing the chassis/underside of a Metro Mite I found online.  I'll do the best I can to make it look correct.  There's not a lot of information on these.

[crowe-t]

I have to figure out what to use for the window glass.  I have acetate but it's not stiff enough for the large front windows.  I also have some Evergreen clear sheet styrene but it has a texture on it.  Maybe Plastruct or another brand has clear sheet styrene that's smooth.  

Edited March 27, 2024 by crowe-t

[hct728(Bob)]

4 hours ago, crowe-t said:

I have to figure out what to use for the window glass.  I have acetate but it's not stiff enough for the large front windows.  I also have some Evergreen clear sheet styrene but it has a texture on it.  Maybe Plastruct or another brand has clear sheet styrene that's smooth.  

Plastruct clear sheet copolyester a.k.a. PET-G is used by many modelers, clearer than styrene. Glue it in with flexible white glue. Can be heat molded too.

Love your project, looks neatly done, the cuts are straight and accurate

Edited March 27, 2024 by hct728(Bob)

[crowe-t]

2 hours ago, hct728(Bob) said:

Plastruct clear sheet copolyester a.k.a. PET-G is used by many modelers, clearer than styrene. Glue it in with flexible white glue. Can be heat molded too.

Love your project, looks neatly done, the cuts are straight and accurate

Thanks Bob.

[crowe-t]

Today I added the floor extension under the rear of the doghouse.

[crowe-t]

I got some more work done on the Metro Mite.  The doghouse is glued in and I cut out the floor for the engine.  I added 1mm sheet styrene that I filed at a slight angle to the fenders.  I'll add some putty to the fenders and angle it some more.  The front of the floor/firewall area is angled in a bit and I started cutting out the wheel openings in the fenders and quarter panels.   

Edited April 18, 2024 by crowe-t

[1930fordpickup]

This is very nice. Great topic for a scratch build. 

For the front glass some people have used a 2 liter bottle.

[crowe-t]

On 4/22/2024 at 12:29 AM, 1930fordpickup said:

This is very nice. Great topic for a scratch build. 

For the front glass some people have used a 2 liter bottle.

Thanks Andy!  For the windows I'm going to use polycarbonate "Lexan" sheet.  I need something flat and stiff.

[crowe-t]

I did some work on the chassis.  The chassis rails are in as well as some of the cross members.  I'm going off measurements and pictures.  It should be close enough.

Edited May 2, 2024 by crowe-t

[crowe-t]

I added some more details on the chassis as well as 2 more cross members.  The transmission cross member still needs some shaping and details.  I started shaping the wheel openings on the sides of the body.  

Edited May 3, 2024 by crowe-t

[crowe-t]

I made mounts for the leaf springs.  The rear springs are from an MPC '69 Camaro and the front springs are from a Revell '57 Chevy Black Widow.  I sanded off some details to try and make them match.  The rear end is from an AMT Ford Econoline Van and the front axle is from an AMT Coca Cola 1950 Pickup.  The gas tank is from the AMT Ford Econoline Van.  I made it smaller and sanded off the ribbed details.  

Edited May 8, 2024 by crowe-t

[Ben269]

This is a very cool project, I love these and the Metro vans.  Its coming along great!

[slusher]

Amazing scratch building!

[crowe-t]

On 7/5/2024 at 3:53 PM, Ben269 said:

This is a very cool project, I love these and the Metro vans.  Its coming along great!

Thanks Ben.