Badman C/A (ca. 1975)

[Straightliner59]

13 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Daniel, I forgot there is a scale difference, you are putting so much detail into the 55, I was regarding it as a 1/16th when doing my calculations, the correct number for what I was aiming for  in 1/25 would be .05".  

Thanks, Ian. I appreciate your input!

I think these look pretty close to the proportions in the photos of the FC. Definitely closer than the first ones! I've got the second one flattened out, now. I also bent a pair of HO scale handrail stanchions, and soldered them to the axle, for the shocks. I'm going to make new down bars for the front clip, in order to create room for the length of the shocks. I plan to curve them, at the front. I shouldn't be too far from being able to paint and assemble the chassis! Comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Edited July 6, 2024 by Straightliner59

[Ian McLaren]

Yup those look just fine, they are a cool addition not often seen!

[Straightliner59]

2 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Yup those look just fine, they are a cool addition not often seen!

Thank you, my friend! 

I got some more work done on the front chassis. I made new down tubes, and now have a place to put the upper mounts for the shocks. I also stuck one of the valve covers/stud girdles to the head, just to check it out. I can live with that!  I'll get the engine straightened out with the mount, during final assembly. Thanks for looking!

[David G.]

Awesome soldering work and the engine is looking great!

David G.

[Straightliner59]

18 hours ago, David G. said:

Awesome soldering work and the engine is looking great!

David G.

Thanks, David. It's getting there! I got the front shocks made and the mounts on the down tubes. I may have to make new bodies for the shocks, but, that shouldn't be too difficult. Chassis is almost ready for paint! Photos in the next 24, or so. Thanks for your comments!

[Straightliner59]

I made the front shocks from a couple of threaded watch shafts (they'll barely be visible, with double nuts on top, but they'll convey the threads), some 3/64" brass tube for the cylinders, and a different style of handrail stanchions for the piston rods. I decided the brass tube looked kind of thin, so, I added a layer of heat-shrink tubing (shrunk!), to bolster it, and painted it from a jar of red Pactra RC body paint. It dried quickly and properly on the vinyl, and laid down pretty nicely from a brush.

Also seen are the steering box and mount (mount subject to change), and the down tubes with the upper shock mounts. I made a simple, static u-joint from 1/16" aluminum tubing for the steering column shaft. It's getting ever closer to paint. I have a bit of work to do on the bottom side, yet, and I need to add means to hold the fuel tank, and overflow tank. Anyway...

As always, your comments are appreciated. Thanks for looking!

Edited July 9, 2024 by Straightliner59

[David G.]

That's just mind boggling!

? 

At least to my mind anyway.

So do the leaf springs actually... uh... leaf?

David G.

[Pierre Rivard]

Built just like a real car... but at 1/24 scale. This is special.

[Straightliner59]

19 hours ago, David G. said:

That's just mind boggling!

? 

At least to my mind anyway.

So do the leaf springs actually... uh... leaf?

David G.

Thanks, David! They would, but I used aluminum duct tape for the binders, because I wanted to add some stiffness, without having to cement the leaves completely together. I wanted to keep the ends of the leaves free, because I think it looks better that way. Otherwise I'd just stick with the molded kit springs.? I'm pretty sure that using wire to bind them would let them slip against each other, a little. Thanks again!

18 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Built just like a real car... but at 1/24 scale. This is special.

Thank you, Pierre! I try to find enough information to build them, correctly. My friend--that part is a thousand times easier than it was 30 years ago, I am sure you are aware!?

[John B.]

Sorry I'm late to the party for not having seen this earlier. Another lesson in realism!

[Tony Coomer]

This build is moving along. Great work on the front axle and suspension.

[Straightliner59]

17 hours ago, John B. said:

Sorry I'm late to the party for not having seen this earlier. Another lesson in realism!

Glad you're here, now! I try!?

[Straightliner59]

9 hours ago, Tony Coomer said:

This build is moving along. Great work on the front axle and suspension.

Thanks, Tony! I'm hoping to get it assembled before bed--I got it all painted, so, if all goes well...

[Straightliner59]

Okay! The front suspension is overall painted and assembled. Still some detail painting and touchup, to do. I'm going to nap a while, then see if I can't get the chassis ready and painted, today. Just as I was getting the camera, I had visitors at my front window! Thanks for looking!

[FoMoCo66]

That's an absolutely stunning straight axle! Keep it up man!

[Straightliner59]

5 hours ago, FoMoCo66 said:

That's an absolutely stunning straight axle! Keep it up man!

Thanks, Elliot! I'm pretty happy with it! Should look better, soon.

[Tony Coomer]

The front assembly looks great in paint. Looking forward to the final results…

[Straightliner59]

13 hours ago, Tony Coomer said:

The front assembly looks great in paint. Looking forward to the final results…

Thanks, Tony! Here you go! 

I'll probably shoot another coat of paint on the chassis, before I mount everything, I have a few things I want to tidy up, and a few that I want to dirty up (light dust). I'll go over the springs with India Ink wash, once the axles and springs are installed. I made the driveshaft loop from thin brass strip, and soldered it together. Shouldn't be too long, before it's on the wheels! Questions, critiques and comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[Nitro330]

Man, I love your updates Daniel, always a treat to see the detail and your scratchbuilding ability.  That front end is awesome!

[Straightliner59]

9 hours ago, Nitro330 said:

Man, I love your updates Daniel, always a treat to see the detail and your scratchbuilding ability.  That front end is awesome!

Thank you, Terry! It's much appreciated. I may be able to get it on the wheels, tomorrow night. That always feels like a big step! Thanks for looking in!

[Straightliner59]

All this stuff is stuck together, now!? I have some details, and detail painting to do, then some light washes and dust. Then, I should be on to the interior! It's coming along...

[Bainford]

I'm digging it, Daniel. Everything is looking great. Very nice attention to authentic details.

Edited July 18, 2024 by Bainford

[Straightliner59]

13 hours ago, Bainford said:

I'm digging it, Daniel. Everything is looking great. Very nice attention to authentic details.

Thanks, Trevor! I appreciate it! It should go together fairly easily, as the different assemblies are done. At least, it has, so far--we'll see if that holds!?

[Zippi]

That's looking pretty sweet there Daniel.  Love the stance and the wheels & tires fit the ole double nickel.  

[Rattlecan Dan]

Wow! This thing is just chuck-full of realism. Scale accuracy is amazing. Keep up the good work, it's going to be great!