Marvel's Hydra coupe 1/12 scale full scratch build

[François]

Absmiami,  I've already used clear resin but it's not 100% translucide, I  would even say it's a far cry from being translucide so that's a no.

I post on 3 different forums and explained on all 3 my conundrum.  I received plenty on interesting ideas (including yours). But there's one that I  think will be best. I'll but the body on the rolling chassis but I'll modify one of the front lower panels to give a good view of the motor and all the bits and pieces that are worth seeing, probably on the steering column side. The underside of the model could be seen by reflexion on a mirored floor. I can also raise the hoods to give an even better view.  I slightly modified the body to be able to lift it from the frame if need be. With this solution,  I get the best of both worlds, a good view of the fun moving stuff and the great looks of the body on the frame with the wheels and all the trimming. I'll post à pictures of the 3d model showing all this soon.

[cifenet]

Simply brilliant!  Nothing more to say here! 👍

[François]

Thank you everyone for your positive comments and insights.

So here's the 3d model showing the modified left front body panel that give a good view of the engine.

And when seen from the other side

[Bugatti Fan]

That's a mean looking motor. Just the thing that a megalomaniac dictator or all round baddie would drive.

Superb model !

[NOBLNG]

22 hours ago, François said:

Absmiami,  I've already used clear resin but it's not 100% translucide, I  would even say it's a far cry from being translucide so that's a no.

I post on 3 different forums and explained on all 3 my conundrum.  I received plenty on interesting ideas (including yours). But there's one that I  think will be best. I'll but the body on the rolling chassis but I'll modify one of the front lower panels to give a good view of the motor and all the bits and pieces that are worth seeing, probably on the steering column side. The underside of the model could be seen by reflexion on a mirored floor. I can also raise the hoods to give an even better view.  I slightly modified the body to be able to lift it from the frame if need be. With this solution,  I get the best of both worlds, a good view of the fun moving stuff and the great looks of the body on the frame with the wheels and all the trimming. I'll post à pictures of the 3d model showing all this soon.

Just build another curbside unit and display them side by side.😈
Seriously…that is nothing short of astounding work!👍😎

Edited April 20 by NOBLNG

[François]

The body is slowly being printed. The rear end is quite big to print, even in 2 halves. My first try didn't work.  But still, it's starting to look like something a vilain would drive. 

First rear end half print, close but no cigar. It's as if the max printing volume the slicing program gives me is incorrect,  the top of the part didn't print (circled in red). It took over 12 hrs to print and 500 ml of resin, oh well...

But still, it's getting there 

For those wondering where this gadget is going

[François]

Since the bentley and this car are both 1/12, I barrowed the seats from the Bentley to see how they fit in the cockpit.  The size is pretty good, but the Bentley's seat are small to begin with. I'll widen them a bit and it shoul be ok.

The Bentley's tub next to the Hydra's just for fun 

[François]

All major body components are printed. I had another issue with a rear body half ( problem with the U shaped cutout for the bumper) but this time I was able to repair it. I printed a patch and replaced the section.  Still needs a bit of putty but it should be ok. Also printed a test door, the outter sheet is too thin. I'll have to thicken it a bit. I decided to print the outter sheet and inner panel as a unit. Once painted, I'll be able to apply the leather.  Speaking of leather,  I found a piece of nice thin brown leather that should look pretty good. 

Rear end repair 

And once repaired

Test door 

Door hinge insert

And so far 

The brown leather 

 

[François]

Reprinted the doors with thicker outter panel and it is now perfect. I also beefed up the hinges a bit.  I did a preliminary test fitting of the door on the rear body and it looks like it will work. 

[chris chabre]

What a work of art!!!!

[François]

Thank you Chris 

I printed the hood today, really not a success. At .030",  they are way too thin.  I reprinted with a .050" thickness and with stiffener ribs. I think it should help.

But at least,  the pivot works 

[François]

Second try is much better but there's a hole in one of the parts and I have no idea how it got there. I think I'll add another. 010" to the thickness. 

 

[BK9300]

It's hard to imagine all the settings and/or conditions that must be 'right' for a print to come out the way you need it to.  In any event, you always seem able to correct any problems.  Just a magnificent creation!

[François]

Thanks BK,

I found the problem, there was a tear in the film on the botton of the resin vat which means that the resin was leaking onto the screen. I was very lucky that the leak was minor. It's an easy fix. 

[Codi]

I wish I had your skills & talent Francois.  I love this creation of yours......thanks for posting and sharing it here.  cheers, tim

[François]

I'm glad you appreciate my work,

[François]

It's update time. I started gluing up tge body together. First is the rear two halves.  I installed some fish plates to better align the two halves and to get more gluing surface. It came out good, is rock solid and very well aligned.  I'll need to do a bit of epoxy putty on the seams and gaps but I think it should look pretty good. Both door hinges are glued in and I even added some rivets to the only fish plate that will be visible (with the trunk lid opened). I also printed the trunk lid but it's not to my liking, I added some longitudinal stiffeners to the new one that should help to better maintain the shape. But even with it not being perfect,  it still looks good.

Two halves glued together with white styrene fish plates in place

Riveted fish plate 

Hinges installed

Test fitting of the bleu cube thingy which fits as planned 

test fitting of not perfect trunk lid 

captain america's shield cameo

And a few general pictures 

Edited April 29 by François

[François]

The body is slowly coming together,  and the fit is surprisingly good. The doors open and close easily as does the trunk lid. I still have a lot of fitting and sanding/puttying to do. I'll ve applying a sandable primer before paint. Here are some shots as of today. I also took a few shots of the undercarriage.

Door sill, will be chromed with black lettres 

 

Trunk lid prop bar added

aluminium micro tubing over brass pivot rod

 

Leather trial,  it's a nice reddish brown that I think should look pretty good with the gun ship gray of tge body

Undercarriage 

Close up of the wired starter

[Big John]

Outstanding work François (as usual) Is the "Captain America" shield star and ring printed on the inside of the truck/boot lid? I noticed it before when the light shines through from behind.

[BK9300]

Bet it's certain there's not another one of these on the planet - very unique, quality build!

[François]

Thank you everyone for the positive feedback. 

Big John,  the shield is printed on the inside so it's not visible when the lid is closed. I want it to be discret.

[Bugatti Fan]

It's been quite a journey so far, and really interesting looking at the progress on this model. The subject is amazing to see coming together.

Once the Hydra is finished, will you be going back to that knocked about built up Pocher Rolls that you bought some time ago? It will be interesting to see what you do to it. I guess a complete strip down, overhaul, perhaps conversion and super detailing job will be in order?

[François]

The fenders on this project were among the hardest to 3d model and they prove to be just as difficult to print. They are also very big so they need to be printed in 2 parts. My first try didn't come out so good.  I printed the left side fender and althought it has good dimensions  and  fits as it should,  the front amd middle were badly printed. I'm hoping the second try will do better.  It wasn't easy to properly locate it again the body so I  made a hook up rail that fits perfectly against the body and is glued there. The inside edge of the feeder can then be hooked on the rail in order to be in the correct spot.

Hook up rail glued to body

 

Fender edge near rail

 

Front of fender badly printed 

 

But it's promissing 

 

[François]

The second fenders print did the trick.  The fit is pretty good althought I'll have to wait till the final assy to properly align everything.