European " Lucas Oil " Top Fuel Dragster WIP

[NitroJunky]

Recently i built a 1/24th scale model truck and trailer, this was a copy of that used by the Top Fuel team i am part of.

To acompany the rig ive decided to set about making a copy of our Top Fuel Dragster. The base kit is a "Doug Herbert" Snap on tools revell kit as i have 6 of these going spare

As the revell kit is dated i made a start with the front of the chassis. A peice of 2x2mm plastruct was cut to length to create a support for the front wing. I then scratch built a front wing to look like the ones you find a present fuelers.

The front of the body was then cut at an angle and widened slightly. A new front nose cone was constructed with plasticard and filed to shape.

I then filled in the air vents in the side of the body and made some new vents from plasticard.

The roll cage as been cut down by 5mm all the way round as the cage is low on our car as our driver is only short.

A new rear wing will be made to match that on our race car. I also made a wheelie bar from plastic rod, though i think it may be a little to thick.

I have also made a new fuel line along with a scratch built twin pump. Not shown in the pics is a carbon fibre style safety cell that the drivers sits in. This was made from thin sheet.

As for the engine, The valve covers have had all the raised detail removed. The oil filter as been moved from the chassis to the block. Fuel lines were made from anodised alloy wire. I have fitted a modern carbon fibre bug catcher from "The parts box". I made an explosion blanket for the blower from a peice of black ribbon.

I have made a scratch built barrel valve which will be plumed with AN fittings and braided hose from "Detail Master"

I manged to source 2 set of TF engine detail sets that were made by Model garage scene which i think are not longer going? The blower will be made as a sit back version. I will also be super detailing the block with header sensors and computer wires etc.

front wheels are from "realiable resin".

I will be using a alot of the graphics from the Slixx "Morgan Lucas" lucas oil set and a i have guy who produces water slide decals to make the rest of the sponsor decals for me.

There is still a lot more to do. I will take a few more pics as and when

The real car

[Dragline]

Nice looking WIP. Great start on it as well. Nice to have the real car as reference as well.

Should be a killer build.

Bob

[1320wayne]

Good looking WIP. Love to see more people attempt more modern subjects. Can't wait to see more.

[NitroJunky]

Good looking WIP. Love to see more people attempt more modern subjects. Can't wait to see more.

Thanks for the commenst. Ive always liked to make models of things that are not common or readily avaliable. I have another TFD that built that was based on car that ran in the mid 90s here in the uk. Its not 100% complete but when it is i will post some pics up.

[W-409]

I can post more pics from Andy ''King Of Europe'' Carter's Top Fuel dragster if you want later today... Nice and interesting project, Carter was of course here at Alastaro but Risto Poutiainen from Finland beated him at the semifinal. (Poutiainen crashed with Stig Neergård on friday but on saturday he drove to number one qualifuyer and he were runner up...

[NitroJunky]

I can post more pics from Andy ''King Of Europe'' Carter's Top Fuel dragster if you want later today... Nice and interesting project, Carter was of course here at Alastaro but Risto Poutiainen from Finland beated him at the semifinal. (Poutiainen crashed with Stig Neergård on friday but on saturday he drove to number one qualifuyer and he were runner up...

Unfortunatly i couldnt make it to Alastaro but i was catching up with the Kings progress via the web. Risto is our number 1 threat in the championship this year but im glad he walked away from his nasty crash. just goes to show how well built and how much safety tech goes into these machines.

Being part of Carters team i get to speak to all the european top fuel drivers when im at the track and most of them are a realy nice people.

I have a cracking shot of the Stig from last years finals when he lost a wheel.

[W-409]

Yes, Risto has very good car. But be careful with Timo Lehtimäki, he is very hard to win! In Alastaro semifinal there was Lehtimäki against Erbacher. I said to dad that Lehtimäki can win Urs, one man in front of us said to me that Urs is european champion and and and.... After Timo took the win, he was quiet...!

[Dragline]

We sure could use an update on this one .....

Bob

[NitroJunky]

We sure could use an update on this one .....

Bob

TBH i have not done alot on this one recently because the bodyshell is on its way to a guy who produces water slide decals/artwork so he can produce all the sponsor decals for me. Ive sent the body to him so he can use it for a guide as how big the decals need to be.

I have now managed to match the blue paint which is ford winning blue or mazda 37L.

In between this one i have been finishing off the first TFD that AC drove when he started his career in top fuel.

I will post a few pics up as soon as ive finished the rear wing.