30 Ford Woody

[Danno]

The Revell 30 Ford Woody Wagon kit knocked me out. It is probably the finest stock Model A chassis/running gear kitted. I had to build one. And, by now you've probably figured out my propensity: emergency vehicles.

Thus was born the concept of my Model A Fire Department Staff Car.

I wanted to build as accurate and detailed a scale model of the wonderful Model A as I could. I began by scratching up the mechanical brake system, bending plastic rod to represent the main brake and emergency brake cranks, cutting plastic bits and brass rods to replicate the actuator rods and levers, and fashioning the tensioner springs from thin brass sheet. Of course, the Model A in 1/25 scale is very delicate and the entire chassis/running gear is painted semi-matte black ... so none of it is noticeable or even very visible!

I plumbed and wired the engine, chassis, and all the lighting and wiring harnesses just like the 1:1 in my garage, including fabrication of a switch bale at the end of the steering column. I used a ribbed stainless steel cable to represent the light conduits. The cowl lamps were filled with epoxy tinted transparent red. I used black enameled jewelry wire to represent the ignition cable from the junction box to the distributor, and used fine wire to replicate the choke, ignition, and throttle adjustors. Tiny copper wire was flattened with smooth-jaw pliers to represent the flat copper spark plug connectors and they were installed between the distributor and the spark plugs (yes, wired in proper sequence! LOL). Finally, a small bullet-shaped clear turn signal from the parts box was shaped to serve as the gravity-feed fuel bowl; its interior was reamed out and a dab of clear orange paint on the inside made it appear to be full of gasoline. It was attached to the firewall and bright wire routed from it to the carburetor.

I had located a tiny piano hinge from a miniatures source in New England. Unfortunately, I couldn't "see" a picture of it or determine its size; it was advertised as the smallest brass piano hinge anywhere. Because it was pricey, I ordered just one. When it arrived, I saw that it was exactly what I wanted: the perfect diameter to replicate Model A (and Model B, V-8, etc.) butterfly hood hinges! One hinge was enough to do all three sections required for one car. I modified the kit's hood to accept the new hinge and found it worked perfectly, looked absolutely in scale, and functioned exactly as the real thing! I was ecstatic! I promptly sent off an order for four more; then got my mail back ... the company had gone out of business. The hinge they sent me had only their markings and I've never been able to identify their original source! Dang.

Back to the model. After hinging the hood and modifying the firewall and radiator to accept the brass hinge pivot, I made decals with dry transfer lettering applied to clear waterslide decal film, then applied the lettering to the hood and cleared it over. The cowl and hood are fire engine red; the fenders black; the roof satin black; the main body was painted to simulate the real car's maple and birch wood with satin black carriage bolts picked out with a paint-laden straight pin.

This build is a few years old and the hood hinges have held up well, still functioning just like their 1:1 counterparts. However, the fiddly kit door hinges have given up the ghost and the doors now are fixed permanently rather than being operable.

I hope you like this little guy; it is one of my favorite models.

Edited August 16, 2010 by Danno

[Bernard Kron]

...I hope you like this little guy; it is one of my favorite models. ...

What's not to like! It's a really fine model, beautifully executed. This stock style build isn't something I would have expected to see from Danno, but so glad you shared it with us. The story about the hinge is sad but neat nonetheless.

Edited August 16, 2010 by gbk1

[charlie8575]

Great build!

I love it when woodies are stock.

Charlie Larkin

[Guest Johnny]

Great looking Model A! Cool concept for the build too!

Let's hope they don't park it too close to he fire or it catches an ember!

[Danno]

Thanks, guys (Bernard, Charlie, Johnny)!

I am flattered by your comments and appreciate you taking time to express them. Glad you liked her.

[carrucha]

Nice Ford Woody. Good job detailing the engine.

carrucha

[mcandela]

Wow, really nice looking woody. I really like the wood effect on the sides.

[John Teresi]

Dan......my hat is off to you Sir.......you did a hell of a job on this man.......the wood work is AWESOME and detail is SUPERB!!!!!.........for a 2 year old build.......sure is nice.........thank`s for sharing your baby`s.

[Danno]

Hector, Mike, John,

Thanks so much for your very generous remarks! I appreciate your kindness and that you took time to comment.

I'm glad she struck your fancy!

[Dennis Lacy]

It's really refreshing to see a Revell Model A kit built factory stock! You did a nice, clean job of it and I really dig the fire-car theme. For some reason I picture it being part of a mountain community fire department.

[my66s55]

Beautiful build. I'm with you Dennis. I'd love to see more of the stock build of the 20's and 30's cars.

[Danno]

Dennis, Doug,

Thank you for your comments.

As a matter of fact, Dennis, the 'home base' of the department depicted is a foothills tourist town (small city, actually) at the base of Pikes Peak. Older than its larger neighbor, the joke was that Colorado Springs was a suburb of Manitou Springs, once known as just 'Manitou.'

[chrismooney]

Wow now that is one off beat Fire car.. great work on the opening doors and little details... The period correct emergency lights are the best!

[Mike Kucaba]

Do these look like the hinges http://www.phoenixmodeldevelopments.com/acatalog/The_Phoenix_Miniature_Hinge_Range

[Danno]

Do these look like the hinges http://www.phoenixmodeldevelopments.com/acatalog/The_Phoenix_Miniature_Hinge_Range

Mike,

That H-060-N just might be one and the same ... or, very close. I'll have to order one and see. Good show, old chap! Pip-pip.

Thanks!

[David G.]

Absolutely beautiful, I love the level of detail.