Anyone here who is mad on US cop cars, building and detailing them?

[English Jules]

After finding nothing but poor decals, bad spelling and other complaints, im working with someone to do a NYPD sheet, even poss including ASPCA and everything else.

I will be using them on my Charger etc

Im also looking at doing basic interior roof lining radar, camera and flashing light, which are connected to the plastic box unit that is mounted, just ahead of the larger round light that is also fitted. Also at least 4 different centre consoles, various other things inc parcel shelf mounted light units. These are just modern car items, along side the 18 hole Fury etc chrome caps and other old cop car items working on.

Just wondered if anyone is mad on them like i am

[Harry P.]

Do you know about this place?

http://www.policecarmodels.com/decals.html

[Agent G]

Me

G

[Danno]

Dittos.

There can NEVER be too many resin or photoetch emergency vehicle components and accessories, as long as they are done RIGHT and IN SCALE.

Wish you well in your endeavor. If I only had a buck for everybody that has set out to do the 70's-80's Mopar police wheels and caps in 1/25 scale, I'd have a small fortune. Sadly, no one has gotten them right yet. Good luck!!

I'll be watching and warming up my ordering muscles if you get 'er done!

[English Jules]

Thanks, yeah i know about Jeff and policecarmodels, had stuff off him over the years. Getting 18 holes just right on the chrome caps isnt easy, People had suggested a small round decal for those but working on getting the holes right.

One of the problems i came across as that a lot of images online of cop cars, either classic or newer, are just replicas, so nothing is really right, like someone who made a 78 Monaco painted and marked up as a NYPD, i guess most people wouldnt know, but those that would are real fans, hence need to get things right, no half hearted measures.

Are car modellers that do a bit extra use etch? i know us mainly military modellers do, but i wouldnt think there would be a lot of demand for that in car modelling world, ok for flat badges, say side indicator light fittings but trouble with etch it often looks flatter and 2d compared to the items its meant to replace.

Hopefully have some resin upgrades that are acc ready by the end of the autumn, esp for the Lindberg Charger first, like the roof lining replacement part with added larger round light and radar, camera etc facing forward. And by making one already for the NYPD car im making, i know the scale isnt perfect on the kit for the height from the dash top to the roof liner :-)

[unclescott58]

Do you know about this place?

http://www.policecarmodels.com/decals.html

This is the guy that made custom Minneasota Highway Patrol decals for me. They turned out great. And he is a great guy to work with. Haven't put the decals to use yet. But, looking at his work I'm sure they'll be great.

Scott

Edited June 20, 2014 by unclescott58

[Danno]

Thanks, yeah i know about Jeff and policecarmodels, had stuff off him over the years. Getting 18 holes just right on the chrome caps isnt easy, People had suggested a small round decal for those but working on getting the holes right.

One of the problems i came across as that a lot of images online of cop cars, either classic or newer, are just replicas, so nothing is really right, like someone who made a 78 Monaco painted and marked up as a NYPD, i guess most people wouldnt know, but those that would are real fans, hence need to get things right, no half hearted measures.

Are car modellers that do a bit extra use etch? i know us mainly military modellers do, but i wouldnt think there would be a lot of demand for that in car modelling world, ok for flat badges, say side indicator light fittings but trouble with etch it often looks flatter and 2d compared to the items its meant to replace.

Hopefully have some resin upgrades that are acc ready by the end of the autumn, esp for the Lindberg Charger first, like the roof lining replacement part with added larger round light and radar, camera etc facing forward. And by making one already for the NYPD car im making, i know the scale isnt perfect on the kit for the height from the dash top to the roof liner :-)

True. A lot of the reference vehicles used by a lot of modelers are actually cobbled-up 'wanna-be' caricatures of police vehicles. Thus, the models modeled after inaccurate wanna-bes are in themselves, inaccurate.

Compound it with snafus like many of the inaccurate police equipment parts in many of the kits, and you have inaccurate models all over the place.

[my80malibu]

PM sent

[English Jules]

True. A lot of the reference vehicles used by a lot of modelers are actually cobbled-up 'wanna-be' caricatures of police vehicles. Thus, the models modeled after inaccurate wanna-bes are in themselves, inaccurate.

Compound it with snafus like many of the inaccurate police equipment parts in many of the kits, and you have inaccurate models all over the place.

Yeah but some mistakes are totally stupid like this on a decal sheet i bought from the US 2 weeks ago, nothing else fitted and was so bad....

I have looked at many hundreds of pics of real Chargers, inc 11pct ones made for movies that included the pillar mounted spot lights.

We are (there is 2 of us) working on the decal sheet at the moment, the first test sheet has been done, and applied to a impala, the quality is great but just a case of tweaking various sizes.

Resin items we want out in Autumn, or as you call fall (could never understand why lol)

Im in consultation with someone from NY who knows a huge amount, has images, and long history with the NYPD so hes overlooking the decals. Hopefully i will have to fit on my Charger within a couple of weeks to show you all on here. Ah, i found a bad error with the Lindberg CHarger, the offset and angle of the 5 thick spoke wheels are too flat, the studded centre should be further in....i was planning on using that but now gone to the black wheels.

[Danno]

The stateside slang "Fall" for Autumn derived from the fact that it is the season when the leaves 'fall' off the trees.

[Harry P.]

Look at the real thing... the "O" of Professionalism lines up under the "Y" of Courtesy (following the angle of the lettering). On your decal, the word "Professionalism" is way too short. And the angle of the text on the real thing is more pronounced.

You also misspelled "Courtesy."

Since you seem to be intent on getting the details right, I thought I should point that out to you.

[English Jules]

Look at the real thing... the "O" of Professionalism lines up under the "Y" of Courtesy (following the angle of the lettering). On your decal, the word "Professionalism" is way too short. And the angle of the text on the real thing is more pronounced.

You also misspelled "Courtesy."

Since you seem to be intent on getting the details right, I thought I should point that out to you.

That is NOT our decal, its what i recieved about 10 days ago from the US via ebay (i did mention it, and show the on my NYPD Charger build, where i also said the build is on hold until i could find correct decals.........andi when i couldnt decided to do something about it)

The stateside slang "Fall" for Autumn derived from the fact that it is the season when the leaves 'fall' off the trees.

Thought it would be that, only thing i could think of.

[Harry P.]

That is NOT our decal, its what i recieved about 10 days ago from the US via ebay (i did mention it, and show the on my NYPD Charger build, where i also said the build is on hold until i could find correct decals.........andi when i couldnt decided to do something about it)

Oh, sorry. I thought that was one that you did. Never mind, then...

Edit: I just re-read your post. My mistake on the decal. If that's the quality of decal you received, I can see why you're frustrated!

[English Jules]

Oh, sorry. I thought that was one that you did. Never mind, then...

Found the thread i started just over a week ago. I found lots of errors on the sheet, even for allowing the small differences in size, style over so many vehicles. I got a full refund off ebay, much to the sellers abuse. He also said NEVER had anyone complained in the hundreds he had sold.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=90494&hl=

[Harry P.]

Found the thread i started just over a week ago. I found lots of errors on the sheet, even for allowing the small differences in size, style over so many vehicles. I got a full refund off ebay, much to the sellers abuse. He also said NEVER had anyone complained in the hundreds he had sold.

Maybe nobody complained because nobody was paying attention like you were. Good that you got a refund, the decals are obviously substandard.

[English Jules]

Maybe nobody complained because nobody was paying attention like you were. Good that you got a refund, the decals are obviously substandard.

I think he just lazy, not really into the subject. I had planned on doing a MU vehicle SUV, and scratch building a horse box, i looked at lots of real pics, caught my eye as being different, same as with doing a ASPCA car, outside a tall block of flats, with a car stuck on exterior piping or aircon box, a figure holding a alligator lol

Our decal sheet will have a option for the 05 Impala, Revell kit (i bought a couple but no decals that were correct for it). The pre production decals have been fitted to a kit body, the quality looks good (not seen the for myself as my friend lives down south so only on the pics he sent e, hes the decal producing guy, and im the resin master maker) but we noticed, that on 6 totally different Impala pics (same year, not the later facelift version) 5 had POLICE that is written on the front fender as you call it, was just about into the wheel and tyre level, BUT the 6th one, the E at the end of the word came almost to (on a clock face), to 12o'clock-centre of the tyre-further along and spread out differently. Same at the rear of the long blue stripe, followed a pattern of size for the Pct etc, but a couple differed. Its interesting looking at so any Impala's, Chargers etc and seeing little variations, dents, scrapes etc, some quite hefty door or rear wing dents and still in service.

With the Charger, for the 06 to 11 kit version i looked at many different interiors, it was9 times out of 10 the same basic layout hanging down from the roof lining electronics, radar, camera and a flashing light unit, the shape varied a little between makes of the equipment but just about the same size and placing. Hopefullly the resin will be a 1 piece insert instead of the kit roof lining part inc the centre long box of electronics and the larger fitted inerior light in the the centre. Hoping to include 2 small decals for the resin radar and camera units. THe drivers sun visor will have a note book held on with elastic bands. The only problem im struggling with is clear pics of the rear parcel shelf lights at the moment.

Those items will be in one pack, and im working on 4 different centre consoles, for the Charger, or at least a couple, but def at least 4 for the Impala, what you get (or more truth you dont get) isnt much at all, and a big let down and while i wouldnt think the Impala kit was as a big seller as the Lindberg Charger, im guessing people bought them and still not built them yet.

Then its onto the 75 onwards Fury, then when the Monaco came out a couple of years later, wheels, 18 hold hub caps, tyres in resin, to replace the awful AMT kits. Fury single piece grill, and maybe even the 75 single round headlight. Again basic but detailed radio and P/A units, clip board and flex little light etc. Better rear mounted parcel shelf lights again. A couple of different steering wheels seemed to have been available. But as i said before, often images online i find are replicas or bits of this and that for the equipent, so we want to get it correct. Shift column changer and part that leaves the dash board looking at improving. There has to be a cut off point due to cost, so i doubt people would want a totally new interior tub, with new inner door details that look better than the kits flat parts. Thinking most people want the outside to look good, and around the centre radio equipent etc and not other things.

Im working on a Fury NYPD with the AMT Monaco at the moment so that is the car im using for measurements and the look/feel of the items. Being a mainly military modeller (the dreaded 3 M's lol) resin update sets fix the kit parts that are inaccurate etc or wrong sized parts, but as i have measured in the Charger, the scale sizes are not correct, so its more a case of make resin parts that have the feel and still look good, instead of being totally accurate in scale, off a couple of mm here and there, yet look good.

[Chuck Most]

I've only seriously been getting into US police vehicles in the last year or so, but I've found myself getting fussier about things regarding them. I've had pretty good luck with the decal sets I've gotten so far, but yes, there are some turkey sets out there. Doing a cop car model seems pretty simple on the face of it, and it can be depending on what you're building and how you do it, but it seems like a lot of people don't want to give it that little extra effort. Even some companies that sell factory built police car models miss the mark. Sometimes, the mistakes are pretty glaring- I wince every time I see a particular 1:43 Michigan State Police Ford. There are two pretty key elements to an MSP Blue Goose, and this particular model missed both of them... the hood-mounted hailer (not present on the model), and the Spitfire gumball flasher (the model comes with a Vector light bar). You were right to feel let down by that decal sheet you bought, and I applaud you for trying to make something better. "If you want something done right, better do it yourself" after all. That being said, I've manage to find more gold than garbage with the police car items I've gotten.

I have to say I'm more than a little interested in the proper wheels and hubcaps you have in mind to cast for the Monaco- of all that kit's specific shortcomings, the rolling stock is the big one for me- why MPC chose to use those dirt car tires on it just boggles my mind. The Charger stuff intrigues me too, even though I have yet to build the Lindberg Charger. Any modern equipment for the interior of the car would be welcome.

Car modelers often use photoetch- though you are right that sometimes these details look a little flat compared to the 1:1 script or emblem they are supposed to represent. Things like grille inserts and mesh patterns would be handy to have. And don't just limit it to stuff for the car itself- for example, I could see a use for a set of handcuffs on the photoetch fret- the modeler could place it on the console, or somewhere inside the car to add a little visual interest.

Since you're here and doing parts for Chrysler police cars- here's one I'd like to see- a front bumper fascia/grille piece to convert the Revell Dodge Magnum SRT8 to non-SRT8 specs. I've seen a few Magnums in police use, but none of the ones I've seen were the top-line, special edition SRT.

Sounds like you have a pretty specific and solid plan in mind- can't wait to see what you turn up with.

[English Jules]

Thanks for the feedback, interesting about the use of etch, there is a Cz company famous for etch stuff, Eduard. They do other peoples etch work, so it is something to look in the future maybe.

Loose items like handcuffs, briefcase, sheriff hats etc we are looking at doing, we made a list of what we thought would go down well, sort of thing you find on the back seat or in the boot. I asked a S.C police fan website to get me pics of the inside of the boot of the Charger, to see if i can make a boot once the part is cut off, and a one piece resin insert of say stop sticks, fire ex, etc etc.

I have made many of the Lindberg Crown Vic, and Revell Caprice (and the Impalla SS tweaked to a Caprice). I know they are old kits and not used any more but i thought maybe there would still be a interest in resin parts for those 2 still. I made a St Louis FD Tahoe SUV based on real images, the Chimneyville decals were poor but the main problem was, the kit, not surprising didnt come with any radio equipment etc So again want to do some general stuff for SUVs like the Revell Ford Expedition snap tite kits

Yeah i have seen the Magnum in police use, but i have not seen the kit or looked into it yet, it was a kit i was hoping to get in a month or so when i could afford it, then look at the police package one, and compare the differences.... I hadnt thought there would be a huge demand for it but if it is falls within the kit not being correct for a cop car, i myself would change it, so yeah could run some masters off.

I need to do a CV (with brown front bumper) and a Caprice as taxis, to be on the street were i am having a couple of cop cars, and scratch building a subway enterance, sidewalk and adult book store front

[Chuck Most]

Even though the Caprice and Crown Vic are no longer in use (though I do know of at least one 1996 Caprice that was still in use by a small local agency up until just a few years ago), I still think there would be some demand for parts made specifically for the kits. They do have pretty good existing coverage- I know of alternate wheel choices available in resin for both kits, just as an example, and there still seem to be a pretty good number of them being built. I don't know if parts for these two kits would sell like crazy, but they're certainly subjects worth looking into. The 2000-2005 style Impalas (like the Revell snap kit) aren't as common as they once were as police cars, but the other day I was thinking of a front bench seat for the Revell 2000-2005 Impala- the majority of police Impalas I've seen had buckets, but a few of them do have bench seats. Come to think of it a front bench for the Lindberg Crown Vic might be worth considering too.

Same thing goes for the Revell Expedition you mentioned. Have you seen the latest version of that, the SSV? That kit does include some new police specific parts- a grille with molded in flashers, a dash cam, laptop, partitions for the rear seat and cargo area, and a few other pieces. It also has steel wheels, instead of the alloys the previous versions of the kit had. Trouble is- the wheels Revell supply with the SSV version are wrong for a '97-02 Expedition- the version supplied in the kit are from the current style police Expedition, which won't fit a 1:1 '97-02. Current Expeditions have six lug wheels, the version depicted in the Revell kit had five. A CORRECT set of steel wheels for a '97-02 would be nice to have for that kit. The stock alloys were also used on police versions, but the proper steelies would be a nice option to have.

And speaking of taxis- I've never really been able to find much in the way of taxi meters in 1:24 or 1:25 scale. Not sure how much interest there is in modeling taxi cabs, but there HAS to be somebody out there who'd be interested in having such a thing.

[Tom Geiger]

And speaking of taxis- I've never really been able to find much in the way of taxi meters in 1:24 or 1:25 scale. Not sure how much interest there is in modeling taxi cabs, but there HAS to be somebody out there who'd be interested in having such a thing.

A modern taxi meter. There is no more flag to push down. It's all electronic. I got this photo from eBay, yea you can buy taxi meters there. One ad even gave the measurements.

And here it is on the dashboard of my Dodge Caravan taxi. Nothing more than a piece of Evergreen, painted black, with that photo above scaled down and glued to it. It's mounted on a short piece of wire on the back so that it floats above the dash as if on a mount.

[Tom Geiger]

And speaking of Crown Vics... I believe they made them through 2011, but they are still everywhere. I've been watching as they're replaced with those new Ford Taurus based Crusiers and SUVs. So they will slowly disappear from police use, but I wonder how long they'll still be in service. We know they last forever. My bro-in-law drives for a limo service on weekends and tells me the Vics and Town Cars they have all have 300,000 miles on them and still feel good. So it's safe to say we'll see them in taxi use for the next ten years, especially in smaller markets.

[Chuck Most]

Probably not the "Six Window" versions depicted by the Lindberg kit though- the newest examples of those are 17 years old. The later models (which are available in diecast) absolutely- I'd bet you'll still be seeing them in use as taxis for at least another decade.

I do know that taxi meters are easy to make- I've made a couple, I'm just kind of tired of having to make one from scratch every time I need one.

[English Jules]

Dittos.

There can NEVER be too many resin or photoetch emergency vehicle components and accessories, as long as they are done RIGHT and IN SCALE.

Wish you well in your endeavor. If I only had a buck for everybody that has set out to do the 70's-80's Mopar police wheels and caps in 1/25 scale, I'd have a small fortune. Sadly, no one has gotten them right yet. Good luck!!

I'll be watching and warming up my ordering muscles if you get 'er done!

I always wondered why i could never find a after market one, its taking some trial and error but hopefully getting better with each attempt. There is a nice slight tyre bulge on the tyre footprint that we will be trying to replicate

Even though the Caprice and Crown Vic are no longer in use (though I do know of at least one 1996 Caprice that was still in use by a small local agency up until just a few years ago), I still think there would be some demand for parts made specifically for the kits. They do have pretty good existing coverage- I know of alternate wheel choices available in resin for both kits, just as an example, and there still seem to be a pretty good number of them being built. I don't know if parts for these two kits would sell like crazy, but they're certainly subjects worth looking into. The 2000-2005 style Impalas (like the Revell snap kit) aren't as common as they once were as police cars, but the other day I was thinking of a front bench seat for the Revell 2000-2005 Impala- the majority of police Impalas I've seen had buckets, but a few of them do have bench seats. Come to think of it a front bench for the Lindberg Crown Vic might be worth considering too.

Same thing goes for the Revell Expedition you mentioned. Have you seen the latest version of that, the SSV? That kit does include some new police specific parts- a grille with molded in flashers, a dash cam, laptop, partitions for the rear seat and cargo area, and a few other pieces. It also has steel wheels, instead of the alloys the previous versions of the kit had. Trouble is- the wheels Revell supply with the SSV version are wrong for a '97-02 Expedition- the version supplied in the kit are from the current style police Expedition, which won't fit a 1:1 '97-02. Current Expeditions have six lug wheels, the version depicted in the Revell kit had five. A CORRECT set of steel wheels for a '97-02 would be nice to have for that kit. The stock alloys were also used on police versions, but the proper steelies would be a nice option to have.

And speaking of taxis- I've never really been able to find much in the way of taxi meters in 1:24 or 1:25 scale. Not sure how much interest there is in modeling taxi cabs, but there HAS to be somebody out there who'd be interested in having such a thing.

Will look further into the Revel Expedition kit, i usually have a quick look online before it arrives then pop it on my shelf, then when i am about to build something i go mad looking up good real images etc.

As said there are a few taxi parts on ebay, meters, small signs and roof lights. I contacted Jbot in Canada a month ago now, no reply on his taxi external decals. Taxis were just something i wanted to build for myself, for the small dioramas

A modern taxi meter. There is no more flag to push down. It's all electronic. I got this photo from eBay, yea you can buy taxi meters there. One ad even gave the measurements.

And here it is on the dashboard of my Dodge Caravan taxi. Nothing more than a piece of Evergreen, painted black, with that photo above scaled down and glued to it. It's mounted on a short piece of wire on the back so that it floats above the dash as if on a mount.

I have that kit, as the Cop version, never found a real one used though. I once found a pic online, showing one parked next to a fire hydrant (is that what called in US?) so the FD smashed the rear windows and put the hose through....thats what i plan using mine for :-)

Thats the problem with the later CV, only in die-cast although never had my hands on one as i dont do die-cast and they are pretty expensive over here, if a resin body was made i guess it would have to be made to fit the Lindberg CV, although i need to check if the floor pan is the same, trouble is that interior would be all wrong. Cheapest i have seen the die-cast CVs over here is over $40 each.

[English Jules]

For the NYPD Charger im making with our decals, i am doing this van as a robbery van, on the car park infront of the liquer store and sidewalk. Going to have yellow police tape, money, gun etc and a few bullet holes in the drivers door.

The van is coming along,

Lots of pics as i went along. I should have the van completed in a few days

http://s955.photobucket.com/user/mrcooljules/library/AMT%20Dodge%20Van?sort=3&page=1

Edited June 21, 2014 by English Jules

[English Jules]

This is one of the sheets from a couple of tweaks ago, its still work in progress, example i noticed the red CPR wasnt quite right, not over 50% so that has been changed. Its been tried on the Revell 05 Impala, and the sheet will soon come to me, to be used and made sure ok for a couple of Chargers, like with the diff bonnet and boot lid word variations. I will also see what they look like against some SUVs i have.

MTU