A time for celebration.

[Strenko J]

good morning everyone, I am trying to get some modeling mojo back by jumping in this year with a Italeri Dodge staff car. I've started with some additional details using some plastic rod for bolts, nuts, etc as well as an old Archer decal sheet for some rivets. I also have some PE from Eduard that is going to be used for the build. Hopefully the Archer decal rivets will blend in once I clear coat, prime and paint...still more rivets to be added but its getting to be more of a challenge with these small details and aging eyesight..

 

[JR]

Good to see you back at the bench Joe, looks good.

 

[Strenko J]

thanks John, feels good to be at the bench again

some further updates: the light guard PE parts would not bend to the correct shape so I thinned out the kit parts, removed the interior bars and replaced them with what I found to be a rod type bar (various walkaround website photos) vs a flat bar. I found that the position of the accelerator pedal does not quite fit in the location where the PE instructions showed to place it. After some additional research it does not appear that it sits next to the clutch or brake pedal but back against the rear fire wall. so its now in the correct position..photo take is not well enough to show it though..I'll get a better shot on the next update.

 

[Mini Me]

Hi Joe, just landed on this.......my internet server was down Saturday and Sunday so I missed your post. Great progress so far and I love the improvements to the light guards....I'll follow along if you don't mind.

 

[JR]

Looks good Joe.

 

[Strenko J]

So I’ve decided to present myself with somewhat of a challenge in redoing the command car floor and seat supports. After further research I’ve discovered that the seats do not set up on a pedestal that is prevent with the kit as a solid block, but found that the seats are on a tubular support frame. With this challenge I now have to remove the pedestals, create a new floorboard, build the Support frames and then set the seats. I figured that there is no better way to try to get your mojo back than to present yourself with a challenge. I have some experimenting to do on what material to make the floorboard out of, brass sheet or thin plastic stock sheet ….and so the challenge is on.

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Joe, what a challenge for a comeback doing the whole nine yards. Will be smashing and a great upgrade for the old Max Peerless mould. This I will need a comfy seat to watch done and you'll see me popping in and out as I'm also plonked at Michael's Gladiator build...one of them rare wingy stuff with a touch of his scratching.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Mini Me]

You don't take small bites Joe! Love the 1:1 ref photos, no guess work on this one.

 

[Ian M]

An interesting little project.
(I removed the double posted photos, if I messed up, let me know),

 

[Jakko]

Diving into the deep end, by the looks of it

 

[Strenko J]

Well I think I was able to pull this off. It took some trial and error, but I am pleased with the result
I first had to fill in the bottom of the seat and then slowly started to bend the steering rod to the shape needed. The bottom rail will have to be in two pieces but it will still look appropriate once fitted together
I think the floor turned out better than I anticipated as well. Brass would’ve just been too hard to cut around the wheel wells.

Also added the ribbing onot the side panels as well using styrene to give it a little bit more detail

 

[Strenko J]

That should have said styrene rod steering rod

 

[Jakko]

Autocorrect making itself popular once again

Very nice work, though if I’m honest, by this point I would be regretting taking this kit instead of the AFV Club one …

 

[Mini Me]

Nothing like a little "scratchy" work to improve your skill set. Gonna look the bomb once you have it all together.....keep it coming Joe.

 

[RonGlass]

Amazing improvement, great stuff John !!

 

[Strenko J]

Thank you everyone… Jakko yes that would have been ideal and I did consider that after finding that kit online. But then I thought of all of this fun that I would have been missing out by all of the scratch buildin. I was able to get a little bit more done including construction of the map board on the front seat panel as well as the windshield. The clear part that came with the kit for the windshield was just too bulky and overlapped the frame . In addition the windshield wipers looked very suspect. So I scrapped it and filled in my own windshield glass. Some of these teeny tiny photo etch details for the dashboard are maddening

 

[Mini Me]

'sall good Joe....being an open vehicle, it will pay off huge in the long run!

 

[JR]

You've certainly made a great job of the seating and floor pan Joe.
Quite a subject to get the mo jo flowing, good for you .
Seat at the front please .

 

[Jakko]

Jakko yes that would have been ideal and I did consider that after finding that kit online. But then I thought of all of this fun that I would have been missing out by all of the scratch buildin.

That’s the bit that counts

 

[Scratchbuilder]

Hi Joe, just landed on this.......my internet server was down Saturday and Sunday so I missed your post. Great progress so far and I love the improvements to the light guards....I'll follow along if you don't mind.

Pay your gas bill and oil the hinges on your wallet.....