Ross’ 1960 RV

And now for something completely different!  This is a 60 Ford Custom Cab built up given to me by my father, built by him in the 60s. It has been deconstructed, cut in half (!) stretched to fit a Model King RV body. This kit is meant to be assembled as a trailer, and in that form is absolute garbage LOL. I have modified it to work as a chassis mount.

The vintage RV in mock up stage. The truck cab will have its color changed, and a custom front end added, because stock 60 Ford trucks were U G L Y. LOL. The Engine will remain as it was built by my Dad, with triple carb induction. I will have to figure out how to patch the cut in the chassis pan as that pan has been stretched roughly ten scale inches to fit the body. This is what happens when I have two three day weekends in a row!

Interior of the body finished up. Just as claustrophobic as the real thing

The cab in its new color. The body ready to be mounted on the chassis. And the new front end on the cab, buttoned up. The nose job is a rolled pan and headlights meant for a 64 Impala which fit with only minimal modification.

All done, waiting for my new heat gun to show up so I can get the roof to fit properly…

Tailgate/patio of the RV with perhaps the worlds most awkward taillights

– Ross

Frontline Hobbies Update

Hey gents. Had a nice Friday drive to Frontline Hobbies!  I presented Christian with his honorary club shirt and of course just had to buy stuff.  Great news gents-everything in his basement is 40% off to club members!!!  That Devastator you see in the pix was one of those nicely priced kits. Woohooo. Get down there and take advantage!

– Chris

Fiat Spider

Here we have the Italeri Fiat Spider kit I took home from the club white elephant. It has been augmented with wheels/tires from my stash, rear wheel arch extensions made of Toyota HiLux flares and putty. And of course, the engine is a Datsun 240z inline 6 (which fit with minimal modification).

-Ross

77 Pinto

Once again, no in progress pictures for this one. This is 77 Pinto blended with a Grumpy Jenkins Pro Stock Vega. The Pinto body shell fit to a chassis pan made of the front of the Pinto, and the back of the Vega (tubbed for slicks).

The interior tub of the Vega fit perfectly inside the Pinto body, requiring only minor surgery on the rear glass. The engine is a resin supercharged Hemi from my spares. Color is Testors lacquer “Grabber Green” overlaid with Testors iridescent shimmer (glitter paint). I did a little back dating of the Pinto using the Vega bumpers, front and rear.

-Ross

Two Very Different Projects

I’ve decided on two kits I want to build, hopefully in time for the Richmond show, but if not then at least by April for NOVA’s. An ambitious goal given how slowly I build these days, but I need a challenge to get me motivated I think.

One is a 1/48 Bonanza. This will eventually be kept on my desk at work, where we work with these aircraft regularly. I’ve only ever built 2 other 1/48 planes, but the Bonanza is small so it won’t feel too massive I hope. Looking at how poor the landing gear details are I’m probably going to build it gear-up and utilize the stand they provide. Goal is to make it look like one we salvaged last year. Grey paint schemes aren’t very common and I think it looks more interesting (and easier to paint!) than white.

To recover from such a massive plane, the other is a super tiny 1/35 Harley WLA. My plan is to modify it and turn it into a post-war “bobber” by removing some parts and chopping up others. I’ve started on this one already and it’s going to be quick I think. Already chopped the rear fender, removed the front, etc. Still need to decide on a color and then figure out how to paint it….going to have to use a brush for most of it I imagine. Haven’t decided on what kind of base to put it on but I think it’s definitely going to need something to spice it up a little.

Wish me luck!

-Chad

Nightmares

Hey gents. Here are a few photos of the Nazgul (?) and dragon.  I put a ruler in there so you can see how big this thing is!  I have started putting on via airbrush the initial coat-it has taken over 4 airbrush vials and it’s not even fully covered. Back to the hobby store to get some more paint!

  • -Chris

Saturday, December 9th

Good day gents; what a great meeting!  The food was great and the deserts were fantastic.  The trucks on the model table were, as usual, awesome.  The highlight of the meeting was the gift event.  There was not much “stealing” cause we are so gentlemanly!  The laughs and jokes were plenty and the camaraderie and holiday cheer was in full force. 

Was everyone impressed with the Star Wars cruiser?  Did you get a chance to see it with the lights off – you missed quite the show if you did.  Remember, that cruiser was entirely scratchbuilt.  What talent and skill we have in our chapter!

Welcome to our new member Joseph Haydu and his kids-even his son who is my nemesis!!  haha. 

The new shirts will be in for the next meeting; if anyone wants one who did not order one you need to get 5 buds to go in with you as the minimum order is 6. 

Merry Christmas all; here’s to all get the kit they always wanted!

Cheers,

Chris

Make it Take it Event

Good day gents, several of the chapter members plus a guest from the NOVA chapter participated in a 2 December make it take it event at Randolph Macon Academy in Front Royal.  Chapter member Marcin organized the event and Randy, myself, and NOVA member Tim Bard helped out.  NOVA gets a shout out for donating all the many kits for the event! 

The students all seemed to have a good time and many kits were built in the 50 minute session – a pace that can put even Donovan and Ross under pressure to keep up with!  The school allowed use of the cafeteria for the kids that showed.  It was a good event and hopefully we launched the model hobby careers of several kids!

– Chris