Any model builders here?

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dart_68

dart_68

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When I was a kid, say...40-50 years ago, I used to build models. Loved it then. I stopped in my teens. Recently I've been laid up with knee replacement surgery and was getting bored at home. Not sure why but I took up model building again and I'm really enjoying it. I find relaxing...as long as I can convince myself to go slow and walk away at times. Sometimes it's like reading a book, I just can't stop!

I prefer WW2 fighters and armor and early jets. Here's a pic of my first one, an F4U Corsair.
20180304_114225.jpg


Anyone else enjoy building models?
 
Your Corsair looks good, but then I'm kinda biased towards Navy planes! I used to build models all the time. Not so much, anymore. Back in 2005, I was trying to finish a 1965 Mustang before my son was born, cause I knew after he got here I wouldn't have the time and I didn't want the paint and glue around him. (Can you tell he was my first???). I never finished it, and recently came across it again sitting in the box I had stored it in. I think my son and I might finish it one of these days. I also have an F-14D Super Tomcat (I was an F-14D radar tech) still sealed in its box that I bought to do after the Mustang. My wife's rules were I had to finish one before I started on another. Since I never finished the Mustang, I never go to start on the Tomcat. We might have to do that one, too. Maybe I'll try to find an A-body to work on after the Tomcat. I have one put up in my closet, actually, but that one's not getting opened. It was a gift, and I still owe the guy that gave it to me something in return!
 
I am doing a 1/32 scale Tempest now, slow going at the moment but will get done.
Enjoy it very much.
 
I am doing a dragster (Swamp Rat) my brother bought me three months before he past away... I have not built a model in 7 years so it will be my best build I am sure
 
I did 25th scale cars from a very young age and continued to do them until about age 22.
I remember painting the speedometer needles and numbers and white letters on tires (ugh). I also did some interesting mods like making a T top for a Daytona (more than you might think since the doors are WAY different), and making models of specific cars.

Along the way I also did quite a bit of 72nd scale military and aircraft and briefly 35th scale military.

Also 87th (HO) trains, which I still do.

I've dabbled at least once in all sorts of other scales from 1/350 aircraft carriers to 1/4 scale architectural models.

I've also got a fairly sizable collection of 25th scale oddballs and promos, like 4 doors, station wagons, a 64 Valiant and Lancer, resin 67 Belvedere wagon, Mad Max falcon, and the stuff like that.
 
in fact, we got a whole section dedicated to models
Diecast and Models

i used to build them
but with 2 kids and another on the way, i found myself doing less and less with it
at our previous house i had a "room" dedicated to my models
it was a storage/work area
i even had a small paintbooth with a down draft fan to paint my models in
(i could shoot anything except for nailpolish and you wouldnt smell it upstairs)

then when we bought this house, there wasnt a room to dedicate it to and i packed it all up and sold it
(i think i put a few mopar projects in a box and send it to a member here)

perhaps when the kids move out ill get back into it
 
I have seen a Hemi Dart model. I'm thinking about doing that one. I don't think I've seen any Dusters, though. One kit I am seriously looking for is the 1970 Don Prudhomme "Snake" funny car. That and Tom McEwen's "Mongoose" funny car.
 
I built the Corsair and also a Zero of that same era since by they were primary fighters against each other. I'm working on a Spitfire Mk1 (almost finished) and ME 109e from the Battle of Britain. Also, tanks from the Ardennes Offensive (Battle of the Bulge).
 
There an easy to find 71 340 Duster and a hard to find 74 Duster.

...and a somewhat easy to find Dart Sport dressed as a cop car.

...plus a 70 Duster "Cop Out" funny car that could be the source of a 70-72 non 340 grill
 
Haven't built models in over 35 years, but I found this Duster kit last January and snapped it up as I have been looking for one for a decade.
20180201_000605.jpg
20171222_152823.jpg
 
dart_68 said:
I have seen a Hemi Dart model. I'm thinking about doing that one. I don't think I've seen any Dusters, though. One kit I am seriously looking for is the 1970 Don Prudhomme "Snake" funny car. That and Tom McEwen's "Mongoose" funny car.
Click to expand...
There were several dusters
3 of them come to mind, not counting the repop from a few years ago
One stock small block, 71 I believe
Also 71, street duster, still a small block, but with a viper style intake and viper wheels
And a 74 duster, mislabeled as a dart sport, but with a Plymouth bumper (or was it the other way around?) And a hemi

The two 71s have sharktooth grilles and buckets, but I has resin replacement pieces for a stock grille and bench

I'll see if I can get some pictures down from photobucket
 
An unfinished project of mine.

Started with the original issue 1967 Barracuda kit.
cuda101.jpg


The trunk lid was removed and saved as it was unique, a sill was fabricated.
cuda103.jpg


The grill was carved back to create a proper floating grill and remove the chunky kit block on the back side.
The valance was also carved thin and shaped more correctly.
cuda105.jpg


The engine bay and cowl came from a later Revel Dart.
cuda106.jpg

cuda112.jpg


Even still I needed to modify the battery tray area.
cuda107.jpg


Unlike the trunk I was able to carve out the doors and use replacements from a later Barracuda kit.
New hinges were made from wire and setup to open correctly.
cuda108.jpg


The rear tubs were from something else and the rear load are floor created.
With the opening doors I couldn't use the interior tub and needed to clean up the chassis pan from the Dart kit.
cuda109.jpg

cuda110.jpg


The full tunnel came from the interior and was grafted into the chassis pan.
cuda113.jpg


Another look at the tubs
cuda114.jpg


Not sure where I was going with the spare tire, probably was going to cut one in half.
cuda111.jpg


Notes to correct gas tank straps to the 67 style.
cuda115.jpg


At the time 1/25 scale small blocks were hard to find, I think this was a 340 from something, no idea.
Not a bad stand in for a 273
Automatic transmission from something else.
cuda116.jpg

cuda117.jpg


Original kit wheels.
I think I found some aftermarket red lines,
cuda119.jpg


Now that I am basically done with the two restorations I think I might get back on this.


Alan
 
Thread moved to "Diecast and Models" section.
 
Lifetime interest and still at it every winter. Many of the same challenges as full size without the never ending $, busted knuckles and grease!

1955 Chevrolet Gasser02.jpg
 
dart_68 said:
I have seen a Hemi Dart model. I'm thinking about doing that one. I don't think I've seen any Dusters, though. One kit I am seriously looking for is the 1970 Don Prudhomme "Snake" funny car. That and Tom McEwen's "Mongoose" funny car.
Click to expand...
Here's your Hemi Dart: Revell 1968 Dodge Dart, Stock or Hemi Dart Super Stock
Here's a Duster: AMT Factory Pre-Painted Sassy Grass Green 1971 Plymouth Duster
Spotlight Hobbies also has an Excellent message board: Model Message Board - Message Index

No, I don't work there. Just been a "member" for years and have found a lot of vintage kits there.
 
Another one. Before anyone gets excited the Chebbie hauler is running a 413.

1964 Dodge Color Me Gone5.jpg
 
Man I'd love to get my hands on one of those MPC Dusters. I'd make a mold of the grill, bumpers and other 74 parts and start making resin parts.

I have a 71 kit I was going to use Resin parts with but the seller stopped making them.

Riddler
 
Weren't there also some dirt track modified dusters?
 
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