Feature article by Bill Curtis
This little project started life as a quick build for a painting exercise. Now just how it turned into a major detailing project which has grown like the proverbial Topsy has baffled me?
The selection of the kit was an easy one as I wanted a vehicle which had lots of angles which would help with the light and shade I wanted to explore. This one was in my stash and although an old kit and is basic it is a great starting point. The real drawback is that there is no real interior and this was the point that started me on a detailing saga that far exceeds the weekend I had allowed for the build.
The first stage was to remove the central pillar from the floor on the lower hull and clean up the residue.
I now cut a rectangle of plastic to level the floor, with a second piece cut to fit across the rear of the floor in front of the rear wall with its grill. This latter part was made from sheet card which was trial fitted and cut till it fitted and then the centre removed for the grill. This was made from some etch brass taken from the spares box cut to size and super glued in place. Once happy the bulk head was glued in place and I added some plastic card strengtheners to its rear to hold it in place which were positioned as not to be seen once all was buttoned up.
I now found some etch brass floor plate from Airwaves which I annealed over the hot gas flame of the cooker. This can now be flattened as it tends to warp in the heat and was cut to size and glued in place with some thin superglue. The cross piece on the rear floor was cut and bent so it met the floor plate being fixed in place with the thin superglue. The same was done with the forward floor plate.
The indentations on the outer hull for the aerial support legs had a corresponding raised portion on the inside and these were cut off and filed flat and the surface made good and finally brushed with liquid glue which when dry gives a nice smooth shiny surface.