Author Topic: Hellers 1/8 traction avant cabriolet conversion (Read 15846 times)

kpnuts · « **on:** January 06, 2017, 07:35:54 PM »

Hi all well ive made a start on this mamoth project, unfortunately no pics yet as no internet or phone, and it sounds like we wont be getting it back any time soon, i will post pics as soon as we can borrow someones internet.
This is going to be the polar opposite of my last build and will be blinged up to the max, the engine will be pristine and shiny with some mild suping up (thanks to roy fitzimonds lovely 1/8 twin choke webber carbs) i was going to use all three but can't figure out how to realistically modify the manifold so will just be using one of them, i also have a set of his dunlop racing wheels for it. The body will also be ultra shiney, still unsure whether to sort of hot rod it and leave the front wings off or not, will have to give that some serious thought. In tandem with this im also building monograms 1/8 65 corvette stingray, i may do opening doors like roys or not, not sure if i want all the extra work. Anyways i hope to post some pics soon.

kpnuts · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2017, 11:24:16 PM »

Hi all a few pics of this monster kit.

This engine is almost as big as the monster in the stingray

Old Wombat · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2017, 05:04:53 PM »

Still moving along! Good to see! :)

apophenia · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2017, 12:13:25 PM »

Oh, I do like what you do with oily, grimy engines!

kpnuts · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2017, 03:36:03 AM »

Woo hoo we have our Internet and phone back (only been off since the 23rd of december)
Here are some update pics

kpnuts · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2017, 03:57:32 AM »

Hi all well I've glued some of the body together as I need to figure out what portion of and how I'm going to cut the roof off (that's a 1/24 mustang on the roof just to show how big this thing is)

Old Wombat · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2017, 10:22:45 PM »

That is one very big chunk of plastic, sir!

kpnuts · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2017, 04:47:23 AM »

Hi all here is another update the engine cradle is sprayed what the main body colour will be.

Added the rear wings to the body

kpnuts · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2017, 04:11:41 AM »

Hi all here is the next update.

kpnuts · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2017, 04:30:13 AM »

Hi all here is the next update, put the beading round the rear wheel arches, couldn't then resist seeing what the colour would look like so gave it a quick coat.

I have to say I think my other build was more interesting to look at, the weathering and oil staining give something more to look at, I think I will post some of the similar build pics together as this progresses to show what I mean.
http://i.imgur.com/oJsK3wG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/J50Hmvl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/s01PKnj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9QcjwCk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/iuXEfoD.jpg

kpnuts · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2017, 02:32:10 AM »

Hi all I remember on the last build putting the driveshafts in at the allocated time was a real pain so I decided to do them now (I'm hoping that choice doesn't bite me in the tender area later.

apophenia · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2017, 03:20:12 AM »

Very nice ... loving the scuff marks and other wear on the fiddly bits :)

kpnuts · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2017, 04:09:11 AM »

Hi all, well I've done it, the roofs gone (hope I can make the canvas roof for it.

I'm going to use the cut out roof as a template for making the ribs for the canvas part.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2017, 04:13:28 AM »

Good idea & good luck! :) :)

kpnuts · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2017, 04:39:42 AM »

Hi all here is the framework for the canvas roof (the nuts and bolts won't stay the final version will have a plastic pin) I may try a version using piano wire as the copper wire is very soft, it may stiffen up a bit when the canvas is stitched to it (that I think is going to be a nightmare, not known for my sewing skills)
Need to make a couple of of ribs for the middle section.

elmayerle · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2017, 10:25:38 AM »

Lookin' good so far.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2017, 05:05:59 PM »

Braver man than me, mate!

kpnuts · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2017, 04:18:44 AM »

Hi all here is another update on this.
From my experience of building this kit before it is critical that this piece is glued totally square and true if you don't want bonnet fitting problems.
As you can see from the pics with a little effort you can get a perfect fit.

On my first build this part was out only by about a half a mill and when I fitted the bonnet there was a 5 mil gap at the top which I could not get rid of, after days of investigation scratching my head and swearing it turned out this was the problem, of course I had got a lot further on in the build and it caused me a lot of problems to sort it out.

kpnuts · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2017, 03:35:26 AM »

Hi all another update, I've made the carpets out of wet and dry then the driving mat out of couser sand paper.

kpnuts · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2017, 01:58:58 AM »

Hi all here is the next update

I think gold and purple are a great mix sooo,
Chrome

Some of this through the ab

And you end up with gold

kpnuts · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2017, 03:51:36 AM »

Hi all got the fire wall on, then couldn't resist trying the body on.

kpnuts · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2017, 05:13:37 AM »

Hi all did some more work on the engine bay, have I mentioned I love this kit, so much detail.

kpnuts · « **Reply #22 on:** February 05, 2017, 01:55:43 AM »

Hi all whilst shopping in Dumfries today I came across this stuff, I've no idea if it will go through my ab but if it does I am going to change the original paint idea I had for the traction avant, if what I envisage works it should be fairly impressive, will try it on scrap plastic first.
Can't wait to get home and try it out.

You are according to the instructions supposed to mix it with you're chosen paint colour.

Volkodav · « **Reply #23 on:** February 05, 2017, 10:28:33 AM »

I would love to build model cars and bike but my painting skills have never been up to the job.

kpnuts · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2017, 06:12:55 AM »

Hi all well i have the steering rack done.


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Author Topic: Hellers 1/8 traction avant cabriolet conversion (Read 15846 times)