Jump to content

Scratch built 1/72 scale Austin K6


Recommended Posts

This is a special commission build for Ian at Wee Friends Models, It will be a complete rolling chassis and cab for which there will be a variety of back bodies made available in kit form. 

 

The request was for a brand new scratch built  master of an Austin K6 in 1/72 scale, using original chassis drawings I prepared a GS length chassis, there will also be different chassis lengths made to accommodate some of the back bodies....

 

Once that was done it was on to the hard bit.... The cab... this is my first ever attempt at anything quite so ambitious so I was a little daunted at the prospect of having to scratch-build one of the hardest cab shapes.... This was my first attempt at it..... The yellow resin cab behind is a Road Transport Images Austin K3 cab in 1/76 that sports the same crew cab as a K6 and is what I started to use as a reference for cab roof shaping.....

 

 

31898514624_beb4f05d53_k.jpg 

 

 

And with a part built Airfix Austin K6 cab from their Rescue set also used as a shaping reference....

 

 

32700934236_56a3dcd15f_k.jpg 

 

 

It was while I was looking at this image that I had a "Eureka " moment..... To make the cab easier and faster to make why not use the Airfix cab as a Vac-Form mould??.... With it being 1/76th scale and my requirement was for 1/72 it made sense to use the smaller as a former to make the bigger..... And so.....

 

 

I set about making a Vac-form machine out of my mould making Vacuum chamber and pump.....

 

 

32361703260_a9697e4e0b_k.jpg

 

 

I then converted the Airfix cab into a mould block, and got forming, to get the thickness of plastic and also build up the scale I had to laminate repeated layers of plasticard on top of one another, after my third attempt at it I came out with this.....

 

 

 32700931596_c865307aa4_k.jpg

31927500473_08e70c9b1f_k.jpg

 

 

A bit of shaping went on using a file, sanding sticks and needle files to get this.....

 

 

31927499093_d05f5c05c3_k.jpg 

 

 

And with its first test shot of primer to show up pits, blemishes and faults.....

 

 

32588092112_6ed6d395d3_k.jpg

 

 

during this project I also invested in some new machinery to make like a little easier, not knowing how much actual use it would get I bought the cheap copy of the Unimat1 6in1 tool, so far its been a god send, although the 3 jaw lathe chuck was total poop straight out the box, literally seizing solid on me the first time I used it, no big drama as I now use a Dremel arbor to hold wheels,...... here I have it set up as a milling machine to face up the windscreen angles......

 

 

32588093152_ab6599b22f_k.jpg

 

 

Yet more shaping and sanding.....

 

 

32617996091_f0e76391a5_k.jpg 

 

 

Things moved on quite quickly after that, here it sits in its second test shot of grey primer to show up the blemishes, and now also windows are cut in and shaped, the engine and radiator are fitted and in the last few pics the start of the interior base plate that will also locate the cab to the chassis.....

 

 

31980265604_e4efe0602b_k.jpg

32442498370_deb468be67_k.jpg 

32442484160_877f5c7da0_k.jpg 

32823067115_3225b4fc46_k.jpg 

32669581062_d18faf6d38_k.jpg

 

 

Stay tuned for more, which will include the radiator grill and engine covers, and then the chassis and suspension.....

 

 

ATB

 

Sean 

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh boy Sean

You are a whizz at this stuff . . . 

I am just about to embark on building 3 version of this vehicle.

I have the Radio/wireless body from Ian and only yesterday received 3 sets of replacement wheels.

I want to ask if you are going to create the Aircrew bus , its a MUST

 

I can only admire your skill and your dedication to the time you must have put in

thanks goodness for expert modellers such as yourself . . . 

 

I shall be watching your progress with great interest

Ian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Ian,

 

I couldn't possibly say but I would suspect so yes, first body requests are the GS with separate Tarpaulin cover and the wireless body that are currently in Ians range for the Airfix K6, the list of bodies these used are huge so I suspect it may grow beyond the obvious ones like the crew bus and CO2 fire tender that everyone else seems to have on their stock list.

 

Sean

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, Ripaman said:

Great start Sean :like: I wonder what your imagination would be like if you worked on 1:24 scale :smile:

 

Regards

Richard

 

 

I dare not mate, I sure I'd go quite mad trying the make the threads onto 1/24 scale bolts so it was that little bit more "real" 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Brilliant work as always Sean. In a previous life, when my eyes didn't need strong glasses and a magnifying lamp, I built a few 1/76 and 1/72 trucks including the K6 which I scratched a signals body onto. They were/are good kits.

 

John.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...
On ‎03‎/‎09‎/‎2017 at 2:06 PM, Mancunian airman said:

Just re-visiting some old topics . . .

and casually wondering how you have been getting on Sean with this and other cab/body projects ???

 

Ian

Sorry mate missed this one last week..... Sadly this one keeps getting put back due to other odds and sods grabbing my attentions, I have done some resin casts of the cab to do some finalising work on but so far that's it, once the Bedford OXD and OXArmadillo are done I may be forced to put this back to the front of the queue..... :idea: ...... But then I'm just finishing up the masters for AEC Matador wheels with Dunlop tyres, so they are going to need a chassis, then that will need a cab and a couple of bodies..... 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Evening all.....

 

Small update on who these are actually going to be for... These are now going to the new initiative that MAFVA are setting up and one will be going to my own, limited edition, model company, the MAFVA Models K6s will be the Gantry and Coles Crane types, the one for my use will be decided on in due course but I will warn anyone wanting one there will be a very limited number produced and it will be of something 'odd' and quite rare/random in real life, if anyone wants more details please contact me via PM and I will attempt to fill in some details.

 

 

Turning new axles for the K6 out of steel, only because its easier and stronger on such a thin part than turning from a resin blank.

 

 

25271121228_f760e41f39_c.jpg

 

 

Couple of different angles of where I'm at as of today....

 

 

27402462359_5859b3babe_c.jpg 

39152326782_f3b5e6a55f_c.jpg 

 

 

ATB

 

Sean

Edited by vindicareassassin
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bit more done in the last few days......

 

 

First Wheels out the mould.....

 

39378549541_0b61f49f69_c.jpg 

38501130625_37da270957_c.jpg 

38501116095_b6bd512149_c.jpg

 

 

Rear suspension and axle part made, ready for casting....

 

 

25509119738_fa2692dbbe_c.jpg 

38670511594_885434ef94_c.jpg 

 

 

Bonnet, fuel tanks and stronger side steps (as they're a pain to remove in 1 piece from the original mould) up next

 

I'll soon have the rolling chassis up and running....

 

ATB

 

Sean

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Happy New Year everyone!!!!

 

 

Rear suspension component successfully cast!! cast part on left, original master on right.....

 

 

38546217355_d034753da4_c.jpg 

 

 

With the rear suspension now available I glued all the components already made together to make the first rolling chassis....

 

38716768104_b62779d262_c.jpg 

25554470538_b599f87f27_c.jpg

 

 

ATB

 

Sean 

 

 

 

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I’m on Jollydays!!

Yarp, that’s right folks, I’m on holiday for a week and a bit, home alone while the wife goes out and earns my millions.

That means I have plenty of time to knock about in the workshop doing more to the K6!

And knock about I have today, it’s been quite a productive day with all of the parts made to enable the rolling chassis to be completed, including the bonnet, and I also made a start on making the AMES Type 13 RADAR ‘Dish’ if that’s the correct terminology.

It’s just suddenly occurred to me that I’ve not displayed a picture of a AMES Type 13 RADAR on a Austin K6 chassis, so, just so we all know what I’m building here is an image of said truck in action……

 

25840399738_9668a2f852_b.jpg602nd ACWS 1946

 

The productivity today has resulted in this little lot being done and ready to mould in silicone…..

The bonnet section, this is going to be a 2 piece ‘open pour’ mould, it has to be so complicated in order to get the part out of the mould with any ease.

 

39680036662_93c939bbe3_c.jpg 

 

All the parts that 2 will be needed per kit on one sprue, this includes the fuel tank, head and side light, fuel filler neck and side step….

 

39001767964_1b1ee9d5fc_c.jpg 

 

This is the sprue with all the single item parts including the prop shaft, inlet/exhaust manifold, carb and filter, and the parts to make the brush bar/ headlight brackets…..

 

25838950408_c57abcb487_c.jpg 

 

And finally, the Type 13 ‘Dish’ basic structure on the back of a chassis for size comparison……

 

39710848991_bac8a8e74b_c.jpg 

 

 

 

Hopefully more tomorrow.....

 

ATB

 

Sean

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Today’s doings…."
Another full day in the workshop today, did lots but not a lot to show for it as is often the way when working on a master, did a fair bit of multi tasking, which also takes its toll on time management.

On a positive note I managed to cast up 3 full sets of single item sprues, and enough 2 item sprues to fit out one and a half trucks, a single bonnet piece after a minor drama with the mould, and I also made all the bracing on the Type 13 ‘Dish’

So with all the rolling chassis parts now available for casting I can knock the whole chassis together tomorrow and give it a coat of primer so it photographs a little better than the raw resin does.

 

39732489861_b424263b51_c.jpg 

 

ATB

 

Sean

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks John, yes you are right, there is a fair amount of hours gone in to this one, with many more to be added as the rear bodywork gets added....

 

So today I cast up enough bits to make the first test fit rolling chassis and give it a coat of primer, other than an error on my part by over sanding the rear of the bonnet piece while fitting I think its starting to look Ok.

 

 

39053975274_b6bcda1fa6_c.jpg 

39731961442_9d1afbcca0_c.jpg 

24893975097_26f3e6a10d_c.jpg

39763922191_bc3f07a1dd_c.jpg

38864775635_b8588606e0_c.jpg 

39763838391_1a53486ce6_c.jpg 

 

ATB

 

Sean

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...