Codger

Small update... The cowl and parts under construction. Some Bondo practice to fill shrinks and a stupid notch (2 actually) courtesy Pocher. A lot of plumbing to be added after colour applied:

I appreciate the compliment Shaun. I hope it encourages guys to build the classic Pochers and maybe takes some of the fear and loathing out of doing so. Many here can build me 'under the table'; any discussion about these I welcome as well as tips and methods for me to learn. Roy's 'India' car is saved and constantly referenced by me. For instance, the wood decal appliques are brilliant and the top process is off the charts. I figure sharing improves my own learning process...

Kev, I'm as mere as a mortal as it gets . Don't put additional pressure on me to be a Deity! Most happy to have you along and that you like the direction I've taken. Not all modelers do and I certainly understand that. In fact, as you graciously state, I'm trying to blend accuracy and art. Dunno if I have enough skill to pull that off but I'll die trying. Thank you.

Roy, What of the 'exciting new development' you mentioned a few months back?? Does it concern better parts for this kit? ...Because I have one behind the Rolls...

Thank you bz; will do-great to have engineering approval! Lovely story about Grandma too...

Beautiful result from a difficult kit. Now how about a 1/8 Pocher Rolls?

Huh?? Why don't I see it in the 'Inspection' section???????????

Incredibly good job-beautifully done!

:lol: Didn't have to-all leaked out...

A tip---if you're like me... Having just completed 4 months work on the engine, it's time to move to the next assembly; in this case the firewall. So the engine will be untouched for a while... Because I don't want to have to do repairs or worse...:<((, I get my finished stuff out of harms way; because if you're like me...s*** happens. So here's a no-fuss stand to store a Rolls engine. Some basswood, plastic tube, brass rod and epoxy is all it takes. Nothing fancy. Some of you do furniture-grade stands for your models but this is utilitarian. I purposely had left the exhaust manifold loose for ease of fitment into the chassis. Valve cover, oil filler and fan too. So I made a leg with 2 brass rods that fit into the engine mounts on the port side. The 3 exhaust ports are home to 3 styrene tubes on the other leg. Some careful measuring and cutting is all it takes. Nothing delicate on the engine is touching any surface. Now the lump lays comfortably on it's side and will go into a (large) shoebox sized plastic bin with snap on top. A bit of soft foam packing on the sides and it's dust, cat, child and bombproof.

Thank you gents-you're all very kind.

Perky and tasteful-great job! I'd love to drive that thing in a parade............

Engine done... After 361 hours in 4 months, I'm calling it done. Decided not to press my luck. Thanks to some generous references supplied by several experts and Pocher modelers, I've determined that discretion IS the better part. It would barely be visible in my open hood model. Most of what I already did is barely visible under layers of detail. In fact, I had to take it outdoors to get adequate light to capture some of it. A few last minute washes to tone down and even the bright solder, tubes, pins, rods and links. You be the judge...

These are the smallest linkage parts which I just made. They connect by rods with the distributor for advance and starting. They are as similar to 1:1 as I could get them. They are crudely made by hand as I don't have machine tools. They consist of 18 parts; 00-90 nuts, pins, styrene rod and .020 credit card. If I can snake them into place, I'll make the 3 control rods to connect to them, where the nubs of the pins protrude. I'll also have to make a distributor lever for one rod.. They will all be black and virtually lost under a lot of stuff.

Roy, What protection are you using on the windscreen and does it really prevent scratches? Looks like Friskit paper..

I got it.

In order to escape (for a while) the tedious, fiddly detail, I needed some incentive and a look at where I'm going with this. The afflicted call it 'Pocher-itis'. So the engine got placed in the chassis. It is only placed, resting atop the rails. When installed, it will be 5mm aft and 5mm lower and a lot of things get connected. The photos are intentionally altered for exposure so you can see better-it's like a life raft in a phone booth to photo-it's that big in my tiny room. Tell me what you think:

Brilliant work Roy and a great service to all Lambo builders.

Almost there... Seen here is some linkage on carburetor, water temp sender (green wire-will go through f'wall when installed), oil filter linkage with control rod (running to duff plastic holder on pedals-will go through f'wall too), dizzy sync rod, and vertical lever assembly to connect all this junk to. Pardon the harsh flash shots but it's the only way to see the mostly black linkage and nooks and crannies. Makes the weathering look too dramatic but in person, it's much more subtle. Most of this linkage is as 1:1, especially the end connectors which I complete remade. Some of the 'z' bends were necessary because of Pocher's layout and not strickly 1:1. But all of it was black-now has some of my 'wear' added: Seen here in dead center is what Noeyedears asked about-a .005 ally bracket with styrene .015 doubler. The bracket holds a strap (also .005 but foil) and is ultra flimsy. The styrene backer stiffens it and is almost invisible with black edges. Also, the hole in the ally center has a drop of black to make it 'go away'. It's the only way sharp eyes can tell. I will have to do another when / if I tackle the dizzy sync linkage which will be hell to weave into place: The overall look to this point. Still to come (if I don't chicken-out); a fuel line to fuel filter on f'wall, carb butterfly linkage (nuts...) and distributor linkage:

Great work. I think now from what you say that the spendy cost of the kit may be due to the engineering that went into those perfectly-working hinges. Sure the normal Pocher lapses still exist but you're besting every one of them. If you refit the rear for display-ability, does touch up paint seem necessary?

:lol: I've done both but am not sure which cost me my hair....

BEAUTIFUL Alfa with excellent geometry...

I'll try to show that when I start to photo this final (engine) progress. Problem is, it's really tiny, and in a dark place on the engine. But I'll try...

X2.

Trump has ceased production recently but you can find them at a few on-line retailers.