dogbrush

You're not kidding - that is going to be some serious work!! I've also noticed that the interior of ECTO1 is completely different to ECTO1A - there's no computer in there just a load of machines & wiring so I've started the overhaul operation. Ignore the shoddy paint-job, it's a work in progress!

It's a great kit! Having lots of fun with it! A bit more progress on the roof-rack. Too many mounting legs so removed the ones we won't be needing. Also filled in the gaps the legs would have aligned to. On the rear port-side there is a taller pole for some kind of radar device so had to build this one up out of bits of sprue, using foil tape to reinforce it. Not sure how I'm going about building the radar (radome?) - I've fashioned something out of milliput but will see how it dries and how smooth I can get it tomorrow...

Okay, some pics of progress so far! Built the cockpit & gave a once-over with the airbrush. I need to put some proton packs in there - I will have to build these! Next up was the roof - I needed to remove the mounting points for the digital matrix displays (as they will not be on ecto1). I used a rotary tool with a diamond bit to grind these off then sanded off with 60,120,600, then a wet sand with 1200. When I sand I paint first to see where it is flush or indented - you can see small paint marks where I went a bit overboard with the grinder - I'll see how they look when I prime it. Next is a reference picture from the link I posted earlier (attributed to Pop Culture Geek http://www.flickr.com/photos/popculturegeek/6244903469/in/set-72157627771259467 ). This is the roof-rack I am aiming for. Some minor work then - it wasn't too bad, it looks like the basic frame shape is there and they just added bits on for the second film. I just had to remove the extra bits to get the frame in place!

This will be an interesting build! I've been checking out other models and reference pics (as well as watching the original movie) and it looks like ECTO1 has significant differences to ECTO1A. The instructions would have you remove the matrix board signs, swap over the number plates and call it job done but that would leave nothing like the original ECTO1. I've found some great reference pics with an up to date reproduction of the vehicle so I'll be referring to these quite a bit. http://www.flickr.com/photos/popculturegeek/sets/72157627771259467/with/6245424504/ First job will be to remove the mounting points for the matrix signs then I can start looking at how I am going to reproduce the roof-rack equipment with what has been supplied in the kit (and some possible scratch-building). I'll add photos once I've hacked away at the roof...

Cracking job on the camo, I'll be honest - this kit terrifies me from what I've heard about it and it looks like you've tamed it nicely!

Well, time for a change from the usual things with wings & engines on the outside and time to do a car I think! This one will be hopefully an accurate recreation of the ECTO-1 original ambulance ghostbusters vehicle from the amt kit. I hear that the instructions aren't quite accurate for modelling the original vehicle so I'll have dig out the ghostbusters movie to do some research I think!

Thanks! The acetate is 0.1mm thick - I had my doubts at first (thought they would be all floppy) but they work quite well!

Cracking job on the paintwork, looks great!! Great to see you're back on with this, keep up the good work!

Thanks for the kind words - I do like the prop effect, they turned out well! It involved no skill at all, just the right tools! I've painted up the dam now & this is all but finished. I may do a bit more work on the grouting on the dam tomorrow but I think this is pretty much done! I'll get some better pics up tomorrow (I may try to take some pics in the dark - will be interesting trying to light that up!) Not sure what to do next - possibly the ghostbusters ECTO-1 ambulance

Just caught this thread - I've got one of these but it terrifies me so I just get it out of the box from time to time & puzzle over the rigging! Amazing job so far - amazing detail, looking forward to the rest - well done!!

Started on the dam now. There are a couple of bits to finish off on the lanc but I'm going to be spending the next couple of weeks trying to get some kind of realistic paint-scheme on the dam. Not sure how I'm going about this but I'm starting off by painting individual stones various shades of brown/grey and I'll do some oil-washes to get the grout effect I think. Not sure about the "splashy" effect of the bomb at the moment - it's just painted milliput but doesn't look great. I wonder if there is a better way to give the impression of a rotating barrel hitting water at high speed..

Looking forward to this - have fun Daryl!

Starting to divert some attention to the dam scene now - sprayed lots of grey coats to prime and added a few coats of black for the water. Sprayed down a gloss layer, will see how it looks in the morning to see if I need another coat, then hopefully on to the masonry work!

A friend suggested I should try to mount the props on a drill and lightly sand to give a blurred spinny effect! I gave it a go - not as neat as I would have liked - maybe should have gone in very softly with the sandpaper but looks okayish for the first attempt!

The compass cutter works great on the acetate (which is a good job as I ended up making six props in total after managing to smear CA glue on two of them!). Attached the props & spinners & left to dry. Managed to snap the tail-wheel off so I'll be repairing that soon!