heloman1 Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 Nice work Moark. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 The Dale Stem Light model arrived a couple of days ago from Shapeways, this sits atop the Police Incident Unit & Fire versions of the Transit. Just add a blue light from the recently released Police version of Italeri's kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 Some parts required a bit of reshaping so another test fit was in order after a primer coat, nearly on the finishing straight. There are some internal roof and rear corner braces to trim and fit before final body assembly. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Looking rather splendid Mark. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I'll second that. When are you going to make the moulds & set up the production line? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Looks fantastic! Don't get me wrong, I do like SWB Transits, but what you have there is a real Transit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
von Race Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 So Mark, about the roof, how did that come about? 3D printed, sculpted, slice and dice? Don't want you to reveal any trade secrets or is it one of those "I could tell you but......I'd have to kill you" deals? LOL It's really, really looking great. I have thought about this conversion for a long time but never thought my skills were up to the task. Am very glad you are taking the time to do it right, as you have done with all your product. Can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 Ah yes the roof, the damn roof. It was a mix of cobbled together 3D modelling and hand finishing. No doubt someone with more CAD skills could have done it as a one shot item but it's come out better than I could have hoped for, it's even got the over cab headliner moulded in. The roof braces are done too as per this interior photo. This photo also shows the door jambs and cargo door inners as per the modelled parts shown earlier in the thread. I'm just pondering the worth of doing the CAD model for the roof rack on the Rally Barge? Pete - I'd keep an eye on FB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 The roof brace bars have been installed and with a tapering roof line they are all slightly different. The beam with lozenge shaped holes at the back end was seen in a reference photo of a van with a one piece door, I have not been able to establish if it was standard on all lwb versions. It won't be that visible but I wanted to include it just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini man Posted April 6, 2018 Share Posted April 6, 2018 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 On 4/3/2018 at 10:48 AM, mbdesignart said: Pete - I'd keep an eye on FB I don't do FB. I have enough trouble keeping up with events on here. The roof lining over just the cab always struck me as penny pinching. That strengthening bar would make sense for a one piece door fit. I just remembered I saw a Mk1 in Spalding the other day. The cab was pretty much as new, but it was a camper van rear, so maybe low mileage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted April 7, 2018 Author Share Posted April 7, 2018 Excellent video find. Now we know where there is loads of rusty treasure. But why just let that lot rot away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini man Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 I admire what you are doing to the tranny so... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Nice vid! Makes me want to Mr T up my Transit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted April 11, 2018 Author Share Posted April 11, 2018 Finally got the inners to the cargo doors attached. I'll leave the separate jamb pieces off until the body shell is assembled which is the next big job. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 (edited) Do I spy the door handles to be replaced later? Certainly a bit of a weak point on the kit. Likewise, some funky Ford seat moquette/fabric pattern decals for the seats would have been cool too. All looking great so far and enjoying the conversion....first place I check into when I log in. Steve Edited April 11, 2018 by fightersweep Got my moquettes and maquettes mixed up! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griffsrw Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 cracking job mark. looking forward to seeing the finished article. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted April 11, 2018 Author Share Posted April 11, 2018 4 hours ago, fightersweep said: Do I spy the door handles to be replaced later? Certainly a bit of a weak point on the kit. Likewise, some funky Ford seat maquette decals for the seats would have been cool too. All looking great so far and enjoying the conversion....first place a check into when I log in. Steve Yes all new door handles both inside and out. Try that spraying technique I used on the Chassis cab build, spray through some fine mesh taped to the seat for a chequered pattern and cheaper than decals. I'm knee deep in sanding dust today after finding that opposite sides of the kit are made from differing thicknesses of plastic. Some more filling yet to do but the body shell is now together. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 Looking fab! Is the side panel a butt joint, or does it need a re-enforcing strip on the inside face? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted April 12, 2018 Author Share Posted April 12, 2018 3 hours ago, fightersweep said: Looking fab! Is the side panel a butt joint, or does it need a re-enforcing strip on the inside face? There is a moulded in strip on the resin part to overlap the joint, like in those proper plastic kits. Plus the separate door jamb piece will go over the joint as extra reinforcement. Once the roof is on it all gets tied together. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 Looking very good indeed Mark. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 3 hours ago, mbdesignart said: There is a moulded in strip on the resin part to overlap the joint, like in those proper plastic kits. Plus the separate door jamb piece will go over the joint as extra reinforcement. Once the roof is on it all gets tied together. Ah! You see, that's genius at work right there. Love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini man Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted April 13, 2018 Author Share Posted April 13, 2018 Something I've just noticed re the exterior rear view mirrors. The driver's side is mounted on the wing whereas the passenger side is door mounted, one more hole to fill, one more hole to drill. Hopefully the weather will improve over the weekend to allow some painting to be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 I like the Danish Transit film, Mini Man, thanks. As I said, before the Transit, no van had ever handled so well. (Although how would the polystyrene van at the end handle?) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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