CrazyCrank Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 (edited) Hi Chaps As said today in my Bug thread, I start today a new topic, and a new build, to help myself to get back on my feet, after so many empty days Photo of the box art of this Heller old kit: Blueprints: Somes sprues, some of them incomplete, because the building has begun: My goal: (pictures by "courtesy" of some websites 😀 - All ref. Photos taken by "Cateralp" of the Heller-for-ever forum, in Rochetaillée Museum ) Stay tuned il you like 😎 Edited November 27, 2019 by CrazyCrank 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy vd M. Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 No surprise I’ll be following this, wondering if the kit will be as challenging to construct as I think it will be but surely expecting and inspecting some great modelling along the way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 24, 2019 Author Share Posted August 24, 2019 (edited) Of course, I've planed some enhancements to the kit, and the addition of some scratch , and, as much as possible, extra detailing In order to do this, however, I need your help: And I would like yout to provide me photos of this vintage car, if you own or discover some of them. I've engaged a research on the net, but havn't at the moment, gather many period documents, so.... Edited August 25, 2019 by CrazyCrank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 24, 2019 Author Share Posted August 24, 2019 The body of the car had been distorted and cracked, particularly the windshield frame, during its long stay in the box, crashed under several other kit boxes... So, I've had to repair / rectify it, using CA gel on the windshield frame, and a heat source to gently bend on the right way the distorted parts. Also, there was, as usual, a lot of undesirable molding lines, and it has been a long job to sand the body. But, I'm quite happy, regardless of the potential bad surprises after having primed it: 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codger Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 If it does cause you pain to work, your skills will give you the old satisfaction of beautiful results. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pouln Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 That is a beauty. I do not have any pictures of this car so I cannot help you. Will be following as you progress. I’m sure the result will be stunning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) Well, yesterday, before deciding to post something, I've also worked on the first step of the building... the engine. A lot of flash and defects on these parts, and sanding, sealing with Tamiya putty, sanding etc....has been necessary before priming Same thing for the step 5, Radiator: . Edited August 25, 2019 by CrazyCrank 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) Regarding the engine valve covers, the two parts, very finely moulded (you can see "Talbot Lago" inscriptions), were chromed. I don't know if you have noticed, but, the chrome parts of this kit appear very tacky. Furthermore, on the real engine, these parts are aluminum, so..........I've dechromed them before priming (paint doesn't grip on chrome parts). And, as we talk about it, dechroming plastic parts has given an ocean of web publications: regularly, people praise the virtues of bleach, claiming that soaking the part in this solution, pure or diluted, allow to dechrome it in less than 10 minutes ! For me, it doesn't work correctly, and after more than 3 hours, the parts are not correctly nor entirely dechromed. So, I tried another method, advocated by an American modeler: Logically, he use Coca-Cola (without premising if it is regular, diet or zero Coca )... Sorry but, it didn't work either for me. After several experiments, my choice was "Caustic soda solution". In France, we can find it easily in household products store, for instance with "Destop" brand (this product is used to clear a blocked siphon for example. Caution, it's a very toxic product, and, when you soak chromed parts in it, very noxious fumes release, so, if possible, you must wear a mask, protective goggles and gloves. BUT,il's absolutely worth the trip, because, it takes less than 30 seconds to get a perfectly dechromed part. Of course, I would strongly recommend that you make a try previously on a bit of chromed sprue, in order to ensure that the plastic will resist. Normally and logically yes, since the product is contained in a plastic bottle ! Hereunder, a short video to show you the process: Enjoy Edited August 25, 2019 by CrazyCrank 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) And now, after priming with Alclad II Grey primer and microfiller, an excellent UK product You can see the incredible detail level of the engine valve cover, knowing that this part is 27 mm length and 5 mm wide 😯 Edited August 25, 2019 by CrazyCrank 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harveyb258 Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 I will be following along with this, if you don't mind, Sir....popcorn at the ready Cheers, H 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) I've sprayed 20 psi, low flow of paint, two layers of satin black Tamiya X18 on the radiator and the engine's body, and got what I was looking for: a grained aspect of the surface, as it was on the real engine Edited August 25, 2019 by CrazyCrank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) After having painted Tamiya X16 Flat Aluminium the 4 access panels of the engine's body and the central part of piece n° 56 (front of the engine's body), and applied Tamiya panel line accent color, to get a bit of weathering, shadows, dirt and relief, I got this: And, after glueing these two parts: Thanks for watching Edited August 25, 2019 by CrazyCrank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) I've now painted the Aluminum parts to the engine's body, using Alclad II metallized (after a layer of Alclad gloss black base) - Polished Aluminum for the engine valve covers - Aluminum for the others, particularly the engine oil pan It remains to give a bit of weathering with Tamiya accent panel line black, once the parts glued together. But I must wait for complete drying before handle the Alclad paint parts... at least 24 hours ! Stay tuned if you like Edited August 27, 2019 by CrazyCrank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) The radiator, initially painted satin black, has been modified, according to my reference photos, and its frame has been sprayed (after masking) with Alclad II Stainless steel Here too, there's room for a bit of weathering Thanks for watching Edited August 25, 2019 by CrazyCrank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy vd M. Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Detail remains crisp after painting, well done. Alclad has a special varnish to adequately protect its rather weak paint. You’re on a roll! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 2 minutes ago, Roy vd M. said: Detail remains crisp after painting, well done. Alclad has a special varnish to adequately protect its rather weak paint. You’re on a roll! I'm very interested @Roy vd M. ? Could you give me the reference of this special varnish ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy vd M. Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Mainly used to protect Alclad chrome (which otherwise can be simply brushed off by hand) it has a glossy finish that does justice to the chrome gloss. Can also be used on polished aluminium or other shiny metal. I think its code is Alc 600. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Roy vd M. said: Mainly used to protect Alclad chrome (which otherwise can be simply brushed off by hand) it has a glossy finish that does justice to the chrome gloss. Can also be used on polished aluminium or other shiny metal. I think its code is Alc 600. Thank you so much, @Roy vd M. Product order on Passion 132 website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codger Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Despite your ills, you've lost none of your skills. Bravo! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coventrycat Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Great subject matter, I'll be watching. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.e.charles Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 doing justice to this marque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 (edited) Evening, Gentlemen This evening, after medical work, a bit of weathering on the engine's body parts and final assembly of STEP 1 Hope it will look good for you... the photos, taken with an iPhone, with high magnifying, don't do justice to the real aspect I can see with my eyes Thanks for watching, and stay tuned if you like Edited August 26, 2019 by CrazyCrank 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schwarz-Brot Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 Good to see you flexing your modelling muscles a little. Your progress looks very tidy so far. Will follow for sure! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 (edited) A very slight progress with beginning of step 2 I've glued in place and painted the set "3 pulleys and belt, plus alternator": Another time, macro photos don't do justice to the real job, because they reveal and enhance all the imperfections. The alternator has received a little enhancement: after having masked with 1 mm masking tape, I've painted a silver band which is supposed to simulate the attachement of the alternator on engine's body It remains to paint the fan propeller with Alclad polished aluminum or chrome, I'm hesitating, and the fix it of its pulley While I was doing this tiny job, I thought that it would be nice to fabricate a flute to guide the spark plug's wires, as on the real: No sooner thought than done ! Lets take a 1.48 diameter brass tube Let's cut 25 mm lenght Drill at both ends two 0.5 mm holes Let's take 0.5 mm brass rod, 2 parts of 5 mm length Put a rod in a hole, and let's solder it on the flute...repeat at the other end. Put the set on your cutting mat, let's take your hand drill with 0.5 mm bit, and drill at one end of the flute several holes very closed together And then achieve the job with a file, to get a "rectangular" hole, in which the wires will go inside. On the other side of the flute, drill 6 0.5 mm holes, through with the wires will get out And you get this imperfect but acceptable piece : Dry fit on the engine's body: The least complicated step of the job is done for the flute...it remains to manufacture 6 spark plugs 1:24 scale , the wiring same scale, and to paint the whole set without loosing the accuracy of details 😕 Thanks for watching Edited August 28, 2019 by CrazyCrank 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 (edited) Finally, the Flute has Benn Nicke electro-plated...much much better paint paint, very accurate, vey shiny, I'm happy with it: The bathtub: the result: Stay tuned if you like Edited August 28, 2019 by CrazyCrank 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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