Revell 68 Hemi Dart with MCG Photo Etch Set

I'm not particularly a Mopar fan, but this seemed like a nice kit. I figure since I'm not too emotionally attached to the subject, I would try new things and try to improve my skills. After the recent discussions about forum participation dropping in the recent years, I wanted to contribute as much as I can. i Haven't had much time to build over the last few years, but recently I have made it work. I have learned everything I know about modelling from this forum and a few others, so I want to contribute as much as I can.

I cleaned, stripped and prepped all the pieces at once. Primed everything and started fitting some things. I filled the holes in the hood and I will use PE hood pins, the kit pieces are big and fat.

Here is the MCG PE set. The missing pieces are the fan and fan blades, which I had already cut out and set aside
http://i.imgur.com/68rkjqY.jpg

I like this foam block, I filled up 4 sides with pieces ready to paint
http://i.imgur.com/DAYBbsI.jpg

Not sure what color this will be yet, but I have plenty to choose from
http://i.imgur.com/FQAteEq.jpg

I first primed all the exhuats and bumper pieces. Then I sprayed them with Alclad gloss black base. Then I used lacquer clear coat
http://i.imgur.com/u26Wk7C.jpg

Here they are after clear. The spiderwebbing cleaned up easily
http://i.imgur.com/3Ul3NKz.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/IuCXjMX.jpg

This made the surface much smoother and with a deeper gloss than the black base alone. It paid off. Here are the parts sprayed with Alclad Stainless Steel.
http://i.imgur.com/1lnvmr2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LeZlrQu.jpg

The wheels are Alclad Polished Aluminum
http://i.imgur.com/1zVEd8V.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pcGM7oO.jpg


I was able to spray the pieces almost at a 90 degree angle, parallel to the surface, with the Alclad. This made the shine come out very nice. I used about 25-ish PSI, but I backed off the paint flow quite a bit. It went on invisibly thin. Then after an hour, I lightly buffed the pieces with a tissue.

I'm convinced that the smoothness, and the way it comes out of the airbrush are the main factors, and not the color of the base. Here is the same Stainless Steel paint directly over a plastic spoon with no base, primer or clear of any kind
http://i.imgur.com/GvOlqLO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/e1M3jz0.jpg

PE grill pieces. This was tricky. I don't have a very good imagination to figure out a clever way of using these, so I just scraped off the molding detail and will apply these over the flat surface. The kit grill detail actually isn't bad at all.
http://i.imgur.com/GyFcshr.jpg

The pieces have to be carefully bent to the correct shaped. Not installed yet
http://i.imgur.com/LQFPHzU.jpg

At first I was going to use the stock tires, but then I decided to use the slicks. I am going to use these. I don't know where I got them but they are not from this kit. I also did not want to cut out the rear quarter panel, so I had to modify the wheels in the back to get them to tuck under the body
http://i.imgur.com/YQQUD4n.jpg

I also rounded the axle to a numb
http://i.imgur.com/uoSdHi8.jpg

Still needs some work, but it's getting there
http://i.imgur.com/JTy4yMy.jpg

Beginning of the engine
http://i.imgur.com/9WSV78G.jpg

Various detail pieces I will be using
http://i.imgur.com/4rER8YL.jpg

I just started using this stuff called BluTack. It's like silly putty, but it sticks. It's great for masking areas where tape has trouble. If your parts are primed and painted correctly, it shouldn't pull it off. This engine is painted with Scale Finishes lacquer
http://i.imgur.com/O2QoXTg.jpg

Tranny painted with Alclad Dark Aluminum
http://i.imgur.com/TfciKcl.jpg

Beginning of the detail pieces. Used some very small tubing I got from RB Motion, a Scale Hardware fastener and MCG carb linkage piece
http://i.imgur.com/ApyZrtG.jpg

This makes the center link for both carbs
http://i.imgur.com/yXbCjQz.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9NN6AXg.jpg

I am also using a red resin dist. cap from R&M of Maryland. I pinned it since I always seem to break these off.
http://i.imgur.com/u2MHogy.jpg

Started bending some rod for the fuel lines
http://i.imgur.com/pS5aSwW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/EEVn9Zn.jpg

I make the wrong shape so I started over
http://i.imgur.com/Y1n9TIn.jpg

Here is the carb linkage and return spring finished
http://i.imgur.com/nrdbVpW.jpg

Glued some styrene rod together to make a T fitting for the fuel lines
http://i.imgur.com/1SLOiF4.jpg

First mockup. I used .5mm brass nuts from Scale Hardware to make it look a little better
http://i.imgur.com/pJpw68x.jpg

Here they are ready to go on
http://i.imgur.com/OFbpoqV.jpg

PE fan
http://i.imgur.com/WuMjmhj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/53gx9Ge.jpg

Painted and ready to go on. The kit fan has a plastic rod that fits through the pulley and into the engine to hold it on. The PE fan doesn't. The toothpicks I have are perfect size and they fit very snugly. I cut of a piece of toothpick and drilled through the end of it. Then I used a 1mm brass bolt to thread through the fan and into the toothpick, then pressed it in place
http://i.imgur.com/GzjSkyX.jpg

I somehow managed to lose BOTH ignition coils from the kit. I made a new one by spinning some rod in my drill. Then I inserted a piece of metal rod.
http://i.imgur.com/K0mRO5Y.jpg?1

Then I cut off some scrap PE fret and made the mount
http://i.imgur.com/H9XPPYl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6I1s2G9.jpg

I had some RB Motion rod ends so I opened them up and turned them into electrical connectors.
http://i.imgur.com/cEn58J8.jpg?2

I inserted some .5mm brass studs into the alternator and starter
http://i.imgur.com/LKovukf.jpg

These are fully functional threaded fasteners
http://i.imgur.com/GgSPw5W.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/K0GeG7R.jpg

Here is the starter
http://i.imgur.com/GC9Ltkm.jpg

I know some of the configuration isn't correct, but I can only do so much
http://i.imgur.com/psShwWD.jpg

Here it is coming together
http://i.imgur.com/fSLhYQZ.jpg

The toothpick is a temporary dowel to keep the belt assy. in line until I attach the fan
http://i.imgur.com/ZMWLTYA.jpg

I normally can't stand a mess on my bench, but I don't mind it as long as the build keeps progressing.
http://i.imgur.com/vq2g6Mh.jpg?1

I attached 2 PE wire looms to the valve covers and used a few more to keep this as tidy as I could. I wish the wires were longer, I could make them droop more naturally, but I am happy with this.
http://i.imgur.com/v0EXJiK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/XTiPGvB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/radoxzx.jpg

It looks like there are mold lines on the headers, but those are reflections in the Alclad
http://i.imgur.com/IDB851B.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7qZKpCR.jpg

I had to test fit in the chassis to make sure the headers cleared, so I only used tiny dots of super glue. The passenger side needs adjusting.
http://i.imgur.com/Q7LEr4v.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/EEYSnqM.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ToMLAfq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4wetd4u.jpg

Amazing progress so far!

Lovely work so far!

The engine detail is insane!!

Nice work, i take my seat!!

Engine is not 100% but I wanted to start on the chassis. I didn't have anything specific in mind so I am just kind of winging it as I go. Over the years I have spent more that I should have on small nuts, bolts and washers and they just sit there, so I thought I'd see what I could do with them



I am bouncing around between the rear end and front end setup. The kit shocks aren't great and by the time they get cleaned up, they wont have much detail. I bought some random aluminum and brass tubing and rod to play around. I started making my own shocks. also have these beads I got a long time ago from Michaels and I think they will work as the tops and bottoms of the shocks where they mount.


Rear shocks are being separated from the leaf spring mount

http://i.imgur.com/xfcRdlx.jpg?1



I will be using the kit mount, but the molded in lumps will be drilled out and I will make U-bolts like this and fasten them with real nuts and bolts

http://i.imgur.com/aDqBRr6.jpg?1



Also, I want to remove this molded in mess, but I think it will be impossible to keep a nice round axle housing

http://i.imgur.com/aLmyTRH.jpg?1



So it is going bye bye and being replaced with aluminum tube.

http://i.imgur.com/rwZMaFQ.jpg?1



I hacked off a little too much, so I have to re-cap the ends of the housing. I will fill and smooth it out

http://i.imgur.com/d4peiCV.jpg?1



I did this by shaving out the inside of a slightly larger aluminum tube to make it razor sharp

http://i.imgur.com/mcvTgE7.jpg?1



Then I used it as a hole saw/razor to punch out the caps from sheet styrene.

http://i.imgur.com/RsAsBH0.jpg?1



http://i.imgur.com/KltqeG9.jpg?1



Here are the beginning of the shock bodies. Aluminum tube spun in a drill and polished to a shine. The bodies will be painted, but the shafts will be polished

http://i.imgur.com/5sJKQFz.jpg?1



They still need to be trimmed, but here is a mockup

http://i.imgur.com/QCpl6g1.jpg?1



For the front end, with all the work I got myself into, I really don't want to bother with the shocks. Nobody will miss them. However, in the engine bay, there are two large holes where the shocks are supposed to come up through and mount. empty holes vs. lumps of plastic is not much of a choice. i will make dummy shock mounts. it will make the engine bay look nice, but there will be no shocks under them.



I and using .7mm brass nuts and bolts, and 1mm washers, like a fender washer.



http://i.imgur.com/qveEwD0.jpg?1



This

http://i.imgur.com/2WbkiBf.jpg?1



Or this

http://i.imgur.com/dt6Kqi0.jpg?1







All i have are cell pics right now, but when things start to get a little more complete, I will take better pictures.

Excellent details. I will bookmark your w.i.p. for future reference since I have the same kit on my stash.

Thanks for share your w.i.p. and the building tips along the way.

F1-fan

Fantastic details!

VERY nice progress so far!!!

The detail your putting in is very impressive. Engine looks sweet.

This looks like it will be a nice period piece worth watching.

Thanks guys. I have been absolutely buried with work lately. It might be another couple of weeks before I can get back to it.

This is great! Can't wait to see more.

Amazing work! I'm definitely going try the clearcoat over the alclad black base. Thanks!

finally some more work done on this one.

I got a little further with the rear end and did some work on the interior. I just need to do the console and steering wheel/column

I used .8mm brass nuts from Scale Hardware and threaded them onto some Detail Master aluminum rod.

http://i.imgur.com/dgPQfNv.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/azJmgdF.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/xNZh9kB.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/JOFU15p.jpg?1

Made the keys
http://i.imgur.com/GedqwsP.jpg?1

polished the interior parts
http://i.imgur.com/dzRqLLz.jpg?1

Got ahead of myself
http://i.imgur.com/o5Kfqv7.jpg?1

I applied the foil before painting, then removed the paint with a firm conical swab
http://i.imgur.com/o1YGdMk.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/AuT1Wz3.jpg?1

Painted, then weathered the panels, then applied the PE pieces
http://i.imgur.com/Pd9zojw.jpg?1

I don't have much experience with foil and I am still not great at it, but the point of this build is to better my skills and test a few things. I have no emotional attachment to it, so it doesn't need to be perfect.

I tried to do the dash, but I think it would have been better to use the same method as the door panels. Some of the foil got messed up. rather than messing with it and likely making it worse, i decided to leave it. It's not horrible
http://i.imgur.com/Q2YTmrO.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/eMgGfIk.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/WXTPBF6.jpg?2

http://i.imgur.com/VPCNPjU.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/rrxjPQD.jpg?1

I used PE washers for the knob faces and the glovebox lock cylinder
http://i.imgur.com/fxloPzF.jpg?1

It doesn't look this worn in real life, the pictures make it look way more weathered
http://i.imgur.com/SAq2atE.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/LTOtp3w.jpg?1

The gauges are acetate from the Model Car Garage detail set.
http://i.imgur.com/o8nSfF4.jpg?1

I took the seats out and added flocking. I have never done flocking before, but Alex's tutorial made it easy.

http://i.imgur.com/TaAJIKT.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/XI3Foyb.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/6ZclmLA.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/j7W82IY.jpg?1


before weathering. Looks too new and clean
http://i.imgur.com/ZzwxGMN.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/vTksNwP.jpg?1

After weathering
http://i.imgur.com/fBMPXR2.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/Qcuo5pX.jpg?1

:worshippy :worshippy :worshippy :worshippy :worshippy Great work!!!

This is one of the MOST interesting work I've seen in a long time. I am delighted With the work you're doing. You're very careful about details and how you work some pieces made from scratch. It's fabulous!
I follow your progress with great interest.

By the way, what happened with your old job 1/12 '57 Bel Air ???

You published some pictures of the engine detail, but nothing more. By the way, great job. Have you abandoned that project?

Kind regards,

Ed

:worshippy :worshippy :worshippy :worshippy :worshippy Great work!!!

This is one of the MOST interesting work I've seen in a long time. I am delighted With the work you're doing. You're very careful about details and how you work some pieces made from scratch. It's fabulous!
I follow your progress with great interest.

By the way, what happened with your old job 1/12 '57 Bel Air ???

You published some pictures of the engine detail, but nothing more. By the way, great job. Have you abandoned that project?

Kind regards,

Ed

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words. The 1/12 Chevy is definitely not abandoned. the engine is in front of me every time I sit down. I feel like engines are my strong point and I wanted to wait until my skills got better before moving on to the rest of the car. I also struggle with where to stop with the detailing. I find myself wanting to go too far. I have been learning more tricks and stuff, so hopefully in the near future I will continue with it. It is my most important project to me, so I do not want to rush it.


I pretty much finished the battery tonight. I added the anti-corrosion donuts. Just painted some PE washers. Shaved off the molded in posts and drilled a hole, made the new posts from aluminum rod. PE cable ends from the Model Car Garage set

I think I will still add PE battery mounts with wire rod. It looks incomplete with the top silver bar and nothing on the sides.

http://i.imgur.com/VweKNRM.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/wmOBbDX.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/wqgTN5E.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/10GXMoI.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/wqgTN5E.jpg?1

So a little update. Painted with Scale Finishes Harley Davidson Sinister Blue metallic. Paint went on fine. The lacquer clear I use went on fine for the couple of test spoons, but when I sprayed the body, it was heavily textured and cobwebs everywhere. I let it dry in between coats and buffed off the cobwebs, then laid down a nice wet coat, hoping it would settle out. It didn't. I am still learning a lot about painting, so I didn't know any better. I bought a new can of the same stuff and it's a night and day difference. I also should have though about thinning it.

Anyway, I sanded and polished the hood and scoop and you can see how nicely those turned out. I still have to sand the body, and I will re-spray a couple of coats of clear on that before polishing.

Here is the body, you can see what I ended up with

http://i.imgur.com/rn4FkGm.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/qh8hasg.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/Y6A5ivg.jpg?1

Here is what I got out of it with MicroMesh and Tamiya compounds

http://i.imgur.com/RKzlLk7.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/ZWtqw2w.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/HBzABFz.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/1ZnUwFB.jpg?1

Very nice work so far! Great detail. I too am returning to the hobby and learn so much from this forum and youtube. Definitely subscribed!

Later,
Lee

looks great so far

This is a fun great work in progress to follow. Look forward to your updates, keep up the good work.

nice work congratulations, enjoyed the engine details

I swear i can hear that engine roaring!!
great work...
btw is there a reason you keep the instructions of the tamiya F360 pinned to your wall?