Hello, I am a new member here to the boards, although I have been a casual reader of the magazine for years. This is a scratch build of Bessie, the road paver in Disney/Pixar’s “CARS”. She is not complete, but close. Various parts, such as the tar pots and exhaust pipe, are not permanently attached yet, but will be soon.
I have documented the construction from the very beginning. If you are interested, you can check out the thread, or the blog posted on my profile page. I will post more as she is completed.
http://tejanovader.carsthetoys.yuku.com/ or at http://www.carsthetoys.yuku.com/topic/3541
Awesome! I saw that in the movie and thought, “That would make a sweet model!” And yes it does. I really look forward to seeing it finished!
Here are some detail pics on the Tar Pots. Originally, they are shoe polish covers. With the help of lots of Styrene strips sheeting, thicker gague of metal rodding, electrical wire, the addition of lots of a glue called “Welder” found at Wal-Mart, gray primer, gunmetal and black paints, this became the final result:
The pipe configurations are distinct for each side. The electrical wire…or Hoses…will be attached to the “mechanisms” under the belly before too long.
I am extremely close to finishing the project. Here are the latest progress pics!
The McQueen figure is a customized version of the available die cast, done by a gentleman from England who goes by the handle “Farquhar”.
Ohh ya! Looking sweet! Need some smoke on the back tires…
Since my last post about Bessie, she was sold to a collector in Las Vegas. I used the money to buy the Battlestar Galactica Cylon Raider, Basestar and Colonial Viper, and a host of other model kits…
I have posted many times on the www.carsthetoys.com website, under RAMONE’S HOUSE OF BODY ART. I have a 2nd Bessie under construction.
Please feel free to visit my work at the following link:
http://carsthetoys.yuku.com/topic/3541/Building-BESSIE-V1-V2-New-Test-Fit-Pics
I would appreciate any constructive feedback anyone who reads these threads would have to offer.
Thanks.
I need to check and see again what the policy for posting pics on the site is…LOL…
I have a dream for making this second version carry a lighting system and have a working belt system. It is rather a difficult engineering feat for my limited skills at this point…but I am hopeful.
David.
WOW! I am in awe! Very creative, and very good! There’s not much more I can say than utter praise!
Thank you.
I got in touch with a guy here in Texas who specializes in, has a business in, lighting special projects like mine. I also posted progress on the tow bar…
TJ
Here is a photo from the latest series of pictures on my scratchbuild of BESSIE. More progress photos found at http://carsthetoys.yuku.com/topic/3541/Building-BESSIE-V1-V2-Alignment-Tests-New-Pics or at the photo album: http://tejanovader.carsthetoys.yuku.com/album/view/aid/82198
Thanks always for looking…
very neat build project. I was checking out the WIP. Thanks for posting that
Here are the latest pics in the BESSIE (from CARS) Build. For a discussion on the process, go to
http://carsthetoys.yuku.com/topic/3541/Building-BESSIE-V1-V2-Beginning-the-Furnace-Walls-Mounts
After speaking with the ever impressive Jim Hinds yesterday, I can tell you that the developments with the electronic lighting are coming along. Here is what’s going on.
The lighting will require a micro processor. This is needed for the fire. Jim is literally going to write software that will tell the fire (3 LEDS) what to do so it can flicker. The 17 on/off lights will not need the processor, but will be wired in 5 groups of 3 and 1 group of 2. At this point the decision is to use 14’ wire accross the board. This will allow slack for freedom of light fixture placement and the remaining wire can be creatively hidden. The 17 lights and the fire will be illuminated by a 9 volt battery.
[Until I see that happening, I do not now know wheather to craft clear fire flames or simply use a clear sheet on each side with a fire image.]
The pulley system needs another test.
Design: Entire Pulley system, including tar spreader (underneath), steam wheel and gravel mixer pulleys, and gravel belt is moved by one single electric motor most likely placed in the front of the gravel bin creatively hidden.
Watching what different battery strength and resistance caused by the pulley system is the focus at this point; and what goes slow.
With that being said, I am able to better determine what components can be detailed, painted and possibly attached already. As I am waiting on the electronics area to develop further, I can at least spend my time working on the model craft portion of V2’s completion.
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Painting parts with white primer. Parts are then painted with “Testor’s” 1214 Gloss Yellow. (Weather System and dull cote can take away any unwanted shine, but I am kinda liking the light shimmer she has right now…lol)
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Cutting the furnace mount front braces to shape. Also, I am adding a thin strip of styrene to the bottom of the tow bar connections (which will be later cut down, of course) as I think it will help the towbar’s “at rest” position to stay above ground.