Any new progress?
Sorry, no new progress at this point. We are on a time crunch at work to get a car finished in the next 13 days. Nothing like working on a 1:1 scale vehicle to keep you away from model building. In this case it is a 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe.
We are already a lot farther along since this shot was taken, but still have a way to go.
On top of that, once I leave the shop, I head out to a buddies house where I am stripping, treating, repairing, and painting two cannons.
I barely have enough time to breathe, much less work on the Mk IV. I promise I’ll get back to it when I can. I miss sitting at my build desk!!!
~Well, thanx for answer’in back. Those are a couple of the best “excuses” in a long time>!
~Whats the big rush for the Plymouth ? Parade?
Sorry it took so long to andswer this one, INDY.
There is actually a couple of reasons for the rush on the Plymouth. I know that this is all a bit off topic, but I think that it is a good (although a somewhat sad) story.
The Plymouth was bought new by the Father of the guy that we are doing this for (Bill). When his Father passed away, the car went to Bills brother, who had always intended to fix her up. He just never got around to it. Bills brother passed away two years ago, and the car came into Bill’s posession.Bill has the drive, desire, and money to finally restore the car, but didn’t have the knowledge to do so. After a recommendation of a friend, Bill sought out Liberator motors (that’s us), and after talking with Brad (Fearless Leader) for a while, they come up with a plan.
Normally, a full restoration like this would take about 2-3 years (we have done it in 10 months)… but Bill had an idea in mind. Bill is a Virginia Tech graduate, and has two kids that are currently attending VT. BillsFather was a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech), so there is a long history in the family with that school.
The idea was to do more of a ‘Resto-Mod’ with the old Plymouth. Keeping a stock appearance on the outside, while updating things like the engine and the suspension. She now has a 492 Hemi, and a Mustang II front end with Disc brakes on the front, and a beefier suspension. He also wanted to incorporate the school colors of Virginia Tech into the car (Burgandy and Orange) as and homage to his Father. Burgandy Chassis, burgandy interior, Orange pinstriping.
The family, to an extent has been involved in the build, searching for parts, etc… His nephew (who will come back into this story again in a minute) has even come up from Mississippi to do some physical work on the car and add some welds. It was his late father who had always wanted to restore the car, but never got to it, so it is important to him to see this done.
Ok, so this is getting to be a lot more than I originally thought, so lets get to the reasons for the deadline…
There are several reason for the time crunch here.
First reason: Bills son is in his last year at VT, and is a huge fan of their Football team (as is the whole family). Bill would like to have the car done for the last home game of the season so that they can shuttle people back and forth to the game, as well as tailgate in it before and after.
Second reason: Bills Mother has no idea that the car is being restored. In fact, she has no idea that the car has even left Mississippi. She thinks that it is still rotting in an old lean-to down south. Bill is bringing her in for the last game, and wants to surprise her with her late husbands favorite car.
Third reason: Bills nephew, who came up to turn some wrenches and be a part of the build, had recently been diagnosed with a very strange and very odd auto-immune disease. In a matter of days he lost all sight in his right eye, and is down to about 30% vision in his left. Bill is flying him in for the game, and we MUST have this car there so that he can see the car completely finished one last time before his vision is completely gone. This build is as important to him as it is to just about anyone else in the family.
So, as you can see, I think that my reasons for stepping away from The Mark IV, and devoting 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to this project are very good ones. The way things look now, we should make it just in the nick of time.
Wish us luck, think good thoughts, and I’ll be back to the Tadpole in a week or so. Thanks for reading, and again, I apologise for getting so off topic.
Steve
Well, the Plymouth is done, and out the door. She left today. A bit sad, but also a HUGE relief.
Here she is yesterday, out in the sun:
Now, back on topic…
I ordered the Indy track links from Model Cellar about 15 minutes ago. As soon as they come in, it will be back to the Mark IV!
Yay!
WOW ~
That’s flipp’in gorgeous ! You guys do great work, the plastic hobbies can wait. Thanks for the updates as they happen & Go Irish !
Thanks, Indy. Certainly appreciate the compliments. Normally that is a two to three year restoration for that level of quality. We managed it in 10 months. Hence the reason for working 7 days a week.
On another side note, recently picked up the RPM 1/35 Char Canon FT-17 and Individual track links. That one will be on the bench as soon as the MK IV is done.
Ok, so I am almost back on track. I went in for surgery yesterday, and will be laid up for a few weeks, so I will have some time to sit at the ole bench.
I got my Indy tracks from Model Cellar today:
Doesn’t look to bad, good quality, almost no flash at all.
Then you realize that there are 46 more frets, just like it!
Yep, that number is correct, a total of 48 sprues just for the tracks. It’s a good thing I have nothing but time right now!
Please let us know how those tracks work out - I have an interest in getting some for my own Whippet and Mk.IV.
Oh, and nice work on the car. Your heart is in the right place.
“Back on track”…yes very punny my friend! Seriously though, although it’s a big clean-up job it’s well-needed I’m sure as all I hear about this kit is it will build up a decent MKIV but that the tracks are total RUBBISH! The model Cellar tracks are the way to(if you can find them) and well worth the work.
666Irish,
Not sure how I missed this one until now. But it’s on the radar.
Your weathering of this lumbering beastie is fantastic. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with the tracks! The back story for the delay of this kit is a noble one. Sounds like there was a lot riding on the timeline. There are some things that bench time will take a back seat to. Some things. LOL
It would have been interesting to see one of these beasties in 1:1.
Cheers
Dave
P.S. By the way the Plymouth is exquisite
Got a bit of a start on the tracks. I am really diggin’ these! My hat is off to Model Cellar. Aside from the time to trim and assemble, they are pretty much just falling together.
My first test set, 26 links (52 pieces).
Aside from the tracks themselves, you also have to chop down the Idler and the Drive Sprocket. I had already installed mine, so I had to do a little butchering. No worries, they wont be seen.
Also in the instructions for the tracks, it tells you to add shim stock to the channel that the tracks ride on, to keep the tread plates from touching the rim of the sponsons. Quick easy fix there, too. Just a little touch up paint, and it’s good as new.
Just letting you all know that I haven’t forgotten about this. I have the left side track assembly completed (in 4 parts). They are off the tank, and waiting for paint.
Had a few things come up, and I am still re-learning to navigate here.
Steve
I know exactly what you mean Buddy—but then we have plenty of time in our lives to learn how to use the forum all over again, don’t we [:S] At least your thread still opens–Mine won’t !!![:@]
I’m still following this, whenever it happens
I missed this one entirely as well. Nice work on the armor and the 1:1. I’d be happy to cruie around town in either one[;)]
Ok, first off, I haven’t had the time to even touch this build in quite a while now. For that, I apologize.
I had an amazing experience today that may just light that much needed fire under my butt to get back to it. On my way back from delivering the shops M29 Weasel to it’s new owner, I stopped by the small museum at Ft. Meade. They have a couple of things inside that i wanted to see, namely a Renault FT-17, and a Mk VIII from WWI.
The MkVIII they have is one of only 4 know to still exist, and it is the only one that is anywhere near complete.
I was actually able to get INSIDE the MkVIII and explore a little!!! This is NOT something that the public get’s to do. I have a bit of an ‘in’ at the museum, having a friend that is one of the curators.
I did manage to get a good handful of pictures that I will post as soon as I remember how to do so.
LOL–NO problem
Whats 6 months[:|]
I would like to see the pictures
& your flippin model finished!
Too cool you got inside this thing–What did you have to offer the guards? (I had a dream once I was inside one as crew–wasn’t so fun!)
A few for now of the MK VIII from the Ft. Meade Museum:
Its good to see this one back! That is cool that you got to actually get pics inside that MKVIII, Thanks for posting these [B]
Great work…Good luck…[:)]