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Andrew D Charger Chaser

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  1. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Spike in Hughie Hogg's VW Beetle -- Work In Progress   
    Final step for now was scratchbuilding the large McPherson struts, a vital item for the Super Beetle.  The struts themselves were made from plastic tubing, then the springs made by wrapping metal wire around an appropriately-sized plastic rod then trimmed to shape and installed.






  2. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from RogerDuke in Hi everyone!   
    Welcome aboard Kait!
  3. Haha
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from RogerDuke in Hi everyone!   
    Not bad; I call it "Wastebook" for similar reasons....
  4. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Skipper Duke in Scratch built BarnBusters Barn for play   
    Hey, nice concept, nicely done!
  5. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from RogerDuke in rwd81   
    Welcome aboard Rob! Apologies for my lack of manners, I'd somehow missed the new folks introducing here....
  6. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Hobie Hartkins in Hazzard Fleet (So Far)   
    Thank y'all!
    Actually the Lucifer Mustang would be kewl, but I'm not aware of any decals for it, and they seem a bit tough to improvise....have also considered the Gray Ghost and Black Tillie II, but they only appear once, and to the unwashed masses would only appear like any other car off the street (mostly).  And actually I DO have a black '68 Charger from "Bullitt"  
    The next one will be:  Hughie Hogg's VW Beetle chop-top (turns out it isn't a true convertible)!! 
  7. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from RogerDuke in Hazzard Fleet (So Far)   
    Thank y'all!
    Actually the Lucifer Mustang would be kewl, but I'm not aware of any decals for it, and they seem a bit tough to improvise....have also considered the Gray Ghost and Black Tillie II, but they only appear once, and to the unwashed masses would only appear like any other car off the street (mostly).  And actually I DO have a black '68 Charger from "Bullitt"  
    The next one will be:  Hughie Hogg's VW Beetle chop-top (turns out it isn't a true convertible)!! 
  8. Love
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from RogerDuke in Hazzard Fleet (So Far)   
    Hey folks,
    Had a few requests here and elsewhere to see the entire lineup (so far) of my Hazzard County fleet which has been under construction for the past 6 years.  
    None of these are out-of-the-box, each taking a huge investment of time, research and effort.  Greatest challenges were in the tow truck. 
    Next project is already in the research and materials-gathering stage.
    Hope you enjoy!











     
  9. Thanks
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Spike in Hazzard Fleet (So Far)   
    Hey folks,
    Had a few requests here and elsewhere to see the entire lineup (so far) of my Hazzard County fleet which has been under construction for the past 6 years.  
    None of these are out-of-the-box, each taking a huge investment of time, research and effort.  Greatest challenges were in the tow truck. 
    Next project is already in the research and materials-gathering stage.
    Hope you enjoy!











     
  10. Love
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from RogerDuke in Daisy's '71 Plymouth Satellite -- FINISHED!   
    Thank you all for the VERY kind words you always so generously lavish upon my work!  It is truly my joy, honor and passion!
  11. Thanks
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Hobie Hartkins in Daisy's '71 Plymouth Satellite -- FINISHED!   
    Thank you all for the VERY kind words you always so generously lavish upon my work!  It is truly my joy, honor and passion!
  12. Love
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from RogerDuke in Daisy's '71 Plymouth Satellite -- FINISHED!   
    Just to remind y'all: YES, they used a '74 Roadrunner which appeared in 5 of the first 9 episodes, then beginning with episode 11 they switched to a '71 Satellite Sebring in a Roadrunner paint scheme, hoping nobody would notice (we did).  Some prefer the '74; personally I prefer the '71, finding it much sleeker and meaner looking with the wraparound bumper/grill assembly. 
    Base kit is the Revell/Monogram '71 Plymouth GTX.  Modifications include:
         -Replacement hood
         -Smaller-block engine (from 71 Duster)
         -Completely rebuilt & boosted rear suspension
         -Replacement tires
         -Wheel hubs from '77 Ford van
    Additionally, all GTX logos were removed (not easy on the grill); headlights made from sanded/polished acrylic gemstones; engine bay heavily wired and detailed; scratchbuilt steering wheel, CB radio and antenna; paint is Plymouth Yellow Blaze.
    Build thread is here: http://hazzardnet.com/forums/topic/8786-daisys-plymouth-wip/
     


















     
     
  13. Thanks
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Spike in Daisy's Plymouth -- WIP   
    I think I forgot to mention the wheel hubs.  The kit wheels are totally wrong; the good folks at the automotive modelers forum guided me toward the wheel hubs from the AMT 77 Ford van, and then one of the members was kind enough to send me a set which he was not going to use.  Once primed and chromed, they were perfect!  They also almost perfectly fit the aftermarket tires which I had ordered (see earlier post June 2).  Absolutely perfect!


     
    ONE FINAL DETAIL: the CB antenna.  In the episode "The Meeting," there is a perfect closeup view of it, which I used as reference to scratch-build mine.  Base was carved from two sections of plastic, and the aerial was made from metal guitar string (high "E"). 
    And, God-willing, she's done! Finished pics to be posted shortly. 






     
  14. Haha
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Hobie Hartkins in The last 24 hours   
    Personally speaking, I'm offended that people are offended 
  15. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Spike in The last 24 hours   
    Personally speaking, I'm offended that people are offended 
  16. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from RogerDuke in Daisy's Plymouth -- WIP   
    Now for the really scary part: the pinstriping around the main stripe. 
    In my research, I took special notice of how they did the real one around the door handle and at the very front. 


     
    I've got plenty of straight-line fine decal striping, but the curves are a problem.  Trying to paint those fine curves right alongside the large stripe AND make them look good is an awfully tall order.  My experience (both successes and failures) tells me to go another route. 
    I decided an ususual approach: cut away the pinstriping from the decals of MPC's Daisy's car, the very-different '74 Roadrunner, and cut the curves into pieces to match each little bit of the Satellite's stripe. 
    Wasn't easy, nor was it fun at first, but it actually worked!






     
     
  17. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from RogerDuke in Daisy's Plymouth -- WIP   
    I think I forgot to mention the wheel hubs.  The kit wheels are totally wrong; the good folks at the automotive modelers forum guided me toward the wheel hubs from the AMT 77 Ford van, and then one of the members was kind enough to send me a set which he was not going to use.  Once primed and chromed, they were perfect!  They also almost perfectly fit the aftermarket tires which I had ordered (see earlier post June 2).  Absolutely perfect!


     
    ONE FINAL DETAIL: the CB antenna.  In the episode "The Meeting," there is a perfect closeup view of it, which I used as reference to scratch-build mine.  Base was carved from two sections of plastic, and the aerial was made from metal guitar string (high "E"). 
    And, God-willing, she's done! Finished pics to be posted shortly. 






     
  18. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Skipper Duke in The last 24 hours   
    Man, wish I could've seen all that.... 
  19. Haha
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from RogerDuke in The last 24 hours   
    Personally speaking, I'm offended that people are offended 
  20. Thanks
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Spike in Daisy's Plymouth -- WIP   
    Thank you for the kind words Hobie!
    Almost there.  Just using the Daisy's Car kit decals from the MPC kit for the roof-section of the stripe, although the two end sections need to be removed.



     
    Daisy's car was in constant use on the country roads and so needs to have a generous amount of Hazzard county road dust.  Just speaking for myself, I don't believe in making showroom-fresh vehicles with immaculate chassis and wheel wells to portray actively used vehicles.  The overall dusting is a shade called Armor Sand, with some Military Earth Brown right behind the wheels and on the bottom of the fenders just behind the wheels.  




  21. Love
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Hobie Hartkins in Daisy's Plymouth -- WIP   
    Thank you for the kind words Hobie!
    Almost there.  Just using the Daisy's Car kit decals from the MPC kit for the roof-section of the stripe, although the two end sections need to be removed.



     
    Daisy's car was in constant use on the country roads and so needs to have a generous amount of Hazzard county road dust.  Just speaking for myself, I don't believe in making showroom-fresh vehicles with immaculate chassis and wheel wells to portray actively used vehicles.  The overall dusting is a shade called Armor Sand, with some Military Earth Brown right behind the wheels and on the bottom of the fenders just behind the wheels.  




  22. Thanks
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Spike in Daisy's Plymouth -- WIP   
    Now for the really scary part: the pinstriping around the main stripe. 
    In my research, I took special notice of how they did the real one around the door handle and at the very front. 


     
    I've got plenty of straight-line fine decal striping, but the curves are a problem.  Trying to paint those fine curves right alongside the large stripe AND make them look good is an awfully tall order.  My experience (both successes and failures) tells me to go another route. 
    I decided an ususual approach: cut away the pinstriping from the decals of MPC's Daisy's car, the very-different '74 Roadrunner, and cut the curves into pieces to match each little bit of the Satellite's stripe. 
    Wasn't easy, nor was it fun at first, but it actually worked!






     
     
  23. Thanks
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Spike in Daisy's Plymouth -- WIP   
    And now the last daunting challenge, the stripe.  To my knowledge no decals exist for this body type.  I do have the decals from the MPC kit of Daisy's 74 Roadrunner, but this is a different body type with different contours, and the subtleties of the strip were very different between the two vehicles.  
    I also noticed the first '71s they painted for this had stripes that didn't quite fit the countours of the new type, but by partway into the second season the paint crews seem to have mastered the marriage of '71 body style and stripe style.
    My solution: use the roof decals, the paint the thick stripe center along the sides, then use fine striping for the pinstriping.  
    I used a photocopy of the roof decals from the MPC kit as reference to set up the masking for the side striping.  Through this I saw the side square from each end would have to be cut off.  The rest would work fine.








     
  24. Thanks
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from Spike in Daisy's Plymouth -- WIP   
    Okay, back to business.  Earlier I had gone to the trouble of cutting away the GTX emblem from the grill (since all such emblems were removed from all cars in the show), then priming/painting and re-chroming the bumper with Alclad.  

     
    Next the chrome bumper was masked, and the grill and its surround was sprayed with enamel Steel, and a wash used for the grill's recesses.
    Then to make the headlights.  I use acrylic gemstones because they're soft enough to have the facets sanded away to make it rounded, then polished.  When finished with Future/Clear acrylic floor polish, they make very convincing light lenses, better than what comes with any kit.  In this case I used 5mm gemstones for the headlights, and 3mm for the signal lights.





  25. Like
    Andrew D Charger Chaser got a reaction from MoonRunner-01 in Ultimate Cooter's Tow Truck -- WIP   
    Hey y'all,
    Been away from you too long, working on what I thought was an impossible project that I almost gave up on.  I'm now ready to begin posting an amazing (and frustrating) journey to build the most accurate Cooter's Tow Truck ever done.  Maybe.
    First off, there were several tow trucks used over the series.  Here's (mostly) when each appears:
         -Season 1:  Brown Chevy, simple tow rig
         -Season 2: White/Blue Ford with Red Holmes wrecker 
         -Seasons 3-4: Big Yellow Ford
         -Late Season 4 through 7:  White/Blue GMC with Red Holmes wrecker
    By far my favorite is the GMC.  There was also a similar White/Blue Chevy with a much wider wrecker rear that showed up in a handful of episodes mid-series.
     
    THE PROBLEM:  Not only is the MPC kit of Cooter's Tow Truck completely fictitious, but there is NO kit or conversion available in existence to make the correct Holmes wrecker (everything aft of the cab).  This would be the most ambitious scratchbuilding project I've undertaken to date.
    Let's begin with a photo of my target subject, the GMC with Holmes wrecker:

     
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