July 21, 20179 yr This is another one of my models completed the year before. Tough to find Ford pickups of the proper timeframe, and I found an old one on Ebay. In fact, it still had it's original purchase receipt in the box, dated 18 January 1975, almost four years to the day before the series started! So, all throughout my childhood watching the series every Friday night, this kit was sitting somewhere in someone's closet waiting for a 40-something year old me to purchase it and build decades later. I tend to think like that; if you don't, then y'all don't mind me..... Major bodywork had to be done; the kit depicted a vehicle with lots of side trim whereas Jesse's had none. This had to be ground away with a roto-tool, then sanded and touched up. Here are photos depicting all I've just mentioned:
July 21, 20179 yr Author Really the toughest modification/improvement was the grill/headlight assembly. The entire thing was thinned from behind, and then what should have been "open air" was cut away. Easiest to do this by drilling TONS of holes and then cutting and connecting the holes. Side blinkers were also completely drilled out (above the headlights) and then clear resin poured into holes, sanded/polished and painted from behind. Headlights were re-cast in clear resin, although they didn't have to be perfectly clear, as I figured they'd have a good buildup of dust soon. These were not installed until almost the very end of the model's construction. Once all that was done the frame was primed and finished in Alclad aluminum, then a watercolor wash applied to the recesses. To me a redone grill goes a LONG way in improving a model.
July 21, 20179 yr Author Undersides were dry-brushed to bring out dirt and rust. My personal opinion is that 'way too many car builders only make showroom-perfect builds, including vehicles which should have some road wear. Hazzard vehicles DEFINITELY need road wear, and Jesse's mount is a supreme example of this. Plenty of dust must abound!! Here are underside shots showing wear and tear and rust before the dust was sprayed.
July 21, 20179 yr Author Here we are, done except the license plate. VERY worn truck bed, as befitting any farm truck. CB antenna made from metal guitar string (high "E" string"). Wish y'all could see the dirt and muck on the floorboards inside the cab....
July 21, 20179 yr Author And, I got it out this morning for a few "hero" shots....only real difference here is the addition of the license plate. Yep, it's the correct one And yes, the front bumper is supposed to be crooked...saw that in a few episodes.
July 23, 20179 yr ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! If I had to pick between two priceless works of art.....the Mona Lisa or this truck...it would be an easy decision. I wouldn't even give Mona a second look. What a great tribute to the show and to my hero Uncle Jesse. Thanks for building it and sharing the story.
July 23, 20179 yr I'm so amazed at how real it looks.....especially underneath and inside the bed. It's hard to believe it's not really Jesse's truck.
July 29, 20179 yr Outstanding job on this! All the details, right down to the dirt look very accurate. Uncle Jesse would be proud to driver this one. As a model builder I really love this build. Edited July 29, 20179 yr by Boss JD Hogg
July 30, 20179 yr What paint did you use on the body? Is it a regular white dirtied up? Is it lacquer or acrylic? Edited July 30, 20179 yr by Boss JD Hogg
July 30, 20179 yr Author Heya Boss! Believe it or not, satin (not gloss) white enamel from a boring ol' spray can, then with LOTS of careful and gentle overspray for dust.
July 31, 20179 yr On 7/29/2017 at 4:43 PM, Boss JD Hogg said: As a model builder I really love this build. I'm a model builder too...or I used to be....and I always spent great detail on every single bolt head but I never had the artistic skill diisplayed here. When I retire in 3 years I hope to get back into it. Being a builder I can appreciate Andrew's masterpiece. Edited July 31, 20179 yr by RogerDuke
July 31, 20179 yr 2 hours ago, RogerDuke said: I'm a model builder too...or I used to be....and I always spent great detail on every single bolt head but I never had the artistic skill diisplayed here. When I retire in 3 years I hope to get back into it. Being a builder I can appreciate Andrew's masterpiece. What type of models did you build?
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