Finally! Got something done. This was a partially built kit (Revell 85-2371) I had stashed at my parent's house, literally for years. It's the kit that got me started building models again, maybe 4-5 years ago. So here's the story: I was visiting my parents (They live about 90 minutes drive away) and off we went, along with the nephews, to a now-defunct hobby shop to look for model rocket parts. I didn't have much to do that day so I bought this kit, along with an X-acto knife and some enamel paint. The next day it rained and I spent pretty much the entire day building.
The day after I had to leave, so the Willies remained partially built. I went back a few months later and laid down the body paint (Testors Plum Crazy, I think, with enamel Testors clear) straight out of the rattle can. I remember covering the wet body with a glass baking dish and hitting the road again, maybe for another year. So again, the project was shelved for quite some time.
OK fast forward a few years (!) and I am building again, I had a few kits under my belt, and had learned about the polishing kit trick where you start with 1200 grit pads and work your way up to 10,000 grit. For a nice, simple, rounded body like this, and thick enamel paint that polish system works great! The paint on this build, even though it was sloppy rattle can, was brought to life with polish, and the paint and clear coat looks pretty good.
This is box stock, and is a good, easy kit. I used a photo etch grille because the kit one didn't "look scale" and also left off the rear license plate, again, it looked too fat at 1:25.
So from there was a matter of bringing the parts home, foiling the body, and finishing it all off. Since it was what started me building again, it felt right to finish it. Now, if only I can get some time to finish anything else! Will this be the last model I ever finish?
2 comments:
Charlie,
Great Willys (sic) model. Like your paint technique & description.
And you've got the photo background down pat. How'd you get that studio look? VERY nice!
What's your next project?
-Mickey
Hey Mickey! My "Studio" is simple--the background is a large piece of white construction paper. The camera is a Nikon D40 with a 18-55 lens. I use a tripod and very slow exposure speeds. I built a small light stand out of PVC pipe and a couple of household "clip lamps". I can get the whole thing set up in about 5 minutes.
Next project(s): The R8 Audi, a 58 Chevy Hot Rod, and a Corvette Gasser. Maybe all at once.
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