1/12th scale RE50 T-car

[JamesB]

Thanks Alex and Harvey! with such spectators,I cannot get it wrong.

OK,not much progress.Dubts on the path to follow and ahem... head gasket failure in my old car (so not the best of moods) that will cost money and stress!

Anyway,I tried a template in paper...
First try...


Besides I just made one side, I made the cockpit edge too low. So I'll make a second one.



This one looks more convincing.



I like the shape of the cockpit opening.



Nevertheless I am not fully convinced.
The area where the curve of the opening starts is quite critical,I remember when I made this kind of tubs with just one sheet ofplastic,they tended to get ( ) shape in the middle,and the shape of the windshield area is quiet critical depending on gluing the skin 1mm backwards or forward.

I might end up using plastic on fuel tank and cockpit sides and putty on that "Hell triangle" I mentioned.
Meanwhile,the conic shape of the nose is rather easy to handle.I'll most surely go with double skin there....

What you think,guys? Open to suggestions!

[jordan]

Carry on my friend ..

Alex.

[caterhamnut]

I think you guys who make these models like this are the true model makers - fabricators.

The rest of us are just assemblers!

[tunyco]

Go for it James. I'll follow with interest.
I already said this once, but one of this days I'll take courage and start one in 1/20.

Cheers
Antonio

[JamesB]

Tahnks again Alex! Thanks also, Antonio. Hey, just dare!

I think you guys who make these models like this are the true model makers - fabricators.
The rest of us are just assemblers!

No, Angus; I disagree but thanks for the compliment! Modeling is about all. Every area has its own role.
This discipline is flashier, but in the end it's the final result that counts. So let's see what I get!!

[Jeff]

Following with interest James!!

[JamesB]

Thanks Jeff, here goes a further spoonful!

Let's see if we get a good base for the tub.

First thing clear is getting a conic surface for the nose. Kinda half Apollo capsule, you know.
We start flexing, bending the plastic we'll use.


You better do before, thus you get a curve across all the arc, if you try to bend the part once cut you won't manage to bend the ends of the arc. The part we did is that:


So we glue it to the nose bulkheads and use some convincing gear to make it stay there...



And do the same with the plastic that will make the sidewalls. More necessary here, evn. BTW I use both hands, but needed one to take the picture!



WE draw the part on the plastic. I hope you see how the sheet is slightly bent...



Both parts fixed to test. You also see the Apollo capsule. Hey, there's stuff missing, though, right?



I think the cockpit walls are fine, they have a mild curvature and the resulting cockpit width is good. See how it's noticeably narrower than the chassis. That's crucial. Small details that will capture the car's shape. Get it right now, later nothing can be done!



So, as thi is a test, with the walls in place with cellophane tape (but they don't need to be forced there, they are in place quite gently) I test what it'll look like when putty is applied...







It seems to look fine from every angle.





The two critical places are those "shoulders" (where you seethat sharp curve of cockpit edge, top left in this case), as they can protrude too much or be too much to the inside. So putty is fine, as you may snad till you get the right shape.



same thing, other side...



Not sure if I'll go with double 1mm skin. Maybe 1 is enough and I'll just add a bit inside.
Anyway, that's the result so far! Looking forward to having a sturdy and ready chassis.

One imporant thing: this one had rounded edges, but I'll keep them sharp till I get correct measures for positioning of suspension holes. I am also anxious to make the sidepods!
Thanks for having a look!
J

[vanhookvintage]

Cool stuff! Fun to watch. Thanks!

Cheers,
Greg

[RE60B]

very good result with your chassis partner

[daveyman]

Some great building techniques here between yourself and Cedric. Really interesting watching the two approaches.