What if

Picture Post => Current and Finished Projects => Figures, Cars, Etc => Topic started by: John Howling Mouse on September 05, 2011, 04:47:20 PM

Title: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: John Howling Mouse on September 05, 2011, 04:47:20 PM
So, the lovely wife (aka "Ms. Hitler" TM ) asked me to show her how to build a car model.  She's working on a '66 Nova.  Funny how many skills you can apply from military modeling on a civilian auto. Here is my progress so far on my Monogram 1956 T-Bird:

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv727%2Fjohnhowlingmouse%2FThunderbird%2520Ford%25201956%2FTBirdIP4.jpg&hash=31781432997950b7404ed4c6ca51490b7f66e62c)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv727%2Fjohnhowlingmouse%2FThunderbird%2520Ford%25201956%2FTBirdIP2.jpg&hash=b98f675d5df98d891bc5d2e47410289978250eb0)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv727%2Fjohnhowlingmouse%2FThunderbird%2520Ford%25201956%2FTBirdIP3.jpg&hash=7c429764dae5d8bde250ac3a4bad92b17b00b45e)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv727%2Fjohnhowlingmouse%2FThunderbird%2520Ford%25201956%2FTBirdIP.jpg&hash=6cfa022725d1d860e2d00e10c02377a25170d0c1)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv727%2Fjohnhowlingmouse%2FThunderbird%2520Ford%25201956%2FTBirdIP5.jpg&hash=aaab4a8e811ef37ae8b6fbe70c001a55a0dfd403)

Oh yeah, did I mention that Ms. Hitler is building her model across the workbench from me while wearing black thigh-high boots and her latest from Victoria's Secret?  Yeah, I know: I'm having trouble concentrating, too!

Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: Alvis 3.14159 on September 05, 2011, 05:15:27 PM
That's odd, that's what I wear when building car models too!


Alvis Pi
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: John Howling Mouse on September 05, 2011, 07:06:30 PM
Quote from: Alvis 3.14159 on September 05, 2011, 05:15:27 PM
That's odd, that's what I wear when building car models too!

Alvis Pi

That IS odd.   :-X
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: Scooterman on September 05, 2011, 07:15:56 PM
Quote from: John Howling Mouse on September 05, 2011, 04:47:20 PM
Oh yeah, did I mention that Ms. Hitler is building her model across the workbench from me while wearing black thigh-high boots and her latest from Victoria's Secret?  Yeah, I know: I'm having trouble concentrating, too!

WE DEMAND PICS!!!
Or at least I do......... ;D
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: Alvis 3.14159 on September 05, 2011, 07:19:30 PM
Okay, I guess I could post the pics...

Oh, not me. My bad!

Alvis Pi
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: scooter on September 05, 2011, 07:39:31 PM
Quote from: Scooterman on September 05, 2011, 07:15:56 PM
Quote from: John Howling Mouse on September 05, 2011, 04:47:20 PM
Oh yeah, did I mention that Ms. Hitler is building her model across the workbench from me while wearing black thigh-high boots and her latest from Victoria's Secret?  Yeah, I know: I'm having trouble concentrating, too!

WE DEMAND PICS!!!
Or at least I do......... ;D

Ditto...

And preferably not of Radish... ::shudder::
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: puddingwrestler on September 06, 2011, 03:33:24 PM
Is this the one which has all the strange optional exgtra parts left over from the Trophy Series kit? I had a mid '90s re-issue which had none of the custom part apart from the ridiculously long fast-back roof (which was teamed with other parts in the Trophy Series kit to make something which looked llike a cross between an E-Type front end and roof and a concussed fish)
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: John Howling Mouse on September 07, 2011, 04:34:17 PM
Quote from: puddingwrestler on September 06, 2011, 03:33:24 PM
Is this the one which has all the strange optional exgtra parts left over from the Trophy Series kit? I had a mid '90s re-issue which had none of the custom part apart from the ridiculously long fast-back roof (which was teamed with other parts in the Trophy Series kit to make something which looked llike a cross between an E-Type front end and roof and a concussed fish)

Nope, this is pretty much a run of the mill Monogram classic '56 T-bird.
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: jcf on September 07, 2011, 04:56:10 PM
Quote from: puddingwrestler on September 06, 2011, 03:33:24 PM
... a concussed fish)

Indeed. ;D

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages38.fotki.com%2Fv231%2Fphotos%2F5%2F504634%2F4774000%2F1957tbirdboxtop-vi.jpg&hash=a8d77f76358cf9853273b1936ed4a6ff4b551e52)

http://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/instruction_sheetsh/instruction_sheets/amt-3/amt-57-t-bird-troph/?view=roll
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: Devilfish on September 08, 2011, 04:49:09 AM
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on September 07, 2011, 04:56:10 PM
Quote from: puddingwrestler on September 06, 2011, 03:33:24 PM
... a concussed fish)

Indeed. ;D

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages38.fotki.com%2Fv231%2Fphotos%2F5%2F504634%2F4774000%2F1957tbirdboxtop-vi.jpg&hash=a8d77f76358cf9853273b1936ed4a6ff4b551e52)

http://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/instruction_sheetsh/instruction_sheets/amt-3/amt-57-t-bird-troph/?view=roll

Except that's AMT....not Monogram, lol  (and a '57  :-\)

I did the Monogram one back in 82, when you could get it with a metal body.......The poor old chassis could hardly take the weight!!

Oh and just a point....I think you'll find the dashboard is metal and painted the same gloss colour as the bodywork.  Just about all of Detroits finest were in this era.
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: rickshaw on September 08, 2011, 07:20:28 AM
What ever it is, it is a stunningly ugly car.    :o
Title: "Stunningly Ugly"??
Post by: sequoiaranger on September 08, 2011, 10:20:31 AM
rickshaw-->What ever it is, it is a stunningly ugly car.<

The AMT model box doesn't do it justice AT ALL. The '56 T-bird was a BEAUTIFUL car--undoubtedly some of the VERY BEST of Detroit steel. However, all is in the eye of the beholder. By 1958 the T-bird WAS an ugly car as Ford tried to "improve" it with size, excess chrome, and clunky styling. Too bad. Even the "retro" modern rendition (now out of production) of the T-bird PALED in comparison to the *classic* mid-50's series.

A common theme for me, but WHY is "customizing" an auto model considered good form and creative, but "customizing" (read whiffing) a military airplane is NOT?? Luckily, "whiffed" models have been GAINING acceptance among the regular modeling crowd.

Anyway, regardless of the model or the "costume" worn when making one, good on ya for getting the Significant Other on board our hobby!
Title: Re: "Stunningly Ugly"??
Post by: PR19_Kit on September 08, 2011, 11:33:42 AM
Quote from: sequoiaranger on September 08, 2011, 10:20:31 AM
A common theme for me, but WHY is "customizing" an auto model considered good form and creative, but "customizing" (read whiffing) a military airplane is NOT?? Luckily, "whiffed" models have been GAINING acceptance among the regular modeling crowd.

Possibly because customising cars is a real world activity too, loads of guys in the US, UK and Europe (and in Oz too I supect) do exactly that?

Whereas almost NO-ONE customises RW aircraft, apart perhaps from the pylon racers. For sure they don't do it with big modern jets!
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: PR19_Kit on September 08, 2011, 11:39:10 AM
While on the subject of T'birds, I like the '59s best, even though they're big brutes.

A buddy of mine in Minneapolis let me help out refurbishing his, and I re-built the whole engine over a month or two, and he let me drive it post the re-build! The things that impressed me most were the seat that swivelled outward and the steering wheel that moved up and away from you when you opened the door!

Oh yes, and the fact that the driver's seat had more chrome on the BACK of it than my car had in total!  ;D
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: jcf on September 08, 2011, 12:40:43 PM
Quote from: Devilfish on September 08, 2011, 04:49:09 AM


Except that's AMT....not Monogram, lol  (and a '57  :-\)


No kidding. I know it's not the model JHM is working on, however it is the creature that PW brought up, thus the quote from his post.
Title: Re: "Stunningly Ugly"??
Post by: kitnut617 on September 08, 2011, 01:49:32 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on September 08, 2011, 11:33:42 AM
Whereas almost NO-ONE customises RW aircraft, apart perhaps from the pylon racers.

I think the home build guys would give you an argument on that Kit ---  :lol:
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: John Howling Mouse on September 10, 2011, 08:56:45 AM
Let there be paint...

I primered with Krylon grey sandable primer, hit it with 3 light coats of Tamiya "Light Gun Metal" followed with 2 coats of their fantastic "Translucent Silver" to give it a more metallic sheen.  Now, I've just begun to gloss-coat it using Tamiya "Clear."  It actually looks better in person.  The camera tends to pick out individual flecks of silver whereas, looking at it with the nekkid eye you just see a deep, glossy "silver."

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv727%2Fjohnhowlingmouse%2FThunderbird%2520Ford%25201956%2Fbodypainted4.jpg&hash=dcc66ad9b723c6cde5ce31b09b704eaeb2f196d0)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv727%2Fjohnhowlingmouse%2FThunderbird%2520Ford%25201956%2Fbodypainted3.jpg&hash=7ed9e3773e971188afb11d1cdb33d4fa55f1dcf1)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv727%2Fjohnhowlingmouse%2FThunderbird%2520Ford%25201956%2Fbodypainted.jpg&hash=766fe376ba5752ca5345af83a6a85ecb786d52d8)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv727%2Fjohnhowlingmouse%2FThunderbird%2520Ford%25201956%2Fbodypainted5.jpg&hash=22ed3404bc827ba13815bd9ce4ec7cee03d781e6)
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: bobbo on September 10, 2011, 11:29:53 AM
I think I built the AMT kit about 45 or so years ago . . .

Painted it grey with red trim - with brushes.  Me Dad wouldn't trust me with rattle cans . . .

bobbo
Title: How's it Coming Along?
Post by: sequoiaranger on March 24, 2012, 09:13:26 AM
My wanting to "stretch" a '56 T-bird ("Beverly Hills Cruiser" in HO scale) led me to this posting. Hope you can grace us with pics of the finished product!
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: kerick on March 24, 2012, 10:57:00 AM
OK, what is that thing in the background? 
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: philp on March 24, 2012, 12:28:33 PM
Ms Hitler (meow) is building models, fantastic.
Painting them on the sprue is a good idea but I would put the engine halves together so the seam can be cleaned up before painting.  Don't know how many contest entries I have dinged for that over the years.

And would love to see another pic or 2 of her in her boots.  Oh, was I not supposed to mention the other pic, my bad.
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: scooter on March 25, 2012, 06:41:58 PM
That Hummer in the background is far too shiny JHM.  Granted, the ones I drive are painted in green or tan.  :wacko:
Title: Re: 1956 Thunderbird
Post by: noxioux on April 19, 2012, 04:45:39 PM
It's funny how the car stuff is growing on me.   :wub: