Zenrat's Flying Circus

zenrat · September 26, 2025, 05:38:20 AM

New build started.

One of these.

Lindberg released a number of different versions of the Dodge Charger Police Car with different fittings and transfers depending on which force was using them. They also released this undecorated kit which contains all the different sprues and no transfers. The idea being that you supply your own markings for a force not included in the other releases.
In addition to all the cop parts it also includes all the civilian parts so there is a whole heap of sprues in the box.
And, it's got a Hemi.
I originally bought it because is has a eight different light bars which I wanted for other builds.
I was surprised when I opened it up as I was convinced i't pinched the engine out of it for something else.

It's going to be in Gotham City PD Green/White/Orange like these three.

65 Chevy GCPD 001 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

57 Ford Panel Delivery - GCPD - 4 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

I've started getting various subassemblies together along with preparing the body for paint.
It's got a stripped out rear seat with the recesses for perps cuffed hands behind them (i'm sure that has a name) and a solid divider between the front and back seats so the interior is going to be painted in two halves. The front looking used and the back looking worn like it's been pi**ed and puked and sh*t in and scrubbed out many times.
I've removed the moulded in door lock buttons from the back doors and won't be fitting the interior handles for obvious reasons.

PR19_Kit · September 26, 2025, 05:42:04 AM

AND a Hemi? What's not to like?

Old Wombat · September 26, 2025, 05:58:44 AM

Should be fun!

Charlie_c67 · September 26, 2025, 11:12:33 AM

Err for those of us who have no idea what hemi is? $:-\$

PR19_Kit · September 26, 2025, 12:21:34 PM

Oh sorry, the Hemi (the word is is usually spoken in hallowed tones in hot rodding circles...) is an engine made by Chrysler in the 60s. It had hemi-spherically shaped combustion chambers, which are very efficient, thus the name. It was used in many racing areas, drag racing being the area that made it really famous, and indeed many drag racing engines even today use elements of the Hemi's design.

There was an earlier version too, made in the 50s, but the 60s version is probably best known, certainly in modelling circles, as it's included in many car kits.

Undoubtedly others willl come up with other reasons why it's famous, but that's mine.

Charlie_c67 · September 26, 2025, 04:26:47 PM

Thanks

kerick · September 26, 2025, 09:18:30 PM

Dodge keeps advertising Hemi engines for their Ram trucks.

PR19_Kit · September 27, 2025, 02:05:29 AM

Quote from: kerick on September 26, 2025, 09:18:30 PMDodge keeps advertising Hemi engines for their Ram trucks.

They're much newer ones though, but they use the same combustion chamber design because it's very efficient.

zenrat · September 27, 2025, 03:28:52 AM

The car in the Lindberg kit has what is known as a "modern Hemi" of 6.1 litres cubic capacity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Hemi_engine

Today I drew a camo pattern onto the Su 34.

PR19_Kit · September 27, 2025, 05:00:22 AM

Are they called 'Third Gen Hemis' Fred?

Certainly I've heard of the 1960 series Hemis called 'Second Gen' but I don't know if that's been extended to the more modern ones.

zenrat · September 27, 2025, 05:23:08 AM

Wiki refers to it as "third generation" but i've seen "new" and "modern" Hemi used.
I've also seen the capacity used to differentiate. I.e. "426" to refer to the '64 to'71 Hemi, and 5.7, 6.1 etc to refer to the post 2003 donks.

Personally i'd say "early Hemi", "426 Hemi", or "Modern Hemi".

PR19_Kit · September 27, 2025, 07:07:45 AM

Quote from: zenrat on September 27, 2025, 05:23:08 AMPersonally i'd say "early Hemi", "426 Hemi", or "Modern Hemi".

Works for me too.

zenrat · September 28, 2025, 03:45:58 AM

I'll post some pics of the Charger when it gets more interesting than unconnected parts with primer on.
I've made a lot of progress but nothing worth looking at yet. It's an enjoyable build so far. Fit appears good and it has a level of detail above that usually provided in and AMT or Revell kit of the same vintage (2010) - a head liner and interior parts for the B & C pillars, individually moulded exhaust heat shields, and a separate fuel filler flap for example.
All sensibly broken down, not annoyingly so like a Takom kit.
The destructions though are terrible. The diagrams are unclear particularly when it comes to precise part location - vague arrows are all you get. They have also managed to draw some handed parts swapped left to right with the numbers transposed, and if you stick strictly to doing iit as you are told you'll find it impossible to fit the rear differential part without sawing the driveshaft off.
Lucky I decided to dry fit all the underside parts before committing to glue.

I've got the Dicker Max into one largish (well it is 1/48) piece. It's painted and transferred. Just fiddly bits and weathering to do.

Dicker Max WIP 28-09-25 01 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

And a setback on the Tu 134. One of the fan faces came loose meaning I had to dismantle an engine so I could put it back in place. This of course meant making the joint good again which will mean PSR again etc etc.

Old Wombat · September 28, 2025, 05:46:51 AM

Like the Dicker Max! Looks really good!

A bit of a bugger on the Tu 134, though. $:-\$

zenrat · September 28, 2025, 06:41:41 AM

The Tupolev is a learning experience for me. It's my first serious 1/144 aircraft build.
If this is the worst mistake I make then i'll be happy. It's almost fixed now. Just cost me time and PPP.
It has very fine engraved detail which has vanished where i've had to work the seams. I need to decide whether to try and reinstate it or if its going to vanish under the paint anyway.