A Tough Question

[HiroshiAirborne]

Hello everyone, I have been getting ideas for city/urban vignettes but since no one makes or sells (to my knowledge) 1:35 scale civilian vehicles I thought about maybe making my own vehicles.

I have a feeling this might be a dead-end wish, but does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on how to sculpt or create modern civilian vehicles?

- Hiroshi

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Hi Hiroshi!

What timeperiod/conflict and location are we talking of?

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

 

[btavis]

Hello everyone, I have been getting ideas for city/urban vignettes but since no one makes or sells (to my knowledge) 1:35 scale civilian vehicles I thought about maybe making my own vehicles.

I have a feeling this might be a dead-end wish, but does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on how to sculpt or create modern civilian vehicles?

- Hiroshi

I have scratch built a few vehicles in my time although not modern ones. It can be done but takes an inordinate amount of time and unless the inclusion of a vehicle is so important to the piece then I would really consider an alternative if at all possible. If you move up to 1/32 scale then there are better options with diecast vehicles which can be reworked to good results.

 

[HiroshiAirborne]

Thanks guys,

Janne, the time period I have in mind is today and I guess the conflict is more of local/federal law enforcement. Like SWAT teams and such.

Bob, thanks for the link! I'll see what I can find in that range, if nothing pops up I'm not sure what I'll be doing. What materials and techniques did you use when you scratch built your vehicles?

- Hiroshi

 

[btavis]

Thanks guys,

Janne, the time period I have in mind is today and I guess the conflict is more of local/federal law enforcement. Like SWAT teams and such.

Bob, thanks for the link! I'll see what I can find in that range, if nothing pops up I'm not sure what I'll be doing. What materials and techniques did you use when you scratch built your vehicles?

- Hiroshi

Well, most of the vehicles I have done have been before 1941. I have a lot of old 1/32 Pyro car kits that I cannibalize whenever possible. Things like wheels, door handles, lights, etc. The cars themselves are usually made out of plastic sheet. Complex curves on cars are difficult and take a lot of trial and error. I also use brass rod, lead foil, putty.

I can show a few examples of cars I have done:

The first is a 1911 Renault touring car I used for a diorama and was completely scratched except for some of the parts I listed above.

The second is a Graef and Sift touring car scratch built for another diorama:

The third is a conversion of a die cast into a 1941 Plymouth taxi cab.

The last is a scratch built Minerva armored car for another dio.

 

[Ray]

Hiroshi,
I'll second Bob on the whole, die cast vehicles in 1/32 are probably the simplest for modern cars. Modern car bodies are usually sculpted just like the real thing. The medium used in sculpting car bodies really depends most on how the final version is to be produced. For example a common method is to sculpt, or carve, a complete body slightly smaller than the finished model and vacuum form over this form. Otherwise, you'll have to be a really good tinsmith and beat the thing out of sheets of metal as a friend of mine does for making patterns in 7mm scale.

Bob,
Very impressive models, I've done a few of these scratch/conversions myself and appreciate the difficulties involved. I still have a fairly large stock of Pyro and Airfix kits along with a few Lindberg ones too. My favorite conversion vehicles are really the Airfix model T's because Ford T's were so ubiquitous in the era I model, though I would really love a later T (in plastic), 1917 on, with round hood/bonnet. For later T's there are some really nice die cast versions available from Motor mint (I think that's the name or something similar anyway), which also makes diverse early model trucks, and a few autos from periods after WW2.

Thanks for sharing.

Ray

 

[btavis]

Hiroshi,
Bob,
Very impressive models, I've done a few of these scratch/conversions myself and appreciate the difficulties involved. I still have a fairly large stock of Pyro and Airfix kits along with a few Lindberg ones too. My favorite conversion vehicles are really the Airfix model T's because Ford T's were so ubiquitous in the era I model, though I would really love a later T (in plastic), 1917 on, with round hood/bonnet. For later T's there are some really nice die cast versions available from Motor mint (I think that's the name or something similar anyway), which also makes diverse early model trucks, and a few autos from periods after WW2.

Thanks for sharing.

Ray

Yeah, MotorMint is a good source and I linked to it above in my first post.

I picked up a lot of the Pyros kits on Ebay except the most prized ones: A 1932 and a 1934 Plymouth Sedans. Those I got from a hobby store in Spain dirt cheap compared to what they sell for, if you can find them, on Ebay. I am saving those for a gangster diorama in the future.

I have done trucks as well. The first is a flat bed Ford from the 1920's. It was a converted die cast. The second is also a Ford flatbed from 1929 set in my Chaing Gang dio.

 

[Ray]

Sorry Bob, I didn't recognize the link.
You're much more prolific than I am, I think I've done maybe ten vehicles in the last 20 years, and none reacently. Yours are wonderful, I'm pleased to have been able to see them.

Ray

 

[Uruk-Hai]

As mentioned above there a few kits in the 1/32 scale. Manufacturers like Lindberg, Mongogram, Airfix, Revell and Arii have some.

Even if the body isnt exactly what you want they might be a good source for wheels, seats, suspension, steering wheel etc.

If you make a body yourself I would suggest making a master in wood, Balsawood or even Balsafoam and then vacumform it. Perhaps in different parts to make it easier.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

 

[Anders Heintz]

MIG productions have some modern truck kits. I think they have like a Toyota truck and an F350 (250?) kit as well.

 

[HiroshiAirborne]

Thanks everyone, you've all given me great advice and even some more inspirations.

Bob, fantastic models! Exceptional work. I will look at the kits stated above and buy them for the wheels and suspension.

I have seen a Toyota truck from MIG. I believe it was a technical made of resin?

I appreciate it, folks. Thanks again