FINISHED - Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder by CDW - Italeri 1:24 Scale

[CDW]

With a model like this, I like to modify the kit parts just a bit to give it a personal twist. 

Here, I've taken the molded front and rear struts and cut off the top retainers with my razor saw; next I file and sand away the molded on coil spring details; last I wrap soft wire around the strut to make my own coil springs before gluing the retainers back on top.

I like the look after everything is painted more than the molded on look.

[popeye the sailor]

I recall some older kits that supplied springs........that was short lived.   great idea for the extra detail file  

[CDW]

Here we have the partially assembled chassis with the engine dry-fitted. Brown flocking has been applied to the floorboards to simulate carpet. The seats and door panels will be a light leather color. The door panels will require some custom work to obtain a higher level of accuracy. What Italeri did was to share the same interior (and other) components between the 250 GTO and the 250 California Spyder. What's accurate for the 250 GTO door panels are not accurate for the California Spyder. While at it, will add some aftermarket photo etch inner door handles, window cranks, and rear view mirror for better accuracy.

She's coming along slowly but surely. I've got several irons in the fire right now and less time to devote to model building. Got a big trip coming up in the next 10 days and really looking forward to it. 

[Old Collingwood]

Some really nice detail there - the engine has come up so well.

 

OC.

[CDW]

9 minutes ago, Old Collingwood said:

Some really nice detail there - the engine has come up so well.

 

OC.

Thanks OC. I have a lot more work to do on the engine before it's finished. Just have the basics together to dry fit everything.

[popeye the sailor]

look'in really good...never tried the carpet thing    

[CDW]

2 hours ago, popeye the sailor said:

look'in really good...never tried the carpet thing    

Thanks for the comments, Denis. 

Simulating the carpet is real easy to do. You need the correct color flocking, some watered down white glue, and a strainer to sift the flocking. Get your flooring painted the color you want and after it's dry, brush on a good coat of watered-down white glue where you want carpet. While the white glue mixture is still wet, sift the flocking on top of the white glue, then shake away the excess (flocking). That's it. As easy as that. Just make sure to sift the flocking and not just drop a lump of it down. The results will not be the same and would create a big mess. You can get all colors of flocking on Ebay for a couple of dollars per bag. A bag of it will do a LOT of models. You'll probably never use it all unless you build dozens of models.

[popeye the sailor]

revell and Aurora put out animal models back in the day.........likely used the same type of flocking.  it's a nice touch   

[CDW]

44 minutes ago, popeye the sailor said:

revell and Aurora put out animal models back in the day.........likely used the same type of flocking.  it's a nice touch   

Oh yes, I'll bet you could really bring an animal model to life with flock.

I just ordered five more different colors in the 1/2 ounce bags for $2.25 each. 1/2 ounce doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot of this stuff because it's so light and fluffy, almost like dust. On their web, you see woodworkers using it a lot for lining the inside of jewelry boxes, drawers, and things like that. I wonder how durable it would be for that sort of use? Must be decent because it's used a lot. 

[lmagna]

4 hours ago, popeye the sailor said:

revell and Aurora put out animal models back in the day

 

4 hours ago, CDW said:

Oh yes, I'll bet you could really bring an animal model to life with flock.

You obviously didn't see my Perri the squirrel model. I built it and didn't paint it but went straight to the flocking. It ended up looking like the most moth eaten critter you ever saw! It was more like the Zombie squirrel from Hell! 

[popeye the sailor]

I've seen them around.........especially the older Aurora kits    I've never done one,  but I would agree that the flocking needs to be sifted onto the model.   I have a project coming up that has four horses.........don't think I'm gonna try it for fear of ruining them.   

 

I don't recall seeing any Zombie Squirrels on the Walking Dead     

[CDW]

1 hour ago, popeye the sailor said:

I've seen them around.........especially the older Aurora kits    I've never done one,  but I would agree that the flocking needs to be sifted onto the model.   I have a project coming up that has four horses.........don't think I'm gonna try it for fear of ruining them.   

 

I don't recall seeing any Zombie Squirrels on the Walking Dead     

Lou said he built his models, then without painting them, went straight to flocking. That alone is going to cause issues with the color of the finished job. The surface needs to first be painted the color (or close to it) of the flocking you're going to use. Second, no matter how tempting it might be, you don't touch the flocking until it's thoroughly dry. Touching it before it dries will cause serious issues. If you use white glue as the adhesive for the flocking, you could easily wash it off with water if you didn't like the results. In my view, it's a low risk/no risk proposition.

[CDW]

Not a lot of progress, but something is better than nothing. 

Got my hands on the set of Tamiya polishing compounds with a set of their applicators. Really great stuff as usual from Tamiya. Don't know where you would find anything better for models, it comes with coarse, fine and polishing (extra fine) tubes of compounds. Really makes short work of putting a super shine on your model paint job or for polishing clear plastic. I highly recommend it.

I'll be making some radiator hose next, then paint and build the remainder of the chassis assembly. Most likely won't have time to finish this project before we leave for a vacation.

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

looks great!........very  well done!  

[Old Collingwood]

Thats a cool looking mil.

 

OC.

[CDW]

13 hours ago, Old Collingwood said:

Thats a cool looking mil.

 

OC.

Thanks dude. I'm flying out of here in a few more hours...got my bags all packed and thinking about whether there's something I have forgotten to take.

I pack light anyway. My wife and daughter are another story...they pack like...everything. It will cost me when we check in our baggage. 😵

[Old Collingwood]

3 hours ago, CDW said:

Thanks dude. I'm flying out of here in a few more hours...got my bags all packed and thinking about whether there's something I have forgotten to take.

I pack light anyway. My wife and daughter are another story...they pack like...everything. It will cost me when we check in our baggage. 😵

All the best on your journey  have fun - stay safe.

 

OC.

[popeye the sailor]

have fun and good luck!  

[lmagna]

I know you are gone already Craig.

 

Somehow new posts don't always show up for me for a day or two after they are posted. But just in case you are looking in I hope you are having a good time and building lots of memories. I hope you remembered to pack your camera and can share a little with us stuck-at-homes when you get back.

Edited July 27, 2019 by lmagna

[CDW]

[CDW]

[CDW]

[CDW]

More to see tomorrow, lots more. Have taken well over 400 pics. Train pics galore.

This little engine looked interesting. In the White Mountains, not sure but guessing a logging engine of some kind? A Plymouth.

[lmagna]

Great area with beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing.

 

I bet getting to see the Albacore was a plus! Did you get to do the walk through?

[mtaylor]

Love the pictures.  Beautiful trip you're having.  I'm thinking that little engine might be yard engine for moving cars around.   

[Canute]

Nice views up in the mountains. And even better with the clarity. We get morning fogs in the Smokies, hence that name. The mist hanging in the trees looks like smoke.

 

Track gauge(space between the rails) looks to be standard spacing of 4'8". Most logging roads tended to build at 3 foot gauge, quicker to lay that track and cheaper to build. They'd use tree trunks for ties, since they didn't expect them to last more than the time it took to harvest the wood. Like Mark said, it's a yard engine or "goat".  Not big/heavy enough to haul more than a small handful of cars on flat track.

[CDW]

It has a radiator on the front but could not see an engine under that front cover. In the cab, there is something that looks like a boiler.

We took a six hour train ride through the mountains. It was a highlight of this trip. Lots more pics when we get home. This phone is awkward for internet.

[CDW]

[CDW]

Left to right is our oldest daughter, our baby daughter, then the Admiral.

The baby got accepted at SNHU, by the way. She landed two scholarships and a grant.

[CDW]

I thought this lake in the mountains was amazing. Over 200 feet deep and more than 300 miles of coast along its banks.