AJR's Customs

Any brand, any year, show us your projects.
BPG
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 2:46 pm

Re: AJR's Customs

Post by BPG »

I love it... nice work!
BG
AJR
Posts: 327
Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 3:47 pm

Re: AJR's Customs

Post by AJR »

A couple of Alvis Stalwart repaints.
The sand version has been posted earlier in the thread.
The red one is based on the larger plastic Clifford Toys colour scheme.
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AJR
Posts: 327
Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 3:47 pm

Re: AJR's Customs

Post by AJR »

I don't know why but I seem to suddenly be smitten by combine harvesters.
I'm sure there must be a cure but in the meantime found myself wondering why Matchbox didn't get some better mileage from their MB65 Claas Combine Harvester by issuing an alternative colour ... like green.
Matchbox did both green and red in their King Sized versions so I thought I'd try out a green one in the smaller scale.

The front wheels of the smaller model are the same as the rear wheels of the larger model so a red pair was robbed from a green K9 spares donor.
The blades are the same as the later MB51 and a red set can be robbed from the yellow (made in Thailand) version but the red varies greatly in shade so I looked to disassemble one with a brighter hue.
Although the blades look to be the same, they are very slightly larger and use an interference axle. because of this I had to ream out the blade axle holes of my MB65 AND file out the length of the roller slots very slightly.
Paint used was Holts Duplicolor HGR 03, which I find a good match for quite a few Matchbox models.

Standard and repainted MB65 Claas Combine Harvesters .....
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Later type MB51 Combine Harvesters (yellow being a parts source for blades) .....
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GHOSTHUNTER
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Re: AJR's Customs

Post by GHOSTHUNTER »

''wondering why Matchbox didn't get some better mileage ''

This could apply to so many matchbox models and has been a puzzle for many years.

It is nice to see alternative colours especially on farm machinary because in real life, not all harvesting machines were red!!

Ghosthunter.
AJR
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Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 3:47 pm

Re: AJR's Customs

Post by AJR »

You don't find many mint / unboxed models of Chief Ironside's 1940 Ford Van so I had no worries about restoring my rough example.
They were painted in the wrong colour anyway (bright blue), it should be primer grey to be true to the first two TV series.
Two rivets to drill out (one for the base, one for the glazing / slide guide).
Thirty minute resto ... can pick donors up for around a fiver ... a tenner maybe if complete with wheelchair and platform lift.
Primer grey, pale blue stripe (raised detail helps), clearcoat to finish.
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Mint carded blue examples are asking up to £200 on the Bay of E.
A pre-pro uncarded silver version fetched £485 a few months back at Vectis.
I didn't realise that Ironside had such a following.
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Tinman
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Location: Florida, USA

Re: AJR's Customs

Post by Tinman »

Nice resto!

What a horrible way for a person to be transported! No windows, no a/c or heat, no fresh air and to be positioned behind the rear axle would make transport in this truck seem to be cruel and unusual punishment. I was never much of a fan of the tv show, mostly because it was to much fantasy and make believe (like his previous show). Still, very nice job on the restoration.
It might be time to start my "Bucket List."
AJR
Posts: 327
Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 3:47 pm

Re: AJR's Customs

Post by AJR »

Yeah, agreed, the Ironside series was a bit heavy going.
I have recently bought Season 1 on DVD just to look at the van really, which apparently was a replica built by AMT (the model kit company) on a modern GMC chassis.
After all the expense, it was blown up at the start of season 3 and replaced with a 1970 Ford Econoline with all round (shuttered) windows customised by George Barris.
MPC released a 1:20 scale plastic kit of that which is an oddball scale in the scheme of things.
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AJR
Posts: 327
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Re: AJR's Customs

Post by AJR »

Three restorations on Matchbox Ford and Dodge wreckers.
First pairing, I decided to swap liveries on the Ford and Dodge.
Pretty straightforward but the Dodge looked a bit bland before I touched in the grille and lights.
Perhaps I over egged the pudding there?
The Gulf Ford wrecker is a bitza.
One had a crushed cab whilst the other had a bent crane.
Quite pleased that it is hard to see the join.
It really needs an orange hook and roof beacon.
I think I'll swap the red and yellow hooks on the Ford's.
I'm liking the Ford's better with smaller logos on the cab sides.
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Hooks swapped over.
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Tinman
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Location: Florida, USA

Re: AJR's Customs

Post by Tinman »

Those logos do look good on the door. It also leaves room on the sideboards for The name of the company and/or a phone number. The extra detail on the 13d bubble light looks good too.
It might be time to start my "Bucket List."
AJR
Posts: 327
Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 3:47 pm

Re: AJR's Customs

Post by AJR »

I bought this Dinky DUKW in a job lot a year or two ago.
Not really my thing so I did a project on it.
I remember riding on one as a kid at a seaside somewhere which gave me an idea.
I did the majority of the re-working into a seaside "Duck" not long after and forgot about it until recently.
I filed out the solid cast windscreens, cut and filed out a central gangway entrance to passenger and driver area, added steps to the cross walkway, used a cut and shut interior of a Matchbox 66 Greyhound coach (including the bi-level steps) which I fitted over a previous idea of side facing benches (which I could revert back to if required).
Brass tubes were fitted to hold up a flat plasticard roof with panel pin locators (That part has been mislaid and I'll have to make another).
The cut out double rear wheelarches were plated over with brass. That hides the horrible whizzwheels.
The Dinky model never had a propeller (although the French Dinky version did). Steve Flowers does that as a spare but never seems to have it in stock.
Ended up raiding the parts bin for that.
Needs finishing with a jazzy design perhaps advertising Duck Tours.
It also needs touching up in places as a couple of years in the garage hasn't been kind to it.
It was really only a project but will give it a better attempt at paint finish now. The white is only primer currently.

Tatty Dinky DUKW donor
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Original idea for passenger seating
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Greyhound bus seating overlaid with steps down to cross corridor
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Rear end showing propeller (lights need tidying up and a few chips need touching in)
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