1/8 Monogram 1985 Corvette - WIP
Hello all!
I had originally posted this in the Builder's Corner section because I hadn't actually started work on this beast. Now that the work has started, it's time for a WIP!
Old post: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/t/107479.aspx
The Story: My Dad and I originally built this kit in (I believe) 1990. We never really did finish it, and to be honest the build quality was terrible. This was my Dad's first and only model, and I was 6 years old, so I think we have an excuse! I knew Dad had it in one of his sheds and it had been there for over 20 years. Since my re-entry into the hobby about a year and a half ago I have been bugging him to get it out for me. My constant nagging, and I think seeing some of my finished work, finally cracked him and we went and dug it out!
The unfortunate part of the story is that the box had become a nice cozy home for a mouse or two, all long vacated. The instructions were of course used for bedding material and the interior tub was a make-shift litter box. Some careful sifting found all of the pieces (hopefully!) and the model and parts were put in a garbage bag and sealed up.
Over the past two days I have been busy bathing the two foot monster in warm water and a mild all purpose cleaner. Three rounds in soapy water and one through fresh water should have gotten all the nasty stuff. I of course wore a mask and rubber gloves while doing this since mouse droppings can carry A LOT of diseases. All told the cleaning was about six hours.
If you read any of the other post, you will know I was trying to figure out how to take the behemoth apart. I'm very glad to say that after washing it, many of the pieces came apart very easily, with very little persuasion. The interior tub and front suspension are giving me some issues, but nothing I can't overcome.
The next step is stripping paint, and then on to the build!
The Plan: This model is going to be built as a gift for my old man, with Christmas 2012 being the goal. He's always wanted a Corvette, so this is going to be my contribution to his wanton lust for all Vettes. The build is going to be as close as I can get to how the 1:1 rolled off the factory line. I'm doing research to get as close to the real thing as possible. I am however limiting myself in scope. I want, scratch that, need to finish this by Christmas. It would be so easy in this scale to build an EXACT replica, but I simply don't have the time or skills for that.
Don't expect this build to move along at any speedy kind of rate, but any time I accomplish something I will post it here.
Now for some photos! Before the bath:



Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/1003115.aspx
Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion