M-497 "Black Beetle" - Jet powered train

[Kiha66]

Wow, that looks really good Gavin!  I'm amazed how seamless the nose connects to the shell, and the decals look great!

[gavino200]

2 hours ago, Kiha66 said:

Wow, that looks really good Gavin!  I'm amazed how seamless the nose connects to the shell, and the decals look great!

 

Thanks! The trick to the smooth transitions is a product call "Delux Plastic Putty" that I learned about from Bubule's thead. I used it to fill the gaps and then sanded it gently with 2000 grit sand paper.

 

https://www.deluxematerials.co.uk/en/scale-plastics/87-perfect-plastic-putty-5060243901095.html

[cteno4]

Kudos Gavin! Superb kitbashing! You can’t keep calling yourself a beginner!

 

cheers

 

jeff

Edited November 11, 2018 by cteno4

[gavino200]

I experimented with attaching the extra jets to the practice shell. E6000 glue plus a single lag screw. It worked quite well. I also experimented with my first attempt at making a Satin clear coat finish using the formula below that I got from a YouTube video. I tried it out on an old US freight car. Way too glossy. Hardly any satin effect. I'll add another pipette of Matt and try again tonight. 

 

Basic technique give for creating a "satin" finish.

Mix 80% gloss with 20% matt coat

20%  airbrush medium (thinner?)

a drop of retardant

Low flow

 

then a thick coat

Spray it wet, just like with gloss coat.

 

 

 

[gavino200]

Only a few steps left (fingers crossed and touching wood). I need to figure out how to fit the sound recorder and then there's final assembly. Lastly I need to make the little pointy air speed meter for the front and install new sound files.

 

I think I'll workshop the sound installation on the practice shell.

 

 

 

[gavino200]

So finally the project is finished. There was a tiny bit of damage to the skirting getting the shell onto the chassis but nothing major. It's quite a fast runner and a fun loco to run. I learned a ton from this project. Thanks to everyone who's opinions and suggestions made it possible. Here are a few final pics. 

 

(Jeff, could you move the thread back to worldwide models. Thanks)

 

 

 

This shot is blurry but the jet LEDs are powered by the motor output and only light in motion.

 

[Kiha66]

Amazing work Gavino!  Thanks for letting us follow along with you.  It looks great on the layout.