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For Your Eyes Only (Details we've added to our builds that we know no one will ever see)


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Hello Everybody!

As model builders we all create features for our builds that we know will largely go unnoticed by the casual observer. These features can be as simple as repairing ejector pin marks in a location that will be difficult to see once the model is completed or as complex as creating correct and proper wiring and plumbing for an entire engine bay.

Sometimes these details are added to gain an edge in a contest or replicate a specific subject. But most often we add these little details just for our own satisfaction. 

I thought it would be good for us to have a place to share all those underappreciated features, details and special efforts that we've added to our builds. A place to share photos of special efforts that we've made and are proud of but will never really be seen by others.

A place to share that satisfaction.

I think it would be good to post a photo of the model as a point of reference along with a photo of the detail or feature you wish to highlight. 

So to start thing off, I'll post a photo of my 1971 Dodge Charger:

71_Chargr12_23.jpg.6d76359b040ff3662f85e8cbb8fd1c63.jpg

 

And the labels that I made for the rear shock absorbers! :D 

71_Chargr12_09.jpg.c2f4a0d4249deea3aa4055af0fadd9c6.jpg

 

So dig out all those hidden details, post 'em up and have some fun!

David G.

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I've done things like that on a lot of my models.... Especially cars that I would want in real life! One such example is this Turbo Coupe T-Bird......

SDC10737.JPG.ffd34bade09a19c9a9603b01b85c442b.JPG

When I painted the steering rack, I wanted it to look like an aftermarket part, so I painted it aluminum and put just a dab of paint on the rack cylinder to maybe look like a label.....

details.JPG.5167149393fe2110d8ad460fdb8f1db5.JPG

Here's a link to the under glass post of this build.........

 

 

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40 Ford motor

Oil filter, generator and starter motor all turned up on my lathe

Crab style distributor totally scratch built

There two more oil filters tuned up to be header collectors as per the real car

image.thumb.jpeg.cecff5aecb4c4575431c9323abc2186e.jpeg

 

 

 

 

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14 hours ago, JollySipper said:

I've done things like that on a lot of my models.... Especially cars that I would want in real life! One such example is this Turbo Coupe T-Bird......

SDC10737.JPG.ffd34bade09a19c9a9603b01b85c442b.JPG

When I painted the steering rack, I wanted it to look like an aftermarket part, so I painted it aluminum and put just a dab of paint on the rack cylinder to maybe look like a label.....

details.JPG.5167149393fe2110d8ad460fdb8f1db5.JPG

Here's a link to the under glass post of this build.........

 

 

Nice touch! I really like the radiator detail too.

 

8 hours ago, bill-e-boy said:

40 Ford motor

Oil filter, generator and starter motor all turned up on my lathe

Crab style distributor totally scratch built

There two more oil filters tuned up to be header collectors as per the real car

image.thumb.jpeg.cecff5aecb4c4575431c9323abc2186e.jpeg

 

 

 

 

Dang! That's some serious detail work on that flathead!

David G.

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Here's another example of detail that may never be seen by anyone else once the model is built.

I'm currently building AMT's 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL and just wrapped up the interior.

65_Galaxie_00.jpg.603c3a92faf69826e405307b3e9907ad.jpg

 

Though no one will likely ever see it, I did manage to work some dashboard detail in.

65_Galaxie_26.jpg.de015d3516d7f979a8220356cd8a076f.jpg

 

Thanks,

David G.

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I think its more common that some like to admit. Take for instance flocking, and like David G. showed, interior detail.
Here is the interior on my 50 Olds that I flocked and detailed the steering wheel. You can't see that on the shelf.

IMG_20240429_090801527.jpg

50 Olds Custom Interior.jpg

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2 minutes ago, MeatMan said:

I think its more common that some like to admit. Take for instance flocking, and like David G. showed, interior detail.
Here is the interior on my 50 Olds that I flocked and detailed the steering wheel. You can't see that on the shelf.

IMG_20240429_090801527.jpg

50 Olds Custom Interior.jpg

 

That looks great Dennis!

It's cases like this in which we have to remember to get photos of the interior before final assembly! :D 

David G.

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  • 4 months later...

While creating these Flintstone Flyer cars, I had a ton of scratch building involved. This one element is very hard to see unless using a light through the side window. On the real car, he put a window in the firewall to have access to the magneto, since it was unreachable from the front. I even made the aluminum frame and added "plexi" later.

IMG_20190117_185327409.thumb.jpg.3002edfe87c9d02892a4da715a9ad3c4.jpgIMG_20190331_143010770.thumb.jpg.74f70c723c3b96e910c7ceb958a222e2.jpgIMG_20190413_050159466.thumb.jpg.1eff931a5b5f3a6c8a82f953eea98ebd.jpg

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20 hours ago, 64SS350 said:

While creating these Flintstone Flyer cars, I had a ton of scratch building involved. This one element is very hard to see unless using a light through the side window. On the real car, he put a window in the firewall to have access to the magneto, since it was unreachable from the front. I even made the aluminum frame and added "plexi" later.

IMG_20190117_185327409.thumb.jpg.3002edfe87c9d02892a4da715a9ad3c4.jpgIMG_20190331_143010770.thumb.jpg.74f70c723c3b96e910c7ceb958a222e2.jpgIMG_20190413_050159466.thumb.jpg.1eff931a5b5f3a6c8a82f953eea98ebd.jpg

 

Thanks for posting this Karl, it's a perfect example of the type of detail that I'm talking about!

I still think little details like this add to the overall impression of realism, even though many people don't consciously register them.

It's a fabulous looking model too!

=D-

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  • 1 month later...
17 hours ago, Chuck Most said:

Well... It's right there in the open but nobody ever notices the crucifix hanging off the mirror of my '89 GMC.

20221022_105028-vi.jpg.067ce00d8500b49e8835d20094045b74.jpg.edf305c40b660718f151cbb70f4a8e37.jpg

 

I'm not really surprised by that Chuck. Your builds are often so rich with detail that it takes most people a couple of passes to take it all in. Some folks probably don't even see many of the details consciously, their brain just files it all under the "Wow, that looks so real!" category.

I always enjoy seeing your work out in the wild Chuck, thanks for sharing a bit of it here.

=D-

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2 hours ago, ChrisR said:

I have build a version of the Cobra (AMT kit) that raced in Le Mans but is a RHD instead of LHD.

Cobra dash.jpg

 

That's cool Chris! I don't have a lot of RHD builds so when a kit offers the option, I'll usually take it. Like I did with the Revell '68 Beetle.

68_Beetle12_11.jpg.46d11bbce8003150e64d277a03e37d0a.jpg

 

I even gave it contemporary Aussie NSW number plates!

68_Beetle12_18.jpg.78f2d6f457bc4f638d8894594d6924ee.jpg

 

Thanks for the post Chris!

=D-

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7 minutes ago, Mattilacken said:

One of my first completions after getting back was my Porsche GT2 and in it i added a swedish mag on the seat and the key with keyring on the dash.

spacer.png

 

spacer.png

 

Nicely done Anton!

With the keys, the magazine and the driver's door slightly ajar, the scene kind of tells a story.

The owner is waiting in the queue at track day and he steps out for a moment to chat with a fellow participant, having set aside the magazine he was reading while waiting. Of course the race authorities don't want drivers idling their cars while they wait, so the keys are on the dash.

Very cool!

Thanks for the post Anton.

David G. 

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24 minutes ago, David G. said:

 

Nicely done Anton!

With the keys, the magazine and the driver's door slightly ajar, the scene kind of tells a story.

The owner is waiting in the queue at track day and he steps out for a moment to chat with a fellow participant, having set aside the magazine he was reading while waiting. Of course the race authorities don't want drivers idling their cars while they wait, so the keys are on the dash.

Very cool!

Thanks for the post Anton.

David G. 

Thansk David! you saw a full story there! Thats realy cool! 

 

Here is some other details that wont be seen on my Impala SS. The key made out of some misc PE from some rally car, is in the egnition on this one ;) and some of the switches are hot.

IMG_1571.jpeg

IMG_1570.jpeg

Edited by Mattilacken
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3 minutes ago, Mattilacken said:

Thansk David! you saw a full story there! Thats realy cool! 

 

Here is some other details that wont be seen on my Impala SS. The key made out of some misc PE from some rally car, is in the egnition on this one ;) and some of the switches are hot.

IMG_1571.jpeg

IMG_1570.jpeg

 

Very Cool!

I like the carpet and detail painting on this one too. Is this a current project?

=D-

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7 minutes ago, David G. said:

 

Very Cool!

I like the carpet and detail painting on this one too. Is this a current project?

=D-

Thanks! the carpet is a wet tissue that i washed and cut in to shape and after gluing it down with white glue i painted it. Made more sense to me to do it that way since i had a race car floor that would cover strangly with flocking. I some times get to much shadow i can see with my detail painting but to the naked eye it looks good. 

Yes its a current project: Impala SS 1996 Pro Street 4 seater - Page 4 - WIP: Model Cars - Model Cars Magazine Forum 

BTW, check it out, i have done allot of wiering and plumbing but lots that I still want to do. And i just made decals for cage inspection as well as new decals for the harnesess

 

Thanks, Anton

 

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23 minutes ago, Mattilacken said:

Thanks! the carpet is a wet tissue that i washed and cut in to shape and after gluing it down with white glue i painted it. Made more sense to me to do it that way since i had a race car floor that would cover strangly with flocking. I some times get to much shadow i can see with my detail painting but to the naked eye it looks good. 

Yes its a current project: Impala SS 1996 Pro Street 4 seater - Page 4 - WIP: Model Cars - Model Cars Magazine Forum 

BTW, check it out, i have done allot of wiering and plumbing but lots that I still want to do. And i just made decals for cage inspection as well as new decals for the harnesess

 

Thanks, Anton

 

Thanks for the link Anton, I'll have a look at it later.

=D-

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On 12/18/2024 at 1:08 PM, Chuck Most said:

Well... It's right there in the open but nobody ever notices the crucifix hanging off the mirror of my '89 GMC.

20221022_105028-vi.jpg.067ce00d8500b49e8835d20094045b74.jpg.edf305c40b660718f151cbb70f4a8e37.jpg

If the pine tree is garlic scented as well, then you have the safest truck around!

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