AMT 1941 Ford Custom Woody WIP

[Duddly01]

I picked up this kit at a show some time ago. I prefer factory original but I am going to step out of my comfort zone a bit. I am going to go with more period correct Southern California surfer wagon. I am going with a soldier return home from WWII and customizing a woody wagon much like many soldier built hot rods after returning home. Something set in the late 40s early 50s. Lowered stance, surfer stickers, period updated Flathead with dual strombergs, etc. I couldn’t stand the look of the fuel injected Flathead so going to be likely making some modifications with 3d printed carbs and parts, or a completely new printed engine.

stripped chrome parts, why… just why.

I didn’t like the quad ends for the dual exhaust som cut down to one and drilled ends.

assembled the frame and suspension. I cut the exhaust where it fits into the frame to make it easier to install later so I could assemble the frame that would have been a paint assemble one painted. 

I cast some steelies and trim rings from the 1950 Chevy pickup and hub caps from the spare. Pad printed wide whites to round off the period look.

OMG the stance out of the box is terrible! Corrected with a bit of a “California Rake” look to give it the period correct stance.

assembled components and bagged per section. This kit had so much flash and heavy spruce connections.

Edited September 15, 2024 by Duddly01

[LennyB]

Donald, I'll be watching this one. After doing my 41 Plymouth Woody using the Revell 48 Ford Woody I thought of doing a straight build of the ford. Curious to see how the AMT kit compares to the Revell.

[Duddly01]

12 minutes ago, LennyB said:

Donald, I'll be watching this one. After doing my 41 Plymouth Woody using the Revell 48 Ford Woody I thought of doing a straight build of the ford. Curious to see how the AMT kit compares to the Revell.

Thanks. I have the Revell 48 Ford woody kit but I haven’t built it yet to compare myself. So far this kit seems pretty decent. You can tell the mold was getting old by this time, there is a lot of fairly thick flash on every sprue tree. 

[LennyB]

On 9/15/2024 at 8:16 PM, Duddly01 said:

Thanks. I have the Revell 48 Ford woody kit but I haven’t built it yet to compare myself. So far this kit seems pretty decent. You can tell the mold was getting old by this time, there is a lot of fairly thick flash on every sprue tree. 

I’m surprised there is so much flash.  The original came out in 1999, which by my standards is not that old ?. This version is 2015.  I have the original versions stashed away, I’ll have to see how that one looks.   

[Duddly01]

1 hour ago, LennyB said:

I’m surprised there is so much flash.  The original came out in 1999, which by my standards is not that old ?. This version is 2015.  I have the original versions stashed away, I’ll have to see how that one looks.   

Interesting. I haven't had it any worst on rereleases before. They must have used it a lot in a short time. Nothing hard to cleanup so not a biggy.

[Duddly01]

Sadly, this build has come to a temporary halt. I pulled the tendon in my left thumb, and I just happen to be left-handed, so it is making everything difficult at the moment. I am hoping to get back to this build in the not-too-distant future.

 

[Duddly01]

My thumb is starting to get better but still have to take it easy. I did get the taillights created. I smashed some brass rod and drilled for the mounting and soldered rod to It. I drilled out the kit taillights for pico LEDs and wiring. I also drilled for the brackets. Then installed the pico LEDs and added clear UV resin lenses and painted Tamiya clear red. Added the wire covering and tested.

this is the look I am going for.

[Duddly01]

Just a tiny bit more today. Made a simple mold for the door handles before I remove them. I didn’t see 3d ones available that looked right. I cut out the clock and gauges for LEDs, created side glow fiber LED. Will be backed by foil so will glow better in the end. I do not like the fuel injection intake so I got a 3 set of strombergs from Iceman.

[Zippi]

Nice progress on the 41 Woody.

[espo]

Glad to hear that your thumb has gotten better. I like the lighting ideas. I noticed that this kit looks to have split wishbones on both the front and rear suspension. Wondering if your ride height issue you mentioned before could be caused by the way the suspension was redesigned. 

[Duddly01]

1 hour ago, Zippi said:

Nice progress on the 41 Woody.

Thank You. Have to take it slow but glad to be making a little progress.

1 hour ago, espo said:

Glad to hear that your thumb has gotten better. I like the lighting ideas. I noticed that this kit looks to have split wishbones on both the front and rear suspension. Wondering if your ride height issue you mentioned before could be caused by the way the suspension was redesigned. 

Thank you. It’s still a bit numb but not killing me moving it anymore. Just need to take it slow. Not sure why, I did have to lower the front suspension a lot, removing some attachment pegs.

[espo]

19 hours ago, Duddly01 said:

Thank You. Have to take it slow but glad to be making a little progress.

Thank you. It’s still a bit numb but not killing me moving it anymore. Just need to take it slow. Not sure why, I did have to lower the front suspension a lot, removing some attachment pegs.

Sort of off topic. I also had problems a few years ago with a couple of fingers and a thumb. This may have absolutely no bearing on what you are experiencing, but have you seen a specialist for your hand?  In my case it was something that the doctor called "Triger Finger Syndrome". One of my thumbs would cramp hard against the palm of my hand and the only way I could get it to return to its normal position was to physically pry it loose with my other hand. Minor surgery returned everything to normal. As I mentioned this may have nothing to do with what you're dealing with but someone who specializes in this type of issues may be able to help if you haven't already done so.  

[Duddly01]

1 hour ago, espo said:

Sort of off topic. I also had problems a few years ago with a couple of fingers and a thumb. This may have absolutely no bearing on what you are experiencing, but have you seen a specialist for your hand?  In my case it was something that the doctor called "Triger Finger Syndrome". One of my thumbs would cramp hard against the palm of my hand and the only way I could get it to return to its normal position was to physically pry it loose with my other hand. Minor surgery returned everything to normal. As I mentioned this may have nothing to do with what you're dealing with but someone who specializes in this type of issues may be able to help if you haven't already done so.  

I did talk to my doctor; surgery was mentioned but I don't think it is going to come to that. I am no longer getting the pains from moving my thumb after several weeks, just some numbness and sore if I use for any time. I think I am getting better. Thanks though.

 

[Duddly01]

I have gotten a little more work done mostly on the body.

i removed the molded wiper and door handles and etched the vent deeper. I removed the molded in firewall wiring that will get actual wiring during detailing.

 

I created the gauge decals and a few additional surfer decals for the rear windows.

I cut open the grill in prep for being able to see through for depth later. I also etched the door jambs and drilled the wood bolts that will get some top studio rivets to imitate the carriage bolt heads later.

I removed the back doors and created the rubber flap to overlap from styrene sheet. I then created the hinges and used magnets to get the lower door to stay closed.

[Duddly01]

Today I created the LED wiring harness and a cover for the battery. I am using a lily pad style battery holder with a switch built on the  circuit board. I will eventually try to camouflage the cover with items like a picnic basket, ice chest and beach towels. 

[Duddly01]

I got just a little bit more done. The template to cut out the side windows had it where you cut out solid glass for the rear doors and rear area. That is not how they are supposed to be. I made them in halves like they should be and added trim for the felt wipers. I also cut out the rear hatch so they would look the same.

i also created the hood hinge and a bracket in the hood for magnets to hold the hood closed.

[Ridge Rider]

I like the details your adding, it's looking great.

[Duddly01]

55 minutes ago, Ridge Rider said:

I like the details your adding, it's looking great.

Thank you!

[Zippi]

The prgress on the 41 Woody is looking pretty nice.  I think I have a 40 Woody that I'd like to try making those style hinges on.  

[Duddly01]

5 hours ago, Zippi said:

The prgress on the 41 Woody is looking pretty nice.  I think I have a 40 Woody that I'd like to try making those style hinges on.  

This is what I use. I really like to be able to pose the hood and doors when I make them open. I also have small pieces of tube on the hood so I have the option to take them off. I also use tiny magnets to hold them closed.

[Duddly01]

Every reference image I found of a 1941 Ford Woody had a third row rear seat but for some reason the kit didn’t include the very back seat. I resin cast a rear seat and trimmed it to fit on the LED battery cover camouflaging it more.

I also resin cast the surfboard and created additional boards. I will be creating a roof rack for two boards at some point.

I picked up so. .005 styrene sheet and cut for woodgrain inserts. The decals are far too pixelated and one was damaged. I had purchased this kit opened. Getting a good woodgrain look inside the opening wood be difficult and likely too much buildup on the edges. I am pretty much ready to move on to paint and assembly with fabrication and modification is about done. I have some supplies on order so probably next weekend.

Edited October 20, 2024 by Duddly01

[Duddly01]

I was looking at the images above and decided it would look. Look a lot better if the battery cover was the full length of the back.

[BK9300]

All together, an excellent innovation to hide your battery - looks really good.

[Duddly01]

3 hours ago, BK9300 said:

All together, an excellent innovation to hide your battery - looks really good.

Thank You

[Duddly01]

Finally started getting some paint on the Woody. Base coat on most components. Next step will be to create the woodgrain effect much like I did 1950 Chevy 3100 bed.