Build a Better Kelly Chadwick Vega F/C

[TheBEAUMONTGURU]

I decided to start a more accurate Kelly Chadwick Vega Funny car using the Revell Jungle Jim kit and a set of Slixx Decals.   

The Chadwick car uses a bunch of different equipment compared to the jungle jim kit,  mainly  the use of a Big Block Chevy rather than a hemi.  Also the engine sit back a bit further and the hood cutout and window cutout are much smaller.   here is the start of the mods using lots of parts bin stuff and plastruct sheet

the aluminum tinwork on the chassis is quite a bit different too, and i have to find a way to do the "smoke" anodizing with decals and clear red

the engine is a parts bin BBC from the supernatural kit.  the intake, blower, belts and covers are all parts bin round-ups.

[TheBEAUMONTGURU]

I set the engine back about a 1/4 inch so i had to move the steering, and everything behind the engine back as well.   The tinwork inside the body shell also has to be moved back so the body still sits down over the engine properly.   Everything in white is scratchbuilt.  the blue and clear parts are the original kit parts with a bunch of cutting and relocating.

[TheBEAUMONTGURU]

You will also notice in the very top photo, i filled in the giant blower hole infront of the winshield.  I will have to trim it out slightly later, but nothing to the same extent as the jungle jim car was.

[Straightliner59]

I'm interested! I always appreciate it when someone takes the time to really familiarize themselves with the subject. Plus, it's a great-looking car!

[gtx6970]

I would highly recommend to clear coat the decals.

 

I just tried to use a set to do a Green Elephant build using an old MPC Vega funnycar and the decals cracked like mad . I'll have to paint about all the stripes on

[TheBEAUMONTGURU]

Thanks,  Yes i gave them a good dose of Microscale clear.  So far so good.    lots of setting solution to get them to lay down, but no cracking of those big yellow panels!!!

[TheBEAUMONTGURU]

I tackled the decals for the body and they came out really well, but what a job!   hours upon hours of applying decal setting solution.

The red panels are all smoked anodizing on the real car, i was trying to find a way to replicate, so i printed some smoke pattern decals,  painted all the parts with a silver, then the decal smoke, and topped it off with some tamiya clear red.   The results are pretty good i think.

[Zippi]

The decals look good DA.  Coming along nicely on this build. 

[iBorg]

I really like the smoked decals. Nice approach to a difficult problem.

[dragcarz]

Wow DA, a man after my own heart. I love accurate builds! Looks great so far, love the tin work. Body looking good also! 

[gtx6970]

On 12/15/2024 at 9:57 PM, TheBEAUMONTGURU said:

I tackled the decals for the body and they came out really well, but what a job!   hours upon hours of applying decal setting solution.

The red panels are all smoked anodizing on the real car, i was trying to find a way to replicate, so i printed some smoke pattern decals,  painted all the parts with a silver, then the decal smoke, and topped it off with some tamiya clear red.   The results are pretty good i think.

Very nice. If I remember right the Barry Setzer Vega  had a very similar effect on the interior tins ?

[TheBEAUMONTGURU]

Thanks guys.  Im getting a little further along with some of the engine detailing,  i keep forgetting to take pics.  I scratchbuit a hilborn thats a bit better than the kit part.  I also made a Magneto from plastruct round, but its already installed in these pics.   its a hodgepodge of parts and bits from the parts bins.  Lots of wiring and plumbing too!

[Straightliner59]

4 hours ago, TheBEAUMONTGURU said:

Lots of wiring and plumbing too!

It's funny, how early dragsters and FCs, etc. look so simple. Then, when you start detailing a scale model, you find out just how much stuff is really in there! You're looking good, so far!

[TheBEAUMONTGURU]

Getting a bit further along with some details.  body and glass is done.

[dragcarz]

Really looking good DA!