My Flying Control Jeep - The Ongoing Story

[Jessie The Jeep]

Only 1/2 inch long, here's the beginnings of my BC348 radio that is mounted on the other side of the Jeep to the crate. The little square pieces are about 3/4 mm square and have been glued on first prior to trimming into circular forms to represent the dials on the real radio. Gluing them first was the only way they could be held still for trimming.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

Here's the radio, buttons trimmed, sitting in the back of the Jeep, along with the crate. It's a bit dusty in there at present, but will be cleaned out before painting.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

The sides are glued on now, but without glazing fitted so far. The roof canvas is trial fitted to make sure it fits correctly. The inside of the Jeep was then dusted out and painted, followed by the checks on the outside.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Hawk]

Very good modelling there! I assume I'm right in saying thats the Italeri kit? How will you source the Kleber tyres?

[Jessie The Jeep]

Yes it is the Italeri kit. I'm leaving the Bar Grip tyres on it as I'm planning on swapping the real Jeeps wheels and tyres over the winter.

[Jessie The Jeep]

Here's the radio and crate with their first coat of paint applied. Both still need dry brushing to pick out the details.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

Here's the early stages of the light board and follow me sign. Both parts were scanned before gluing, and the scanned rectangles became a template to create the arrows and text on a computer. These were then printed out on thin paper which would later be attached with double sided tape.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

The engine bay was next to receive attention. When my real Jeep was first built, it was 6 volt with a single battery. It was later converted to 12 volts with a second 6 volt battery between the two front seats. In 1966, when it go its factory rebuild, it was converted to 24 volts as it remains today.

So the models engine bay needed some reworking. Some parts were also not included in the original kit such as the fuel filter and voltage regulator. These two parts were made from small pieces of styrene and glued to the firewall. A second battery was made and fitted behind the first, and the air filter removed, the intake tube cut shorter and the filter refitted on the left side of the engine bay.

The second picture shows the parts painted, plus the missing distributor and ignition leads made. The leads were made from a single strand of copper wire from a piece of multi-strand electrical cable.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

Now with their dry brushing done, the radio and crate are glued into place.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

The glazing for the windows in the rear panels were glued into place, followed by the canvas roof being glued on. Even with the back of the Jeep closed off by the sides and roof, the radio and crate can still be seen.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

The text for the light board was cut out carefully with a sharp scalpel and attached to the styrene sign. The styrene parts had previously been glued to a very thin strip of 1mm wide nickle silver, the support for the sign.

Also seen in this picture is the strips of styrene glued to the bottom of the rear bumperettes, after the tops had been cut off. They are drying before trimming. This is because many Army Air Force Jeeps had the bumperettes mounted inverted. I've been told this was to lower its height, making it easier to use as a step into the Jeep when wearing flying kit.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

The warning flag was made on the computer as both sides of the flag, mirror imaged. See first attachment. These were then folded around a thin wire pole and stuck to itself with double sided tape. The flag was then crumpled and partially straightened to give the impression of it blowing in the wind.

 

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Hawk]

Very nice work there and kudos on the tyres. The old Italeri kit builds up quite well.

Shame it isn't an Airfix kit, "Just Like The Real Thing".

[Jessie The Jeep]

The bows were made from brass wire and the rest of the Follow Me sign support frame has now been made from more nickle silver strip. With that framework done, the flagpole has been glued at its lower end to the Jeep body work, and soldered to the framework.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

The rest of the body work was painted, and once dry, the rear star, reflectors , lights and bumperettes were painted. The radio aerial has also been made from a length of copper wire. The axe and shovel were also repainted to match the real items. The Jeeps tyres are yet to be repainted.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

The Jeep trailer has also seen some work. This has involved modifying the hitch to the Roset type, adding the rear lights and number plate, and making the handbrake lever.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[N.O.S.]

Very nice work, even if the bumper stencilling is a bit too neat :whistle:

 

I must show Mrs. N.O.S. those work jeans - she is always muttering about the sad state of mine, which by comparison can only be described as "mint" :-D

[Jessie The Jeep]

That's my clean work pair!!!

[Great War truck]

Very nice job there. I cant really do models anymore. They all seem very small indeed.

 

Tim (too)

[Jessie The Jeep]

There's still a few more bits and pieces to do on it yet, but I've got another project lined up to follow it ( not literally following, so not a P-51! ).

 

Any guesses?

[Bodge Deep]

Washing the jeans?

[Jessie The Jeep]

Errrr, no. Paint, cyanoacrylate, filler etc doesn't come out with Persil!!

Trailer has its markings now. Slightly raggy lettering, but all hand painted and about 3mm high.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Bodge Deep]

nice... looks good

[Jessie The Jeep]

All finished now. The 'Flying Control' and 'Jessie' on the screen is a photo of the original printed out and attached with the screen with double sided tape.

With the Jeep complete, I've now started the new project.....

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep

[Jessie The Jeep]

Can ya tell what it is yet? and can you tell where I'm going with this?

Edited October 20, 2020 by Jessie The Jeep