DONE @p.5 +++ 1:72 Cornell/Jackson "American Spirit" Reno Racer

Dizzyfugu · January 24, 2019, 12:13:32 AM

Thanks a lot, everyone. Looks a little cheesy, but the aircraft's name justifies the measures, IMHO.

Quote from: loupgarou on January 23, 2019, 02:21:49 PM
Wow indeed. How did you do those bloody thin lines all around the cowling?

Generic silver decal strips (TL Modellbau), probably just 0.5mm wide. The same stuff was also used, just in black, to re-create the air brakes. The effect is great, and less messy than using a pen or even trying to engrave these lines on a hazardous of various styrene and putty types.

loupgarou · January 24, 2019, 04:55:08 AM

Thanks, Dizzy.
I know TL decals, didn't know they did also stripes so narrow.

NARSES2 · January 24, 2019, 06:17:44 AM

Stars on the spinner are just gorgeous

nighthunter · January 24, 2019, 06:19:58 AM

Might I suggest Pepsi Cola as a sponsor?

NARSES2 · January 24, 2019, 06:21:21 AM

"American Spirit" - Southern Comfort as the sponsor ?

kitnut617 · January 24, 2019, 06:26:37 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on January 24, 2019, 12:13:32 AM
Looks a little cheesy,

I don't know, I think it looks spot-on

Now did you put on 50 stars --- you just know some JMN will start counting them ---

major · January 24, 2019, 08:57:30 AM

WoW!

Can't wait for the beauty pics!

Dizzyfugu · January 27, 2019, 08:12:04 AM

Finished photo shooting, but editing takes time. ETA for the final post: tomorrow.

zenrat · January 27, 2019, 07:57:51 PM

<rolls on floor kicking feet and banging fists>
Want

them

now!

Dizzyfugu · January 27, 2019, 11:47:52 PM

Some background:

Instead of a normal story compiled/edited by myself, a very good "real" source: an article about the "American Spirit" project from 1996, scanned from a magazine and posted elsewhere:

And here are some impressions from the finished model:

1:72 Cornell/Jackson Special "American Spirit" (Bu. No. N5032Q/#12) Air Speed Record/Reno Unlimited Class Racer, 1998 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Cornell/Jackson Special "American Spirit" (Bu. No. N5032Q/#12) Air Speed Record/Reno Unlimited Class Racer, 1998 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

..and also in flight:

1:72 Cornell/Jackson Special "American Spirit" (Bu. No. N5032Q/#12) Air Speed Record/Reno Unlimited Class Racer, 1998 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Cornell/Jackson Special "American Spirit" (Bu. No. N5032Q/#12) Air Speed Record/Reno Unlimited Class Racer, 1998 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

...and, finally, in standard static display:

1:72 Cornell/Jackson Special "American Spirit" (Bu. No. N5032Q/#12) Air Speed Record/Reno Unlimited Class Racer, 1998 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Cornell/Jackson Special "American Spirit" (Bu. No. N5032Q/#12) Air Speed Record/Reno Unlimited Class Racer, 1998 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

A massive scratch-build. While challenging the work on this model was fun because it followed in its creation a similar process as the real "American Spirit", which was, AFAIK, sold and never completed. In the end, I am positively surprised how close the overall outlines seem to come to the real (and odd-looking) aircraft, even though the garish livery is purely speculative, so that this model is, despite its roots in the real world and the attempt to stay true to the original, a fictional/whif piece. The finish is a bit rough, though, but that's probably the price to pay when you create things from scratch.

zenrat · January 28, 2019, 12:25:24 AM

Your cockpit is further forward than the 1:1 in the photos. However, you have done a fantastic job.
Excellent.

Dizzyfugu · January 28, 2019, 12:28:49 AM

Quote from: zenrat on January 28, 2019, 12:25:24 AM
Your cockpit is further forward than the 1:1 in the photos. However, you have done a fantastic job.
Excellent.

The canopy is shorter in real life, too.

zenrat · January 28, 2019, 12:34:54 AM

They obviously made some design changes during the build process...

PR19_Kit · January 28, 2019, 01:11:33 AM

That's pretty darned awesome Thomas. And the finish is superb!

Are there any star decals left in your part of Germany?

Dizzyfugu · January 28, 2019, 01:36:43 AM

Well, I had to order a second sheet of the H0 gauge WWII Allied markings, but I think that was worth it?