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 Rank: Super-Elite      Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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here is my build diary for my studio scale Thunderbird recovery vehicle. Since there will be a delay before I can build anymore of my DeAgostini Thunderbird 2 I figured I would dig out this kit. This is a resin and metal kit made by UNCL who also made the elevator car I built. it looks like a fairly simple kit.The biggest challenge will be soldering the individual track links. So here are the kit parts. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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 Rank: Pro  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/03/2016 Posts: 303 Points: 909
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That looks pretty cool! good luck
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Rank: Pro Groups: New Members, Unapproved Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Good looking model. Would be great to see it complete.
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Rank: Super-Elite  Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/01/2014 Posts: 5,060 Points: 14,980
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That looks like it will build ninth a very nice kit
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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And so it begins.First step is to attach the piece onto the main body that will hold the suspension for the wheels. Then i applied a detail part to the back of the main body. The nosecone attaches to the body with a butt joint so I drilled a hole on the body and nosecone and glued a piece of metal tube into the hole to give more strength to the joint and align the 2 parts. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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So the next step is to add the detail piece on top of the main body.But there is a problem. As you can see there is a gap between the detail part and the body.This is a very common problem with resin models due to shrinkage of the resin and warpage.IF it were just warped you could use a hair dryer to fix it, but this part needs a filler piece to bridge the gap. Is there a quick and easy way to do this without cutting plastic fillers and sanding until a good fit.Why yes there is.Here is a technique I learned form professional modeler Randy Cooper. Gentlemen I give you BONDO PRESSING darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Bondo Pressing step one Procure yourself some automotive body filler (Bondo). This stuff works great for resin kits.It bonds to resin well, dries very quickly and is easy to sand. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Bondo pressing step 2 Tape off the area where the detail piece attaches to the main body.This is a very important step to prevent the bondo from sticking the 2 parts together. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Bondo pressing step 3 Applying a good amount of Bondo to the detail part.You want a thick coat because when you press this piece onto the main body you want the bondo to ooze out between the 2 parts. Then you place the detail part in place and press down so the bondo fills the gap and oozes out the side. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Bondo pressing step 4 After waiting a couple of minutes for the Bondo to set up use a blade to cut off the bondo that has oozed out.You have to work quickly here before the bondo sets too hard to cut.You want to cut it flush with the detail part to save on sanding later on. Once you have cut off the excess you can pull the 2 pieces apart-IF the bondo has stuck to the tape you can peel the tape off the separate the 2 parts. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Bondo pressing step 5 Now you can sand the edges of the detail part to remove the excess Bondo and when the Bondo has completely set up you can glue the parts together. From start to finish this technique takes about 5 minutes. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Most of the detail has now been added to the main body and I am working on the launchers. next step is to sand down the body and fill in gaps are air bubbles. The wheels have been sanded and will be going to piant this week and then the track links will be soldered together. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Finally getting back to doing more on this.My basement is almost finished and I will be able to paint again soon so I am finally getting to my backlog of kits ready for paint. The recovery vehicle has white metal tracks.I started soldering the track links together.Even after soldering the joints were not that secure so I reinforced them with epoxy. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite  Groups: Registered
Joined: 19/06/2013 Posts: 4,588 Points: 13,553 Location: West Yorkshire
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Great start Carl  it will co well with your elevator car. Al
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/01/2014 Posts: 5,060 Points: 14,980
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Fantastic idea with the bondo pressing, looked like it worked a treat. I don't envy you soldering all those tracks, looks to be a pain of a job 
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 Rank: Master  Groups: Registered
Joined: 07/07/2015 Posts: 1,292 Points: 3,928 Location: Allentown PA
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Looking good already.
DeAgostini kit builds:
Millennium Falcon: 18% Complete
Shelby GT-500: 28% Complete
Thunderbird 2: 13.75% Complete
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Time for primer.my new spray booth is now set up after my last one died.I am using automotive black primer for this kit and will then be using Tamiya spray cans for the orange color and chrome pens for the metal. Carl darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Great work Carl, love the new spray booth. Mark
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Rank: Pro Groups: New Members, Unapproved Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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That's a great spray booth set-up you have there Carl, very professional looking - well done and happy spraying.
Looking forward to seeing your finished model.  
Kev 
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Almost finished the recover vehicle.Most of the main assembly is done.Painting is done.I clearcoated it prior to decal application. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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