Step-Up Van scratchbuild - Police lights and "tactical step" Nov 20th

[6milPhil]

I was asked if I could build a step-up van and to start with I wasn't sure I could but I was happy to have a go. Having looked at some photo's I was relieved to see it's basically a box on wheels, and I can just about manage boxes.  

Although not especially known in Europe it's a very widely used vehicle in the U.S.A., it seem to be the most common older ice-cream truck, but also has seen use as early SWAT and PD/FD control vans. As such it's as iconic as the Ford Transit is in the UK, or the VW Combi/Camper across the world.

I started by getting a plan for it, quite easy for such a popular van, and then printed it out had a fiddle around with the measurements to get it to the required scale and then printed it out again at that reduction to have it actual size. Two copies so I could have an extra side, these I then mounted onto plasticard;



This made cutting the pieces out a lot easier, although at scale some of the cuts were very fiddly, and on some of them there was a very definite best order to cut them too. This wasn't immediately apparent, so a lot of gazing at them and thinking was involved.



I kept the plan attached for as long as possible, it just made it easier, and gave a better idea of how it was going than blank white plastic, and it helped keep the right pieces in the right place.



The two pieces which couldn't be cut this way were those with any angle, namely the bonnet (hood) and the windscreen. I left these for last. Next the doors were all sanded to allow for a gap to give some detail, there's not much detail to it anyway so every bit helps to make it a little less boxy. Then the doors were fitted with some backing styrene sheet.



Next I prepared to make the wheel arches on the sides. Here's a quick test with the wheels in place.

[OSHIROmodels]

Very promising 

cheers

James

[Gunbird]

Really interesting, I use(d) the same technique to make 1/3000 model ships, but yours is a bit bigger

[orm1]

Great start what thickness plasticard are you using?

[dampfpanzerwagon]

Interesting.

I think there are many who will follow this thread with interest.  I will.

Tony

[6milPhil]

Thanks chaps. 

Great start what thickness plasticard are you using?

Mainly 1mm, the lining behind the doors and windows is thinner though.

[AKULA]

A great start 8-)

[Andym]

Great start Phil!!

[Constable Bertrand]

ooooh, this looks like fun to watch.

*settles back and gets comfy*

Cheers
Matt

[FramFramson]

Looking good! Zombified UPS men to follow, I imagine?

[6milPhil]

On with the arches. Started by boxing out them out...



...and checking they're right for the wheels



Then fill them with milliput and let it partially cure before shaping them. The worst part about this bit is waiting for the milliput to cure fully.



And they're done, well aside from curing completely. on the rear arches I could just use plasticard on the tops because there's no curve there.



Notice how I've etched "R" on the right door, but on the wrong side 
This had to be filled and sanded of course...

[tin shed gamer]

An interesting project,I look forward to seeing the finished model.
As for door just laugh at it.When you out think yourself.Its the universe stopping you from sitting at your desk and feeling smug.I should know the universe reminds me at least once every project that I'm not as smart as I am on paper .
Have you given much thought to the bonnet and lights?

[6milPhil]

Well laugh wasn't quite my first instinct. 

It was born of cutting the two sides from the same printed side of course, so although it was the same cut, bar the petrol cap - I slightly lost track. It's filled though so not a problem.

The lights and the bonnet are difficult, I think I'll make one light and cast it to guarantee identicality but have it raised rather than set flat. Bonnet, don't know yet.

[tin shed gamer]

Could I suggest a quicker method?

[6milPhil]

Sure.