Packard Darrin Convertible and Coupé Parisienne by Western Models

[LUW]

They look fantastic! And I bet you got happier by using the new tools than with the end result, right? I know the feeling .

[Jean B.]

Hard work.

Shaping the metal is not so hard , the hardest is staying patient and not losing hope...

Love the logos in the bumpers.

Exactly this detail led me to making new bumpers! In the original ones there is the Packard writing, but fading to the end so that you cannot paint it red... So I developped the idea of making new ones. The biggest difficulty will be making the pylons (?) for the bumpers, having absolutely no idea how to do them...

They look fantastic! And I bet you got happier by using the new tools than with the end result, right? I know the feeling .

Yep

Making holders for the bumpers, from etched strips which were burnished and bent:



Glueing into position, supported by Lego bricks to get everything horizontal:



Glueing the bumper to the holders:



The same for the rear end, plus licence plate:

[Tom]

Fan-tas-tic. Getting close now...

[Jager]

I love the creative use of Lego. The rear bumper with the engraving looks fantastic too.

[Jean B.]

Fan-tas-tic. Getting close now...

Thanks! Today I've started some tests making the pylons for the bumpers, this will be quite a fuzzy work! By the end of the week I'll photo-etch again, making one side of the Coupé windshield which was scratched last time (sometimes the UV-lacquer on the metal sheet has some blemishes...), and then, hopefully we're coming to the end slowly...

I love the creative use of Lego. The rear bumper with the engraving looks fantastic too.

Lego was one of my favourite toys in my childhood, besides Matchbox Superfast and Models of Yesteryear and - Smurfs! And tinkering with paper, scissors and any scrap - of course -, too!

The bumpers for the Coupé are attached, too:

[Jean B.]

Some sleepless nights led to the solution of the biggest problem I've had with this car, the "pylons" or "horns" for the bumpers! They are "free-shaped", that means they are rather "sculpted" than made from basic components. In addition, I need them - of course - in 1/43... Well, here's the result:

The center part made from a 3mm brass tube, in which a 1.5mm brass rod was soldered, but only 0.5mm below the top edge to get an "insert". Then the vertical flat part was made from a rectangle brass strip, filed into shape, and both parts got a cutout so that they could be soldered together:



A mould from heat-resistant silicone was made:



...and then the molten white-metal was poured into:



The result:



...and cleaned, polished and equipped with the p/e decoration with a red hexagon:

[Tom]

[Jager]

Very impressive work Jean.

[LUW]

Damn.
Like, DAMN

[Jean B.]

...that was my reaction, too

Very impressive work Jean.

Always hope to find your kind approval

Damn. Like, DAMN

Well, this was one of the few works where I didn't use that expression

Mounting the windshield:



The fixation for the hardtop unfortunately doesn't work as I wanted it to do (DAMN ), but I hope I'll find a way tomorrow:

[Tom]

Wow. Up to your usual amazingly high standards.

[superbird77]

Ok, I'm speechless how fantastic everything turns out. Love the craftsmanship.

[GBOAC002]

Stunning! No other word for it.

[klubman01]

Outstanding workmanship, and amazing details.
Brilliant!

[Jager]

The fixation for the hardtop unfortunately doesn't work as I wanted it to do (DAMN ), but I hope I'll find a way tomorrow:

It looks fine to most of us Jean, but we know you have high standards.

[Jean B.]

Wow. Up to your usual amazingly high standards.

I simply try to make the best from vintage models. My idea is always "how would the master maker of 40 years ago had done it if it hadn't been necessary to produce the models at a reasonable price or even for a mass market?"

Ok, I'm speechless how fantastic everything turns out. Love the craftsmanship.

Thanks , but no need to be speechless, there are many more model builders with far higher skills and techniques than I have. But of course I love compliments

Stunning! No other word for it.

Thank you! It's a good feeling to know that there are fellows worldwide who understand what I'm doing! My family and friends here meanwhile discuss enrolling me in psychiatry

Outstanding workmanship, and amazing details. Brilliant!

Thanks a lot! As I always say: If you once know how to photo-etch, there's almost no limit in making details

It looks fine to most of us Jean, but we know you have high standards.

The problem was that it looks fine, but the roof always slipped into the car But meanwhile I've solved the problem, and now I'm happy again

The results of the last 48 hours:

New supporters at the top of the window pillars to hold the roof, window wipers:



Antenna and mirror:



Rearview mirror and hub for the steering wheel:



...the same for the Convertible:





And all the pylons casted, filed and polished - ready for use:

[klubman01]

Love the way the "leather" of the seats in the convertible look slightly rumpled and used.

[Jean B.]

Love the way the "leather" of the seats in the convertible look slightly rumpled and used.

For once, that's not my credit , Western Models did a good job there imitating worn leather in white-metal. But I agree, looks nice!

Final furlong, gents, the bumpers for one car are attached now! First the single parts were glued together, with the help of a self-made raster:





Fixed on the bumper:



Ready:



Much easier at the rear end:

[Tom]

That looks utterly fantastic!

[GBOAC002]

Beautiful and very satisfying result of all your efforts. Well done!

[David MG]

I now await the 'formal' shots with anticipation

[LUW]

No doubt, that is a "museum quality" piece. Just fantastic!

[Jean B.]

That looks utterly fantastic!

...at least better than I'd expected

Beautiful and very satisfying result of all your efforts. Well done!

Thanks a lot It was hard work (like everytime...)

I now await the 'formal' shots with anticipation

Give me a couple of days to prepare the models - and myself

No doubt, that is a "museum quality" piece. Just fantastic!

Thanks! Indeed I call my collection my own private musée en miniature...

I guess I'm ready now! Today the last works were finished, like the Darrin writings (gold for the Coupé):



...and the bumpers for the black one:



...and the hood mascot for the yellow (I learned that this is no swan, but a cormoran ):



Stay tuned, I'll be back in two days!

[Tom]

Wonderful result of all your hard work. Two more gems for the collection.