Monogram 1/24 53 Corvette

[thejerseydevil]

I started this build a while back, but it got stuck on the shelf for months. This is my first white car so I learned the hard way how clean an airbrush has to be when doing a car in white. Overall the fit on this kit is ok with the exception of the headlight wells and the dashboard; which will require a little extra attention. In addition, the body will require putty in few areas due to mold sag. On the positive side, detail level on this kit is very good. After seeing a 53 corvette in a museum this weekend, I would say the proportions of the kits body are fairly accurate. Finally, the raised surfaces like the chrome trim, windshield wipers, and emblems on this kit are excellent. 

I primed the body with Tamiya primer, then applied the base coat of Tamiya Pure White, and finally cleared the body with Testors Wet look after I applied the Bare Metal Foil. All of the paint work mentioned was done with an air brush. I flocked the interior and tried to capture the details as best as possible. 

I started working on this kit again, about 2 weeks ago and I was hoping to get it finished before my meeting at my local club this past weekend, but I decided to give it some more time. 

[dge467]

Looking good!

[Tuffone20]

It’s looking really good! That interior is really going to pop with that white body!
Looking forward to seeing more of it.

[tubbs]

looks great so far. great application of the flocking. i always get a clump or a divot where i push some of it down with my finger. 2 questions, what make is that and 2, what is the unpainted part on the door panel? I don't know my older vettes too well.

[thejerseydevil]

In answer to Tubb's questions. What make is the kit? Monogram Models. The white portion on top of the door panel may look unpainted, but actually its been sprayed with Tamiya pure white and its a piece of trim in the 1:1 car that contains the release for the door.

Also, when I flocked the interior I used a salt shaker with rice to apply the flocking material with Testor's clear parts adhesive to fix the flocking material to the floor. Finally, thanks for the compliments guys. 

[topside]

Looks good to me!
How do they do the wire headlight covering?
I have a vague memory from childhood of having a big-scale '53 Vette kit.

[thejerseydevil]

I tried painting the wire guards on the headlights, but it was too rough so I polished it off. I am going to leave the clear head light covers unpainted. By the way, there is a photo etch kit that is still available for this kit. The kit contains nameplates, badges, and pieces for the head light covers. You can check out the photo-etch parts that are available for this kit by following the link below: 


1953-55 Corvette Detail Set based on 1/24 Monogram '53 kit

[tubbs]

Oct 26, 2021 8:00:30 GMT -5 thejerseydevil said:

In answer to Tubb's questions. What make is the kit? Monogram Models. The white portion on top of the door panel may look unpainted, but actually its been sprayed with Tamiya pure white and its a piece of trim in the 1:1 car that contains the release for the door.

Also, when I flocked the interior I used a salt shaker with rice to apply the flocking material with Testor's clear parts adhesive to fix the flocking material to the floor. Finally, thanks for the compliments guys. 

sorry, my eyes thought it was unpainted. my bad. salt shaker isn't a bad idea. i use a tea bag strainer.

[mopar]

Thanks for sharing your tips on flocking.

[thejerseydevil]

Here are few more progress pictures. I should have this kit done in a day or two. So far I am liking the results. 

I had some difficulty getting a good bond for the hood hinges or braces; because there is a lot of stress on this part. I had to glue it second time and take special care to remove all the old glue and paint in the areas that were to be bonded. I used a Testors garden variety to cement to bond the two pieces. I clamped the assembly, and let dry for two days and then I touched it up with an airbrush. When you snap the hood in place, take special care with the pins not to bend them too much or the bond will fail. 





I mixed the paint to try to get the Blue Flames engine color close to the color on the actual car. Also, the carb assembly was stripped of its chrome and painted with a combo of Model Master Metalizer aluminum mixed with Alclad Brass, Moltow chrome, and the engine color that I prepared. 



This was another one of my early attempts to apply BMF to nameplates and badges; which came out fairly well. The foil work doesn't show up that well in these pictures because I didn't want to setup my light box. 

[topside]

That's looking real nice !

[dge467]

Very clean looking!

[tubbs]

beautiful!! weren't all of those vettes painted white?

[thejerseydevil]

Thank for the compliments guys. In answer to Tubbs's question, yes the 1953 Corvette's were only offered in white. In addition, they didn't have exterior door handles or roll up windows. Interestingly enough, the original or first generation Dodge Viper lacked the same amenities. In contrast, the first generation Corvettes were only offered with an automatic transmission as opposed to the Viper where the manual was the only choice. 

[tubbs]

thanks for that info. heard something about the windows. was there even side window at all? i remember the Vipers being that way. pretty cool info