Blue Max

[oldcoyote]

I normally don't contribute "work in progress" threads or pictures, but it seems my recent builds have been turning into constant works in progress. Shown below is my latest fiasco, an attempt to build Harry Schmidt and Raymond Beadle's Blue Max Mustang II. It has already been relegated to the "purple pond" twice because of paint issues. After the second paint failure, I decided to to alter the AMT Mustang II body to better represent the "Max" and not just rely on the "Trojan Horse" kit body as supplied in the box. Sides have been smoothed and the horrible "rivet panels" have been disposed of. The dinky rear spoiler has been augmented with the massive unit that adorned the real vehicle. As soon as we can get the wind to stop blowing at 25-30 mph and can get the temps out of the 30-40 range I will attempt to re-prime and re-paint this beast. Oh well, no one said old age was going to be easy or fun.

[Nacho Z]

Oh man, this is going to be great!! I’m going to get to see how you create one of your awesome race cars! Most of us have no idea of how much time and effort go into a finished model, especially when there are modifications going on. I saw that here have been 9 views and no comments so far on this thread and that is a shame. I for one am looking forward to your next update!

[oldcoyote]

Good morning John ......... thanks for the nice comments ............... hoping that I can get some primer and maybe some paint on this beast today ..... As I was sanding the spoiler down to the proper shape and size, I noticed that I had it mounted slightly crooked ....... so off it came, re-sanded the connection points on both the body and the spoiler, and got it reattached in the proper position ........... have a little more sanding to do to get it to the proper size ................ but as you can see in the attached photo (which was taken in the pits at Amarillo Dragway) the spoiler on thge "Max" was massive compared to the dinky unit provided in the AMT Trojan Horse kit ............ I'll try to get some new pictures taken after today's efforts

[oldcoyote]

Sorry John, I haven't been able to even get any primer on this beast. The weather just won't cooperate. It's gorgeous when I have to go to work and miserable when I'm off. We are forecasted to have high winds and rain all through the rest of the week and weekend. So I don't know when I'll get to do another update. Rest assured, I'll try to get something done. I found a better picture showing the spoiler on this car.

[Nacho Z]

No worries regarding updates. Art takes time!! This is such an iconic car, I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with yours. I’m sure it will be great. Thanks for posting!

[oldcoyote]

I don't believe it John ! I got a six hour respite from the wind and rain, so I decided I had to paint. I heated the garage with my portable propane heater and got to work. Worked on the Blue Max and an 0-6-0 diesel switcher which I am rebuilding from my Dad's "O" Gauge train collection.

First thing was to get the Max primered.






Then I painted the diesel switcher. (Pictures of the switcher are in the Misc area)

The last thing, after wet sanding the primered Max body, was to apply two coats of Testors Model Master Blue Pearl Enamel. It will sit and dry for 72-96 hours. Enamels take a long time to dry here in the "swamp", and I don't want another paint issue on this body.

[Nacho Z]

Nice work on the spoiler, it really looks the part. And that blue is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for the updates!

[Eddie]

Looks great, did you prime & paint the same day?

[oldcoyote]

Dec 2, 2019 1:56:45 GMT -5 Eddie said:

Looks great, did you prime & paint the same day?

Yes sir, all the painting was done in a six hour period. I used Duplicolor Refinish Filler Primer, let it dry for an hour, lightly wet sanded with a 2400 grit sheet, and then applied the two coats of Model Master Blue Pearl enamel.

[oldcoyote]

Despite the limited time I have gotten a little done on the Blue Max. Most of the day has been dedicated to looking after our 6 month old AussieDoodle puppy who was spayed yesterday. We got her back this morning and it has been a challenge keeping her quiet and not playing with our 4 year old AussieDoodle. I was able to sneak upstairs and get a little done while she was napping.

I got a coat of clear on the body, and was able to get the carbon fiber wickerbill painted on the spoiler. I also was able to get the tail light decals installed. That needed to be done so I can get the twin chutes positioned and attached to the body. Both the Blue Max decals (Slixx) and the Trojan Horse decals (AMT) have been treated to a coat of Testors 9200 decal bonder just for safety sake. I hope to be able to get all the decals on the body tomorrow. Then I will get another coat of clear on to protect the decals. From there, the glass, chute packs and lines, and the body attachment hinges will need to go on. Hopefully not too much longer.

[Nacho Z]

Looks like you are making some good progress on this, OC. She is looking good.

On a side note, I’ve noticed that this thread has 160 views at the moment and nobody, other than you, Eddie and I, can be bothered to comment on it. I just don’t understand.

[oldcoyote]

... The Blue Max Mustang II funny car is complete (well, at least as complete as I can get it) ..... the basis for the build was the AMT Trojan Horse Mustang II kit ....... not really correct for the Max but as close as I can get ...... after two trips to the purple pond. much sanding, body filler putty to smooth the sides, adding an extension to the rear spoiler to more accurately portray the Max, and removing the horrid rivet panels along the lower body sides the body was treated to two coats of Testors Blue Pearl enamel .... the decals came from Slixx ..... the engine detailing came from Kurt at Connkur and Charlie at Pro-Tech ..... not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but a fairly nice shelf model to add to my collection ...... and I'm not worried about the comment count John, as I built this one for you, Eddie, and me

Thanks for looking and bearing with me on this longer than normal build

[Nacho Z]

Doggone that is nice!! Such an iconic car. She really looks good, OC. Thanks for sharing the build process and the final result with us.

[Eddie]

Looks great!
Sorry I haven't been around for a while, got really sick last year and ended up in hospital. Then played catch up just before Christmas. Not fun getting sick when you run your own business. Just managed to get on top of things when COVID hit and totally messed up this year.

[tim]

Nice lookin funny car! The Blue Max cars always looked really cool!