After getting a bit of feedback from my customers, I've decided it would be a good idea to show some of the upcoming parts, progress. and ETA of various bits and pieces.
So... let me kick this off with this.
I've given a few sneak peeks since starting this but now I am getting to the ''so close it's not funny'' stage.
This is a new dash panel upgrade set I've been perfecting in recent weeks. These pics show the most recent version fresh off the printer and washed waiting for some test fitting. You will note the large amount of support structure allowing this thing to be printed. Without going in to too much detail (I've covered this in the 3D printed parts blog), I've taken a lot of time to keep these supports in hidden / unseen areas to make building and finishing easier).
First tests look very good, however needing to move the actual dashboard face closer to the driver by a fraction under 3mm to fit nicely with the top of the dashboard. I've completed this today and hope to do another final test print tomorrow.
The set includes, main dash panel (in either left or right hand drive config), separate glove box / cubby, gauge bezels, all new dash board switches, knobs, AC / Blower controls, indicator / high beam cluster, steering column with separate brackets under the dash, functioning multi-part universal joint / steering shaft to go from the steering column to the footwell / firewall, new indicator stalk, under dashboard trim panels (5 pieces total), odometer reset push-buttons, new speaker panels for inner console, speaker grilles, separate panel bolts, maybe even include a set of gauge decals and some clear round acetate for the gauges. The gauge decals insert into a slot printed in behind the dash so makes them easy to line up.
At this stage I am calling this design and count of parts complete, as said above, only needing some test fitting now but all components are there and 99% perfect.
Taking Chris' advice, I've also added a lot of strengthening / stiffening supports to the main panel towards the firewall so the main assembly is extremely strong.
All going well with the next test fit, I am considering adding a panel to the top-centre of the dash fascia to house the interior lights that shine down on to the centre gauge cluster. This is a hard to see detail as it's tucked up under the top dash panel, but if I'm going this far might as well go all the way.
I'm also considering playing with the water-clear resin to reproduce some of the lenses of warning lights, I'll keep you updated on the success of this as apparently the clear resins can be tricky to 3D print.
As mentioned, this will come in Left and Right hand drive options, and I am considering putting together a ''basic version'', which will replace the original kit front dashboard panel, separate glove box / cubby, same switches and dials as above, but namely without all the under-dash panelling and steering column supports.
As always, thoughts and suggestions welcome.
Look out for future updates on this as it nears completion.
Hey Chris.. yes, it's very frustrating as the order seems to have, no order! I've tried numerous settings but it seems the forum has a mind of its own.
Hang in there, I have started work on a separate forum (offsite), that has a much cleaner and ordered structure, and more a traditional style.
It will be a slow process setting up the new one as I feel my way through things, but, hoping it will go live in a couple of months. I will also be transferring over all the posts and information from here so nothing will be lost.
I'm quite excited about that as yes, I am thrilled at the discussions, engagement and people on here. Still only small but the quality of the people and work more than make up for it.
I am very disappointed at how difficult it is to follow conversation threads in Wix. There doesn’t seem to be anything Colin can do about it. On the other hand I am thrilled to see so much engagement on the modeling forums. Rock on!
Thank you very much and excited to see that coming
Hi Colin, what about the bonnet parts ? Is it in progress and can you tell about when it cours be ready ?
Made some good progress on the distributor. First test print and everything seems to be going together very nicely.
So this is now available, and, I've also added a set of the OEM type CHAMPION spark plug boots (I think Gilles was asking for these - please correct me if I'm wrong).
Here is a little video of the assembly, and link to the parts.
The parts in the listing are still the test print so I'll update these with nicer ones when I have a bit more time.
As always, I provide plenty of spares of the ''losable'' parts.
Kit includes:
- 10 x CHAMPION Spark plug boots - 1 x Distributor upper body - 1 x Distributor lower body - 4 x Clamps (2 required for kit / 2 provided as spare) - 8 x Clamp studs (2 required for kit / 6 provided as spare) - 10 x Distributor top plug sockets (7 required for kit / 3 provided as spare) - 1 x Vacuum advance pieceHi Colin, I too have just placed my order for the Left Hand drive set. As before, please hold on the shipping as I Will likely add a few more goodies to the order!
Thanks Ed
ALRIGHTY THEN!!!!
Finally, here we go. Success!!!!!!
The dash set is good to go!!!! Touchdown, you little rippa, bloody bewdiful, fantastique, fantastico, fantastisch... pukka... choice.. and for the younger generation... siiiiiick... dope... everything is coming up Leadfoot Models today!
Sorry for my enthusiasm but this has probably been the second most technically challenging kit I've produced (right behind the 1/8 Pocher Bugatti Supercharger Set).
I've gone through around 12 test prints all up. I didn't bore you all with these, but a lot of iterations from the first concept to the final product.
The real problem are the angles and spaces this all needs to fit on the model (refer Chris' comment again.. NOTHING FITS), and the never ending ''domino'' effect of change one thing, and it ripples down the line.. and trying to get prototypical accuracy in a model where accuracy was probably a secondary consideration is quite the challenge. Ok that's maybe a little harsh to Revell / Monogram given this kit is older than me, but you all know what I'm getting at.
Anyway... This is technically offered in 4 versions.
Version 1 - Left Hand Drive with SEPARATE brackets & fittings for the steering column
Version 2 - Left Hand Drive with COMBINED brackets & fittings for the steering column
Version 3 - Right Hand Drive with SEPARATE brackets & fittings for the steering column
Version 4 - Right Hand Drive with COMBINED brackets & fittings for the steering column
For those who have previously purchased the speaker grille set or the dash gauge set, contact me to work out your exact needs and I'll apply a discount for this as some of those parts can be used on this set.
So.. here we go. Don't forget these are in left or right hand drive.
Wow, i will buy that with the futur bonnet parts ! I hope !
Great news!
Well Colin, as I stated in one of our email exchanges some time ago, "Oh Master model parts designer and maker" your R&D skills never cease to amaze us all!! I am going to have to put together a new "gotta have um" list!! I do have to say, I do want to get your upcoming distributor.
Keep them coming!
Ed
Collin, the update photos of your new dashboard set, steering column, console speaker panels, etc., have me more excited than a 10 year old boy at Christmas time. Your never ending quest for accuracy and authenticity is inspirational. Seeing the photos and narration of fellow 1/8th scale Jaguar modelers is a very positive and enjoyable experience. I will try and post pictures of my nearly complete engine and rear suspension next week. I had contemplated replacing plastic kit front and rear shock absorbers with aluminum tubing and wound wire over rider springs. In the end, I simply filled in the molded open shock absorbers cubes with leftover kit sprue. If I feel left behind in the dust left behind by my fellow Jag bloggers, I have the option of replacing select plastic components with metal down the road. Model on gentlemen! Steve
I definately would buy a Jaguar specific universal joint. I would also purchase a standard set for use on my 1/8th Scale 1978 Corvette builds in progress. This is getting to be more fun the further you progress, Collin!
Test building update on the dash set. Now, never mind the ''rough-as-guts'' finish on these parts, and my very average ''gluing'' job...but this shows why I test build these larger assemblies.
I have found a couple of areas that could make the building experience easier for you guys, but, more to the point, this fits, and pretty well.
Taking Chris' words of wisdom about nothing fits... it's a bit like a dog chasing it's own tail, never ends trying to get everything spot on, but, I'm very happy with the overall result. I might still take off a mm from the upper sections to lower the dash top panel. Even if this turns out too low, I'm sure you creative lads can come up with some shims etc for a perfect height rather than sanding away resin. Won't be far off though.
As a side note, I'm going to be doing some special pricing on the dash kit for those of you who have purchased the speakers and gauges as your existing speaker grilles and gauge trim rings work with this set.
Again, ''wonky'' edges. It's amazing how simply changing out an '' end of life'' clear sheet makes everything perfect again.
Assembled and fitted. I need to shorten the indicator stalk as well. Keen eyed viewers will spot the 2 long protrusions either side of the steering column brackets, these are the odometer reset push buttons I mentioned in my first post.
Of course all of this is going to be available in right-hand-drive.
I'll start the adjustments as mentioned in this post but essentially this is the set. Please remember the finished product will be much cleaner in appearance. I test printed this at a quicker speed and roughly stuck it together.
Comments welcome.
Update on the dash set. Had to do some tweaking (ie: big re-design) as the height was too..well, hig. It was too much of a squeeze under the original kit dash top, and things were sitting ok but a little too tight for my liking.
I have finalised the parts to be included and total parts count is 73 (with about 20 of that being extras and spares of the various resin ''nuts and bolts), so is it quite a sizable parts count for what is essentially one part of the model.
I have another test print on again tonight, so look forward to seeing this tomorrow morning (is a 6 hour print).. fingers crossed! 🤞
I was just putting together an order and now I see all of this. Guess I'll have to wait a bit...
I am absolutely thrilled that your preparatory work for under bonnet detail pieces such as inner fenders and air ducting components. I will purchase the whole enchilada - the complete set. The original kit looks good from 3' away if built bone stock. The weakest elements were the simulated wire wheels. You handled that problem superbly with 2 different wheel options. I may buy a second 1/8th scale Jag just to use those cool aluminum racing wheels (except then I need duplicates for every else you create). Maybe I wait on that decision and complete 1 special Jag before diving in deeper. Bottom line, your detail parts and interacting with Jaguar fans all over the world, makes this kit built the most fun I've had during the 70 years that I have built plastic scale models. Thank you Collin and fellow blog participants! You folks are helping me become a better builder. Stephen Miller Saginaw, Michigan and Houston, Texas.
Guess what and where! This thing was notoriously difficult to get the angles right. This is the little set of louvers that face the windscreen at the end of the bonnet, in the section that became known by Jaguar as... the ''Power Bulge''... don't believe me.. look it up! Still gives me a school-boy giggle..... anyway, if you look at the section on your Revell kit where this is to go, the 2 angles on each side are completely different thicknesses, so this means if you get this little part you'll need to be doing some filing on at least one side to even things up.
To give an idea of the scale of this, the horizontal slats measure .25mm thick or 0.0098425197 inches, apparently this is 1/64th of an inch.
Alrighty then.. another long awaited part finally getting a bit of attention (and a gentle nudge from Pierre!). The under-bonnet panels & ducting.
This is actually quite a major project as unlike scratch-building with styrene and thin sheet metal in the real world, where you can make adjustments with a heat gun and some filing - ok, I know it's a lot more detailed that that, but the maths and measurements on this need to be spot on in the CAD world, not only for the part itself, but those surrounding it for attachment points and shaping.
I had to recreate the entire engine cradle / frame, keeping in mind the critical points on the model to make it work, but adding in the details from real-world examples and including parts that aren't in the model kit at all.
The end result of this means I not only have a complete front engine bay frame designed (for another project), but I now have the critical dimensions to move forward with the under-bonnet ducting and other details.
I have also printed off the frame-work multiple times to ensure the points of the panelling and ducting all line up without any fitment issues.
The aim is to produce not only all the ducting that attaches to the underside of the bonnet, but also the shields around the wheel wells.
The other thing I'll be including in this set are strips that replicate the ''folded'' edges of the main panels that make up the bonnet assembly (where each outer fender meet the middle section that holds the louvres). These strips not only have the bolt detail as per the prototype, but the correct number of bolts along the strip. This has proved useful in measuring the sizing of the other ducting and panels.
I'm really looking forward to getting this one done as will be a huge improvement to the engine bay area.
Hi Collin, what about the project of the underhood bonnet parts divisions ?
Still very beautiful pieces!
I really appreciate the universal joints because I didn’t know how to reproduce them. You bring the solution.
Do you also plan to reproduce one day the spark plug caps that are missing on the model?
WOW Colin! Just like Chris - when can we get the lot?? More goodies to add to the collection!
Geez Colin that's bloody awesome. I will take the lot. When can I have them?
Cheers,
Chris
GENERAL UNIVERSAL JOINTS
As seen in the first pics above of the dash-board, here are some general use universal-joint assemblies.
Even though they are for general use, the initial design for these came from the steering shaft in the dash-board kit.
Two versions are offered:
1) Drive-Shaft type with a symmetrical arrangement and a closed hole for inserting a ''drive-shaft''.
2) Steering Shaft type with a clamp-arrangement and through-hole.
Each set comes with the centre cross, pins you insert through the outer parts to hold the cross in place. The pins even have tiny circlip detail printed in.
Holes in each are 3mm (you'll have to get yourself some 3mm styrene tube / rod or metal tube etc), cut to length for whatever you are using these for, then away you go.
I'll probably offer these in a range of sizes.
It's pretty cool seeing these assembles and actually functioning as a real universal-joint would.
When I get to test building I will update some pics.
LUCAS DISTRIBUTOR
Another new part I'm tinkering with. Based on the Lucas 22D distributor, this little guy is complete with the vacuum advance system, separate clamps and cable screws / sockets.
Seems this distributor has seen service in everything from Aston Martins, of course Jags, Triumphs, and even some of our GM Holden cars here in Australia.
The most important thing with this one is the correct orientation in the 3.8 Jag engine block. Fortunately the Revell kit has a square locating hole so I'll be using that to get the clocking of this correct.
This is yet to be test printed as is about 80% completed, but hoping to do this one over the weekend.