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Post by mrmike on Jun 29, 2018 7:00:25 GMT -7
My new project and the return of McNally, Boston PI in a story called Beetle Beginnings. The story is not related to anyone living or deceased and is only to show what is driving this build. The Build
I am using Revell's '68 Volkswagen Beetle kit, #85-4192. It will be painted in a light pastel blue paint that I will be getting later today. So far, I have cleaned the body of mold lines and will give it a good washing with Dawn dish detergent and warm water.   
The Story
While cleaning out a closet, McNally finds an old photo album with pictures of his Mom and Dad, old friends from school like Johnny Hallis and his future wife, Teresa Burrett, pictures of the house and of the cars the family has owned over the years. One picture brought a smile to McNally's face, a picture of his first car, an old '68 Volkswagen Beetle. He had bought the car from the Estate of Everett Harold Tomlinson who had stopped driving at the age of 90 years old and the car sat in the garage for three years until his death from old age. The family wanted the old car gone as it was old and archaic. They hated the old car as it brought images of the good and the bad times that Everett had lived and suffered through. Young McNally had brought his father along that Saturday to sign for the Beetle with his son. The lawyer for the Estate, Alfred R. Manicottis signed the bill of sale after Young McNally and his father, Officer Raymond McNally had both signed the document and the money was then exchanged, $200. Johnny Hallis' father owned a wrecker service and he towed the Beetle to McNally's house and he help park the old car in the back yard next to the garage where young McNally will work on it to get it running again. He'll drain the old gas, perform a tune-up, and get the car ready for State Inspection. But, cleaning out the trash and junk inside the old Beetle will send young McNally down a path of discovery that he has no idea about. McNally will return... |
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Post by leon on Jun 29, 2018 13:21:13 GMT -7
This is sounding really interesting Mike!  Waiting to see how this story unfolds. Popcorn%20and%20drink%20emoticon_zpsnbkzs8ys |
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Post by aussiemodler on Jun 29, 2018 13:41:57 GMT -7
Damn advert breaks, this is starting to get interesting. Popcorn%20and%20drink%20emoticon_zpsnbkzs8ys
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Post by stitchdup on Jun 29, 2018 13:44:52 GMT -7
Cool, Mcnally's back on the case and in a (o\_I_/o)
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Post by DeeCee on Jun 29, 2018 14:58:34 GMT -7
COOL !!
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Post by mrmike on Jun 30, 2018 6:09:02 GMT -7
Thanks guys! If it wasn't for the advert breaks, you all may not come back.  Well, I have changed my mind on the paint color. The only pastel blue I could find is Testors Enamel and I am very down on Testors Enamels right now. Not enough pigment in the paint for my liking and, of course, the drying time. I prefer lacquers from Tamiya or Model Master/Testors. I have decided on Tamiya TS-23 Light Blue, but I may venture out into the heat today and search Home Depot or some auto parts stores for a can of pastel blue.  McNally will return... |
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Post by mrmike on Jun 30, 2018 15:00:41 GMT -7
The StoryAlmost a week has gone by and young McNally has been picking away at the old Beetle. He pulled the back seat, disconnected the battery and took it into the garage and place it on the bench in a metal tray, hooked it to a battery charger and will let it sit there for a day or two. The gauge on the charger shows the battery taking a charge. He'll wait until Sunday afternoon when he can pull the wheels off the car to inspect the brakes. He'll inspect the rest of the suspension and takes notes of what will need replacing. It is now Sunday afternoon and Dad is working, Mom has gone visiting her folks on Beacon Hill, and McNally grabs a trash can and pulls it over to the Beetle, opens the passenger door and starts throwing away some old books and magazines a couple of old empty boxes and then he sits in the passenger seat and opens the glove box. He pulls out three packets of now brown ketchup, a bunch of salt packets, some old receipts, an ice scraper, a bottle of dried up touchup paint, the old registration, and the owners manual. He looks through the manual when a picture falls out into his lap and he picks it up and looks at it. It is old and somewhat faded and of an older gentlman sitting and a young child standing on a large boulder with a lake in the background. He puts the picture in his pocket and will make an attempt to return it to its rightful owner. The BuildI had another reason to go out today, my living room A/C took a crap on me and I went out and bought a new portable unit so I am not lugging that one out of the shed and throwing out my back. While I was out, I stopped at Home Depot and looked at their spray cans and found Rust-oleum Gloss Spa Blue for under $4.00. It looks like a pastel blue to my eye so I'm gonna give it a try!  McNally will return.
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Post by leon on Jun 30, 2018 17:28:22 GMT -7
Looks like a good color Mike!  |
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Post by mrmike on Jul 1, 2018 14:26:55 GMT -7
Thanks leon! But... The BuildWell, I guess you get what you pay for. I didn't like the way this paint layed down on the Volkswagen body. Since I have to go shopping tomorrow, I'll stop at a couple of auto shops and look for paint. This stinks since I do like a metallic paint and this VW requires a solid paint. The body, hood and trunk are now taking a Easy-Off bath.    The Story
After school, young McNally gets a ride to see Attorney Manicottis to ask about the picture he had found in the Beetle's Owner's Manual. The Attorney says he'll ask the family about the picture tomorrow when he meets with them about other Estate matters. He then walks down to City Hall to check into registering the VW. While he was there, he went over to Birth Records to find any info about the rest of the family. McNally will return... |
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Post by leon on Jul 1, 2018 14:54:40 GMT -7
Bad news on the paint Mike! Hope you can find what your looking for. Sitting on the edge of my chair waiting for the next episode of McNally. Popcorn%20and%20drink%20emoticon_zpsnbkzs8ys |
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Post by mrmike on Jul 2, 2018 19:37:07 GMT -7
Thank you leon! I think I'll use the Tamiya TS-23 Light Blue that I bought last week. Just need to clean up the body and re-primer.
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Post by Deano on Jul 4, 2018 1:08:16 GMT -7
I scroll through to read the story first then go back to see what's happening with the build, maybe not quite right on a model car site but........ It sounds like we've been to the same paint school face%20in%20palm_zpsmit8xdak but I think I'm getting the hang of Dee Cee's methods. Time will tell lol.
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Post by mrmike on Jul 4, 2018 8:02:21 GMT -7
Deano, there is no right or wrong when is comes to viewing my WIPs. You can read the story first or view the build first or both as you go through the thread. It's entirely up to you to view it anyway you want. BTW, I like your avatar!
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Post by Deano on Jul 6, 2018 1:03:05 GMT -7
Deano, there is no right or wrong when is comes to viewing my WIPs. You can read the story first or view the build first or both as you go through the thread. It's entirely up to you to view it anyway you want. BTW, I like your avatar! Your stories remind me of the old western/detective soft cover books/magazines that you used to be able to buy from the news agent. Always had some in the truck for entertainment on overnight trips. The avatar is a concept drawing I found somewhere while looking for reference pics for my Bugatti build. Would love to have a crack at it if I can find the right kit to cut up, another Bugatti perhaps?? |
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Post by mrmike on Jul 6, 2018 14:46:45 GMT -7
Deano, I can see side exhausts ala Duesenberg running through the hood and the fenders and running back towards the rear of the car, tu-tone paint and BIG wire wheels with wide whitewalls! The Story
Young McNally returns home from school this Friday and his is not scheduled to work at Piccolo's Hardware tonight. He changes his clothes and goes outside to work on the Beetle. He decides to wash and polish the old car to see just how bad the body and paintwork really is. With a bucket full of warm soapy water and a sponge, he starts scrubbing and it reveals a decent re-paint at some point in the old car's life. An inspection reveals that the left rear fender was replaced which may have required a re-paint of the car, at least for the owner, Everett. The Beetle only had 83,000 miles on it and he is sure that the majority of the miles were put on when the car was young. But, in the back of his mind, the old picture was there reminding him that he needs to find the owner of the picture and who the people were in the picture. After drying the Beetle, he gets out the polish and starts rubbing the finish, bringing out the shine in the old repainted body. He finishes polishing and waxing the Bug when his Mom pulls into the driveway with her car and a load of groceries. He helps her bring the groceries into the house and then he cleans up and helps with getting dinner ready for them. The Build
I spent about an hour putting the engine together this afternoon. You can tell that this is a Revell of Germany kit inspite of the Revell USA packaging. This is fine with me since this VW kit is a very nice kit with positive mounting points and really good molding. I was going to wire the engine, but now that the engine has been assembled, I think it's a little too late for that now.    McNally will return... |
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Post by leon on Jul 6, 2018 15:19:02 GMT -7
Engine looks good Mike!
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Post by mrmike on Jul 7, 2018 17:29:33 GMT -7
Thank you leon!
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Post by mrmike on Jul 8, 2018 6:22:40 GMT -7
The Story Young McNally takes a seat at the dinner table with his mom. Tonight, they are having fried chicken, corn, and mashed potatoes. His Mom asks about his day and he tells her about school work and the Beetle. He mentions the picture he found in the owners manual and he shows her the picture. She says that she doesn't recognize anyone in the picture or anything in the background. McNally says he has asked the Tomlinson attorney about the picture and he will ask the family about it. Young McNally hopes to be able to return the picture and move on with the Beetle. His Mom knows that he can become a little narrow-minded once he starts focusing on a subject, and this picture is no different. He tells his Mom that all he wants to do is return the picture to the rightful owner, but little does he know what he will find as he digs up information on the Tomlinson family. The Build I have never weathered a model before, so this is my first. I wanted to weather the chassis and the engine a little to show some wear from years of use. I started with Acryl Rust and I dry-brushed it onto the chassis.  i installed the engine and dry-brushed some Tamiya X-19 Smoke onto the engine with a little Acryl Rust.   McNally will return... |
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Post by leon on Jul 8, 2018 8:04:41 GMT -7
Nice work on weathering the chassis and motor Mike! |
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Post by mrmike on Jul 8, 2018 19:13:59 GMT -7
Thank you leon!
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Post by Deano on Jul 8, 2018 22:14:14 GMT -7
This is coming up a treat Mike - build and story. I really like your vision for the 'avatar' build. Just need to start getting the pieces together for it.
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Post by mrmike on Jul 9, 2018 6:26:21 GMT -7
Thanks Deano! The "avatar" build sounds like a great idea! Better get started on finding the pieces for that build.
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Post by mrmike on Jul 9, 2018 8:56:05 GMT -7
The StoryYoung McNally is in his room doing his homework and studying when he hears the doorbell ring downstairs. His Mom answers the door and he hears her talking to someone, but he is focused on his homework and he doesn't pay any attention to what is going on downstairs. That changes when his Mom calls upstairs to him to come down to the living room. He is then introduced to Richard Tomlinson, Everett's son who wants to see the picture and young McNally gets the picture from his room and brings it down to show Richard. Richard looks at the picture front and back and says to throw the picture away and he leaves to the house with McNally and his Mom looking at each other and wondering what just happened. There is a small waste can next to the coat rack by the front door and McNally tosses the picture into the trash and goes back upstairs to continue studying. The following morning, young McNally is putting his books into his back pack and he finishes getting dressed for school. He goes downstairs for breakfast and puts his pack by the front door and he sees the picture in the trash can. He pulls the picture out of the trash can and places it inside his back pack and then goes into the kitchen for breakfast. He will try to find out more about the picture after school. The BuildI finished the chassis this morning, complete with weathering.   The body, trunk, and hood have been re-primed and will be painted soon with Tamiya TS-23 Light Blue.  McNally will return...
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Post by leon on Jul 9, 2018 9:16:47 GMT -7
As the story keeps getting better the VW is coming along nicely!
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Post by mrmike on Jul 9, 2018 12:04:21 GMT -7
Thanks leon! More story to come, so don't go away!
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Post by aussiemodler on Jul 9, 2018 12:23:32 GMT -7
The weathering is subtle and looks great and the story has got me even more intrigued. Looks like young McNally has his work cut out for him.
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Post by mustang1989 on Jul 9, 2018 13:28:19 GMT -7
Lookin' REALLY swell so far Mike!!
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Post by mrmike on Jul 9, 2018 18:00:33 GMT -7
Thanks aussiemodler and Joe! I am trying to create a Hurst VW shifter with reverse lockout since I really like them when they were first introduced many years ago. Shouldn't be too hard to create.
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Post by geardriven on Jul 10, 2018 0:53:26 GMT -7
Hey Mike,
I feel for ya on the paint work.... I am working with the same debacle. Laid down a nice Tamiya Italian Red on a 70-1/2 Camaro Z-28. Thought I could take the paint finish up another level and shot it with some Testors Clear Lacquer when disaster struck.
My Z-28 is taking a "Purple Clean" bath. As I write.
Tamiya aerosol paint products have proven their excellence to me. I am sure your French Blue application will turn out great.
I love the VW subject. My friend next door had a '72 Robin Egg Blue Beetle which we drove the wheels off of....great little car...took us everywhere.
Hope you project turns out...is looking great.
Keep up with the mystery/suspense stories....
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Post by mrmike on Jul 10, 2018 7:17:30 GMT -7
Thanks geardriven! Sounds like you had a lot of fun with your Beetle. Try to use like products with each other. Use Tamiya primer, paint, and clear coat with each other. The same with Testors. The reason you had issues with your paint was the Testors Lacquer clear is much hotter chemically than Tamiya paint and it reacted with the paint. The StoryYoung McNally goes back to City Hall after school to search birth records and to find any other notices of intent by the Family and the Executor of Tomlinson's Estate while looking for any clues and people he can ask about the picture in his possession. He also discovers that Richard Tomlinson works as a stock broker for Taggert, Mathews, Collins and Associates and they are in a cash flow issue as reported by the Boston Globe newspaper. It was reported that layoffs and even a possible closure of the brokerage might happen. The Police and the SEC are investigating the Brokerage. This must be bad news for investors and stockbrokers alike. He gets home in time to help his Mom get supper on the table. His Dad is working tonight, so it is just the two of them again. After dinner, he helps clean up the table and puts the dishes into the dish washer and then he takes a glass of water out onto the back deck and he sits there and stares at the Beetle still up on blocks. He thinks about the work he has done on the car and the work still needed, then he turns his mind towards the picture and the information he has amassed since he found the picture. He wonders about where all this is going and what he still needs to do. The BuildPaint was flying today as I got all the body parts into three mist coats and two wet coats of paint.   Last night, I attempted to make a Hurst VW shifter with reverse lockout. Not bad, but it could be better. I may try again with a shifter from my parts box.  McNally will return... |
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Waiting to see how this story unfolds. Popcorn%20and%20drink%20emoticon_zpsnbkzs8ys
