discussion Heller 1/8 Citroen Traction Avant

[Guest]

Apologies for the lack of a build thread so far, as I'm now 2/3 of the way through this behemoth of a kit.


I'm creating a build log with annotated pictures that so far has 50+ pages and 800 pictures...


Here's where I'm at so far...


BTW... The text on a few pictures is because they are from my build log - which will be a CD eventually.


Roy.


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[Ian M]

I have always wanted one of these.


Great job. That black paint on the coach work is amazing.

 

[Guest]

This may be the ultimate motor build on here, this looks ridiculously good. Great job, cannot wait to see the finished article, thanks for sharing this...

 

[takeslousyphotos]

Oh wow. That is one superb job....... Superb detailing (even corrosion on the battery terminals) and a top finish on the bodywork.

 

[grumpa]

If one did not know it was a 1/8 scale model one might think it were a full size auto under construction! excellent Jim

 

[bazers]

Biiieutiful work looks amazing

 

[Guest]

As usual roy upto you're amazing standards us mere mortals could only dream of.

 

[papa 695]

That's looking amazing Roy looking forward to more updates

 

[Marc Stock]

Wow how did you do that ? It's a real car. Oh my god I am speechless. Can I have a copy of the cd, I'll pay for it of course.

 

[Snowman]

AWESOME!!


cool beans bub!!

 

[Guest]

Many thanks you guys.


It's a fun build, and it is one MEGA kit.


I've built half a dozen Pocher cars, but none of them come close in terms the level of detail.


A real shame Heller dropped the 1/8 Citroen DS19 project.


The grille and front side panels are now on.


I stripped the horrible chrome from the grille and covered it with BMF.


Far better.


Front wings next...


Roy.


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[Guest]

Amazing work Roy, really like the engine detail, looks great

 

[Guest]

Superb as usual never seem to be enough superlatives for your work

 

[eddiesolo]

That looks superb Roy, great workmanship.


I know I have moaned about the high prices of large scale kits, especially Pocher. But, at around £160 ish you do get an awful lot of detail in this kit.


Si

 

[Robert1968]

This is turning into an awesome fantastic build. I have never seen anything so accurate to detail ) I say that but I've never seen the real thing but this looks like an accurate representation if you know what I mean. Was there a Haynes manual ti got the detail from? So life like


Are you going to recreate working windows??


Robert

 

[Guest]

Hi Robert.


Many thanks for those words.


No Haynes manual - just a mega search on Google images and various Citroen club websites.


There's lots out there if you search.


No working windows though - unless they are in the kit build.


I'm building this totally 'out of the box' with a few scratch made extra's as I intend putting the whole build on a CD for others to use.


So far I've written 52 pages of detailed build notes explaining the pitfalls and how to sort them, and have over 800 annotated pictures.


By the end, it will probably be around 65 - 70 pages and over 1000 pics.


It's great fun actually, writing notes and taking pics as you go.


Roy.

 

[Guest]

Fantastic build there top marks

 

[Guest]

An update on fitting the front wings...


The explanation and pictures are meant to help anyone building this beastie...


FITTING THE FRONT WINGS (FENDERS)


The front wings of the model have no proper attachment points other than a recessed ridge running around the upper area of the side panels, and some tiny locating pips that are next to useless.


Trying to glue the wings in place with any degree of success while keeping them level with each other is extremely difficult. There is also a great risk of getting glue on the bodywork paint.


First, glue the mounting brackets – Parts 479 & 480 – to the front cradle. Make sure you fit them to the correct sides. Clean off the moulded ridge on the mating face of the parts before fitting them.


To attach the wings, it would be far easier to add some locating brackets to the underside of the wings and drill and screw them in place to the main body. This way no glue is used and the wings will also ‘pull’ more tightly to the bodywork helping alleviate any possible gaps.


Make the mounting brackets from ¼ angle plastic section.


Glue the brackets as shown.


The front and centre bracket should be set back 1mm from the edge of the wing to allow for the recess in the side body panel.


The rear bracket should be fixed level with the wing edge.


When the glue is dry, drill a 1.5mm hole through the bracket.


Hold one of the wings against the car body in the correct position so that the inner edge of the wing sits on the ridge on the side panel.


From underneath the wing, push a fine screwdriver through the hole in the centre bracket to mark the side panel paint.


Remove the wing and drill a 1mm hole through the side panel, where the screwdriver mark is.


Using a small 1.5mm screw, attach the wing to the car. Do not tighten the screw yet.


With the wing held in place, make two more marks through the other brackets onto the car body.


Remove the centre screw and put the wing aside.


Drill two more holes in the car body to align with the bracket holes.


Replace the wing using the centre screw first. Do not tighten it yet.


Fit the other two screws and finally tighten all three.


Do not over tighten the screws or you may strip the thread in the plastic.


Fit the other wing in the same way.


Adhesive can now be run around the underside of the wing/body join if required.


.....................I actually have FAR more annotated pictures and info in my build diary.


More to come...


Hope some of you find it useful.


Roy.


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[flyjoe180]

That is already looking like it is in a museum and life like, nice work so far Roy.

 

[Marc Stock]

Every time I look at the build pictures it amazes my what a genuine work of top art this is.