Fiat 508 "Balilla"

zathros

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I just saw some pics you posted that are excellent. I am working on the engine now! :)
 

Tonino

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Here they are... (only the boss has preview privileges...!)

This is my little daily update (I'm not as fast as UHU02... did you see how the Gotengo is growing? Amazing!)

The radiator grille is perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the Balilla. It's an important detail and I want it to be as nice as possible.

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I provided 2 version: one simpler all in one piece, and a more complex one with separate pieces for radiator and frame.
Obviously I choose the second option

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First I glue the back piece to the hood to help keeping it at the right shape (with a little help from a paper strip)

Then I placed the frame in front of it. The look is fantastic. I like it very much.
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DanBKing

Dan the Man
:surprise:

That looks (*Insert expletive here!)ing amazing!!!!!!

Are you gonna gloss coat the model when done to bring out the shine ?

(P.S. Can you 'Up' your picture sizes, Pleeeeeease!!!! Even for one beauty shot. Pleeeeeeease! ;) ;) :) )
 

Tonino

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Can you 'Up' your picture sizes, Pleeeeeease!!!!

I'm always afraid to be too much "intrusive" especially for the people who doesn't have a good Internet speed (here is a common issue: Italy doesn't have great connectivity resources...) so I scale down all my photos before posting... I don't know if there is a good practice rule about the best photo file dimension for a good "surfing" experience... any advice boss?


...oh and for the gloss coat: yes I would like to cover the car with some kind of gloss finish. I'm still thinking about the best way to do this
 

DanBKing

Dan the Man
1024 x 768 pixels is a good size for 'beauty shots'. Build photos, you can keep as you are doing.
I try to include at least one beauty shot at the end of each build post, just to emphasise what I have achieved in that post, the end result, so to speak.... :)
 

zathros

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I have the engine 96% done, here's how it looks in the frame. The reason it's taking long is that I am building it virtually after making it 2D, kind of backwards, but I want to make sure it fits. I took a few short cuts on the Renders, but I know everything unfolds. The mounts for the body have not been cut to size yet, easier to keep them long then cut.


Chassis -engine1.jpg
Chassis-engine.jpg
 

zathros

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I made this thread a sticky. Got tired of looking for it, and what you have done is amazing! I am going to have to make a body. I want a much bigger car, but that shouldn't make a different. I am assuming your model is the size of the templates you gave me, so once I figure out the exact mounting points, I'll send you the pattern for the frame and engine, front suspension (just starting that), radiator, etc, patterns/template. :)
 

Tonino

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WOW! A sticky? When I started this I didn't think it could raise so much interest! This build was like a little "pause" between a big project and another but is going to be - instead - another great work! :)
Thanks for your appreciation!

And, about giving a new body to the new frame... I'm starting to think you're right John. The detailing I'm putting on this car is going to be even too much for the original model thinking to the way it was shaped. I'm starting to think that the general shape of the car is less good than the fine details spreaded all around it. It is somewhat too "square" (and I don't even started to deal with fenders)... At the end, continuing this way, we will finish to redo all from scratch, from wheels to the roof... Anyway, now that I'm arrived here, I'll finish this one - as it is - and then we will see how to continue from there...

Cannot wait to see the completed frame!!!!!

BTW: the patterns I gave to you (printable on A4 sheets) are actually the ones I'm using to build my model so for the dimension they should be a good reference. Anyway, looking to the way this model is designed, I'm afraid it could be not so easy to make room for the new components. This is another reason for I'm thinking about an all new body. But let's think to one thing at a time! ;)
 

zathros

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Do I need to do the original templates over in my CAD software? It would be easy. Let me know. I know everything would be symmetrical. :)
 

Tonino

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Do as you think is the best John. I'm sure the original templates would need heavy modifications to give a nice and smooth body. I don't know if starting from an existing template to modify it to desired shape it's easier than starting from scratch or, instead, doubles the work. I obtained my templates tracing every piece in CorelDraw line by line over the scans of the original model. Doing so a certain degree of imprecision is unavoidable and, effectively , I'm experiencing several fit issues in my build. This is the reason for I think, eventually, we will be forced to re-think all from the start. Unfortunately I don't have any 3D drawing knowledge so I can be of very little help in this process.
 

Tonino

Well-Known Member
A little update. I'm dealing with fenders now.

Prior to place fender support it's better to glue hood handles because this spot will be harder to reach.
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The front and rear fender support are placed
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And the trunk
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Rear fender is fixed to the tabs.
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The front fender has a strange shape. I wonder how it will lay on his support
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The inside face will be clearly visible. Cannot leave it white. This time I paint it with a grey pen. I should provide a backside page with some grey areas... I put it in the to do list
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This little grate is a nice add. I don't know if it is an air intake or the horn aperture.
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This side is almost done

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A look from the rear window. Hmmmmmm! Too many tabs in this model!
 
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