'51 Henry J

Hi Guys. Here's my latest trial. I've always wanted to build one of these Henry J's.Had the chance to swap into it so I did. I'd forgotten that I didn't like Revell kits as a kid because they were so bad. I soon got many reminders,LOL.Two piece fenders woke me up quick. Warpage was like a cold shower. It was everywhere.

The hood would not lay flat. I wanted the body to look steel with all seams showing but could never accomplish that,so after breaking it several times I finally gave up and molded it solid.

As usual for the era,interior and dash definition sucked out loud. I did what I could within my perameters.


Since the nose wouldn't lay down on the cowl,I added extensions to the firewall sides,drilled thru from the outer fender and put pins in it.

Added the helmet and gator from junk box hoping to draw the eye away from the lack of dash detail.

The slicks and fronts were two pieces. Pitiful. Rears are parts box. Fronts are the kit jobs.


The engine is also typical of the era.No detail,not even a distributor.Fat header flanges. Flash every where. Ergo,it's painted,not detailed and where it belongs. Screw it.You can see extensions I added for the hood pins.


I won't say much about the doors. Warped and ill fitting to say the least.Trimmed and shimmed best I could. Still huge gaps at tops.

You'll notice I put iron crosses on the ends of the hood pins to hide 'em. It's hard to open,but then, I don't ever have to open it again,lol.

It needed a push bar.The color is Model Master two stage Plum crazy. I'll use up the other can I have here .After that,no more. I think it's over priced and under performing.The clear is still tacky after a couple of weeks. If it were a real car,it'd be a nice 20 footer. The other prominent color is Krylon Bubblegum. I'm glad I built it,glad I have it on the shelf but most happy that it's over. Thanks very much to Clutch for getting these pics up here for me. Don't look too close.Best to y'all.Bill

Dont worry Bill, still a top effort for a shitter of a model.I remember that one to they did a 55,57 Chev Delivery as well if im not mistaken.

The good old days eh?
Geoff, could you be thinking of the Revellogram 53/54 Chevy delivery? Not too detailed with a very strange looking 409 under the bonnet.

nice resurrection Bill

M

Hey buddy it's not so much the crap you have to work with - it's what you do with it that counts (where have I heard that before?). In my book you've done one helluva job considering the issues you had - well done mate. Thanks for the detailed pics and storyline - much appreciated.




Tezza

You guys really know how to cheer a guy up,LOL. I was near three months fighting that damned thing. Finished it only 'cause I'm a cussed ol' fart. Geoff and Fred.you're thinking right on the money.This is from the 'Saints' series.Had the '53 or'54 sedan delivery,a chopped '57 Ranchero which I think is fugly as hell,the Henry J and a Willys'. Michael and Tezza,Thanks very much for the kind words. All you folks are finest kind. Later Y'all.Bill

cool ford

Hey Allan. A lot of folks think they're Fords. They were actually made by the Kaiser-Fraiser company 'til the mid to late 50s. Thanks for looking.Best to you.Bill

Great work Bill - that kit is a major POS PITA so you did well to finish it!

Top job on a pile of crap, that kist isn't even good for parts normally. I have a couple unbuilt for all the reason's you've stated and now that you've done a much finer job than ever I could, it looks like mine will rmeian unbuilt.

Wow,Carps.Thanks. Nice words. I was startled to see the lump under the hood referred to as 427 Ford. It was basically an amorphous lump to fill space under the hood,LOL. Only build it if you're a masochist. Oh well.It's built. Time to decide on my next victim. I'm not used to having several to choose from so I'm In a quandry. Thanks again for the fine words,Bud. Best to yoy.Bill

Hey Fred, your right on that one