Red Baron

I still have most of the models I built when I was a kid but they're all trashed. Now they're boxed up and in a million pieces, most of them are hand painted glue bombs. With all the re-releases available these days, I'd like to try and rebuild my childhood collection. Rebuild them to how I imagined they could look. Starting with the Red Baron.

When I was eight the Red Baron was one of my favourites, now I find it a little ugly, kind of toyish looking. So that's my plan, to turn it into a proper looking Hot Rod. I'll be completely rebuilding the front end, I've got a couple body mods in mind and I'll also swap the 6cyl for a Ford V8 Flathead.

The one piece frame, body, transmisson and front axle.



I hacked out the frame and the transmission using the dull edge of a no#11 blade. Took forever!



After I cleaned up my hack up, I lengthened the frame by 13mm and boxed it using 0.25x4.0mm strip styrene adding strength.



This is how the body originally sat on the frame.

and here's how the body will sit, channelled over the frame. (still needs a lot of work)

Never tried anything like this before os any advice and suggestions are more than welcome.
Thanks!
Joe.

Looks great , the extra length is going to make a lot of difference to it

I've always wanted to see this one customised further, but retroing it back to a road rod is a great idea. The car looks quite good without the Jerry helmet on it. Keep us posted on this one.

If you would like to see another customised version of this kit take a look at the one on this link:
http://www.showrods.com/gallery_pages/red_baron5.html

By the way the whole website is devoted to built-up model cars and reports by their builders.


Tezza

WOW this is the first rot hod that me built it end up with 2 glue finger prints in the chrome helmet ,Like were u are going with this one clutch tezza43 just looked at the other one got a laugh today from it like it too

Should be a good build mate! I would have never thought of doing that to this kit Nice work so far on the frame and keep it up!

The original is a running and drivable car, currently owned by Bill Smith of Lincoln Nebraska.

Looks great one of the all time best show rods. Tom Daniel designed hundreds of show rods. 3/4 of my unbuilt stuff is show rods. They are an aquired taste but I love them. Daves show rod page is one of the best websites it covers 275 kits that Dave did own.
What is your plan seeing that you have extended the frame you must have some thing in mind? I like it channelled.
If it does not have the helmet it isnt a Red Baron.

I love this kit too, built a few as a kid ( all long destroyed now tho )
Looking forward to seelng this finished and your take on a classic kit,
Great site Tezza, spent the whole arvo gawkin at it, looking good Clutch, gonna be great

Thanks guys!
Awesome link Terry, never thought of a COE before, very cool. Like Johno I spent hours going through Dave's corner. Great site for show rod fans.

Monaro wrote:Looks great one of the all time best show rods.They are an aquired taste but I love them.
What is your plan seeing that you have extended the frame you must have some thing in mind? I like it channelled.
If it does not have the helmet it isnt a Red Baron.

Couldn't agree with you more, you either like the old show rods or you don't...I most definitely do. And the helmet is stayin.
I lengthened the frame because with the frame sitting further back there wasn't much engine room. Out of the 13mm exention, about 8mm goes to the rear.
Cheers!

oh man ive been umming and ahhring about getting this from the model house in rocky it looks out of this world lol if they had that rommels rat rod id buy the pair of em

Nice improvements, sometimes it is difficult to get the mix right when updating a previous popular custom rod. Good job. i too have built this kit many moons ago, it too now sits in the old stuff box. I tried a long time ago to customize this kit I used a convertible top from a 58 corvette it fitted ok but gee it sucked. It is almost sacreligious to transform a popular custom. I also built the Big Red Baron, have been pondering a restoration of this one, one day, I'm thinking of doing it as close to the real one as possible. Look forward to seeing the progress of your Red Baron remake. Sweet !

Thanks guys

Bigdaddy0 wrote: sometimes it is difficult to get the mix right when updating a previous popular custom rod.

I agree, you've either got to stick to the original look or go way outside of the box. Mine will still look like the red baron just with a few suttle changes.

Update;
Just about got the frame sitting nicely under the body. At the back of the body the frame sits flush but underneath still needs some more work.




I made the crossmember, engine mounts and front leaf spring mount.







After seeing how nice Kynan's scratchbuilt leaf springs look, I think I'll try to make one for the Baron.


Also worked on the helmet,
To give it a chop top, I cut a wedge from each side of the helmet, tilting the hemlet forward and fixed the flare.




I like how the helmet over hangs at the back.

Sorry about all the pics at once, I'm about 3 weeks behind in posting.
Thanks for looking.
Joe.

coming along nicely

man this is gonna look kickass joe well done sofar mate oh and love the front spring hanger

sports850 wrote:the extra length is going to make a lot of difference

That's what the ladies tell me...

Interesting project Joe - look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Nice job on the Pie cut

Thanks!

Bryce wrote:

sports850 wrote:the extra length is going to make a lot of difference

That's what the ladies tell me...

In your dreams...

how is the Baron going

Bryce wrote:

sports850 wrote:the extra length is going to make a lot of difference

That's what the ladies tell me...

Interesting project Joe - look forward to seeing what you come up with.

HAHAHA

Yeah, WTF are ya Joe?? you've been real quite here mate

G'day guys!
Allan; Haven't touched this one since the last update but I have bought some goodies for it.
Yeah Paul, I've been very quiet most of this year, haven't been myself lately. It's hard to socialise when your mind is constantly thinking about drama's. Lets just say raising a teenage girl can be very demanding.
No worries though, we'll get through it.
I've still been checkin in on who's building what, just haven't felt like socialising. Sorry 'bout that guys.
Today I'm taking my old man to a "country pub car show", I'll be wearing my AMCC shirt loud 'n proud. I'll put some pics up when I get back.
Later!

Glad your Ok buddy! Don't sweat it about socializing as I hear you on that front, we'll always be here mate. Cheers

No worry's mate,will be waiting and watch like everyone else.

Thanks guys, much appreciated
Haven't touched this one for for ages but I have spent over $100 buyin crap for it. Haven't used much aftermarket parts in the past but this one's gettin' the works.
Here's a little tease,