Dave Ruther’s Thunderbirds Elevator Car part 2

Start with part 1

The cabin proved to be a difficult one. To build this would have meant building up a wooden former and then vacuum forming the cabin out of clear plastic sheet. However, it was Christmas and I noticed that one of our tree decorations was exactly the right size. On removing the coloured covering, I realised that not only was it clear inside, but plastic as well! (Little things please little minds!) This was then cut in half, the window section masked off and then painted red. The inside was given a rear wall, together with miniature LEDs. The controls of the cabin were made from plastic card, with more miniature LEDs (including the “Radio Controlled Elevators” warning lights). “Virgil”, at the controls was an aircraft kit pilot, fitted with hat and sash and then painted to the right colours. The two steering wheels, either side of his seat, were from some old toy cars.

The front section was attached to the rear using a box section, made of plastic card, and brass rod. This enables the front to move up and down. The box section was also used to house the battery and switch for the light sequencer.

At first I thought the wheels were the easy part, being standard radio controlled aircraft wheels with rubber tyres. However, the correct sized wheels from the model shop are over the £10 mark EACH! Baring in mind that 12 are required, this could prove expensive. Therefore, I bought just one, which the local model shop let me have for just £2, due to it being slightly damaged. I then made up a mould using RTV, for one half of the wheel. This is then filled with epoxy resin. Once two halves were made, they were glued together, using two-part epoxy glue. The slight gap between the two halves was then filled with automotive body filler and rubbed smooth by hand (before it fully sets). The wheel was then sprayed with matt black car spray. The only draw back in this design is that with all 12 wheels fitted to the vehicle, it turns out to be extremely heavy.

Once all of the wheels were made up, they were finished off with hubcaps, made from halves of ping-pong balls and plastic tube. Holes were drilled through the centres for the axles to pass through. Axles were fitted through drilled holes in the body of the model and made up from brass tube.

Detailing was applied using lettraset rub down transfers and a ballpoint pen for the panel lines. Weathering, was applied by covering the entire model with a matt black wash. Matt black was also airbrushed over the entire model, paying particular attention to panel lines and crevices. The tyres were dirtied down using airbrushed grey enamel.

Dave Ruther