SPA Modeler

Of all the areas in automotive model building I find that by far the throttle linkage set up and build-up to be one of the most time consuming parts of it. If one thing is off, the whole thing seems to look wrong.

This morning I managed to build the throttle linkage bracket up on the front carburetor and get the common rod pivot point "L" bracket installed on it. I stretched a piece of sprue for the common pivot rod between the two carbs and inserted it in both pivot point "L" brackets. A little clean up on both ends and then I'm ready for installing both throttle levers onto the common rod. Then it's off to painting the rod itself.

This morning's progress:

Really interesting to follow this detailed engine project!

- Kari

Thanks Kari! I got up and worked on it for about an hour this morning but there's not enough work completed to mandate any photos today..... Hopefully I'll get enough done for that this weekend.

Your Engine work is superb – it’s a model in itself!

I look at this, and then I look at the RR Pegasus for my 1/24 Harrier (which I really mush finish) and I think

Ha ha ha!! Thank you Stuart! Go for it man!!!!! Go for it!

It's update time again fellas! I've put it off for a few days in order to get most of the way through the throttle linkage process. Here is everything but the return spring and throwing a little Tamiya Smoke on the PE linkage parts to give 'em that true metal look.

The big picture:


and a little closer at a couple of different angles:





What to use for the return spring? I was sittin' around thinkin' of what was best to use for one of those on my last build. I've seen folks wind their own and I just don't like the look. One the coils are not uniform most of the time and it looks like what it is.....a home made wound wire that's supposed to resemble a spring. I came up with the perfect solution. ......Most of you have quick access to one of these:

A 1:1 scale turn signal bulb. Just break the bulb glass:



pull the element out:



and you've got yourself a perfect return spring.......

Since that is tungsten I would hazard a guess that it may break rather easily. A grand idea, none the less.

Brilliant idea!

Paul: You know you'd think that but the last one I did like that I found that I could work with it fairly easy. I can only guess that being automotive grade it's gotta stand up to a lot of movement and vibration.

Tom: Thanks buddy!!

That's a stroke of genius Mustang! Way to go! That's gonna rock on that thing. Amazing work on the engine linkages as well. After you get the springs on, you gonna fire it up to see how smooth it runs? LOL!