As we had build the prototype frame and had decided on general shape and looks
of the body we started building our first model on top of the copper tube
chassis. The tubes where covered with two layers of metal mesh as it can be made
to hold shapes better then fiberglass counterpart. Once the frame was fully
covered, we had used plaster and covered with a light layer just to cover the
holes in. the plaster. Progressive coats where thicker to acquire desired shape
and get contours of the body we needed and the final shape slowly started to
appear.
One thing we had found during this construction was that some of the tubes where
in wrong location and the proportions of the frame where not as we had
envisioned and had to be cut down. The good part was that the model was hollow
and the tubes where easily accessible. Also the body shell was thin so cutting
down and adjusting to get the final desired shape was fairly easy.
With first first model finished and after looking at possible styling
improvements, list was made of what needed to be changed or adjusted. With that
in hand we were ready to make a second model.
To make it easier to shape the the form of the model, this time we started with
with few layers of high density foam. From the bottom side we have drawn
proportional dimensions of the model and cut off the excess around it. Then we
had roughly cut out the extra foam from corners after marking the height of
roof, front and back end. The model was then sanded down to very close
dimensions and under size for what the final dimension where expected.
The foam was then covered with plaster to make the shell not only harder but to
get some of the details that was not possible to get from the foam.
The model was then spray painted to prevent the plaster dust from spreading and
to acquire more finished look.
|