Parnelli VPJ2

[lance]

Here is my method for making naca ducts, first I locate the position of the duct on the car and trace in the location with a paper template as shown in the above photo. Next I use a dremel and an exacto blade to remove material at the location of the duct. I then use plastic and cut out the shape of the duct and ount it to a piece of aluminum rod.

[lance]

Next the hole is filled with milli putty and smoothed down so it is flush with the body.

[lance]

The next step is to brush vasaline over the putty and the tool I made. The tool is then pushed into the putty and then pulled straight out. Allow the putty to set up overnight.

[lance]

After the putty has hardened, the excess putty is trimmed away with an exacto and sanded flush with fine grit sandpaper.

[SWT500]

It’s a pleasure watching you work!!

[illeagle10]

I can't agree more!

Jim

[lance]

Thank you Guys, your kind words mean a great deal to me.

[Calvin]

Brilliant idea 💡

[2lapsdown]

I've often thought about how much fun it would be to sit an watch you develop your projects. I am constantly amazed at the skills you possess.

[racerbrown]

Now how cool is that!
Duane

[kyledehart5]

That's awesome!

[indydog]

I always love your how to's Lance.

[arcticwolf]

I'm so used to cutting a hole in the plastic and mounting the duct from behind ........ I never would have thought of doing what you did!

Very cool!

[lance]

This one and the 72 Parneli have been a lot of fun, 1/18 is a fun scale to work with. I might have to do another after this one, maybe the Batmobile.

[lance]

Cut the cockpit into the tub, still need to clean it up and add details

[indy]

Nice looking WIP here, Lance.

Your NACA duct trick was brilliant in the effectiveness and simplicity. Thank you for sharing it!

Jordan

[lance]

Thanks Jordan,
A bit more work done on the cockpit, the seat will be next and then the dash.

[lance]

I thought I would give a bit more of an explanation about my process for making naca ducts, in particular the tool I make to make the impression in the putty. The shape of the duct is drawn out on paper with a center line running lengthwise down the middle. I then fold the piece of paper in half down the center line and cut out the pattern (this will help both sides to be the same shape). Next I unfold the pattern and use this as a stencil to transfer the pattern to a thin piece of plastic. If I need a deeper duct, I glue on another sheet to the first one and trim it to match the first (trimming thinner sheets is easier than trimming one thick one). After the pattern is done, an additional piece is added to the top and overhangs the back top edge of the pattern, lastly I drill a hole part way through the top and glue in a piece of metal tubing for a handle.
The shape of the duct is now roughly traced out where it needs to be on the model, the location of the rear edge of the duct is the most important, IT MUST BE STRAIGHT AS IT SETS UP THE POSITION FOR THE IMPRESSION!! The area where the duct will be is then hollowed out with a dremel and an exacto blade, it can be slightly larger than the final shape of the duct, this will allow excess putty to escape when the impression tool is pushed into the putty. Before pressing the tool into the putty, cover the putty and the tool with a thin layer of vasaline (this allows the extraction of the tool from the putty). When pushing the tool into the putty, keep the rear edge of the tool against the hopefully straight rear edge of the duct you cut into the body. As you push the tool in, the lip[ at the rear of the tool needs to make contact with the surface of the part you are embossing with the tool. The lip will control the depth of your impression and prevent one side from possibly being not even in depth from the other. After you have pushed the tool in, you may need to push some of the putty back in around the tool before you extract it, this is usually only an issue with deeper ducts. Lastly, if it does not work the first time, clean out the hole and try again till you get the hang of it. I hope my overly wordy explanation does not scare anyone off, it really is pretty easy to do.

[2lapsdown]

Thanks for this Lance. It's nuggets like this that makes the hobby fun.

[illeagle10]

Who would've thunk! I'm "impressed"! LOL! I have to agree with John, thanks for these tidbits. It gives me ideas for doing other things too.

Jim

[harveythedog2]

I am just amazed and have learned a lot. Can't wait to purchase 3, 4, 5....

[harveythedog2]

Lance, any updates on the VPJ2???