Pondering the PC-6

[macsparty]

As one of the classic kits that many of us (OK, at least I did) first cut our Indy car model building teeth on, how about a thread devoted to this venerable machine.

A couple thought starters:

1. Realizing the top of the tub is out of scale thick, is it best to paint the edge blue so the sides are blue all the way up, or leave it white.
2. What the heck is the best way to get that thin red line on there?!?
3. Engine colors: I'm thinking dark anodized gray metalizer for the transmission. What else have people used?
4. Why didn't AMT include the bulkhead behind the seat?!?! (That probably goes without asking...)
5. Admittedly this one is targeted at a select few of you out there (hi Michael!), wouldn't it be awesome to have some other decals to do the later runs this great car had, like Gordon Johncock's North American Van Lines?
6. Why didn't I ever realize until looking at some photos last night this car had side skirts???

[2lapsdown]

Scott, these are all really good questions. Unfortunately I can't answer any of them, but I look forward to the answers you receive. My question is, why didn't I realize until I read your question that this car had side skirts?

John

[herk56]

My opinion on your thoughts:

1. A valid point but it's SOOO much easier to paint the tub and top seperately!
2. Try getting some FRESH solid red decal, put two NEW X-acto blades in your handle at once, and use it to cut really thin strips of decal.
3. I usually mix my own if I have good references otherwise use whatever looks "right".
4. Don't know why it couldn't have been a seperate piece, but it's pretty easy to fabricate from some sheet plastic.
5. More decal versions are ALWAYS welcome!
6. Don't forget, it was the very early days of the "ground-effect" era, the next Penske (PC-7) had crude side-pod tunnels. Some F1 cars had used skirts years earlier

Also, don't forget to narrow the rear track a little, built stock, those rear wheels stick out WAAYY too far!
Any pics, WIP threads or anything else is always welcome for these kits. I haven't built one in many years, but have gathered several kits and some Indycals & I intend to build them again with my more "mature" skills.

[indycals]

7. The nose on Johncock's North American Van Lines car was different than the Penske-run noses from 78 and 79. (It was more narrow)


And I will politely disagree with Herk. Put the tub together, sand out the seam, and paint blue all the way to the top.

And in addition to the side skirts, there was also a metal flap on the leading edge of the nose. Side skirts go back to at least 1977 if not earlier. Foyt's winning car had them, as did Unser's Lola in 78.

[herk56]

;)Sometimes I get lazy!

[macsparty]

See, now I did not know that about Johncock's car, or about the width of the rear wheels. I think I've learned more about these cars in the past few days than I have since I last built one.

[Calvin]

Oh boy, a person could write a book on how to improve the PC6.

Some day (Just like everything else) I'll prolly do a highly detailed improvement WIP on the PC6

BUT for now take a look at some of the things I did on my PC7

mb2501.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=cart&action=display&thread=1605

The biggest things that bother me most about the kit is the engine mounting points and how the Cowling lays on the tub.

[Calvin]

Mar 3, 2011 14:27:51 GMT -5 macsparty said:

5. Admittedly this one is targeted at a select few of you out there (hi Michael!), wouldn't it be awesome to have some other decals to do the later runs this great car had, like Gordon Johncock's North American Van Lines?

If Michael did a N American sheet, I'd get one.
but
I personally dont think very many people are drawn to the PC6's But I could be wrong.

[macsparty]

Has anyone ever tried to put any detail in the cockpit, such as gear shifts and the like? There's not much in there! I don't know that I've ever seen a decent photo of a PC6 cockpit.