MetalEarth DeLorean (Brushed Stainless Steel Finish)
1June 6, 2021An overview shot of the parts - 8 pages of instructions, including the introduction.
After struggling to lift these metal sheets off my workmat, I've placed an aluminium pipe on the mat to lift the frames off the mat.
2June 6, 2021The "chassis" completed - there are 2 main parts, with a simple 2-tab join, which I guess will get reinforced later.
There's also 2 radiator fans installed in the engine bay, plus another "component"!! Attention to detail with a brushed metal piece in the middle of the chassis.
3June 6, 2021The interior centre console is from 1 main piece, plus a raised handrest, and an inset small tray.
Good quality painting, with multiple colours on some pieces.
4June 6, 2021Making the Pedal-Box - 1 pedal mounted to the frame, another folded & ready to mount, and another unfolded.
They're bloody small - note the 1 cm squares on my mat.
5June 6, 2021Centre console & pedals installed onto the back of the chassis.
6June 6, 2021I guess this piece is all the suspension etc that will be mounted to the chassis. Just had to get a shot of this detailed and fragile piece.........before I possibly stuff it up!!!
7June 6, 2021several folds completed to this one part - next to see where it fits (I hope!)
8June 7, 2021Suspension etc piece with extra parts added
9June 7, 2021Mating this suspension etc piece to the chassis requires delicacy & patience. I started at the front 2 points, and slowly worked back.
10June 7, 2021Very accurately manufactured, so will really test that you've done your folds right.
Very rewarding when it finally comes together.
11June 7, 2021Front suspension ready
12June 7, 2021Inner 4 wheels/tyres read
13June 7, 2021Rear Drive-line ready
14June 7, 2021Inner wheel halves - NOTE: The rear wheel halves will have one of the tabs obscuring the eye to mount the wheel to the chassis - you'll have to bend that tab sideways a bit - zoom in photo.
15June 7, 2021The overall size of the chassis
16June 7, 2021Rear inner wheel/tyre in place, plus a security covering of CA Superglue & fixer!!
17June 7, 2021Front wheel inner in place - glued too!
18June 7, 2021Using fine pliers to twist the tab thru the eye - much like the way you'd open a SPAM can!
19June 7, 2021Really sharp bending is needed for the "tyres" tread, so that you almost make the seam close-up.
20June 7, 202112.7mm for the rear wheels - 11.5 for the front
21June 7, 20214 Outer Tyres/wheels completed
22June 8, 2021Outer wheels attached to chass
23June 8, 2021Now for some interior stuff.
NOTE: Don't try hidden tabs/eyes here - there's not enough space to work with (from the voice of experience!!
24June 8, 2021Seats fitted to chassis
25June 8, 2021Rear cover fitted to chassis - there should have been an engine here - too much to ask, too hard to build!
26June 8, 2021That famous stainless steel body - of course it starts as a flat sheet - very flimsy when remove from frame.
Can u believe it - the bonnet is a separate piece that tabs & eyes in place - I guess it makes it a little stronger....
27June 8, 2021Initial bends & folds - ultra flimsy - or did I say that already?
28June 8, 2021Headlights & grill in place - I used the hidden tab/eye as it looks much better than a tab over the headlights.
29June 8, 2021Windscreen & roof section - but there's no windscreen - hey there is now - the clear of the MetalEarth packaging & one dot of CA Superglue - one dot it was meant to be...behind the windscreen wipers & in front of the rear-view mirror, then back under the frame.
30June 9, 2021Needs more light, but yes, that's a DeLorean
31June 9, 2021bodywork completed
32June 9, 2021ditto
33June 9, 2021DMC headlights & grill
34June 9, 2021Added the wheel-arch fairings & ready to pair up!!
35June 9, 2021Start from the rear - these are quite difficult to align - another useful tool is the soft prying bar from your mobile phone repair set - doesn't mark the finish, which is very easily damaged
36June 9, 2021You have to align the gap in the dash
37June 9, 2021and you may also have to push back the cover behind the seats - this has to sit in behind the door frames so that the body sides can reach the fitting points.
38June 9, 2021More gentle persuasion to get the front chassis to fit inside the body's front air dam.
39June 9, 2021Body mated to chassis
40June 9, 2021rear 3/4
41June 9, 2021side view - next..........the doors!!!
42June 10, 2021LH Door finished - I decided to digress from the instructions for the door manufacture, so whilst I still put the tab thru the eye, in many cases I glued pieces in place and then CUT-OFF the protruding tab!! I felt that the finish of a tab over the outer bodywork was not attractive!!
43June 10, 2021Revised construction of the interior door arm-rest - As I could not see a suitable way to bend the tab to secure a part of this, I CA Super Glued it in place, then cut off the protruding tab!!
44June 10, 2021exterior view
45June 10, 2021Another part of the door trim where a thin component was to be attached by tabs - glued it, clamped it, then cut-off the tabs.
46June 10, 2021Did the same when attaching the interior door trim to the door.
47June 10, 2021I've decided not to permanently attach the doors to the body, but just let gravity keep them in place - Two tabs & eyes achieve this.
Plus it will all be easier to transport, by just taking off the doors.
48June 10, 2021Incidentally, you cant display the model with the doors ON, as the exposed tabs & eyes prohibit this!!
49June 10, 2021rear view
50June 10, 2021Front view
51June 10, 2021Front 3/4
52June 10, 2021rear 3/4
SHE's DONE - Total Time - around 12-14 hours!!!
By the way, whilst the brushed aluminium finish looks great, it is VERY easily marked!!
Comments
7 6 June 2021, 08:31
Album info
Another of MetalEarth's pre-painted kits.
Features 2 1/2 metal frames.
No scale indicated, but at 9cm long it equates to around 1:48!!
Build progress shown here - This is rated "Moderate" skill level by Fascinations.........I think it's a bit more than that.
COMPLETED - 12-15 hours
