ÿþ<html> <head><title>NASCAR MODELS</title></head> <body background= "bg4b.gif"> <center> <h1><b><a name= "#yy002"> <h2><font face= "arial" color= "#0000ff" size= "+3"><b>A Sprint Car Model by Australia's Andrew Prentice!!!</a></b> <br><br><font size= "5" color= "#0000ff">Shell Oil's  Team-Tatnell Sprint Car Diorama<font size= "-1"><P><B> <P><font size= "2"><B><I> <img src= "ap8a.jpg"><P> <center><i>Story From Andrew:<p></i><font Size= "+2"> Time for Hot Laps Mr. Tatnell! </font><P> <font Size= "+1">The Scene</font><P> January 1995, Archerfield International Speedway (a.k.a. Brisbane International Speedway):<br> A  World Series Sprintcars official signals for the evening s racing to begin, as Brook Tatnell prepares to move onto the track for hot laps.<br> A  Shell Team Tatnell crew member guides the team s ATV  Mule onto the rear of the car so that it can be pushed out of the pit area.<P> When the ATV has positioned the car on the track, it can return to the pits and one of the push trucks (from a local 4-wheel drive club) will get the car rolling for engine start and hot laps. The  mule is fitted out with the standard rear tray for carrying incidental items for the night s racing  a spare can of methanol fuel, a filling spout, tool chest and a fire extinguisher. Remaining in the Tatnell Team s pit bay (unofficially marked by an old 44-gallon drum) are a few other tools and items of equipment.<P> <font Size= "+1">The Models</font><P> The Sprint Car is created from the Monogram Sammy Swindell kit (released around  87). Enhancements and modifications to the vehicle are as follows:<ul></center> <LI> Frame alterations to alter the  Gambler chassis of the kit to a  Schnee chassis, as used by Team Tatnell in  95; <LI> Engine cowl to correct shape, using sheet plastic and filler; <LI> Cowl induction holes drilled and backed with fine stainless steel mesh; <LI> Tail tank proportions reduced to  95-style, using sheet plastic and filler; <LI> Exhaust mufflers (from Revell  69 Pontiac kit) added  Australian spec. sprint cars generally require mufflers to be fitted at most tracks; <LI> Revised configuration of side nerf bars (scratch built from plastic rod); <li>Oil lines and anodised fittings (decorative elastic and beads from craft store); <li> Scratch-built oil tank, oil filter and mounts (plastic scrap and tubing); <li> Sump proportions altered using filler and scrap; <li> Plug wires; <li> Treaded front tyres are Goodyear Polyglass GT s with raised lettering sanded off. (Note: The kit-supplied grooved tyres are inaccurate); <li> Front-left disc brake (from old Hasegawa Le Mans Jaguar kit) and hydraulic line; <li> Wheel disks (engraved and drilled plastic card)  the left rear bead lock is scribed card with photo-etched bolts heads; <li> Main wing bracing struts (Evergreen plastic strip); <li> Front wing supports rebuilt (brass rod and Evergreen strip/angle) to accurate configuration; <li> Driver s rock screen (cut from old vegetable strainer) and visor (plastic sheet); <li> Driver s head restraint strapping (electrical tape); <li> Driver s seat altered to more accurate high-backed style with extra bracing to the sides (scrap plastic and filler); <li> After-market decals for Shell Oils Team Tatnell car. </ul><center> The ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) is a two-dollar toy purchased from the local Coles Supermarket (I bought about three, with future projects in mind!). Enhancements and modifications to the vehicle are as follows:</center><UL> <li> All body work repainted and spares box  Suzuki decals applied; <li> Scratch-built rear tray and grab handles; <li> Accelerator and brake cables on handle bars (fine wire); <li> Air tank (from spares box) and regulator/hose assembly (scrap plastic and solder wire); <li> The various stowage items are from Fujimi garage accessories set and Tamiya WRC mechanics set, except the tool box which is completely scratch-built (from plastic sheet and fine wire).</ul> <center> <font Size= "+1">The Figures<P></center> Driver</font><P><UL> <LI> The kit-supplied driver figure has altered left arm and helmet shape. <LI> Helmet visor is self-adhesive reflective mylar with photo-etched pivots. <LI> The harness is electrical tape with some photo-etched buckles. </ul> <font Size= "+1">ATV Rider</font><P><UL> <LI> Legs and arms are heavily modified (cut, carved and filled) from a spare sprint car driver figure; <LI> Torso and head are Fujimi mechanic figure. </ul> <font Size= "+1">Crewman</font><P><UL> <LI> Kit-bashed from various Fujimi mechanic figures  World Series Sprintcars Official <LI> From Hasegawa formula one team figures kit. </ul> <font Size= "+1">The Base</font><P><UL> <LI> Formed from a mixture of craft plaster, PVA glue and acrylic paints with static grass. <LI> The 44-gallon drum is a resin casting from Custom Dioramics. <LI> All weathering, shading and highlights are acrylic paints, various washes, dry-brushing and pastel chalks. </ul><center> <P><img src= "ap8b.jpg"><P> <font color= "#0000ff" face= "arial" size= "-1"><b> <table cellpadding= "5"> <tr><td><a href= "index.html">Home Page</a></td> <td><a href= "modindx.htm">To Models Index Page</a></td> <td><a href= "#yy002">To Top of Page</a></td></tr> </table> </body> </html>