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32 Scale Auto • OCTOBER 2019
1
First, I bought a set of 1/24
scale Team UK Camel Trophy
race decals from a seller on eBay.2
The wheels and tires in the
Transit kit wouldn’t do. I
sourced scale 37-inch wheels and
tires were from an MPC Deserter
off-road pickup.3
Axles from an AMT Firestone
Ford pickup combined with
the Transit suspension made the
4x4 drivetrain.4
I removed the Transit axle
ends and measured to give
the van a scale axle track.5
The modified ends combined
nicely with the F-250 parts
to create the front and rear drive
axles.6
I used the springs from the
Firestone Ford to give the
Transit the proper height.7
The leaf spring perches and
transfer case crossmember
were made from sheet styrene.8
With minimal prep, I
airbrushed the body with
DupliColor automotive primer. A
custom mix of DupliColor desert
sand and Wimbledon white made
the “sandglow” color for the
Transit body and doors.9
The chassis and
undercarriage received a
coat of black primer shot from
2-feet away in short bursts for a
textured undercoat and topped it
with DupliColor matte clear wheel
coating for a slight sheen.10
Before going any further, I
applied the sponsor
markings and sealed them with
flat clear, just like the real
vehicles.11
I scratchbuilt front and rear
driveshafts using two sizes
of aluminum tube. I found U-joints
in my spare parts box.12
Manufacturer markings and
driveshaft certification
decals went on after the chassis
had been assembled.2