Revell/Renwal 1/32 Teracruzer with Mace Missile (reissue) WIP

This is a Revell reissue of the Renwal kit from the late 1950s (Picture 1).
The kit actually contains three sub-kits (Teracruzer, transporter-erector-launcher [not a trailer], and missile).
I purchased this kit because it is a unique subject, fits into my USAF collection, the original Renwal is too expensive in the secondary market, and it’s just plain cool looking. 

However, I must say I am not enjoying  this build.  Every piece is covered with flashing and ejector pin marks.  Raised mold demarcation lines are clearly visible as well.  Also, most parts do not fit together well.  Not to mention the plastic is very soft.  Which means parts break very easily when removing from the sprue (guess how I know).  It also means you must be careful to not take off too much material when sanding (guess how I also know this). 

Assembly has been on-going for a while and the missile along with its transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) are almost ready for priming (Pictures 2 & 6).  Pictures 6, 7, and 8 highlight what I’ve already mentioned about filling and sanding.  Pictures 3, 4, and 5 illustrate the only cleverness in the kit.  Each of the four outriggers is keyed because there are two long and two short and all four have attachment points that must face inward or outward to meet other parts.  Picture 9 is the beginning of construction on the Teracruzer.  I’m not looking forward to it.  Can you guess?  More filling and sanding.

My assessment is the kit would be a quick and easy build if it didn’t require a lot of filling and sanding .  The only reason I haven’t sold it is because I know it will be an awesome piece when complete.  Provided the world hasn’t run out of putty filler.  I used a half a tube to finish half the kit.  Get this kit if you really want a cool piece in your collection.  Avoid it if you dislike sanding.

Extending The Life Of Your Putty

    My wife is an accountant, so budget is often a topic of discussion in our daily life. As with my other tip on making "liquid sprue" filler, I'm always on the lookout for thrifty modeling tools.
     Recently I noticed that my tube of Squadron White putty was drying out. This problem happens to me with every tube I buy, so much so that I frequently throw away what must be half a tube of putty. At $4.00 a tube, this can get expensive. Looking for an alternative, and keeping in mind that acetone can be used to thin some putties, I had an idea.
     Using a spare jar, I cut open the putty tube to reveal the dried putty. With an old hobby knife, I shoveled the putty into the jar until it was a little over half full. Then I used a straw as a pipette, dribbling acetone into the jar. Stirring, the mixture soon turned into a very runny slurry. It looks promising, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet, so stay tuned for an update later when I can advise you of results.
     It should be said that since acetone is one of the main ingredients, this will be a very "hot" putty. My recommendation would be to spoon some of it onto a work surface where the acetone can evaporate a little bit before applying. This will minimize the chance of damaging the plastic on your model.
     Lastly, acetone is a very strong chemical. Make sure you open a window or use a respirator when taking on projects such as this. Safety first!

--Chris

Items needed for this experiment. If your assistant is named Igor, so much the better. ;)

Spooning putty into the jar.

Stir, and voila! Magnifique! It will be interesting to see how this works.

Making Filler With Sprue And Cement

     Often I can be found at my bench experimenting with this technique or that. Usually this is motivated by a desire to avoid spending money on brand-name products. Why empty your wallet if you can use ingredients from your own stash of modeling tools? It's the classic recipe of utilizing leftovers.
     This morning I decided to try a trick I'd read on the internet. Some hobbyists use a filler made of leftover sprues and an old jar of welding cement. The sprues dissolve into the liquid, making a gooey putty. With care, this can be applied to seams, allowed to dry, and sanded as with any other filler. Check out the pics below which illustrate this straightforward process.

--Chris

The ingredients. Any old sprue will do. ;)

I mixed two leftover bottles of cement. The Testors bottle, with its wider  opening, was well suited for use as a container. You can even use the brush in the cap to apply the product later.

On the stirring stick, you can see evidence of the liquified sprue after only a few  minutes of soaking.