AirDave's Kool Wheelz Collection

[airdave]

I think it was webdude that did the whacky racers...
but I don't know if he did the Army Surplus Special.

I don't even know what it is.
I'll have to go look see.

I know the original cartoon, but never saw much of it.
So, I'm not that familiar.
And obviously that means it doesn't hold a lot of importance to me.

[airdave]

and, voila!....

PAPERMAU: Wacky Races - Army Surplus Special 6 Paper Model - by Aniky

[JohnM]

The WebDude's one is there too ... PAPERMAU: Wacky Races - The Army Surplus Special - by Webdude - Carro Tanque

[rickstef]

I still have my Army Surplus Special somewhere, need to see what needs to be done to it to fix it up

[airdave]

And, its here!...the final KoolWheelz release for August.

I fell in love with Syd Mead's futuristic designs when I first saw the book "Sentinel" in 1979.
I still have my two original copies of this large format book showcasing Mead's visionary paintings of the future.
I guess I liked it so much I bought two copies! one to save, and one to thumb through endlessly!!

Mead is known for providing concepts and ideas for many motion pictures.
He created much of the look of the movie Blade Runner.

He seems to have a real interest in future technology, especially cars and transport.
One particular standout painting in his book (is a large two page gatefold image) that gives us the first glimpse of the Sentinel 400 limousine.

The Sentinel 400 limousine has always been a much publicized and well received design
...even Mattel turned it into a Hot Wheels toy!
But the funny thing is, there was only ever one painting that featured the car...and only one side of the car is visible in the painting.



Mead had designed for Ford and many other notable companies throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
He also designed Hotels and other architectural projects.
Later, he began designing vehicles and sets for major motion pictures, such as Star Trek, Blade Runner, Tron and Aliens.

A few years after painting the Sentinel Limousine concept, Syd did some corporate artwork for a US Steel company brochure...
and for this brochure, he created a new sketch of what appears to be the same Sentinel limousine, with some minor cosmetic differences.
Although not exactly the same, these are the only two angles we have of this future vehicle concept.



As I mentioned, Mattel always had an interest in making the Limo into a diecast Hot Wheels toy, and in 2002 they finally released their own version.
Mead had to create (just for Mattel) all new, multi angled CG 3D Model artwork for Mattel, just for this purpose.
(...as far as I know, none of these images have ever been released to the public)
There are considerable differences between the Hot Wheels toy version and the original Sentinel 400 concept.
Most notably the large chrome Grille and very different front end of the vehicle.

For my KoolWheelz version, I wanted to ignore the Hot Wheels toy and try to recreate the original Syd Mead concept.
I used only the two original Mead paintings ...and I imagined the rear Bumper, Trunk and Deck lid.
Some photos of old Cadillacs helped me with the tailights and rear features artwork.



I wanted to keep the model in scale with other KoolWheelz models, but that meant it might be a bit large.
I tried to guess at scale size by using the Tire and Wheel size in the painting.
But who knows if they are in proportion or made to existing standards at that time? (Cadillacs had 15" wheel rims)
The entire car appears to be too small for a limousine, and is very very low.
Probably would have been quite cramped...
I can imagine it being built a lot bigger than it appears in the painting to be more comfortable for passengers.

Its not a difficult model by KoolWheelz standards but it does have a moderate amount of parts.
Take your time and study the assembly before you start.
Make sure to pre-score before you cut...and prefold before you assemble.

You can find the model in the ShowRodz section at my website.

[michael dazzo]

thank's airdave would you like me to send you my othere version as will you can resize it if you want too? just p.m. me! and make it your own koolwheels version!

[richkat]

Cool Dave....
Have you seen the new Sebastian Vettel UPS TV ad?
The F-1 inspired truck would make a great Kool Wheelz model
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyPFGeG0C_o

[richkat]

Can't get image to post??

[richkat]

[airdave]

Originally Posted by rickstef

Dave, can you report this directly to Jason?

You are not the only one who still experiences this, I have a suspicion that the Hosting Co. is doing something with email notifications, apparently new members are not getting the notification emails as well.

and I can trace the questions and comments about this particular problem back to around April, so your 3-4 months seems to be spot on

Rick

Doesn't Jason read the threads?

Jason is not one of my friend's, so hes not in my list and I am not in direct contact with him.
Since you removed access to the member's list, I have no way of looking up and contacting another member.

Why don't you just tell him for me?