Popular Post Stabliofarmer Posted October 26, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2021 I acquired this horrifically built Fordson N a few weeks ago for not alot of money on eBay. I have a hunch this isn't actually a Scaledown Model like I first expected but a reproduction/copy of scaledown bits. The front wheels are cast in metal tyres and all, while the rear tyres are a poor repro of a britains wheel that's far too narrow for the rims. The Fordson embossed down the radiator is also upside down. I stripped the paint off and disassembled the tractor ready to start the build I have in mind which is an Automower winch conversion with the lovely curved front guard. Started at the rear with the winch, main body, and some internals done so far. Also started on the rear wings going for the prettier flat arches rather than the rounded version. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valley Axe Man Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Interesting project James, when I first see the word automower I thought you were heading away to tackle one of the Long wheelbase cable/pylon winching tractors...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
844john Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Looking forward to seeing this progress James. I think I’ve seen these kits on eBay in the past, certainly something very similar but much cheaper than a scaledown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted October 27, 2021 Author Share Posted October 27, 2021 2 hours ago, Valley Axe Man said: Interesting project James, when I first see the word automower I thought you were heading away to tackle one of the Long wheelbase cable/pylon winching tractors...... Watch this space Paul, I've already been in touch with Ian at Tab hunting bits, and Nigel will be the next port of call, a pylon tractor will be on its way. 13 minutes ago, 844john said: Looking forward to seeing this progress James. I think I’ve seen these kits on eBay in the past, certainly something very similar but much cheaper than a scaledown. Cheers John, yes my hunch is they have used a scaledown as a master pattern and cast the white metal in larger sections. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tractor Twitcher Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Fantastic project you're putting together here James. Great work. Looks similar to a Browns kit possibly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmd Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 13 hours ago, Valley Axe Man said: Interesting project James, when I first see the word automower I thought you were heading away to tackle one of the Long wheelbase cable/pylon winching tractors...... Me too Paul thats what i thought😄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmd Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 That's going to be a nice build James when done, something different 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirely Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Looking forward to seeing the end result 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted April 16, 2022 Author Share Posted April 16, 2022 Alittle bit of progress with the little Standard N. Nearly ready for paint, going to have a go at some of these fancy weathering techniques. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hajo Posted April 25, 2022 Share Posted April 25, 2022 Good progress made, and what an incredible donor you found back then. Have you sorted the "upside down Fordson on the radiator" yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted April 25, 2022 Author Share Posted April 25, 2022 Thank you Hajo, yes a lucky find, I havent tried to do anything with the upside down logo, I don't think anything could be done other than grind it off. I intend to heavily weather it so hopefully it won't be visible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted December 27, 2023 Author Share Posted December 27, 2023 Spurred on by Ferret I've got back to this project. It's sat for a year or so finished in brown paint waiting for me to have a go at the salt weathering technique. There's far more in-depth writeups and videos on this technique but the basic principle is as follows: - Paint model in rust/undercoat colour (brown) - Mist spray water onto the model - Sprinkle salt onto the areas you want flaky paint - Let the salt/water dry back into crystals - Spray the top coat colour on - Once dry use a stiff brush to flake paint away wherever the salt was. It will not have stuck above the salt and therefore flakes off. Below are the photos of the process as I attempted it, including dropping the model midway through paint, good job I'm going for heavily weathered! Base colour on, it sat in this for over a year, which is longer than necessary but the base coat will need a good amount of time to cure. The key ingredients, I used a mix of fine and ground salt. Water was applied with a perfume atomiser style bottle, salt was then sprinkled on where I felt rust would build up, or paint would be most lost. . Green paint applied over the salt. I think this technique must work alot better with an airbrush and very light coats, the reason can be seen below. Overall I was pleased with the outcome but having used a spray can the paint was heavy enough that it absorbed into the salt making it difficult to chip off. With the white metal parts it tended to result in the brown base layer coming off with the green. I guess an etch primer would help this as the plastic parts with plastic primer stayed perfectly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted December 27, 2023 Author Share Posted December 27, 2023 Following up from the paint chipping I had another go with the Vallejo pigments I have. I used a Matt varnish to mix the pigment and it worked much better than anything else I've used. I have used three different rust colours built up with different dilutions of pigment. Overall pleased with the outcome, would like to try and get it looking abit less dry, like it's had an oily rag over it. Will have a experiment with a gloss varnish and report back. Just got the winch rope to put on now, then crack on with a matching pole trailer. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret90 Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 Now that looks brilliant, I like the dry looking rust , something I have never mastered. What is the varnish you used James? I have never tried it brushed on I just use a spray after to seal it. I’ve never managed salt chipping either despite multiple attempts. Looking marvellous 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Palmer Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 23 hours ago, Stabliofarmer said: Following up from the paint chipping I had another go with the Vallejo pigments I have. I used a Matt varnish to mix the pigment and it worked much better than anything else I've used. I have used three different rust colours built up with different dilutions of pigment. Overall pleased with the outcome, would like to try and get it looking abit less dry, like it's had an oily rag over it. Will have a experiment with a gloss varnish and report back. Just got the winch rope to put on now, then crack on with a matching pole trailer. Great weathering James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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