Willy's STUMPkamper - part 1 - a Wheeler on steroids!
February 2015: This project has been on the back burner for a few months, while I was distracted by other projects, but I always returned to it as I simply love the concept...
As you will be aware from some of my other showroom models, I'm a big fan of shortened/customised body shells, and rusted busted vehicles in general... that started with the original 'STUMPkin' project which featured a shortened Midnight Pumpkin on the WR-02 Wild Willy 2 chassis.
Having built, beaten and weathered a Sand Scorcher shell as part of my hybrid Fro-Sco build on a Frog/Brat chassis, I ultimately combined the two ideas in my next project which was the STUMPscorcher - radically chopping three inches out of the Beetle shell to fit on the 170mm wheelbase WR-02 chassis.
However, in this instance, rather than traditionally 'STUMP' a longer shell to fit, I found that the 1:14th scale Tamiya Ford Aeromax truck body would already be the perfect length for a shorty camper on the stock WR-02 chassis and wheels - and that the sleeper-cab configuration already looks like it has be chopped or 'STUMPed' so to speak?
The Aeromax body required some minor reshaping at the front (removing the headlight buckets) for the wheel arches to clear the huge tyres; while at the rear, this was my first attempt at styrene modelling using flat sheet - the angular rear box-body making fabrication and blending-in relatively easy in that regard.
With each project I like to introduce/practice a new technique - and as the original STUMPkin pick-up evolved to include more weathering and scale accessories, in contrast the STUMPscorcher was a relatively simple design and build, being much more about the driving - and indeed I considered it could even be something that Tamiya themselves might one day introduce?
I therefore see this particular project as somewhere between the two - the size and weight of the truck hard-body might mean it is vulnerable if it is loaded with accessories on the roof as was my original plan... and certainly my inclination now is to paint it up as a Dakar rally style racing truck, rather than a traditional camper van so to speak?
However, I also want to incorporate a few exterior accessories and details - a pair of sand ladders are already attached to the rear crossmember, while I am planning to include a Wild Willy spare wheel on the rear panel above - as a nod to the donor, and to keep things 'in the [WW] family' so to speak. I also intend to fit a barrage of spot-lights across the roof of the cab, if only in lieu of the now missing headlights of course!
At the same time, I would like to try and incorporate some unique detailing - I am still considering some sort of interior (with a removable roof panel to view - currently a sheet of chequer-plate style styrene), and with plenty of cabin space available, I intend to incorporate an animated Willy behind the wheel this time - using a micro servo in his neck to rotate his head with the steering.
So for now this is still a work in progress - but I'm hopping to get the colour scheme and paint/graphics sorted very soon now... Willy can't wait!
I hope you like it too!
Jenny xx
If you liked those pictures, you should see these...
Willy^s STUMPkamper - part 2 - body details
Comments
njmlondon
you have a fantastic imagination and some crazy skills. Loving it!
Tamichael
Pretty cool project !!!
TamTom
Nice bodywork.
Crash Cramer
Wow, what an idea forming up there.
Dirt-540
That is one funky looking truck/camper, love it already.
BeetleOne
That work is great! I would love you put all that effort for some more scale project too!
JennyMo
Thank you BeetleOne! - of course in my warped imagination, this thing is totally scale ;o) I trust you've seen my WBO2014 submission - what Mater might look like if he were real... although I couldn't resist the comedy driver of course!
AndyjcClod
I am impressed with that, I can't wait to see the finished project.
Franklin
awesome!
Fernado Alonso
cool!!!!
Wyoming
Great piece of art with scale flare, I love these character trucks Jenny, great work so far look forward to seeing progress
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