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An
MPC Chrysler Hydro-Vee plastic model boat kit.
The
kit is 1/18 scale so it's large enough to have an easy time
of building. It's also the right scale to load up behind
your favorite 1/18 scale diecast car or truck.
The
entire kit is plastic. The tires / wheels are also plastic,
so you have to paint those accordingly. There is one metal
axle to use with them, and the wheels will roll when assembled.
The
metal axle will be visible once the trailer is assembled,
so you may want to install a tube (such as a piece of plastruct)
across the frame rails on the trailer, which you can then
slide the metal axle through. That will make it more realistic
looking.
The
main parts of the boat are the upper and lower hull. These
fit together well, but you will need some clamps to help
them glue togeher better and flush. Not because the kit
is bad but simply because they are large pieces and need
a bit of help staying flush together all the way around.
The
interior is simple enough. If you install the seats as the
directions say they will be able to swivel around. The dash
has some wood grain engraved on it which you may want to
sand off if you're not into the fake wood look.
The
outboard motor is two main parts with a separate propeller.
It's tricky to mount on the back of the boat. I recommend
gluing the mounts to the engine first. Be sure and test
fit many times to get the angle you want off the back of
the boat as far as placement.
Once
those parts are dry, then glue the mounts and engine to
the rear of the boat hull (be sure and scrape off any paint
that will interfere with getting a good bond beforehand).
The
trailer itself is made up of only a few parts. There are
a lot of molding lines, a few minor sinkholes, and some
injection mold spots to mess with. This depends on how smooth
and perfect you want the boat trailer to look. (most boat
trailers are all beat up anyway).
I
used pieces of black felt glued to the two parts that support
the hull. It looks real, but also protects the painted hull
from scratches on the model.
The
decals went on with no problems at all and worked well.
The
boat is painted a light blue (paint from Lowes) and a dark
blue for the inside floorboards. The trailer I first painted
white, like some images I saw online with Chrysler boats,
but I didn't like it, so I repainted it the traditional
aluminum silver color.
Some
of the inside of the hull is visible from inside the boat,
so be sure and paint that before assembling.
I
added a few rubber hoses to run from the engine to under
the deck similar to what a real outboard would have.
Overall
I had fun building this boat. I bought two at one tme, so
now that I've built this one I know I can build the next
one better.
I
recommend you get a couple. Chrysler boats came in many
different colors so it's wide open as to what color you
may want to paint it.
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