Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20150924* 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Aerosedan 1:25 Scale Galaxie Ltd Model Kit #13012 Review The Chevrolet Fleetmaster was produced by Chevrolet in the 1946 to 1948 model years. The Fleetmaster series included the Fleetline sub-series which was offered only in 2-door and 4-door "fastback" body styles. The Series DK Fleetmaster was introduced as the top trim level model in the 1946 Chevrolet range, along with the lower level Series DJ Chevrolet Stylemaster. The Fleetmaster, which replaced the "prewar" Chevrolet Special Deluxe, was powered by a 216.5 cu in (3.5 L) Straight-six engine with a 3 speed manual transmission. It was offered in 2-door Town Sedan, 4-door Sport Sedan, 2-door Sports Coupe, 2-door Convertible and 4-door Station Wagon models. A Fleetline sub-series was available as the 2-door Aero Sedan and 4-door Sport Master Sedan, both of which featured "fastback" styling and additional triple moldings on all fenders. The 1947 Series 2100 EK Fleetmaster was little changed from its predecessor, the most notable visual difference being a new radiator grille with a more horizontal theme. For the Modeler: This review covers the 1:25 Scale GALAXIE LIMITED 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Aerosedan. This is Kit #13012 in the current catalog and is a 2015 New Release. In researching this kit I did find it was one of a few different releases of the kit. Galaxie has re-boxed this with additional parts and created multiple kits from the same molds. This is very common in the model industry and so this is a New Release version of a similar kit. Galaxie rates this as a Skill Level 3 recommended for experienced modelers. In the box you get around 165 parts molded in White, Chrome, Clear, Clear Red and Vinyl tires. This is a true 3-in-1 customizing kit that can be built as stock, custom or racing versions. It has authentic looking black vinyl tires with press-in wide whitewall inserts. Trim parts are included to build 1946, 1947 or 1948 model years. Decals are from Scale Master and include Country Club Woodside trim. You have the choice of stock or lowered suspension heights. The model includes a detailed Chevy "Stovebolt" six- cylinder engine that can be built stock or with optional speed equipment including three Stromberg 97 carburetors, Edelbrock racing intake manifold and chrome Wayne valve and tappet covers. It has a fully Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. detailed interior with separate door handles, window cranks, armrests, pedals, finely engraved multi-piece instrument panel and seats. Some of the custom options are a windshield visor and fender skirts. The instructions are well laid out and easy to read, they include written instructions with the construction diagrams. On the back page you get customizing and specialty tips to create a better build. Overall dimensions are: Length 8”, Width: 3”, Height: 2-1/5”. BUILDING CAVIATS: Having organization and a proper work area is important if you want to build a model properly. But even without dedicated space a place to leave your build while you work is necessary. Being able to lay out your parts organized helps the build as you are not digging for parts in the box possibly losing or damaging them. Also you really should have a place to let painted parts cure. Throughout the review you will find OPTIONAL IDEAS that I suggest. These are completely your choice. Not doing these steps will in no way affect the build, they are just ways to offer some personal and custom touches to your builds. OPTIONS will be noted. One of the best parts of model building is using your imagination to create the car YOU want! Unless you are building a “Factory Stock” or a “Replica” car your choices of color and build options is completely up to you. The instruction give recommendations but you are free to substitute whatever options you want. There is no “Wrong way” to build your kit! Have fun and enjoy your hobby. Review the instruction sheet thoroughly to get familiar with the assembly sequence. Decide your color scheme in advance and your custom options so you can build accordingly. PIC 1 This is the box art for this kit as released in the Fleetmaster Aerosedan version. Unless otherwise stated I use Testors Tube Glue (Orange Tube) for assembly of the parts. Other adhesives used in the construction are Superglue and Elmer’s White Glue. Paints consist of Testors Enamel or Tamiya Acrylic bottle paints and different brands of “Rattle can” spray paints. The body is finished using 1:1 automotive use paint products shot with an airbrush. One of the major benefits of using automotive paint is a very fast drying time. You can get just as good results using Spray can products but they require a longer drying time. Automotive paint is FULLY cured in less than an hour and clear about 6 hours. Use a good quality airbrush to paint automotive products because Lacquer Thinner will destroy the cheaper ones quickly. Assembly paint colors may vary from instructions as I use simplified colors that most model builders should have on hand. Before beginning your build soak and wash your parts with a mild detergent like DAWN to remove any mold release agents and help with paint adhesion. Note to remember: Always follow the Manufacturer’s Safety and Use Guidelines when using any of the products mentioned in the review for your own protection. Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. PIC 2 PIC 3 Here are the decals for this build. The quality is very high and color registry is good. There is a small carrier around each decal. These decals float easily and will set quickly. Normally it is preferable to use a setting solution to help move the decals into place on your build and to allow extra time to place them. I personally have found Microscale Industries products to be the most compatible with all the different manufacturers of decals. PIC 4 The motor is built in two stages. The block halves, oil pan, front cover and oil filler can be assembled and painted Flat Blue. The transmission is Steel. The exhaust manifold is Steel. The coil, starter and shift mechanism is Black and the distributor is Black with a Steel shaft. PIC 5 PIC 6 Assemble the starter, coil and distributor onto the passenger side. On the right, attach the manifold and shift mechanism. Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. PIC 7 Decide if you want Stock parts or Custom parts, or a mix of both. I built mine as a mild custom using just one Stromberg carb and the chrome valve cover. Assemble the fan, belt and generator parts and paint this Flat Black. The hoses are Flat Black. The oil filter is Black and Aluminum with the decal added. The intake is Aluminum. Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. PIC 8 PIC 9 Attach the valve cover. Attach the fan assembly and hoses to the motor front. Add the intake, carb and oil filter to the right side. PIC 11 OPTIONAL: I wanted to do a little extra detail so I will wire this motor. I used a prewired distributor and coil for this add on. While there are many different brands I use home-made ones that I have. Using a Chevy wiring diagram I will wire the motor. First drill out the hole for the shaft and install it with superglue. Drill out the plug hole locations on the heads. Cut a small part of the Black wire insulation for boots and slide one on each wire. Match the wires up to “Stovebolt Six” wiring diagram (available online) and cut to fit. Slide each wire into place with the boot at the hole to make it look correct. Superglue all the wires in place. Add the coil to the center wire with it cut to fit sitting it on the motor. Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. PIC 12 PIC 13 The chassis assembly is started next. Paint the chassis and cross-member Black. The tie rod is Steel. The rear shocks are Black. The rest of the suspension parts are Black also with the springs Flat Black and the coils highlighted Steel. Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here. PIC 14 Attach the rear shocks in place on the frame. The upper A-arms are installed on the frame. The springs are installed into the lower suspension. Snap the brake drums onto the spindles and install the spindles onto the lower suspension. Add the tie rod in place and install the suspension onto the frame. Attach the cross-member. PIC 15 Assemble the rear suspension, note the optional lowering blocks (red circle) for the Custom build.