1990 Mustang --- California Highway Patrol

[82s1]

I decided to do another CHP vehicle and settled on the 1990 Mustang. I will be using the Revell kit.

I have made some progress over the last few days.

There is still some clean up to do on the parting lines between colors, but overall I think it looks pretty good.

Unfortunately the roof of the kit is either or too low or too long.  As a consequence Revell made the rear warning lights grossly out of scale.

 

I attempted to install appropriate lighting, but found that the lights hit the rear window of the car and will not allow placement of the  body.  This is what the rear warning lights should actually look like.

As you can see, the kit lighting is grossly out of scale and in no way resembles the actual lighting.  I have to figure a way around this problem as I have no intention of using the kit lighting.  I may go to a low profile light bar.  This would be correct as CHP did in fact equip a few Mustangs with such a bar.  I'm open to  suggestion if anybody has a better solution.

[TRM]

Thing are shaping up nicely John!! If the light bar works and you're going to be happy with it...go for it! Looks almost like the kit lights might be thick and forward slightly. The originals don't have much of a housing...all lens!! Either way, I am sure you will have things sorted!! Keep up the great work!

[82s1]

TRM: I did a little research and found that in 1990 CHP did equip a total of four Mustangs with overhead light bars. That's enough for me to justify using one on this build. At the same time I attempted to scratch build a very low profile bar for the package tray. Even though the bar was only 3/16" high and as far forward as possible, it still hit the rear window. I really want to thank Revell for the fine job they did on the roof height. I'll get some progress shots posted in the next day or so.   Thanks for the support.

[TRM]

Sounds like a plan!! Heck, even if they didn't use the bars, it would be cool to change things up. Yeah, Revell just makes them and puts them out. When there is no other game in town for a particular kit....your hand get tied! Keep up the great work!!

[Leon]

John the overhead light bar sounds like a great idea.

[82s1]

Leon: Overhead lightbar seems the only way to go with this model. I'm fortunate in that the overheads were actually used on a few of the Mustangs so I can still feel good about the authenticity of the model.

Here are some progress shots of how the model stands today.

I do have a question though  Normally I don't build cars newer than about 1955.  The window glass on this car has a "fogged" area around the edges which I take to need coloring.  What do you used to paint the edges black and h0w do you guys keep the edges straight ?  I'd sure appreciate any suggestions.

[82s1]

I've made some progress on the Mustang.

The interior is done and installed on the chassis.  The body is essentially done and has been installed on the chassis.  There is still a little detailing to be done on the engine and the body. 

Because of the interference of the package tray lights with the rear window, it was elected to use an overhead light bar.  I determined that in 1990 CHP equipped four Mustangs with this type of light bar.  For some reason when I purchased the light bar it came without the rear amber warning lights.  I used cut and shaped spru to create them. 

I scratch built a radio antenna using stiff bead wire for the antenna, a black bead head from a straight pin and unplated #25 bead wire wrapped in place to create the spring for the antenna.

That's it for today. 

[Leon]

John the light bar looks fantastic as do the warning lights and antenna.Well done Sir.

[deafpanzer]

I like the sirens very much... haven't seen them for a long time. With LED or different technology we don't see those kind anymore?

[82s1]

You're right Andy. Now days you will not see this type of light bar often, if at all. Got remember this is supposed to be almost 25 years ago though. At that time CHP did use this type of light bar on their Class A vehicles and I am making an assumption this would be the bar used on the Mustang. To be honest, I don't like using a light bar on the Mustang, but with the interference from the rear window I really had no choice with this one.

Just as an aside, in 1990 I was the senior Sergeant in the East Los Angeles area. I had the good fortune of working for a Captain that had worked for me years earlier. He knew that I hated the overhead lights and was good enough to make sure at least one slick top was assigned to the Sergeants at all times. Being senior is GOOD!!

[deafpanzer]

LOL! Thanks for the great info... always enjoy this part of forum!

[82s1]

G: I'm planning on being at the IPMS show in Mesa on Nov 1.   Take a look around and if you see my Thompson's  Garage Texaco Station diorama then I'm there.

I'm reworking the diorama so it will look somewhat different, but the building will still be the same.  Looking forward to meeting any of you guys who are there.