Projects 32 Hiboy- "My 32 Spitfire"

Good stuff Maynard!

 

Damn that car is looking more and more like the Spitfire that it was inspired from! I have to tell you again that the dash/instrument panel looks b-e-a-utiful. Where did you get those aircraft-inspired gauges?

 

Part #33 "Old Cat Yellow Fan Tips!"


I took a gamble on this one last Friday. Several here on H.A.M.B. have suggested I paint the fan tips yellow like some of the old WWII planes. I really didn't think too much of it until Doug left last week and on the way out the door mentioned painting the fan tips yellow.

So I had to pick up some parts last Friday morning and one of the stores had Krylon paint. I soon found bright yellow which I thought would just be too much and then I spotted this old fashioned yellow called "Old Cat Yellow". So I purchased a can and Friday afternoon after a lot of taping I sprayed the fan tips. I thought what the heck we can always paint it satin black if we don't like it.

Then I got a little nervous and asked my old school rod and custom bomber seat specialist Frank Wallic what he thought and he said "..it matches the theme well.."

I really wanted to surprise Doug and what do know he stopped in today to check on a few details before we put the body on this week (Keep your fingers crossed!) and he was looking the car over and finally spotted the fan. He said it looked really cool and liked the color. It has a nice old fashioned yellow/red tint. I hope you all like it too and it compliments the Spitfire theme.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

Winston Churchill


32 Spitfire

 

32 Spitfire, My fingers are crossed, Fan looks Great too and the yellow will be good for keepin' your fingers safe also!

Nick.

 

32 Spitfire

I have been looking for a battery box like you have . Where can I buy one ( amo box ). Let me know

Thanks
Frenchy

 

Ammo cans can be found at military surplus shops and gun shows.

 

The amo boxes that I have found here in Phoenix are too small for a battery to fit . 32 Spitfire can you give me the demension of the one that you are using on your project.

Thanks
Frenchy

 

Nice to see some more patriotic stuff on the hamb, it's got to be kind of tough not to over do a car with a theme. Looking real good.

 

Part #34 "Finally"

Finally we got the body on the 32 Spitfire!

(We ..dedicate this one to our good friend 60'shotrod!! He has supported and encouraged us through this project and couldn't wait for this part!!! Thanks 60'shotrod)

The body went on well with four of us very carefully lifting and putting it in place. This will allow us to get closer to the finish line with final adjustments to the body and doors, wiring and installing the seat, steering wheel and starting the flathead for the first time. So again we now have a long list of things to do.

I just wanted to share this photo with all our great friends here on H.A.M.B.

Thanks everyone.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

Winston Churchill


32 Spitfire

 

wow!!! That looks sooo sweeeeeeet!!!!!!!! Great job!!

 

Ever think of adding some short wrap around windshield extensions giving it a enclosed cockpit look?

 

Tom Cruise is touting a movie around about Billy Fiske, Millionaire Bentley racer, Olympic Bobsleigh gold medal winner and the 1st American killed in WWII....he faked a Canadian passport as the US had banned any American from fighting for us very early on. He was killed when his Spitfire was shot down over the South Downs, He managed to get his plane back to his airfield but died of his burns 2 days later!

 

the 32 is looking real sweet....I'm off to a show this weekend do you want me to pick you up a flying helmet and goggles???? Direct from merrie-old-England. have no idea what they cost but I'll cost them on Sunday and get it on Monday if you want.

And Duxford.......is a real must do for anyone really, we went last year with my son....you come out of the entrance and in front of you is Concord!......The exhibitions are mostly flight ready and they have several Spitfires, Hurricanes etc...the ME109 crashed a few years ago so is now displayed as a "crash site"......it's much more than just aircraft though with a full building of vehicles........and as a tribute to you colonials there's another building dedicated to US planes........it's a full day and well worth it!

 

32 Spitfire, OUTFUCKINGSTANDING!That is just Bloody spot-on!

Nick.

 

I can't add anything to what's already been said.

A fantastic hot rod...looking forward to seeing the whole thing.

 

Part #35 "Window"

I was able to get the window on and some little details done on the body yesterday. I thought you would like to see this photo.

Thanks everyone & have a great weekend!

<TABLE class=tborder style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 3872461" vAlign=top><TD class=alt1>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

Winston Churchill


32 Spitfire </TD></TR><TR><TD class=thead colSpan=2>04-28-2009 10:21 AM</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

32 Spitfire- a very nice project indeed. I look forward to seeing it's completion.
But one quibble however , I'm an aviation enthusiast of many years standing and regarding your quote:

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

Winston Churchill

The "few" in this quote does not refer to the small number of American pilots in the Battle of Britain as you seem to think it does but to ALL the pilots who fought in the Battle- British, Canadian, South African, Australian, Polish, French etc. , and American of course. By far the great majority of the pilots were British however. The implication that the outcome of the Battle of Britain depended on the half dozen or so Americans out of the 3000 Allied pilots that fought and often died is a bit ludicrous IMO.
This rather insulting misappropriation seemed to have started in the USA with the publication of Alex Kershaw's book "The Few". He's a British author who should have known better frankly, and he has made a mockery of Churchill's tribute to all the men who fought that battle no matter where they were from. They were all heroes in my opinion.
BTW, an excellent book on the Battle of Britain is "The Most Dangerous Enemy" by Stephen Bungay, well worth a read!

 

32 Spitfire, I sure did like seeing the second body on the frame photo, Looks Bloody GREAT!

Nick.

 

That looks fantastic. I really like the aircraft themed hot rods. I'm glad to see you went with a Flathead. Your car remindes me of the '50 Ford that I came up with. If I built it, it would be made to look like the P-40 Flying Tiger. It would have the huge mouth in the front and would have a lot of other features like bomber seats. I also thought it would be cool if I put an actual P-40 motor in it and had the roof line silhouette be the same as a P-40 and block out the back window.

 

That car is incredible! You flew on that thing! I am still trying to get my brake lines bent! hahah

FWIW, the fan pops out at you, in a cool way! I dig it!

 

Part #36 "Bomber Seat"

This weekend Little Lou and Big Al installed the "Wallic Bomber Seat". I mentioned the Wallic seat early in this thread and wanted to show it bolted in the car.

Frank Wallic builds these bomber seats one at a time and the quality shows it. They are very special and this one really makes the car stand out. Frank is a master craftsman to say the least. I have many emails from Frank and the different things he designs and builds is just unreal. Frank also knows old school/traditional style and lake rods very well. He has helped me a lot through this project and I can't thank him enough! He can be reached by email: [email protected]

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

Winston Churchill


32 Spitfire

 

Here are the photos.

 

A few more photos.

 

32 Spitfire that seat is just PERFECT, I think nothing else needs saying!

Nick.

 

Real neat aircraft plate on the seat. Wonder if Howard knows it's missing?

 

Part #37 "Installing the So. Cal. Light Bar & Guide Lights and Aligning the Hood, Doors and Deck Lid"

I walked out the hangar this evening to take a little break, and I was surprised it was pitch dark! Time apparently got away from me just like last evening. This started on Friday afternoon when chief mechanic (and chief inspection officer!) Doug, stopped in, and by the time he left I had a list of stuff to do a mile long. Many little details he pointed out that needed addressed and when he walked out the door, I was grumbling under my breath. I worked on that list for the last two evenings and everytime I get them all done I'm happy he is so picky. It's all those little details like lining up the light lens to be perfectly verticle with the light that makes the difference.

I want to thank Frank Wallic (again) for helping me over the phone getting the hood straightened out. It wouldn't surprise me if Frank got an unlisted phone number and changed his email address. He is so gifted on these old rods.

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

Winston Churchill


32 Spitfire

 

32 Spitfire, Man that looks AMAZING!The details are so right.

Nick.

 

Part # 37 Cont.

Thanks 60'shotrod!

I'm beginning to really understand the importance of all the small details!

The doors for example took hours for the final fit. Almost everything needed custom fitted including the four rubber door stops. When you think of how many times you carefully handle the body during the painting process it's amazing anything comes even close to fitting the way it did prior to finishing.

I also forgot to mention that the leather hood straps once installed will pull the hood down evenly.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

Winston Churchill


32 Spitfire

 

wow, looks great

 

32 Spitfire, Your '32 is gettin' so near now, you must be excited to see it finished.
The proportions are Spot-on!

Nick.