Hood widths: Atlas GP35 vs SD35

[pedro]

The Atlas GP35, being of Kato-tooled heritage, appears to be on the "fat" side. (approx 6'-6" wide) I recently ordered some nose light-equipped SD35 shells from the parts store with hopes of taking the easy path to a nose-lighted GP35 via a simple nose swap kitbash. While I await the shells' arrival, does anyone have an SD35 on hand and can tell me if the SD35s were tooled with a scale-width (6') hood? Of course I didn't think of this until after I placed my order.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

They are not the same. I just happened to have both hand.
GP35 nose width: .46"
SS35 nose width: .44"

My suggestion? Get an SD cab too, and sand the long hood area.

[pedro]

Thanks, Ed. I figured if I had to I would do a follow-up order and use the SD cab. I suppose I will have to file down the front of the Geep frame to slip on the skinnier nose. I think I can handle that.


Will report in the appropriate sub-forum    when I get going on this.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Sure thing. You lucked out, both were out on the bench.

I would be surprised if you did, honestly. I think that might've changed with the switch to "classic".

[TiVoPrince]

SD35
nose/cab alignment is visually better with regard to the obvious seams. Filling gaps between scale noses and wide cabs does not give a very smooth seam.  You will need to fill some gaps around the subbase/batteryboxes/deck when using the SD35 parts, but it fixes many of the visual issues.  The fit/finish of the narrow cab mating to the long hood of the fat body is poor but its not as visually distracting as you might think.  Frames may need a few swipes with a file but not require any major surgery.  This swap also works on Kato 'fat' body SD40/45 shells, you can substitute IM scale width SP noses too for example...