Creating a rodeo scene


Bondo®


automobile body putty (above) does not keep shrinking


once it is cured. A modeler’s knife was used as a spatula to apply it in thin coats to bulk up the cast metal steer. A pin and dabs of epoxy converted the steer back into a bull (above right). The pin provided both a mandrel and mounting. Working slowly and com-


paring the model to photos of bulls produced a credible bull with a hump and thick neck (below left and right). The small corral (bottom left and right) was built up with stripwood and thin birch dowels. A coat of “dirt- colored” paint was applied to the base. The corral was then ready to be installed on the layout.


to be done to them. One could leave the horns long for a more dramatic, danger- ous ride, or cut them shorter. I chose to use a shorter set of horns, so I cut them back. Researching rodeo bulls comes up with pictures showing long, short and


no horns at all; it is a personal choice. Bondo®


Spot Putty was used to “beef-


up” the critter; I applied it in a couple of sessions so I could judge where to add a little bit more until I got the de- sired look. After the bull was the way I


wanted, I smoothed out the Bondo us- ing Squadron fast-drying white putty over it, then sanded the body to get it ready for another coat of primer and painting. I have a small statue of a bull and


60


FEBRUARY 2014


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