Return to the BUILD
“In this issue, you will start to assemble the turbine and connect the fan wiring to the electronic control unit.”
Contents
Parts
Materials: All of the parts in this issue are metal.
Magazine
- The Series – Forget Me Not
- Build Your KI.T.T. – Step by Step
- Secret Files – Grappling Hook and Winch
Build
Turbine Assembly (1)
Step 1
Fit the Air Intake Mount to matching rectangular recess on the Turbine Front.
This part is directional – make sure the two rounded tabs of the Air Intake Mount align to the centerline of the Turbine Front, as shown:
Secure the Mount into place from the other side with two (2) AM screws.
This is your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
Fun Fact: It didn’t take long to realize that DeAgostini/Fanhome used the design of a real automotive turbine engine to represent the futuristic engine and exhaust system in our Knight Rider model. This is identical to the A-831 turbine engine which was found in the experimental 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car, and ironically, it ran on a variety of fuels, from gasoline to diesel to even perfume and soybean oil, much like K.I.T.T. was purported to do:
Because I found pictures of the actual engine used to create our model engine, I decided to use them as a color guide. Therefore, I airbrushed the center section (my Turbine Top) with Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black acrylic paint:
Step 2
Slide the Turbine Front into the matching slot at this end of the Turbine Top.
The two holes in the Air Intake Mount should line up to the two matching posts inside of the Turbine Top, and the rounded notch of the Turbine Front (arrow below) should be opposite the Turbine Top, as shown:
Secure the Air Intake Mount to the Turbine Top with two (2) GM screws, as shown:
Connecting the Fan Wiring
Step 3
Retrieve your Chassis assembly and your three Fan Wiring parts from the previous stage. Connect the shortest Fan Wiring (5cm part 18G) between this right-side pin of the Fan Motor Frame and this bottom pin of the Electronic Control Unit.
As with my Brake Lines in Stage 10, I chose to add lengths of 22 gauge Craft Wire to the inside of ‘wire’ hoses like these. I simply cut a piece of the wire slightly shorter than the hose to make room for the pins at the ends, and then insert it inside the hose. This allows me to form the hose into any shape:
Once each Fan Wiring part was attached to the correct pins (arrows below), I used my fingers to bend it into a nice shape:
Step 4
In the same way, connect the next longer Fan Wiring (7.5cm part 18H) between this center pin of the Fan Motor Frame and this middle pin of the Electronic Control Unit.
Again, I used my fingers to shape this Fan Wiring (with the craft wire inside):
Step 5
Finally, connect the longest Fan Wiring (10cm part 18I) between this left-side pin of the Fan Motor Frame and this top pin of the Electronic Control Unit:
Thoughts
Oh, K.I.T.T’s infamous turbine engine! While this was never actually created or seen on camera (the Knight Rider production team tried not to show the stock gasoline engine under the hood of the real cars), it is interesting to see the Fanhome take on what it might look like. The Chassis assembly can be stored somewhere safe for now, but keep this Turbine assembly nearby as we will need it again in Stage 22.
Next Up
Stage 20 – Turbine Right Exhaust