Downloads
BUILD Information
- Add a Comment
The Builder
About Builder
Builder Last Online: Jan 2020
Model Scale: 1/8
Rating: 
Thanks: 1
Thanks: 1
Started: 04-18-18
Build Revisions: Never
SupportedAlthough I'm still finishing construction of a 1933 Gurney Nutting Rolls-Royce, that work was put on hold over the winter.
In the meantime, I've started a new project; a 1936 Citroen Traction Avant 'Normale'.
The platform will be the Heller kit of a 1952 Traction Avant 15-Six, but the 1936 version will feature a 4-cylinder engine, not the 6-cylinder engine in the Heller kit. There will also be a large number of other changes including dashboard, seats, fuel tank, exhaust system, rims and tires.
So why a 1936 Traction Avant?
Most of my other models are 1930s vehicles; from the engineering excellence of Rolls-Royce to the inexpensive 'everyman's car' of the Austin Seven. First launched in 1934, the Traction Avant fits in the middle. But, more importantly it was the first mass produced car to feature front wheel drive and monocoque construction. It was a comfortable family car with excellent road holding and very attractive styling. There was literally nothing else like it. The Traction Avant marked another milestone in the rapid transformation of motor cars in the 1930s. a shift that truly welcomed in the age of mass motoring.
Conveniently, Heller had produced a kit of a 1952 6-cylinder version of the Traction Avant, But, in keeping with the transformative theme of the 1930s, I wanted to model a version of the Traction Avant that was close to its original launch in 1934. At launch, in April 1934, the ‘Tractions’, (designated 7CV, a reflection of the tax code into which the engine fell), had a 4-cylinder engine. The 6-cylinder engine wasn't introduced until 1938. The 7CV also utilized a shorter, narrower body than the 1952 version.
But, in Sept 1934, new 11CV versions were launched which had a bigger 4-cyl engine. One version, with a longer, wider body, was called the 'Normale' and initially designated 11A. That body is very similar to the 1952 6-cylinder version. So a 1936 version of the 11A 'Normale' seemed like a real possibility without pressing my modeling skills too far. A 4-cylinder engine, plus its associated gearbox and engine cradle, would have to be built. But that seemed like a reasonable challenge.
My goal is to build historically accurate models. But, as is typical with 1930s cars, drawings are generally hard to find. So a significant amount of research is needed to identify the right components and to find and verify key dimensions.
Fortunately cross-section drawings of the 4-cylinder engine and gearbox exist, as well as overall body layouts.
Below are cross-sections of the 6-cylinder and 4-cylinder engines. You can see the significant differences:
And this body layout drawing shows the differences between the 7CV and the 11N (Normale) in 1935. This is really helpful since it let me confirm that the Heller body and the 1935 11N body were virtually the same.
With the Austin Seven I had learned CAD and experimented with 3D printed parts. That had worked well so I decided to use 3D printed parts for the Traction Avant. In essence I would make my own trans-kit. The hardest part has been fleshing out the dimensions of all the parts (or, at least, getting as close as I could to the real dimensions). Living in North America, I don't have access to real Traction Avants, so that made it somewhat harder. Nevertheless, bit by bit, I was able to piece the engine/gearbox/front suspension assembly together.
Here's a comparison of a photo of a prototype 4-cylinder engine with a rendering of my own CAD drawing:
Next up was drawing the radiator (squarer and more upright than the one for the 6-cylinder engine) as well as the narrower engine/gearbox cradle. After that, the front suspension components could be added as shown in these two renderings:
The tires have the same profile as the early tires used on Tractions Avant, but the tread pattern is incorrect. It has subsequently been changed. By 1952, the tires had changed to a wider and more rounded profile so new tires would have to be made for the model.
All of the above should give you an introduction to the 1936 Traction Avant. In subsequent postings I'll include more detail. In the meantime, most of the 3D parts are on order ... a few hundred of them!!
In the meantime, I've started a new project; a 1936 Citroen Traction Avant 'Normale'.
The platform will be the Heller kit of a 1952 Traction Avant 15-Six, but the 1936 version will feature a 4-cylinder engine, not the 6-cylinder engine in the Heller kit. There will also be a large number of other changes including dashboard, seats, fuel tank, exhaust system, rims and tires.
So why a 1936 Traction Avant?
Most of my other models are 1930s vehicles; from the engineering excellence of Rolls-Royce to the inexpensive 'everyman's car' of the Austin Seven. First launched in 1934, the Traction Avant fits in the middle. But, more importantly it was the first mass produced car to feature front wheel drive and monocoque construction. It was a comfortable family car with excellent road holding and very attractive styling. There was literally nothing else like it. The Traction Avant marked another milestone in the rapid transformation of motor cars in the 1930s. a shift that truly welcomed in the age of mass motoring.
Conveniently, Heller had produced a kit of a 1952 6-cylinder version of the Traction Avant, But, in keeping with the transformative theme of the 1930s, I wanted to model a version of the Traction Avant that was close to its original launch in 1934. At launch, in April 1934, the ‘Tractions’, (designated 7CV, a reflection of the tax code into which the engine fell), had a 4-cylinder engine. The 6-cylinder engine wasn't introduced until 1938. The 7CV also utilized a shorter, narrower body than the 1952 version.
But, in Sept 1934, new 11CV versions were launched which had a bigger 4-cyl engine. One version, with a longer, wider body, was called the 'Normale' and initially designated 11A. That body is very similar to the 1952 6-cylinder version. So a 1936 version of the 11A 'Normale' seemed like a real possibility without pressing my modeling skills too far. A 4-cylinder engine, plus its associated gearbox and engine cradle, would have to be built. But that seemed like a reasonable challenge.
My goal is to build historically accurate models. But, as is typical with 1930s cars, drawings are generally hard to find. So a significant amount of research is needed to identify the right components and to find and verify key dimensions.
Fortunately cross-section drawings of the 4-cylinder engine and gearbox exist, as well as overall body layouts.
Below are cross-sections of the 6-cylinder and 4-cylinder engines. You can see the significant differences:
And this body layout drawing shows the differences between the 7CV and the 11N (Normale) in 1935. This is really helpful since it let me confirm that the Heller body and the 1935 11N body were virtually the same.
With the Austin Seven I had learned CAD and experimented with 3D printed parts. That had worked well so I decided to use 3D printed parts for the Traction Avant. In essence I would make my own trans-kit. The hardest part has been fleshing out the dimensions of all the parts (or, at least, getting as close as I could to the real dimensions). Living in North America, I don't have access to real Traction Avants, so that made it somewhat harder. Nevertheless, bit by bit, I was able to piece the engine/gearbox/front suspension assembly together.
Here's a comparison of a photo of a prototype 4-cylinder engine with a rendering of my own CAD drawing:
Next up was drawing the radiator (squarer and more upright than the one for the 6-cylinder engine) as well as the narrower engine/gearbox cradle. After that, the front suspension components could be added as shown in these two renderings:
The tires have the same profile as the early tires used on Tractions Avant, but the tread pattern is incorrect. It has subsequently been changed. By 1952, the tires had changed to a wider and more rounded profile so new tires would have to be made for the model.
All of the above should give you an introduction to the 1936 Traction Avant. In subsequent postings I'll include more detail. In the meantime, most of the 3D parts are on order ... a few hundred of them!!
Show Complete First Post
Show Your Support
- This build may not be copied, reproduced or published elsewhere without author's permission.Please note: The first post will be displayed at the top of every page.
QUOTE 
Originally Posted by jrhaddock
Bookmarks