The “Double Ugly” Tabletop Model
Over the past 15 years, Don Campbell has built hundreds of finely detailed custom 1:12 scale model tractors and other vehicles. One of his recent creations commemorates “Double Ugly,” the ear-splitting 24 cyl. 1,000-hp. pulling tractor built by the Michigan Madman, E.J. Potter.
Campbell, who’s also from Michigan, says he never met Potter, although he grew up hearing many stories of Potter’s exploits with exotic custom-made motorcycles. Potter’s most famous builds were the 500-hp. “Widowmaker” and the smaller horsepower “Bloody Mary,” each with souped-up Chevy V-8 engines. Potter turned to building pulling tractors in the 1970’s and soon became a legend in that category, too. Like Potter’s motorcycle creations, The Double Ugly tractor was a sight and sound to behold.
Campbell built his Double Ugly model without plans. He worked from pictures and used his trained eye and years of experience to scale every part of his model to near-authentic size. The 1:12 scale model closely replicates Potter’s hand-crafted rig that rode on two massive rear wheels and a rugged steel frame with narrow front steering wheels. The model has an open cockpit style driver’s station riding above and behind small replicas of the tractor’s two Allison V-3420 aircraft engines. Both engines have finely detailed headers, ports, and pipes that Campbell crafted to resemble the originals. The model’s levers, wiring, steering wheel, and front suspension mimic those on the real tractor.
Campbell says Potter came up with amazing ideas and built them out, living by his often-used phrase, “Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even usually surpassing knowledge.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Don Campbell (don@doncampbellmaker.com).
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The “Double Ugly” Tabletop Model FARM HOME Novelty Items Over the past 15 years Don Campbell has built hundreds of finely detailed custom 1:12 scale model tractors and other vehicles One of his recent creations commemorates “Double Ugly ” the ear-splitting 24 cyl 1 000-hp pulling tractor built by the Michigan Madman E J Potter Campbell who’s also from Michigan says he never met Potter although he grew up hearing many stories of Potter’s exploits with exotic custom-made motorcycles Potter’s most famous builds were the 500-hp “Widowmaker” and the smaller horsepower “Bloody Mary ” each with souped-up Chevy V-8 engines Potter turned to building pulling tractors in the 1970’s and soon became a legend in that category too Like Potter’s motorcycle creations The Double Ugly tractor was a sight and sound to behold Campbell built his Double Ugly model without plans He worked from pictures and used his trained eye and years of experience to scale every part of his model to near-authentic size The 1:12 scale model closely replicates Potter’s hand-crafted rig that rode on two massive rear wheels and a rugged steel frame with narrow front steering wheels The model has an open cockpit style driver’s station riding above and behind small replicas of the tractor’s two Allison V-3420 aircraft engines Both engines have finely detailed headers ports and pipes that Campbell crafted to resemble the originals The model’s levers wiring steering wheel and front suspension mimic those on the real tractor Campbell says Potter came up with amazing ideas and built them out living by his often-used phrase “Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time even usually surpassing knowledge ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Don Campbell don@doncampbellmaker com
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