Shite in Miniature II

[Junkman]

Some of the Heller 1:43s are currently available:

 

- Peugeot 203

- Peugeot 403

- Land Rover

- Mini

- Citroen 11CV

- Citroen DS

- Citroen 2CV

- an array of rather newfangled rally cars

 

Regarding the good old days: Apart from the ones mentioned already in this thread, they also made a VW K70, Porsche 928, Mercedes R107,

BMW 635, Renault 4CV, Afasud, Citroen CX, Jag XJS, Alpine A310, Renault 5 Turbo. Plus the ones I forgot about.

 

They also produced the AMT 1:43 truck models for a while.

[Split_Pin]

I've got the Renault 30, Peugeot 203 and the Mini. All rather foutery but nicely cast nonetheless. Princess is shaping up nicely.

 

I got the Revell paint in Hobbycraft but I'm not sure if it's acrylic or enamel now.

[sierraman]

Wow a room to keep your hobby in! You lucky man! I make do with a draughty loft in which to look at my collection under torchlight.

[Junkman]

Wahey!

 

[mercrocker]

I see two figures but no bird with knockers.....

[Junkman]

Yeah, and the figures of Manfred and Wolfgang aren't even included.

[Split_Pin]

Managed to get a spare couple of hours for some miniature shiting today.

 

My son gave me this 1/24 Golf for my birthday back in September but apart from painting a few parts, progress was non existent.

 

I had no easy way of spraying the shell in this weather so I thought I'd give brush painting a go. I've never been happy with previous results so I bought some Revell acrylic gloss black from Hobbycraft. It appears much thinner but because it dries almost instantly I was able to go back over all the parts 4 times with thin coats. Some fine brush strokes are still evident but hopefully once dried, together with the dark colour, will show a good finish in the end.

[Spottedlaurel]

Good luck. Looks like it's got a good level of detail, and doing it in black means you won't have the hassle of painting trims around the windows. Doing things like getting the glass in without glue all over it will make a world of difference.

[Split_Pin]

So after 3 hours, I'm not happy with the finish, too many brush strokes. I will try some car polish to see if that flats it back a bit.

[Pillock]

I've restarted my Mk3 Golf kit that I started last year and then gave up in a huff. The clear plastic headlights went missing from the tray where I was building it, so it got put away. In hindsight I've realised I can probably squeeze a tiny bit of clear silicone into the front panel moulding after painting the backing silver, and smooth over the front. If it doesn't work I can peel it off, no loss. 

 

Actually got quite a way with it - I'd sprayed the shell in metallic blue, forgotten I'd done the arch trims and rubbing strips etc. Looks like I only half did the interior, but this is a nice one that comes with LHD and RHD dash (and even different wipers to suit). Not much to do on it really, although I need a way of tinting the rear lights as it's meant to be a GEE-TEE-EYE and it just says to paint the back with clear colour. 

 

In other news, I've got the 1303S kit from darkfour and I've sprayed the shell. Went into The Range and they do quite a lot of spraycans for £3.99, unsurprisingly VW Kasan Red L30B wasn't on offer but it's very similar to this Rover Vermilion. It's basically Tomato Soup colour. Interestingly, after being ignored every time I go into Halfords there was a young chap stocking the rack of paint and he was desperate to help me find the right paint... "what car have you got mate? Can you see the right colour?" I think he was a bit let down it was for a model kit and I was choosing purely on shade.

[Split_Pin]

Always fancied a Beetle kit as it's not one I've tried. I now have all bar one of my European 1/24 Trucks down from the loft again and I really want to find a nice early 1990s Italeri kit to do again. I loved building them and back in the day there were a doddle as I spent all day under trucks which ensured everything was in the right place when the instructions got a bit busy. I'm rusty now though after completing a Kenworth Tipper in 2015!

 

I'm going to look for something like a Volvo F16, Scania 143 or DAF 3300. Due to their large size I find them very rewarding to build.

[Pillock]

I'm gonna do a truck next. I did a couple when I was a nipper, there was a DAF 95 and a Mercedes racing truck, it was a Steve Parrish decalled one if that helps date it. They were both 1:24 and I was well chuffed with the DAF as it was the sort of thing you saw on the roads brand new. I mucked the paintwork up on the Merc and I was never that happy with it.

 

I'm also considering a diorama, I've got an old Mk2 Golf that I made a couple of years back, it's all dusty now and people moving it from shelf to shelf has lost the odd bit like rubbing strip, wipers and whatever. Looks a ballache to clean so I might try my hand at weathering it, a bit of "rust" etc. Then that can go next to a workshop with my nice shiny Mk3 in, the Beetle up on a ramp. Been looking at 1:24 engine cranes and toolboxes..... it's a bit big for doing too much but it's what my models are already.

[Split_Pin]

I did the DAF 95 Master Truck as my first 1:24 Truck Kit way back in 1992. Even though it was a bit shonky I loved it because as you say it was such a great representation of the real thing. I ended up stripping it, using whatever parts I could for various projects and buying an identical one which I made a much better job of. Sadly it has the later rubber tyres instead of the plastic 2 piece items which are correct for this kit.

 

I have looked through eBay and there's some good prices for new Italeri kits. I think I'm going for either a Berliet or Volvo F16 4 wheel tilt truck, both about 40 posted.

 

Incidentally, the original kits which I built back in the 1990s now appear harder to find on eBay. There was only 1 Renault Magnum and I couldn't see the DAF 95 Master Truck or any older Mercedes stuff at all.

[Pillock]

 

 

 

[Split_Pin]

Those Golfs are definitely worth repairing!

[sierraman]

What is the best way to store diecasts in the loft, specifically matchbox. I've them stored in cardboard shoeboxes at the moment, I'm told I'd be better in plastic boxes as it keeps them drier. Is this right?

[mercrocker]

Depends on the dampness present.....Plastic boxes have the advantage that should the unthinkable occur they will remain dry for as long as possible.   Having said that some of my stuff has survived six lofts in cardboard over the past 45 years.   If its not original cardboard boxes you are trying to preserve, just the models, then cardboard should suffice.   Anything prone to die-cast lurgy such as pre-war Dinky, Soviet or some Norev stuff will not benefit from the constant temperature shifts but Matchbox, modern Dinky and Corgi etc will be fine.....Be careful if you use any intermediate wrappings too, I had some mint Corgis that my Mum carefully and thoughtfully wrapped in dainty blue 1970s kitchen roll which left wonderful* patterns on the previously pristine paintwork.

[Split_Pin]

I have used fruit and veg boxes for over 30 years with only a few list to zinc pest however I think the storage medium had little to do with it.

[Pillock]

The white one is a couple of years old but has been on top of a bookcase, the blue isn't finished yet but annoying I've just realised I used all the paint without doing the inner wings, that are part of the engine moulding.

 

Prefer the Mk2 approach of separate engine block though

[junkyarddog]

Today's purchases at a local toyfair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not a bad haul.

[Junkman]

I sold about 600 of my plastic kits.

 

[Mr A Lawrence]

Couple of additions.

 

Jaguar XJ.

 

Porker carrera 70's edition.

[Felly Magic]

A few of my models went awol during the move, so I have started to replace them, typically one of the missing bunch turned up after I'd ordered its replacement, so this duplicate is up for grabs, still in its blister. It's a DeAgostini Lada Samara 2108 3 door in white. £9 shipped to shiters

 

 

 

[Spottedlaurel]

  On 08/01/2017 at 14:57, Junkman said:

I sold about 600 of my plastic kits.

To a trader presumably? Undoubtedly less hassle than selling individually on eBay or wherever.

[Junkman]

  On 12/01/2017 at 09:27, Spottedlaurel said:

To a trader presumably? Undoubtedly less hassle than selling individually on eBay or wherever.

 

I honestly tried to sell a few models on eBay. You cannot possibly imagine the mongtarded ordeal you are subjecting yourself to.

Trust me, you can't. Not even remotely. After the first three "sales" turned into total desasters, I quickly removed all my active listings.

 

Funnily enough I mentioned this to the dealer who bought my collection and then he started to tell me some of his anecdotes.

 

He completely gave up on eBay as well. We concluded that within ten years, eBay went from something wonderful to an unbearable legal minefield.

That these are supposedly grown up people out there just makes the mind boggle, honestly. I know five year olds that are easier to deal with.

[Junkman]

This is Mr Takuji Yamada, holding a diorama he made:

 

 

Although there is no Shite in Miniature per se on it, I think anyone who loves miniatures will enjoy it.

 

 

 

[mercrocker]

No shite, but there appears to be a book about FOAD......

[sierraman]

In the diorama he appears to have some sort of liver problems. His wife has come into his study to show their child where her father fucks about all day making airfix models instead of bringing some money in the house.

[Spottedlaurel]

Very clever. How many times is there a miniature of the diorama?

[Junkman]

At least four, maybe more.